Introducing
Your new presentation assistant.
Refine, enhance, and tailor your content, source relevant images, and edit visuals quicker than ever before.
Trending searches
When I arrived in Brazil everyone started calling me Barbie. I would like to note that this nickname is not at all fitting with my personality. Oh to be blonde in Brazil...
On our very first visit to the school we met some little children. A little girl was trying to talk to me but I could not understand. I was told later by one of the Brazilian Coordinators (who happened to be laughing his butt off) she asked me if I was retarded. I'm pretty sure I responded by smiling and nodding my head.
Retarded Barbie - here to teach you English. This was a humorous start if nothing else.
Aside from the fact that I am committed to US - Brazil Connect until August 31st, this journey is far from over. I have made life-long connections with my students, the coordinators, and fellow coaches. I have experienced growth, both personally and professionally. One of my goals was to find a direction in my academic life. I feel I have done that. I am confident now going to my advisor and stating the emphasis of my degree is English. I know now there is a lot of potential there and I am excited to reach mine.
Click the video for more on our weekend in Rio De Janeiro
I spent some time on Copacabana Beach and managed to fulfill a lifelong dream I never knew I had. I played beach volleyball in Rio de Janeiro with Speedo donning Brazilian men. Before you start getting all worked up over bronzed muscles (ladies...) I'll note that I had stumbled upon a 50 and older league. Whoop!
At first they looked at me skeptically and brushed me off. I must have looked just longingly enough from the sidelines, or maybe it was because the 76-year-old needed a water break, but eventually one tossed me a ball. I set it back to him (rather well might I add) and they allowed me to play! First, I received a lecture on needing to use Portuguese in Brazil. Valid point...
I'm in the groove, setting, hitting, diving, and decide to try one of the 10 or so words I know. "Vamos!" I shout excitedly, clapping my hands. Their quizzical looks tell me my "lets go" translated more like "let's get out of here" than "lets go team."
However, I believe my attempt earned some respect. Or it could have been my diving around like a mad woman. Either way, Brazilian beach volleyball... Let's go!!
In May, we continued assignments on Facebook. There was also a lot more chatting online and Google Hangouts began. More time spent researching as I'm getting to know my students. Susan, our coordinator and boss, came to visit Michigan . She's from Denver. We had the opportunity to show her where we're from and what we're all about. Pure Michigan!
March was spent meeting with other Fellows and learning about the expectations of the program. At least 10 hours per week was spent researching Brazil and teaching methods. Because I have no previous teaching experience, it was important for me to feel prepared to run a classroom.
At the end of March we were asked to create the Facebook page that would serve as our online "classroom." Katy.Bertodatto US-Brazil Connect
In July we traveled to Brazil to meet our students face-to-face and work with them in a real classroom. Monday through Friday we were at the school from either 8-12 or 1-5 depending on the week. The workday never really ended though. There were meetings most days to ensure the entire team was on the same page. Then there were lesson plans to write every night. All of the fellows were excited about their students and we compared notes constantly. It was the most intense, longest, fastest, most rewarding month of my life. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
April
June
July
May
March
In April I received my list of students and added them to my Facebook group. This is where the fun begins! The assignments I posted for them were all about making connections and getting to know each other.
Working with students online is taking up more and more time. On top of that we had the opportunity to travel to Denver for an intense two day workshop. Click on the video to see our experience there.
I have never met a harder working group of teenagers. We had a whole lot of fun too!
Trying peanut butter for the first time.
Step One: Can I Travel to Brazil to Teach English?
Working on our skit
Field Trip to Mangabeiras
When the opportunity was presented to me I was concerned I would not be able to go because of the wonderful creatures shown here. I am a single mom, how can I leave to teach for a month? My brother said it best, "Katy, you will always have a million reasons to NOT do something. You're not one to make excuses so stop." My incredibly supportive friends and family made it possible for me to try something I had always dreamed of. I want my children to realize the importance of traveling and learning about other cultures. I took a leap of faith and decided to lead by example.
The application process had quite a few requirements. My first step was to ask for letters of recommendation from my professors. The response I received brought me to tears. They really believed in me! I spent a great deal of time writing essays, more determined than ever that I would be chosen for this program. There was an intense interview and I was notified the same day that I had been chosen. I was going to Brazil!