BECA Summer Institute
BECA began its Summer Institute in 2008 to provide our new teachers with a framework for approaching their bilingual classroom. BECA hired two teachers, Julie Schillreff and Naomi Carman, from Alison Bixby Stone School to design and deliver trainings that would prepare our teachers for the duties and challenges they would face once the school year started.
The 5-week intensive program includes:
- training on different methods of language acquisition
- classroom management
- curriculum planning
- cultural sensitivities
- complimentary Spanish classes
Summer 2011 saw a growing team of BECA volunteers, (18)! In turn we welcomed an additional trainer for our fourth annual Summer Institute. Returning Alison Bixby trainers, Julie Shillreff and Sarah Amman were joined this past year by BECA alumna, Jenna Foster to complete the team. Each year our newly arrived volunteers come away from the Institute with the tools necessary to succeed in the BECA classroom. We're reminded by them time and time again that this part of the BECA experience is a true key to our organization's success.
As a follow-up professional development opportunity, BECA teachers visit the Alison Bixby Stone School in Zamorano during the fall to conduct classroom observations and attend informational seminars put on by ABSS teachers.
Summer Institute would not be possible without the professional support of (ABSS). A big thanks to Barbara Torrey, Julie Schillreff, Sarah Amman, Jenna Foster, and all others who have made the Summer Institute an all-around success.
