February 26, 2003 - Petaluma Argus-Courier: Dominican Republic RPCV Lynne Moquete wins Education Award
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February 26, 2003 - Petaluma Argus-Courier: Dominican Republic RPCV Lynne Moquete wins Education Award
Dominican Republic RPCV Lynne Moquete wins Education Award
Read and comment on this story from the Petaluma Argus-Courier on Dominican Republic RPCV Lynne Moquete who recently won an Education Award. In 1990 she took her public health skills to the Dominican Republic where she served as a Peace Corps volunteer. It turned out to be a watershed experience for her: she not only fell in love with the people of the tiny island nation, she also met her future husband there -- Angel Moquete. They have three sons, ranging in age from 5 to 13. Two years later the newlyweds moved back to the U.S. where Moquete worked in health centers and teen clinics before she secured a teaching job at Casa Grande. Read the story at:
Casa teacher Lynne Moquete earns local education award*
* This link was active on the date it was posted. PCOL is not responsible for broken links which may have changed.
Casa teacher Lynne Moquete earns local education award
Lynne Moquete, who teaches human interaction at Casa Grande High School, was chosen to receive the Excellence in Education award at this year's Petaluma Community Recognition Awards.
By LOIS PEARLMAN, ARGUS-COURIER STAFF
Students, parents and other educators call Lynne Moquete respectful, approachable, a lot of fun and a teacher who really has something to offer.
"You can tell a good teacher by the way the kids act. If they don't respect me, it means they don't respect the teacher. Students really respect Mrs. Moquete. She's a great role model," said Katrina Hammer, who teaches a program called "Free to Be" in Moquete's human interaction classes.
A parent who has volunteered in Moquete's classes, Kathy Cerami, said, "She loves her job and it shows."
One of Moquete's students, Alex Blakesley, said "There's a lot to be learned from Mrs. Moquete."
It is for all these reasons that Moquete was chosen to receive the Excellence in Education award from the Petaluma Area Chamber of Commerce and the Argus-Courier.
Born in Hawaii and raised in San Rafael, Moquete has a bachelor's degree in health education and a master's degree in public health, as well as a teaching credential
In 1990 she took her public health skills to the Dominican Republic where she served as a Peace Corps volunteer.
It turned out to be a watershed experience for her: she not only fell in love with the people of the tiny island nation, she also met her future husband there -- Angel Moquete. They have three sons, ranging in age from 5 to 13.
Two years later the newlyweds moved back to the U.S. where Moquete worked in health centers and teen clinics before she secured a teaching job at Casa Grande.
For the past eight years she has taught human interaction to high school freshmen, a class that combines health education, communication skills and perspectives on social issues like racism and eating disorders.
Unlike other human interaction teachers, Moquete is not required to teach any other subjects.
"I've always been very fortunate that I get to teach just what I'm suited to teach," she said.
Three years ago, she added a community service component to the class when she discovered that only one student out of 30 had ever volunteered. Now students have to spend 10 hours volunteering for the Committee on the Shelterless (COTS), the Boys & Girls Club, Home Hospice or anyone else who needs a hand.
"My hope is that I will plant a small seed and community service will become a lifestyle for them," she said.
Another program Moquete has brought to Casa Grande is one that is uniquely her own. For the past seven years she has led groups of students on summer trips to the Dominican Republic where they do volunteer work for local families and organizations.
"We work with a group that identifies families with the greatest need," she said. "We work on constructing and improving their dwellings. We also deliver medications to local hospitals, donated by doctors and dentists from Petaluma."
In addition, Moquete's students have helped an orphanage to repair its buildings and painted murals on classroom walls -- useful things like world maps and country maps, she said.
Students who have gone with Moquete to the Dominican Republic say it was the most important experience of their lives. They talk about learning to understand a culture where people are generous and affectionate with everyone, even strangers.
Moquete will receive her award on March 13.
(Contact Lois Pearlman at lpearlman@arguscourier.com)
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This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Dominican Republic; Education; Married Couples
PCOL3292
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I am a RPCV from the DR and now run a non-profit proyectoadames, in the DR. Our mission is to help improve maternal child health services. One of the programs is to bring students and medical personnel to the public hospital where we are working. We are at the point where we need to hire an in -country administrative person, but do not know what this type of person would earn. If you have any knowledge about this please contact me.
thanks
Annie Heath
