The Class

A different Latin American country will be focused on each year, this year is Peru. The 15 students for the class are chosen on a competitive basis by the principal and teachers each year. They meet for 90 minutes every other week beginning in mid-September and continuing through the travel period in May. 2002 dates include September 17, October 1, October 15, October 29, November 12, December 3, January 21, February 4, February 18, March 25, April 8, and April 22 with travel in May.

The curriculum for the course and the primary teaching is done each year by a "Country Expert," an outside Latin American consultant. This person holds the primary responsibility for teaching each session, designing the curriculum and lesson plans for the entire course, helping to plan and lead the travel portion of the experience, and recommending annual additions to the Resource Center. This year's "Country Expert" is Cynthia Garza, a Ph.D. Candidate from Tulane University who focuses her studies on Afro-Peruvian Culture and Dance.

This outside Latin American Expert is paired with a "Head Teacher" from Warren Easton who is chosen by the principal ideally from a Social Studies, History or Spanish background. This Head Teacher works closely with the Expert and is assured flexibility by the principal to attend extra Latin American related professional development activities throughout the school year and in the summers in return for his/her service. This year's "Head Teacher" is Ms. Virginia Leveane, a beloved Spanish teacher.

The course will be reviewed once a year by an interdisciplinary faculty committee made up of of the Head Teacher, one social studies teacher, one Spanish teacher, the school ESL instructor, and one Librarian/Art/or Music teacher (at the discretion of the principal).

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