Trust in Learning--The South American Trip!

Comparisons of the experience in Chile to my time in Argentina are inevitable because of going from one to the other in the same trip.  But they are quite distinct in history, in culture and politics, and their educational systems.  Because of the timing of my visits, I was in schools more in Argentina as Chile's school year had largely ended when I arrived.  I learned a great deal about the schools, however, through more in-depth time with universities and faculty colleagues in Chile--both in Santiago (Universidad del Desarrollo) and Valparaiso.  I was joined for much of that time with Anne Mungai, our Dean of Education, who participated with me in presentations about schooling and support of diverse and special needs students at these institutions.    Faculty from various universities at University of Valparaiso, Chile Presenting on psychology and art to students The students of Universidad of del Desarrollo...and Dr. Mungai! Their Scho...

I was home for five days after arriving from Madagascar to take off for South America!  Whew!  I was woefully unprepared for this journey in researching about schools that I was to visit and even more alarming, two of the schools I had scheduled did not follow up with the materials I sent on the book and my research.  I also found out that this week was the end of the schools' year--let alone semester--and most were on holiday until March.  So I was feeling stranded, stretched, and stressed. I had no idea what a warm greeting was awaiting me in Buenos Aires!   From my window in Buenos Aires at dusk... Porto Madero At the last minute, I had turned to my niece, who was a Fulbright scholar in Argentina, for possible contacts and she emailed the Fulbright office in the city.  Before I knew it, I had visits to schools scheduled throughout the week--even though it was during their final exams and teachers wrapping up the year.  Thank y...