Education at myLIFEspeaks
"MyLIFEspeaks is passionate about providing a higher level of learning and a safe place for special needs and typically developing children to learn and grow together." "Our integrative school, LIFE Academy, is creating the opportunities and instilling the confidence that both general and special education students need to transform their future and their generation." "This level of integration, critical thinking, and higher learning is a new concept for education in Haiti and myLIFEspeaks is proud to lead this cultural transformation in Neply." |
What type of challenges do you see in your classroom that may not arise in a typical, state school?"I would say one of our biggest challenges is attendance. In Haiti, truancy is not a thing so sometimes will miss several days of school with no communication from the parents why. Some times kids don't come to school because their shoes were dirty, uniform had a hole in it, or there hair was not braided and mom didn't have the energy/time to do the hair. We have had kids miss school because “its too cold for them to ride on a motorcycle” even though it's still 75 degrees. Another challenge we are currently facing is kids missing school because the country is currently in an unofficial civil war and the roads are too dangerous for vehicles to be driving on to get to school. I can say that a challenge you wont see in the American classroom would be physical discipline. THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO OUR SCHOOL BUT IN 99% OF TYPICAL HAITIAN SCHOOLS. Teachers will hit, spank, or strike a student with a stick as discipline. ITs a very fear based system. Scare the kids into behaving well. The classic punishment is for the kid to kneel down in the corner and the teacher to hit the kid. Its gut-wrenching to hear this, Im sure. But like I said we don't do that at our school."
How do the students gain access to this education? / Special Ed?Access?
"Each year, every student in our school will move up to the next grade level which leaves us with openings in our pre-k class each year. So each year, we have open enrollment and parents who are interest in enrolling their student come and fill out an application. There a few requirements they have to meet, such as age, documents, etc. After the application process is closed, we then narrow it down according to who meets the above stated requirements and call each student in to have observed play time. We sound bougie I know but we are not. Kids develop super slow here and a child can be 4 years old but also be on the mental age of a 2 year old so these observations see who is ready for pre-k and who is not. After that (well really from the beginning) we really press hard into God and constantly ask Him who He wants in His school and He never fails to reveal to us who He wants." Special ed? "LIFE Academy is one of the only schools in Haiti who has special education in the school. We have 3 special education classes with a total of 33 students- each ranging in different disabilities. We have kids learning Braille, sign language, as well as the basic “reading, writing, and arithmetic” ha ha. We actually have 2 students in our general education classes that started in special education but because of their time in sped, they grew strong enough mentally to transition to general ed!" |
What is the usual set-up of the classrooms in Haiti?How many teachers (number of Haitians teachers versus American?)
"One thing that we make sure of in our school as well as myLIFEspeaks as a whole is that we are empowering this culture and we are not an organization that comes in and does everything for everyone. That system is toxic and does not help this culture thrive on their own. That being said, 100% of our teachers and other staff members are Haitian. I am the only American working in our school and I am more like a super intendant or dean of students type person." What grade levels are offered? "As of right now we offer pre-k- 3rd grade as well as 3 special education classes!!! Each year we open up another grade level so next year we will go up to 4th grade." How many kids per classroom? "In our school, we have small classes. Our average class is 2 teachers with 12 students. However, the typical school in Haiti will have 30-40 kids per 1 teacher!!!" What role (if any) does technology play in your classroom?"Sadly, not a whole lot. We dont have reliable internet in our area and even if we did, we dont have a computer lab or anything like that. The administrators are able to use the internet to find fun and engaging lessons/documents but other than that, there is not much technology. I mean, we have a printer if that counts."
What type of experience does the summer internship in the myLIFEspeaks education program give to future educators?"This experience is a unique one. An internship in the summer would mainly consist of running our summer education program. An intern would be able to bring their knowledge they have acquired in college or from their prior educational experience and use it in a classroom setting with students who come from homes that have no one at home who can help them read/write/etc bc they themselves do not know how to read or write. An intern would be working with some of our students that come from trauma situations (mental/physical abuse) which has effected their learning ability. So pretty much taking the kids who would other wise get “lett behind” in other schools, and getting them to the level of excellence needed to change their families, village, and country!!"
How has diversity played a role in your classroom?"Well, when I hear the word “diversity” I automatically think of racial diversity. But we don't really have any “racial diversity” in our school because every one is Haitian. But we are diverse in the sense of, I guess you could say, mental ability. WE have several students who are mentally handicap as well as students who have mental/learning delays"
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