School-2-School, Understanding Through Exchange

         School-2-School closed out our final partnership of the 2014-15 school year with Mr. Chris Obermeyer’s successful volunteer trip to The Carter Academy in rural Bangladesh in July. Mr. Obermeyer and his students at the International Academy at the Cardozo middle school in Washington DC, spent the 2014-2015 school year exchanging videos and letters with the students at TCA, The Carter Academy, in Chandpur, Bangladesh. Like their counterparts in Bangladesh, the students in the International Academy are learning English as they are all new immigrants to the United States, hailing from more than 10 different countries.

         In July, Chris visited TCA for two weeks where hedelivered trainings on integrating technology into the classroom, using small group activities to build critical thinking skills, andutilizing voice recordings to enhance speaking and listening skills. He worked directly with the teachers and students he and his students conducted the virtual exchange with over the course of the year. Prior to his departure, he raised $1600 and purchased five tablets that were donated to TCA.“I’m so thankful that I was able to visit the students and teachers in Bangladesh and can’t wait to have the opportunity to go back. I was happy to hear that the work I did while I was there is continuing, and I hope they are happy that the lessons they taught me will continue to shape the lives of my students and myself here in the US.” To read more about Chris’ experience, read his return blog!

         With the start of the new school year, we are pleased to announce the launch of our 2015/16 School-2-School program! We plan to continue to grow and deepen our partnerships with schools in Bangladesh, Indonesia, Morocco, and Palestine and applications for US partner schools are now open for this year. Please visit our website to apply and please consider supporting this year’s program. Your support made all the successes of 2014/15 possible. Thank you again -