“Zambia In My Rearview Mirror” (from Betty)

Looking back in my rearview mirror at the experiences I had last week in Zambia, I know I’m thankful to be a part of A to Z Literacy.

Highlights of the week include:

** reconnecting with the teachers at Shine Zambia Reading Academy

** not only sharing lessons with teachers and students and modeling good literacy instruction, but watching the teachers in action

** feeling such a warm welcome and the appreciation of our work with A to Z Literacy…I now feel quite colorful!

** seeing vulnerable children make tremendous progress…and witnessing their desire to learn

** spending time with the cadre of Shine graduates who we continue to support with books, materials, and scholarships enabling them to stay in secondary school and move toward a brighter future

** working alongside Mal and Dave Keenan and other educators at School of Hope to help deliver the professional development workshop to 150 Zambian teachers

** the opportunity to engage the students and teachers at Shine in the photography/writing project and learn firsthand about Zambian life by walking the streets and back corners of Mutendere East compound

** handing out toothbrushes (donated by my dentist, Dr. Parin Desai of Crystal Lake Smiles) to over 170 students at Shine

** and finally…the enormous amount of learning and professional development that comes to me as a result of teaching in Zambia.

Back home now…but fond memories of this week will be engrained in my mind forever.