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Getting creative in Columbia

By MARLA TONCRAY, News Editor

Tuesday, August 26, 2008 10:37 PM EDT

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Mason County Spanish teacher Sam Caudill is back home after teaching English in Cali, Columbia last school year.

Caudill made the switch for the 2007--2008 school year as part of the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program and was one of five teachers from across the United States selected to participate in the program. The other teachers were from California, Washington, Colorado and Wisconsin.

"I'm definitely glad to be home," Caudill said Tuesday, noting the cultural differences between the two countries were greater than he expected.

One of the main differences for Caudill as a teacher was the availability of technology within the classroom. He said when he arrived for his first day at Jorge Isaacs High School he had only a CD player. Caudill said the school didn't have computer labs like those in American schools and any assignments requiring a computer were conducted by the students at home.

"It definitely forced me to be a more creative teacher," Caudill said. He also had to expand his ability to teach without the use of textbooks for students, because there was only one set of English books available for a student population of 2,000 and multiple English classes.

Caudill taught 10 and 11 grades, with an average class size of 40 students. Because of the large student population, the school offered two schedules; Caudill's day began at 12:40 p.m. and ended at 6:40 p.m.

Mason County High School Spanish teacher, Samuel Caudill, on a visit to Cartagena, one of Colombia's colonial towns. -- Photo submitted

Without the use of textbooks, Caudill said he learned to plan his own classroom instruction and goals for his students structured around the school's program of studies and curriculum. He said he collaborated with other teachers, sharing ideas and implemented those ideas into his classroom instruction.

Cali is the third largest city in Columbia with more than two million people and the public school district Caudill taught in had a total student population of 8,000.

"That's in addition to private schools," Caudill said. "Religious education is so big in Columbia ... the public schools are required to teach religious classes."

With limited technology, Caudill said he manually averaged his students grades by hand, only using the computer to record the final grade, something he hasn't had to do in eight years at Mason County.

He said he also found information wasn't as reliable and the country's infrastructure wasn't "nearly as effective" as what we have in America.

But despite these handicaps, Caudill said he never felt it was unsafe for him to be in Columbia and he "would do the whole experience again" if given the chance.

One of Caudill's goals was to help educate his students about their own country. He took one group to an estate where a famous novel was written and their assignment was to write about their visit in English. He said some of the students would have never had the opportunity to do something like that unless it was through an educational program.

"My goal was to open them up to the world," Caudill said.

Being back in his classroom at Mason County High School, Caudill feels he is a better teacher because of his experience and wants to bring more "culminating activities" into his classroom, to encourage more critical thinking skills for his students, which is something the Columbian education system achieves.

Contact Marla Toncray at marla.toncray@lee.net or 606-564-9091, ext. 275.

Reader Comments

Comments are limited to 200 words or less.

Stirrin the Pot wrote on Sep 1, 2008 5:13 AM:

" A simple Google search on travel to Colombia brings up many warnings against travel to that country. While I'm certain most folks in that country are good people the drug lords pretty much are in control and they are not very nice people. If Mr. Caudill and others like him choose to go there then they must be willing to accept the dangers and not expect others to risk their lives to save them should the unthinkable happen. "

Nira Penn wrote on Aug 29, 2008 6:59 AM:

" I currently live and work in Cali, Colombia as a teacher also. Although I work at one of the private schools, there are still challenges which come with second language learners. As for dangers, working in Cali is just as safe as cities like Miami or Atlanta. It is a good city with kind people. "

FWIW wrote on Aug 27, 2008 5:24 AM:

" He's lucky to have gotten out of there alive! Far too many folks who have gone there to help out have returned home in body bags or have never been heard from again. "

Add your own comments:

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