This week I had the opportunity to speak once more with my international contact. Molly discussed with me a little bit about how equity and excellence are seen in the Marshall Islands. Her school is comprised mostly of wealthy families since the school requires tuition. Some students, however, are sponsored, and issues of equity are visible in the different students. Molly sees diet and health issues affecting the hildren, particularly their energy and ability to learn. The accepted norms in the Marshall Islands is that children eat ramen with koolaid, cake, and other sugary things for breakfast, particularly those families with fewer economic resources. Molly says that this type of diet is more accepted there than in her native New Hampshire because it is an island and people are used to it. Equity (or rather, inequity) plays a huge part in children's health. Currently, there is a Hepatitis A outbreak, and last year, there was an outbreak of pink eye. Not all children receive proper care for their ailments. Molly suggests that the government does not follow laws or do much to help families in poverty.
Molly goes on to tell me a little more about excellence in teaching in the Marshall Islands. She says that with children getting sick, missing school, and too tired to learn, excellence in teaching is really being able to meet them on their level. Though she is a language teacher, she often finds herself teaching the children about health and safety; in particular, she wants them to have the skills to thrive abroad, since their island may not exist in fifteen years due to climate change. She also wants to educate the children about climate change, its effect on their island, and how they can make a difference. She tells me about a recycling project she did with the children and how excited they became to look for the symbols on their food products. Molly thinks that excellence in teaching is being able to offer these children a sound education that meets them where they are and helps them understand the full scope of their futures.
Neisha,
ReplyDeleteI find it sad that their home may not be around for their children in the future. I am grateful that your contact is teaching them about different climates changes and maybe they will be able to affect the outcome of their home before it is to late.
Neisha,
ReplyDeleteI think it's great that you stay in contact with Molly, because the children is going to need an advocate that will be there to discuss with them the many issues they will face in the near future, especially preparing them for the place where they live will be no more, because of the climate change.
Neisha,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing. Molly's information is so important, as so many do not realize how life differs on an island. I love that she is sharing her knowledge not just as a teacher but as an advocate for the world and the future for the children as a whole.
I understand how sometimes the way people eat or live can be acceptable to a certain group and viewed as odd or unacceptable to others. I have had children with king sized Snicker bars, cake, soda, full-sized chips, etc. packed in their lunches. Unfortunately, people buy what they can afford or what others around them eat. I love that she is educating her group about health and nutrition. The children and families will learn and make changes in time, I hope that she keeps pushing on. Thank you!