feature COMMUNICATE tions to ask one another. Both groups of students were anxious about the session; however, the students’ fears were soon dispelled. The Skype session turned into a social hour instead. Initially, the Bulgarian students asked questions about Mississippi. In turn, the Covington County students asked questions about Bulgaria. This questionand-answer session was designed to allow each group the opportunity to introduce themselves to one another and to become more comfortable with each other. As the video chat progressed, each student introduced himself or herself. Each individual shared about a hobby or talent he or she possesses. The groups discussed the differences in the climate and weather for their respective locations. They then discussed famous people from their country (or, in the case of Covington County students, our state). Covington County students were delighted to discover that one of the stars from the hit television show “The Vampire Diaries” is from Vrasta. Before wrapping up the discussion, the students decided that the next Skype session will feature each group of students presenting a talent showcase for the other group. Both classes were already anticipating the next session with excitement. Covington County students could not wait to tell the other students in their schools about the communication session. Student Response Easterling’s Teacher Academy students have found the project to be more than a typical learning activity. Most of them have found the project to be an unforgettable cultural experience. Students were eager to explain to Connections
readers how this project has made a personal impact. Each group of students confessed to having preconceived notions of what should be discussed or how the other group would act or look. Covington County students were happy to discover that their Bulgarian counterparts were extremely energetic and very social. They were more interested in creating relationships than discussing cultural similarities and differences. Allison Humphrey described her first experience talking with the Bulgarian students, saying, “Their teacher had a lot of questions for us about our learning styles, while the students were more interested in finding out about our traditions and values. Their class had researched Mississippi, and they showed us three different posters they made all about our home state. This was touching in so many different aspects; I gained respect for the strangers that I now call friends. Never did I imagine that interaction with a Bulgarian class would be on the Teacher Academy agenda, but I sure am glad that it was,” explained Humphrey. Ashlyn Lowery, another Covington County student said of the endeavor, “Teacher Academy has offered the ultimate experience. Communicating with the Bulgarians is an eyeopening opportunity for our class; [I am] seeing outside of America for the first time. Having this open line of communication will surely come in handy later on in our lives for us as future teachers.” Easterling was happy to share about some of the engaging projects birthed from her Teacher Academy students’ Pen Pal Project. Photo at left: Covington County students Skype with their Bulgarian pen pals.
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CONNECTIONS Spring 2014