Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Home Again
After 5 weeks, and 28 hours in transit, I am home. It has been one week, and the jet lag is over. I have been sorting the notes I took at so many lectures, and just completed a web album. The link is http://picasaweb.google.com/kkuate/5WeeksInMorocco. What an experience! So many sights, sounds, tastes, and smells!
Monday, June 23, 2008
Fez, Casablanca, and Marakkesh
We had a great time at the sacred music festival and in the shopping "medina" of Fez. It is a city with so much character. I had lots of trouble with the internet, so I have not updated this. I think I will add better details later, since 10 of us are sharing one laptop!
Casablanca turned out to be really fun, since we were able to get around on our own and see the artisins in the souk. My roommate, Julie, had been here in the Peace Corps several years ago, and we found her old neighborhood, and some of her friends, too. We have learned so much about the country and the people. It is an honor to be here.
Now we are in a house in the oldest part of Marakkesh. It was built in the 1600's and remodled (bathrooms added) recently. It is cool, and calming, even though there is not any AC. We have seen more beautiful tile work, stichery, etc! I will have good pictures, and the rest of the group will share, so there may be honestly thousands!!
I will be back in the states July 3rd.
Casablanca turned out to be really fun, since we were able to get around on our own and see the artisins in the souk. My roommate, Julie, had been here in the Peace Corps several years ago, and we found her old neighborhood, and some of her friends, too. We have learned so much about the country and the people. It is an honor to be here.
Now we are in a house in the oldest part of Marakkesh. It was built in the 1600's and remodled (bathrooms added) recently. It is cool, and calming, even though there is not any AC. We have seen more beautiful tile work, stichery, etc! I will have good pictures, and the rest of the group will share, so there may be honestly thousands!!
I will be back in the states July 3rd.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
From Rabat
I am here in Rabat, the capital of Morocco. The trip to Casablanca was very exciting with layovers in Atlanta and Paris. We only stayed there one night, and came to the capital city the next day. All the luggage got here by the second day-- mine was here the first day.
Our group is interesting. There is such a vqriety of expertice that just visiting with members of the group is educational. And our speakers are truly the cream of the eduacated of the country. The US embassy did a presentation on programs for teaching English, exchange programs, and the peace corps. We have learned history from the head of the history department, visiten the center for Andalusian studies, which is the period when Morocco went from Senegal into what is now Spain. Linguistics, politics, womens role, family law, and so much more. I have good notes, but my brain is too full to write much here. We toured the parliment, and have been entertained by the most amazing musicians;visited parks, castles; the souk-- which is a crowded market that makes Mexico city look and smell clean and quiet-- are highlights; Spanish is not very helpful here; but people are patient, and my roommate speaks Frenchso I listen lots, and watch more. I have learned no Arabic, but I have talked to some people in the stores, etc, and I learn so much every time.The food is truly wonderful, and the hospitality is unbelievable. They treat us like dignitaries, and serve us mint tea with almond cookies every hour or so. The city looks a lot like Mexico, only older.
My roommate was here in the peace corps 20 years ago, so we may be able to visit some of her friends tomorrow.
I have not beenable to download-- or is it upload-- my pictures. Maybe tomorrow, after more lectures. Being here is an amazing wonderful experience.
Our group is interesting. There is such a vqriety of expertice that just visiting with members of the group is educational. And our speakers are truly the cream of the eduacated of the country. The US embassy did a presentation on programs for teaching English, exchange programs, and the peace corps. We have learned history from the head of the history department, visiten the center for Andalusian studies, which is the period when Morocco went from Senegal into what is now Spain. Linguistics, politics, womens role, family law, and so much more. I have good notes, but my brain is too full to write much here. We toured the parliment, and have been entertained by the most amazing musicians;visited parks, castles; the souk-- which is a crowded market that makes Mexico city look and smell clean and quiet-- are highlights; Spanish is not very helpful here; but people are patient, and my roommate speaks Frenchso I listen lots, and watch more. I have learned no Arabic, but I have talked to some people in the stores, etc, and I learn so much every time.The food is truly wonderful, and the hospitality is unbelievable. They treat us like dignitaries, and serve us mint tea with almond cookies every hour or so. The city looks a lot like Mexico, only older.
My roommate was here in the peace corps 20 years ago, so we may be able to visit some of her friends tomorrow.
