International Lit Programs

Training the Trainers in Southern Sudan

The Southern Sudan Teacher Training effort began in the fall of 2008 when John Dau spoke at Central Washington University and the Ellensburg Morning Rotary Club in Ellensburg, Washington, Dau emphasized the need for teacher training. Despite multiple challenges, Ellensburg Morning Rotary, agreed to help bring reading and teaching skills to Southern Sudan.  With technical support and encouragement from the International Reading Association and the Southern Sudan Institute the Judy and Phil Backlund and Janet Finke launched this program to teach more than 70 South Sudanese lead teachers from three counties.

The initial phase took place in August 2009 in Tanzania when the Backlund/Finke team met with two Southern Sudan teachers to develop a needs assessment, build trust and provide basic training.

 

The team made a promise to these teachers that they would come to Southern Sudan to train some of their teachers.

The next step was continued support for the teachers. This included providing membership in International Reading Association; providing videos on teaching strategies; assessment pieces; and books and materials.

The actual teacher training segment took place in March 2011 in Juba, Sudan and involved an intense two-week training of 14 selected teachers with 15 best-practice teaching strategies using guided and independent practice. These strategies can be used with all ages in both mother-tongue (Dinka) and English, across many subject areas, require only chalk and chalkboards, and can be used by both novice and experienced teachers.

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International Lit Programs

The Backllund/Finke team will conduct follow up, evaluation, and continued support for a minimum of three years to ensure successful implementation of the strategies.

EMRC is working on this project in cooperation with the International Reading Association.

For more information, please contact Judy Backlund.

 

Contributors Sharing the Dream

$4000 and above:
Southern Sudan Institute

$3500 and above:
Phil and Judy Backlund (in-kind development of curriculum, project support and transportation to Juba)

$2000 and above:
Janet Finke (in-kind development of curriculum, project support and volunteer educator traveling with Phil and Judy to Juba)

$1500 and above:
Jack and Valerie Carpenter

$500 and above:
Zane and Roseanne Kinney
Rotary Club of Tri-Cities Sunrise
Nancy and Dennis Wilson

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International Lit Programs

Contributors Sharing the Dream

$250 and above:
Dr. James and Lillian Brooks

$100 and above:
Erleen Beckley
Daryl & Jan Francis
Corwin and Marianne King
Judi Lyons
Mike and Kay Stern
Nanette Walkley
Kevin Weberg

$50 and above:
Dr. Jerry and Carol Findley
John and Claudia Haddon
Judy and Rick Wright

 

$20 and above:
Marla and Eric Bieker
Sandra and Ian Elliot
Robyn Hull
Joanna Markell
Pearl Street Books & Gifts
Scott and Dawn Sparks

Reading Across Continents

Reading Across Continents (An International Reading Association Project) connects students and teachers around the world via literature and technology.

The Ellensburg Morning Rotary Club and a Rotary Club in Lahore, Pakistan have purchased books for two classes in their communities. The books, selected by teachers, librarians & principals, are both in the fantasy genre for 9-12 year old children.

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International Lit Programs

The teachers, principals, and supporting Rotarians from both communities have established the literature connection between the teachers and children in both countries.

The children will read their respective books, and under the guidance of their teachers, they will communicate a literature club format via email.

For more information, please visit readingacrosscontinents.com

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