Early Childhood Education Workforce Development in the U.S. and Haiti
Haiti Initiative between MassBay Community College and UMass Boston
Funded by FIPSE
This project is a collaborative effort between MassBay Community College (MassBay), a two-year college and
the University of Massachusetts Boston (UMass Boston), a public research university working with faculty at
the Teaching College of the State University of Haiti (UEH). Through this innovative partnership, we are
engaging multiple stakeholders and fostering a cross-cultural collaboration that promise significant
postsecondary education impact, specifically in the area of Early Childhood Education (ECE) workforce
development in the U.S. and Haiti. We are achieving this goal through the following project features: 1) a
joint design of an Early Childhood teacher training curriculum between U.S. and Haitian Early Childhood
experts, 2) training of Haitian trainers by MassBay and UMass Boston faculty who will be responsible for
delivering a certificate training for Haitian teachers and 3) a shared practicum between U.S. and Haitian Early
Childhood Educators which imbeds service learning. These ECE teachers work together applying their
learning through an exchange of language, culture and early childhood education content.
Year Two of this synergistic R3 Haiti FIPSE project has been an extremely productive and intense year of
learning which has made an indelible impact on staff, faculty and students working together to accomplish
project objectives.
Are you an Early Childhood Education student interested in
doing a pre-practicum in an international setting?
If you are an Early Childhood Education
student, there is an opportunity to visit Haiti
over the winter and learn more about the
culture, history, politics, and educational system
of Haiti. In Gateway to Cultural Competence for
Teachers-in-Training, a 3 credit pilot course,
you’ll get firsthand experience working in
classrooms alongside Haitian teachers.
ALL TRAVEL-RELATED EXPENSES WILL BE COVERED!!!
Eligibility & Criteria
* Student in an Early Childhood Education program
* Completed a minimum of 2 Early Childhood Education courses
* Agreement to follow all course & travel requirements including pre-travel & post-travel
requirements
* 2 reference forms
* Complete and submit application form by deadline: Oct. 11, 2012
What past students have said:
“Going to Haiti was one of the best decisions
I have made for my career as a teacher.”
“I am leaving this country with a different
outlook about my own country. There is
much Americans can learn from Haiti.”
“This experience was one of the most eye
opening and enlightening I’ve ever had.”
“Real problems, Real needs, Real solutions: Early Childhood Education Workforce
Development in the U.S. and Haiti”
A FIPSE-Funded Project
MassBay, UMASS Boston, & Haiti Partnership
To obtain a packet or find out more information, please contact:
LaToya Staine Carriker ~
[email protected]
~ 508-270-4119
MassBay student, Maria Vasquez (above) & UMass Boston student, Jihane Etienne (below) doing educational activities with Haitian preschool students.
FIPSE PROJECT UPDATE
Course Implementation:
In April ’12, the Education Department at MassBay Community College approved the FIPSE course: Gateway to Cultural Competency for Teachers in Training.
Five Early Childhood Education (E.C.E.) students were successfully recruited to participate in the project- four from MassBay Community College and one from UMass Boston.
Linda Romero, head of E.C.E. Department at MassBay, led the course along with guest lecturer, Dr. Marc Prou, Professor and Department Chair of Africana & Caribbean Studies at UMass Boston.
The course included 2 pre-travel sessions; service learning pre-practicum in Haitian classrooms; language & culture sessions in Haiti; and 2 post-travel sessions. Required readings, daily journals & a final capstone paper were a part of course requirements.
Curriculum Design & Teacher Training Program:
E.C.E. specialists, Linda Romero (MassBay) & Su Theriault (UMass Boston) led the curriculum design for the “Train-the-Trainers” program. Using Skype &
teleconferences, Linda & Su collaborated with Haitian professors from the universities in Haiti & with Haitian trainer, Francesca Charles.
In Haiti, the training was conducted from May 30-June 8, totaling 50 hours of training.
Including 2 trainers and 6 pre-school directors, 28 Haitian participants received certificates for successfully completing the program. The Ministry of Education, Director for the Southeast region of Haiti attended the training & representatives spoke at the graduation ceremony.
Other:
Students & staff collected preschool donations from MassBay, UMASS, & the wider community. The donations were delivered to the participating teachers at the completion of the project.
Strong partnerships developed during the travel to Haiti. The Ministry of
Education, Director for the Southeast region expressed gratitude &strong interest in partnering with the project to expand the reach inSoutheast, Haiti.
The FIPSE students, faculty, & staff presented on the success of their experiences on June 21st at the Forbes Board Room at MassBay Community College.
Recent Accomplishments!
FIPSE students, faculty, & staff at summer
presentation of project.
Project Overview:
This FIPSE (Fund to Improve Post Secondary Education) Project is a 3-year grant which partners MassBay Community College, UMass Boston & educational institutions in Haiti. We are working to enhance educational collaborations and cross-cultural
experiencesbetween two
nations: Haiti and the US. We
are working to accomplish
this through a joint curriculum design, training of Haitian trainers and a shared practicum which imbeds a
MassBay Assoc. Professor and Education Department Chair, Linda Romero, receiving appreciation award from participating teachers.
Summer ‘12 ● Real problems, Real needs, Real solutions:
Early Childhood Education Workforce Development in the U.S. and Haiti, A FIPSE Project●
MassBay student, Karen Price working on recyclable play materials with Haitian preschool teachers
Five participating students (left to right): Sana Humayun, Karen Price, Rebecca Melnick, Maria Vasquez, & Jihanne Etienne
~For more information on the FIPSE project, please contact FIPSE Project Director Rachel Bernard at [email protected] or 508-270-4116~
Haitian school director and program participant, Ms. Manie Telemaque, will lead an association of E.C.E. teachers for the Southeast region of Haiti. She plans to collaborate with the other participants of the training to develop the association- the first of its kind in the region.
The students, staff, and faculty who participated in this trip plan to share additional presentations at MassBay’s Professional Development Day on August 30th & for the wider MassBay community in October.
After evaluating and reviewing the summer trip, revisions to the project will be made and implemented for the third pilot in winter session ‘13.
Independent evaluator, Dr. Janet Smith will continue evaluating the project to measure goals such as increased global awareness and cultural competency in participating students from MassBay & UMass Boston.
Plans to develop the Gateway to Cultural Competency course as a long-term course at MassBay is being explored as a way to replicate the project model in other academic fields and other countries.
In order to expand and sustain the project, significant efforts will be made to increase funding and partnerships. These efforts includeenhancing project visibility.
In an effort to provide significant contributions to similar projects in the future, the FIPSE team is participating in local, national and international forums, presentations & other activities with the goal of disseminating information on best practices & lessons learned from this project.
Snapshots of Haiti Travel 2012
Next Steps
ECE trainers, Linda Romero & Su Theriault; FIPSE Project Director, Rachel Bernard; & Professor and Chair of Africana
Studies Department, UMass Boston, Marc Prou
Group picture at the graduation ceremony for participating Haitian teachers.