I have not beenable to download-- or is it upload-- my pictures. Maybe tomorrow, after more lectures. Being here is an amazing wonderful experience.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Chile, 2007
Here I am with Elder and Hermana Snow (Mom and Dad) at Pablo Neruda's beach house. Aunt Barbara and I went down for 2 weeks.
Last Summer
This picture was taken in the Salt Lake City airport last July. Cesar and I went to Alaska with Smoot and Grandma J to celebrate her 95th birthday!This summer, I am travelling without any family, and with less luggage.
The Kids "at Home"
This picture was taken on Mother's day. I'd say I was going to miss them, but they aren't around very often anymore. Infact, let's start from the left: Christian has moved up to Provo, where he is battling it out with Chemsitry. Jonathan has gone to Merida, Mexico for several weeks with a group from ASU. He is liking the food, but not the humidity. Sam is living in Tempe, planning several excursions to music festivals, and starts his Masters program in July, and Victoria is in Mesa. She is taking a full load + all summer, to finish the Associate's, and them move to Provo in Aug.They have promised to emails. . . I hope they do!
Packed and Ready
It is strange to to think that I will be 1/2 way around the world in just a day. ( Well, I'll at least be on my way.)The travelling takes a while, since we go to Atlanta, to Paris, and then to Casablanca. I have two smallish suitcases, and a adecent carry-on bag, enough clothes for 1 week, and some laundry supplies. I have read several books on the history, geography, religion, and a bit on the language of the region. I am enjoying the feeling of ignorance, and excitement about all the new information and perspectives I will gain from this experience. I am not afraid to admit that I am nervous, scared, and anxious. But not enough to skip the trip!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
My Biography-- for the team publications
Cultural diversity in education is important to Jeannine Pena. Her credentials include a BA in Spanish from BYU, a MEd from ASU in Education, and a Bilingual Endorsement from the University of Phoenix. She has nurtured the special area of 2nd language acquisition with students in both elementary and secondary schools. As an author of ESL curriculum, the sponsor of Project Respect club and Spanish Honor Society, and an active member of AATSP and Anytown Arizona, Mrs. Pena has trained both students and staff. She organizes and facilitates an annual Unitown retreat that engages students and staff in activities designed to make their campus a place of cultural pride and opportunity. She enjoys the challenge of teaching the IB Honors Spanish classes at Ironwood High School in the Peoria Unified School District.
Jeannine’s interests and hobbies include yoga, reading, playing the flute, gardening, and travel. She has been to Chile, Mexico, Singapore, Puerto Rico, and several of the United States. She lives with Cesar Pena, her husband of 26 years in Glendale, Arizona. They have 4 children, all in college!
Jeannine’s interests and hobbies include yoga, reading, playing the flute, gardening, and travel. She has been to Chile, Mexico, Singapore, Puerto Rico, and several of the United States. She lives with Cesar Pena, her husband of 26 years in Glendale, Arizona. They have 4 children, all in college!
Abstract: Our Assignment
Maricopa Community Colleges District Global Engagement: Team-based Faculty and k-12 Teacher development Program in Morocco
the Maricopa Community Colleges District, in collaboration with the National Center for Teacher Education and Arizona secondary schools, is conduction a five-week curriculum development project in Morocco that will catalyze a comprehensive Islamic studies and Arabic language instruction program to serve all en Maricopa Community Colleges, Arizona secondary schools, and the larger Phoenix metropolitan community.
This GPA will train a cadre of community college and secondary school faculty and key administrators to acquire content knowledge and sensitivity to historical, cultural, linguistic, social, economic, political, and educational aspects of Islamic societies and Muslim culture for the purpose of enhancing curricular offerings in Islamic studies at their respective institutions. This GPA will contribute toward the establishment of an Islamic Studies Certificate Program, enhance Arabic Language course offerings for the entire community, and give participants a first-hand understanding of Moroccan culture and society to impart to students in Arizona's classrooms.
A total of 16 participants will be divided into two eight-member teams comprised of four Maricopa Community college faculty and four secondary school participants on each team. The two teams will for Social Sciences and Humanities/Language components.
Each team will be assigned counterparts form four Moroccan universities - one in each of the four cities visited (Rabat, Fe's, Casablanca, and Marrakesh) to act as Academic Mentors from their respective disciplines. With the Moroccan counterpart assistance and the in-country activities, each team will develop a specific course related to their discipline and participants will also collaboratively and independently create learning nodules, curriculum unity, and lesson plans to infuse their courses with Islamic content.
