WorldTeach is a small non-profit organization developed by a group of Harvard students in order to address the rising need for educational advancement in developing countries.  WorldTeach works with local governments, NGOs, and private institutions in developing countries to ensure the proper allocation of qualified volunteer English teachers among schools in need. As a WorldTeach volunteer for almost a year, I was given the opportunity to learn a new language, immerse myself in a new culture and make new friends while participating in arguably one of the most rewarding careers in existence. A colleague and I were the first volunteers to ever be placed in Panama City, giving us the opportunity to build and expand the program. I was assigned to work at Instituto Fermin Naudeau, the largest public school in Panama City as an English language instructor to over 700 students in 19 different classes.

During this time I also developed curriculum, directed classes and extra curricular activities, worked with faculty and staff in planning school functions, attended faculty meetings and parent-teacher conferences, submitted projects from classes to be reviewed by WorldTeach staff, and best of all, developed relationships with both students and teachers at Fermin Naudaeu.

During my time as a teacher at Fermin Naudea, I also volunteered as an English teacher at INADEH, the National Institute of Professional Training for Human Development. INADEH is an institute in Panama dedicated to providing a free college level education to low income students. I worked in collaboration with other teachers to conduct workshops and fun, English-learning events for students.  I also  worked one on one with serval students, acted as a guest speaker to different course levels, and participated in celebrations and festivities that students had specifically prepared for me as a way of teaching me about Panamanian history and culture.

After almost a year in Panama working with WorldTeach and volunteering at INADEH, it was time for me to return home, only Panama wasn’t ready to let me leave! I would blame my love of excitement for trying new things, but it was the relationships I had formed with Panamanians and their culture that had drawn me in. I found a job at Future Business Learning, and made the more permanent transition to calling Panama my home. I worked again as an English language instructor but this time for adults. The class sizes were smaller and more professional. At FBL I was able to express myself in my teaching and reach students at a different level through more responsibility and flexibility in choosing my course work.  I worked with current staff and administration to add to a newly developed assortment of teaching materials and promote the  company to new clients. 

Since returning to the states in late 2012, I have now completed my masters coursework at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and am living in Cusco, Peru as a Program Manager for GirlSportWorks. Read more about the organization, my position and the projects I am currently working on here.