It was great to get back in the classroom and I think we had a very interesting topic. Teaching about elections and how that impacts foreign policy was very timely. I liked the dynamic of having two sets of TCV's teaching the same lesson. I think the preparation prior to the actual teaching went very well. Lucy, Ray, and Jumaina all gathered the first time and the four of us got together the night before. I thought the classroom time went very well and the students were quite engaged. The topic of elections gave us significant ground to work with. From speaking with Lucy and Ray it sounds like they had a very positive session as well.
I was very pleased to learn that the students were very engaged not only in elections in general, but particularly this year’s presidential race. The simulated caucus was quite a hit. I think the students really enjoyed it and we had some very interesting exchanges as they tried to persuade their fellow students to back a certain candidate.
I think having flexibility in lesson plan is key. Jumaina and I had the 40 minute class period which went very quickly. I have found the best periods within the lesson are those when we can build off how the students respond as we find out more of what they are interested in. For example Rebecca’s classroom had materials related to the Darfur situation. They were very engaged when we spoke about the Kenyan elections and how that has impacted the delivery of relief materials from the Port of Mombasa. I think Jumaina's work on the Pakistani elections resonated with them as the events surrounding it are very current. In general they were quite interested in what we worked on and the experiences we have had that led to working in this field.
It was very positive to work with Ray, Lucy, and Jumaina. I have been involved with Thurgood Marshall Academy the past two school years and I am very happy to see TMA partnered with YPFP-C.
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I agree with Justin that flexibility is key. What I found most interesting is that the students were interested in the upcoming US elections and many had already picked their candidates. In our session, candidate choice was divided with the young men supporting Sen. Obama and the young women support Sen. Clinton.
In our discussions of issues of concern, education and health care were the two most important. The funding issue was key because the students were all waiting to hear back from colleges about acceptance and financial aid packages.
One of the most interesting "promises" made during the caucus simulation was when one of the students proposed to provide free education to students who worked in the public school system while attending college.
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