In-Service Training April 2009

Two weeks after Semana Santa 3 out of my 4 counterparts came with me to Managua for 2 days for a workshop dealing with the material we teach (if you recall we call our curriculum “The Creative Business”). When I signed up for Peace Corps I would have never have thought we would bring our coworkers to workshops! I’m pretty sure most countries do that, but I will ask Elaine, Becca and Terri to see if they do/did that with their coworkers as well. The workshop was a chance for new teachers and their volunteers to receive further training on the hard topics like “Break Even Point” (where you calculate how many products or services you need to sell to cover your fixed costs, therefore “breaking even”…Econ 1A), as well as express frustrations with the program itself. We also did team building exercises and talked about the Competitions we will be having in August through November (Local Competitions to National Competitions).

One thing I really got out of the workshop was a deep appreciation for my counterparts! There are psycho counterparts out there and mine are not included in that group!!! Of course I have difficulties with them at times, but nothing compared to what some of my fellow PCVs have to deal with. Thank goodness I was blessed with really great counterparts who care about the material and care about teaching the kids.

I think all 3 of my counterparts learned something important and in addition they all participated in the discussions during both days. It was great to see the SBD 47 group, the 13 out of 20 of us that are still left!

Quick shout out, thanks to Mom and Dad, and Tim for the care packages, and to Mamow and Jan for letters!

Luis and Brie from the SBD 44 group (they came in 2007) explain the current situation of Nicaragua's businesses and economy in general

My Fabretto counterparts, Gilda and Maria Jose...Brenda from Cusmapa couldn't come because she has a new baby

A training session on different viewpoints...Goggins from my group is in the middle

Emily (2nd boss), Naomie (head trainer) and Georgia (boss) talk about being Pro-Active and nipping problems in the butt...before they get out of hand and ruin work relationships

All of my counterparts participated!

Gilda and Maria Jose with Georgia

You can tell a Nica took this pic

Katie explains how to do the Tangrams, a fun activity for any age

Putting tiles together to make shapes...we call them Tangrams

Lindsay and I wanted so badly to do it for them because we could've done it faster, but it was fun to let them do it on their own.

My counterpart from the Instituto (Public H.S.) Erick

Sam, from Somotillo, and I

Team work is what counts!

Training town buddies!

Emily, our Project Specialist, gives out the Certificates of Participation

Certificates of Participation...with a PC stamp, that is key, or else Nicas consider it to be invalid...nothing in this country without the stamp!