Yucatecan teachers will bring culture, values ​​and traditions to Oregon, USA

Three teachers from Mérida and Tekax traveled to the US state of Oregon as part of the binational exchange promoted by the Ministry of Education to teach the national culture, values ​​and traditions to Mexican students who commute between Mexico and the United States of America.

The General Coordinator of Strategic Programs, Luis Alfonso Álvarez Arceo, reported that the teachers traveling for this exchange are Kenia Peraza Vázquez from the “Elena Valencia Gil” preschool in the municipality of Tekax, and Cinthya Sarabia Chi and Alicia Romero Ávila from the “José Vasconcelos” and “Eladio Novelo Gil” elementary schools, both from Mérida.

He explained that the Mexican-American Summer Teacher Exchange Program is carried out with the aim of bringing teachers from the Republic to different cities in the American Union for a period of three to eight weeks to work with girls and boys of Mexican origin in order to strengthen their national identity and improve the use of the Spanish language.

In this way, the school continuity of migrant girls, boys and young people in both countries is ensured by strengthening migrant students’ knowledge of history, culture, values ​​and national traditions through projects they develop during their training in order to achieve the specific objectives they wish to convey to the school community.

Kenia Peraza Vázquez, who will spend a five-week stay at Fairfield Elementary School in Lane, Oregon, emphasized that with her project “An Intercultural Journey Through Play and Creativity” she wants to introduce the students to dance, song, typical clothing, arts and crafts and typical games, through which they can feel a connection to their country of origin.

“I am looking forward to being part of a different cultural experience and being able to share my knowledge in another country because I believe this is a great opportunity to grow both personally and professionally. I wish all my colleagues success in this new experience and hope it is full of learnings,” he commented.

Likewise, Cinthya Sarabia Chi added that during her five and a half week stay at North Gresham Elementary School in Multnomah, Oregon, her project “My Magic Town” will strengthen cultural identity, sense of belonging and knowledge about festivals, nature, people, culture, gastronomy, crafts, general culture and traditional Janal Pixan.

Teachers must participate in these programs and create their opportunities for personal and professional growth in the educational field. These exchanges will also help to learn from other cultures, expand our knowledge, develop skills and gain new experiences, he stressed.

Teacher Alicia Carolina Romero Ávila will spend six weeks at Pioneer Elementary School with her project “A Colorful Journey Through Mexico,” developing themes that highlight the cultural diversity of Yucatan, Mayan culture, and Mexican handicrafts.

TYT Newsroom