Visits to schools

HHS loaded their guests up with school spirit items!

Yesterday we started the day at Heritage High School.  Amim and Conceicao were amazed at the size and beauty of our newest high school.  They said it looked like a college campus!  The HHS staff and students certainly made them feel welcome.  They visited many labs and classrooms and couldn't stop talking about the facilities.  They had lunch with teachers and said the food was delicious.  As we were leaving, Mr. Bradford, the principal, gave each of the visitors a Heritage gift package of shirts, spirit shakers, hat and a yearbook.

Watching students learn at HHS

HHS Media Center

Students were proud of their work!

After lunch we went to Westside Elementary.  Westside gave the principals an excellent view of how children learn using the workshop model.  We saw the instructional model in action in reading and in math.  We visited an inclusion classroom and saw the effectiveness of having two teachers in the classroom.  We ended the visit with time to talk with the administrators and the academic coaches about how the school tracks progress with data and the importance of their school's improvement plan.  It was interesting for the Westside staff to hear of comparisons of the use of data and testing.  We compared how each of our country's schools are accountable for making progress.We were surprised to hear that in Brazil schools receive cash awards when they have excellent test scores and that principals are rewarded both for test scores and for good school management.

Comparing education systems with Westside staff

Last night we enjoyed a walking tour of Chattanooga as part of the Ghost Walk.  The weather was perfect and this was a unique way to see part of the city.  Our tour guide shared stories of reported ghost sightings in various parts of the city.  The tour ended just as the rain began.

Talking with a team of 6th graders about Brazil

Today the Brazilian principals spent the entire day with Heritage Middle School staff and students.  Since the middle school students study Brazil as part of their curriculum, principal Chris Lusk was anxious to have his students meet our Brazilian visitors.  Amim and Conceicao met with every sixth grade team and answered questions about the food, culture and education of their country.  The principals were most touched by the students writing them letters thanking them for visiting their school.  We left HMS with Heritage shirts which proclaim the year the students will graduate from high school.

Visiting a middle school classroom

Answering questions about Brazil

Visiting a classroom

Wow!  Look at the supplies!

Regardless of your nationality, every elementary principal or teacher gets excited shopping in a school supply store!  After work today we went to the School Box for a shopping trip.  Each principal participating in this exchange was given $250 to spend on school supplies for his or her school.  Conceicao could have easily spent $2500!  She especially liked the pocket charts and bulletin board supplies.  Amim found some items for his high school but has money left over for a visit to an office supply or electronics store.  It was so much fun to see them looking at the typical supplies that US teachers purchase.





As I dropped Amim, Conceicao and Junia off at their hotel late this afternoon, they said "We need a break! We are very tired".  Even though they are accustomed to long hours as principals in Brazil, I think it is especially tiring visiting so many schools and using a translator to communicate.