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Middle School Librarian Brenda Stephens Teaches English in Guatemala
Language can be a barrier between cultures, especially if this language is different between the two parties. It makes it difficult to meet and learn about another individual if one cannot understand them. Brenda Stephens, CCES Middle School Librarian, recognizes that barrier and strives to break it down by volunteering to teach English in Guatemala during her summer break.
In Guatemala, public school is not offered after the eighth grade. Because of this, children are offered the opportunity to go to education centers to help further their schooling while they have access to it. These children, from impoverished neighborhoods, attend the center for both help with their schoolwork, English, and an opportunity to learn more about the Bible. This center is where Mrs. Stephens spent a great deal of her time while in Guatemala. She assisted the children with their English and taught them various skills with iPad applications that use virtual reality, augmented reality, and 360 imaging. She also brought the children books donated by generous CCES families and had the students video chat with CCES students to form a connection with others, while brushing up on their English.
When Mrs. Stephens was not working with the children, she worked with GIF Academy, sharing her time teaching English to adults. The GIF, or God is First, Academy is an English center that allows individuals to learn the language without having to pay for expensive schooling from a private English academy. The Academy says that while learning is their main goal, they also strive to “spiritually uplift, support, and grow each student and enable each to carry on [their] method of nurturing and growing others.” Mrs. Stephens has made such an impact with this organization that they gifted her with an award for all her hard work.
However, Mrs. Stephens’ visit was not all work and no play. She enjoyed hiking the volcanoes in Guatemala and was able to spend a weekend in Honduras where she ziplined through the Copan Ruins and visited a Macaw Refuge Center. She also was appreciative of the company that her son, Michael, and friend, Leslie Scott, provided her with for the month that she was there.
Mrs. Stephens’ impact and teaching has not ceased with her departure from Guatemala. She plans on continuing the video chats between the CCES Middle Schoolers, as well as having them write letters between themselves. She also maintains a solid connection with the adult students that she works with by video chatting with them throughout the year.
To learn more about the GIF Academy, visit https://www.gifenglish.org/.
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