School visit #3: Lauretta Bender Bilingual School (June 8th, 2022)

 Today was a great visit to the Lauretta Bender Bilingual School, a school for students from Preschool to eleventh grade.  This school was founded in 1978 by professionals who wanted to provide a unique response to existing educational needs and so geared their education towards giving individualized attention to students.  The school started with students between the ages of 6-10 and has since grown to include all grades.    

Our day began with an introduction to the key administrators in the school, including my partner teacher/administrator, Magda Zarate Ospina.  Afterwards, we took a tour of the beautiful school which had an old farmhouse which was converted into the Preschool wing of the school as well as a volleyball court, large and open cafeteria, and a modern auditorium.  There were many types of areas for children to play.  Next, we relaxed with a refrigerio, or snack time/refreshment.  We listened to some of the teachers explain about methods used in their classrooms and watched a video from the English teacher concerning a project that he had his students do to reflect on their time during Covid.  It was very enjoyable!

One of the most engaging yet challenging parts of the visit was a teacher panel with some of the upperclassmen.  We were asked various questions about our country, why we chose to learn Spanish, and about life in general.  Some specific topics from students included if the American movies portrayed real life in the States, similarities and differences in schools in Colombia and the U.S., how to study in the United States, difficulties of English speakers learning Spanish, and why we studied Spanish and if we think it’s important to study Spanish.

As the students asked these questions, I very easily noticed their excitement about having us there, wanting to learn more, and their respect for the school and for us as an audience.  I am so excited to work with Magda and her students this upcoming year and have a great experience with them.



Magda and I




Our photo session with the awesome students and Magda at Lauretta Bender



Fulbright participants and Administrators




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