June 21, 2005
For Immediate Release                                                         

 

ECU’s Teacher Education Program Visits Mexico
With International Understanding Global Study

Greenville, NC – East Carolina’s Director of Teacher Education, Dr. Vivian Covington; Associate Professor of English Education, Dr. Todd Finley; and Professor of Foundations of Education, Dr. Christine Shea recently participated in a global study program to Mexico.  The goal of the trip was to help participants identify the impact of cultural factors on limited English proficiency student learning and achievement.  This program also enables colleges and schools to develop teacher training that uses their experiences in Mexico to address teaching strategies for Latino/Hispanic students.  They visited both public and private schools and universities, observed classes and met with teachers and school administrators.  

Covington said the week long trip inside the Mexican culture was a life changing experience.  The group was exposed to the Mexican culture through lectures, trips to museums and other tourist sites.  They traveled into smaller communities and met families who can’t find work.  Many of these people rely on family members who cross the border into the United States to earn money. “I knew jobs were sparse, but I had no idea just how sparse they really were.” said Covington.  Covington went on to explain the people she met in the poorer, rural areas feel they have no other option than to cross the border for work.  She said that most of them always have it in the back of their mind that they will return to Mexico. 

In the meantime, there are already students from Latino/Hispanic cultures in our schools who do not speak much English. And, if they can’t comprehend lessons they drop out of school. ECU already provides courses that address diversity to candidates.  But, Covington says knowing some conversational phrases and ways to support parents of Latino/Hispanic students would also be beneficial to teachers. Those who participated in the International Understanding trip hope they can prepare teachers to not only retain students from other cultures but also help them succeed in the classroom. 

###