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Golden Valley teacher in the Netherlands as part of education program
Jul 03, 2009 (Merced Sun-Star - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --
Golden Valley High School teacher Tina Spurlock arrived to work at a very different place this morning: Dalton Lyceum, a secondary school in the Netherlands.
Spurlock is in Dordrecht, a city of 118,390 in the Dutch province of South Holland, as part of a one-year collaboration between eight teachers at the two campuses, 5,400 miles apart.
"For students here to have a perspective that might not be their own, or similar to any of the perspectives that they will run into among their friends or anyone here in town, is absolutely invaluable," said Golden Valley Principal Craig Chavez. "I think any time you can go beyond the walls of your own campus to extend learning it is great."
Go beyond the classroom walls, they will.
Spurlock is in the Netherlands to finalize lesson plans and learn about an online education program at Dalton.
While things are still in limbo, a few things are clear: Teachers at Dalton will prepare lessons based on their expertise and hand them over to teachers at Golden Valley. The same will happen in reverse.
Spurlock and the leader for the program at Dalton, Elma de Hoon, will swap lessons on literature. The other teachers will collaborate for lessons in art, science and history.
"I really want the kids to have a true cultural experience and a true cultural exchange," Spurlock said before her departure. "We are hoping it will be a long-term relationship, that we will become essentially sister schools."
The program hasn't yet started, but Spurlock said her incoming ninth-grade students are already eager to participate.
Golden Valley will host a group of Dutch students on campus in early spring. She is also planning a visit to the Netherlands for 10 days during spring break for Golden Valley students.
Cougars who want to travel to Dordrecht must pay for their own airfare but will stay with a host family.
Spurlock said she hopes all students in her classes will undergo a transformative cultural experience, though. She is already encouraging them to think of questions for their Dutch pen pals.
Spurlock will blog about the program and her trip to Dordrecht online at: http://web.me.com/tspur/Spurlock.website/_Dordrecht_Blog/Entries/2009/6/11_Photo_of_the_Day.html.
Reporter Danielle Gaines can be reached at (209) 385-2407 or dgaines@mercedsun-star.com.
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