2010.12.12: December 12, 2010: Through one of the latest technologies, Skype, a little more than 25 DeSoto Central Middle School sixth-grade gifted students exchanged questions with teenage peers in Macedonia assembled by Peace Corps volunteer Justin Boutwell
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2010.12.12: December 12, 2010: Through one of the latest technologies, Skype, a little more than 25 DeSoto Central Middle School sixth-grade gifted students exchanged questions with teenage peers in Macedonia assembled by Peace Corps volunteer Justin Boutwell
Through one of the latest technologies, Skype, a little more than 25 DeSoto Central Middle School sixth-grade gifted students exchanged questions with teenage peers in Macedonia assembled by Peace Corps volunteer Justin Boutwell
The video chat began right before 8 a.m. in Southaven, which is 3 p.m. in southeastern Europe. The opportunity was made possible through a Paul D. Coverdell World Wise Schools Correspondence Match that allows Peace Corps volunteers abroad to communicate in U.S. classrooms. "I thought how exciting it would be to have primary sources, like a Peace Corps volunteer, tell them from his own perspective what things are like in different countries," DeSoto Central Spotlight teacher Bonnie Crabtree said. "This gives them more of a global outlook." Two at a time, English-speaking Macedonian students were projected upon the interactive whiteboard in Crabtree's class. The students on the local front were given individual chances to broaden their educational horizons.
Through one of the latest technologies, Skype, a little more than 25 DeSoto Central Middle School sixth-grade gifted students exchanged questions with teenage peers in Macedonia assembled by Peace Corps volunteer Justin Boutwell
DeSoto Middle students go for high-tech visit
Macdeonian schoolchildren talk via computer with locals
* By Chris Van Tuyl
* Memphis Commercial Appeal
* Posted December 12, 2010 at midnight
Through one of the latest technologies, Skype, a little more than 25 DeSoto Central Middle School sixth-grade gifted students began Friday morning with a taste of Macedonia.
For roughly 30 minutes, the group exchanged questions with teenage peers assembled by Peace Corps volunteer Justin Boutwell.
"These are all students from the primary school -- kids from Berovo and a village outside of Berovo," Boutwell said. "They stayed after school just to learn about America's culture and the students there."
The video chat began right before 8 a.m. in Southaven, which is 3 p.m. in southeastern Europe. The opportunity was made possible through a Paul D. Coverdell World Wise Schools Correspondence Match that allows Peace Corps volunteers abroad to communicate in U.S. classrooms.
"I thought how exciting it would be to have primary sources, like a Peace Corps volunteer, tell them from his own perspective what things are like in different countries," DeSoto Central Spotlight teacher Bonnie Crabtree said. "This gives them more of a global outlook."
Two at a time, English-speaking Macedonian students were projected upon the interactive whiteboard in Crabtree's class. The students on the local front were given individual chances to broaden their educational horizons.
Allyson Cartwright answered the question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" with "doctor."
"Is your favorite show 'House?'" Boutwell asked about the television medical drama.
An element of entertainment was also posed to Olivia Nault, and it dealt with her favorite movie. The teenager wasted little time declaring it was "Eclipse" of the popular Twilight Saga.
"I was a little nervous at first because I didn't know what they were going to think about the U.S. and the kids here," said Nault, "but once I started asking asking questions, all that pressure just lifted off my shoulders."
The back-and-forth chatter also included favorite school subjects, sports and music. The Southaven bunch was fascinated to learn about the origin of one particular food item.
"The community that we are in is famous for cheese," Boutwell said. "It's very popular to have cheese from sheep, not from cows. Has anyone there tried sheep cheese?"
According to Crabtree, Boutwell, whose hometown is Fort Walton Beach, Fla., has a 27-month assignment in Macedonia.
"He told them that he had a good job in finance in Washington," she said, "but he wanted to do something to help other people. It's planting a seed for these kids -- to get out there and do a little more."
Boutwell, coincidentally, has ties to the Magnolia State.
"My father was born in Mississippi and I went to college at USM (University of Southern Mississippi). My father currently lives outside of Hattiesburg."
-- Chris Van Tuyl: (901) 333-2018
Links to Related Topics (Tags):
Headlines: December, 2010; Peace Corps Macedonia; Directory of Macedonia RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Macedonia RPCVs; Internet; The Third Goal; Tennessee
When this story was posted in March 2011, this was on the front page of PCOL:
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| Peace Corps: The Next Fifty Years As we move into the Peace Corps' second fifty years, what single improvement would most benefit the mission of the Peace Corps? Read our op-ed about the creation of a private charitable non-profit corporation, independent of the US government, whose focus would be to provide support and funding for third goal activities. Returned Volunteers need President Obama to support the enabling legislation, already written and vetted, to create the Peace Corps Foundation. RPCVs will do the rest. |
| How Volunteers Remember Sarge As the Peace Corps' Founding Director Sargent Shriver laid the foundations for the most lasting accomplishment of the Kennedy presidency. Shriver spoke to returned volunteers at the Peace Vigil at Lincoln Memorial in September, 2001 for the Peace Corps 40th. "The challenge I believe is simple - simple to express but difficult to fulfill. That challenge is expressed in these words: PCV's - stay as you are. Be servants of peace. Work at home as you have worked abroad. Humbly, persistently, intelligently. Weep with those who are sorrowful, Care for those who are sick. Serve your wives, serve your husbands, serve your families, serve your neighbors, serve your cities, serve the poor, join others who also serve," said Shriver. "Serve, Serve, Serve. That's the answer, that's the objective, that's the challenge." |
| Memo to Incoming Director Williams PCOL has asked five prominent RPCVs and Staff to write a memo on the most important issues facing the Peace Corps today. Issues raised include the independence of the Peace Corps, political appointments at the agency, revitalizing the five-year rule, lowering the ET rate, empowering volunteers, removing financial barriers to service, increasing the agency's budget, reducing costs, and making the Peace Corps bureaucracy more efficient and responsive. Latest: Greetings from Director Williams |
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Story Source: Commercial Appeal
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Macedonia; Internet; Third Goal
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