CLAS International Summer Professional Development Institute
La República Dominicana, el pasado y el presente
June 23-30, 2008

 

As part of its outreach to K-12 teachers, in June the Center for Latin American Studies hosted its second international professional development institute, La Republica Dominicana, el pasado y el presente. Under the leadership of Lori Catanzaro, Senior Lecturer of Spanish, ten Spanish teachers from middle and high schools throughout Tennessee visited the Dominican Republic. Participants studied the island's history and culture, visiting historic sites in the colonial district of Santo Domingo, viewing pre-Columbian pictographs in Taino caves near San Cristobal, enjoying the natural beauty of the island's interior in Jarabacoa, experiencing modern day urban life in the city of Santiago de los Caballeros, and witnessing the impact of the country's vibrant tourism industry on the north coast. All teachers took advantage of their time in the Dominican Republic to practice their Spanish and think creatively about creating curriculum materials based on their experiences.

Participants:

LaTricea Adams, Maplewood High School, Nashville                          
Theresa Bertrand, St. Ann School, Nashville
Jeff Hunt, McGavock High School, Nashville
Alexis Jolfaie, Airways Middle School, Memphis
Katrina King, Hillsboro High School, Nashville
Holly Knox, Siegel High School, Murfreesboro
Cade Robertson, McGavock High School, Nashville
Bonnie Seay, Whites Creek High School, Nashville
Detoria Smith, Pearl Cohn Business Magnet, Nashville
Laura Thielen, Martin Luther King Magnet, Nashville