Unfortunately, I was unable to make contact with anyone from the website. However, I chose to listen to one of the pod casts of the world forum. The person I chose was Susan Lyon. She is the director of the Innovative Teacher Project in San Francisco. Susan has been an educator since she was 22. She started her career by working with children with learning disabilities and emotional problems. Working with children from often disadvantaged families was the beginning of her passion. She was also inspired by an Italian art exhibit displaying the "hundred of language of children." This inspired her Innovative Teacher Project which consists of educator from public and private schools who form discussion groups. The project started in 1994 and is used for professional development. Susan also started a pilot project in Persidio. She founded a child development center 10 years ago which is now thriving.
Listening to Susan, made me realize how important it is for educators to collaborate all over the world. Having many minds work together can help find new ways to help children who face challenges every day. She did not talk very much about poverty but I am assuming that many disadvantaged families are struggling with receiving high quality care and education. Having a project like the Innovative Teacher Project can help educator find ways to help everyone.
When researching the Childhood Poverty Research and Policy Center, I chose Kyrgystan to find out more about international poverty. I was surprised to learn how many people were unemployed in Kikyangak, a town in southern Kyrgyzstan. Due to the high number of unemployment, children (Bakt's who is 11) are forced to work to earn enough money to sustain their families. It was shocking to learn that instead of going to school, children are forced to work. I was shocked to learn how children were preferred as workers since they are small enough to get through the narrow tunnels.
I think what shocked me most about Bakt's story was the fact that we take education for granted. The recession has struck our society hard and more and more families and their children are struggling along the poverty lines. However, becoming more aware of other countries where children are even worst of, made me realize that early childhood educators have to speak up and become advocates for children all over the world.
References:
Childhood Poverty Research and Policy Center. Retrieved from http://www.childhoodpoverty.org/index.php?action=casestudies#Kyr
Reading your post about Susan Lyon, made me think of my aspiration of one day opening a child development center. It motivates me to think if there is a will there will be a way. Your reseach on child poverty in Kyrgyzstan was very informative. It is always sad to hear that children that young have to go out and work to help their families. I think the work is no over to educate on the value of education.
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