These outcomes will be disseminated throughout the United States through the National Center for Teacher Education, the Maricopa Center for Learning & Instruction, and through organizations like Community Colleges for International Development, and the American Association of Community Colleges.
Project Director: Jose Velasco, Director of International & Intercultural Education, Maricopa Community Colleges District.
the Maricopa Community Colleges District, in collaboration with the National Center for Teacher Education and Arizona secondary schools, is conduction a five-week curriculum development project in Morocco that will catalyze a comprehensive Islamic studies and Arabic language instruction program to serve all en Maricopa Community Colleges, Arizona secondary schools, and the larger Phoenix metropolitan community.
This GPA will train a cadre of community college and secondary school faculty and key administrators to acquire content knowledge and sensitivity to historical, cultural, linguistic, social, economic, political, and educational aspects of Islamic societies and Muslim culture for the purpose of enhancing curricular offerings in Islamic studies at their respective institutions. This GPA will contribute toward the establishment of an Islamic Studies Certificate Program, enhance Arabic Language course offerings for the entire community, and give participants a first-hand understanding of Moroccan culture and society to impart to students in Arizona's classrooms.
A total of 16 participants will be divided into two eight-member teams comprised of four Maricopa Community college faculty and four secondary school participants on each team. The two teams will for Social Sciences and Humanities/Language components.
Each team will be assigned counterparts form four Moroccan universities - one in each of the four cities visited (Rabat, Fe's, Casablanca, and Marrakesh) to act as Academic Mentors from their respective disciplines. With the Moroccan counterpart assistance and the in-country activities, each team will develop a specific course related to their discipline and participants will also collaboratively and independently create learning nodules, curriculum unity, and lesson plans to infuse their courses with Islamic content.
These outcomes will be disseminated throughout the United States through the National Center for Teacher Education, the Maricopa Center for Learning & Instruction, and through organizations like Community Colleges for International Development, and the American Association of Community Colleges.
Project Director: Jose Velasco, Director of International & Intercultural Education, Maricopa Community Colleges District.
Changes to Travel Dates
Due to trouble with making reservations for our 18 member group, the dates have been pushed back two days. We leave from Phoenix on May 29 for Atlanta, Paris, and then Casablanca.
Friday, May 9 we met for the first time as a team. The various backgrounds and talents of the team members are impressive! At the college level the specialties include: Languages, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Women's Studies, Business, Hospitality and Tourism, ESL, and Sociology. Secondary subjects include: IB Coordinator/ French, Spanish, Director of Curriculum and Special Programs,History, Economics, Math and Arabic. We divided ourselves into teams for curriculum writing-- Business, Humanities, and Social Studies.
We each shared our goals, what we hope to learn, and then had a short lesson in Arabic taught by Dr. Asmaa Shbeer, who will be going with us to study the different dialects of Arabic. My minimal time so far trying to learn the alphabet hardly helped me, but I was thrilled to find out why I have been unable to even find the "letters" when I look at words-- since everything is written in cursive, it seems that the endings of several, or anything that hangs below the line disappears when they are connected. . . No wonder I was lost! It is all a bit overwhelming, but a great opportunity to feel like a student once again. I even got to pick my roommate for the 5 weeks!
We have suggestions for packing, and details that should help us prepare for an amazing experience. Next week we meet once again, and then we go. Wish me luck!
Friday, May 9 we met for the first time as a team. The various backgrounds and talents of the team members are impressive! At the college level the specialties include: Languages, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Women's Studies, Business, Hospitality and Tourism, ESL, and Sociology. Secondary subjects include: IB Coordinator/ French, Spanish, Director of Curriculum and Special Programs,History, Economics, Math and Arabic. We divided ourselves into teams for curriculum writing-- Business, Humanities, and Social Studies.
We each shared our goals, what we hope to learn, and then had a short lesson in Arabic taught by Dr. Asmaa Shbeer, who will be going with us to study the different dialects of Arabic. My minimal time so far trying to learn the alphabet hardly helped me, but I was thrilled to find out why I have been unable to even find the "letters" when I look at words-- since everything is written in cursive, it seems that the endings of several, or anything that hangs below the line disappears when they are connected. . . No wonder I was lost! It is all a bit overwhelming, but a great opportunity to feel like a student once again. I even got to pick my roommate for the 5 weeks!
We have suggestions for packing, and details that should help us prepare for an amazing experience. Next week we meet once again, and then we go. Wish me luck!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
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