Getting a ‘Global Perspective’
Missi Baker believes in seizing every opportunity she can to help enrich the lives of her students.
So when she learned of a two-week study program in Germany that educates American teachers on the history of Germany and how it has evolved since the Holocaust, she jumped at the opportunity to be a part of it.
“No one knows much about Germany except World War II and the Holocaust,” said Baker, who teaches language arts at Sandpoint Middle School as well as economics and English for the Idaho Digital Learning Academy. “I want to give my students a more realistic view of Germany today.”
Baker and Post Falls Middle School history teacher Roman Vasquez are the only teachers from North Idaho chosen to attend the program, called “Giving Students a Global Perspective.” They completed applications and submitted letters of recommendation before being accepted to attend the program.
Sandpoint Middle School’s Assistant Principal Deborah McShane looks forward to having Baker share her experience with the staff and students.
“Missi’s experiences this summer will have far-reaching effects with her students and their families,” said McShane. “She will apply her knowledge and generously share her experiences with our school and community.”
Baker, who uses World War II and the Holocaust as a platform for reading and writing in her language arts class, said the experience will allow her to add much more to her curriculum. She says she wants her students to know what Germany is like today and not leave them with just the negative impression of the Holocaust.
“I’ll be able to bring a whole new picture to my students,” said Baker.
Baker and Vasquez will depart today along with 10 southern Idaho educators for their two-week European adventure. The program is sponsored by Atlantik-Brucke of Germany in cooperation with the Idaho State Department of Education.
When it was formed 56 years ago, the goal of Atlantik-Brucke was to bring together representatives from both Germany and the United States to show Americans a more accurate, less hateful picture of Germany following the end of World War II.
Over the years the organization has evolved into a networking and education group. For more than 20 years, Atlantik-Brucke has sponsored study trips such as the one Vasquez and Baker will attend. The goal – to educate those who educate others – offers teachers firsthand knowledge of the Germany of yesterday and the Germany of today.
Vasquez said he is particularly interested in learning how German educators utilize modern technology as well as how they cater to gifted students and those with special needs.
“From what I understand it is more segregated (than in the U.S.),” said Vasquez.
Children as young as 10 are given tests to determine if they will follow a more academic track or are better suited for vocational school.
“If you do not test high, you have fewer choices,” said Baker.
Referred to as tracking, this is not done in the United States.
Baker and Vasquez, along with their Idaho colleagues, will meet with German counterparts, students, and prominent political figures including members of Parliament and the Deputy Director General for the United Nations. They will have the opportunity to visit the German Resistance Memorial in Berlin and receive a guided tour of the Jewish Museum.
In preparation for the trip, Baker has read much on the country she will visit. She cites statistics of how much of Germany’s budget is used for social welfare – more than 50 percent.
“I believe a lot of that comes from guilt over the Holocaust,” said Baker. “Germany has dealt with it by becoming socially and economically successful.”
The group of 12 teachers is provided with many details before their departure; information on everything from the proper way to shake hands to a detailed outline of the German government and educational structure is outlined in a notebook.
As part of their experience, each teacher is required to prepare a lesson plan to be posted on the Idaho State Department of Education’s Web site. Each person will select a different topic and teachers from all over the state will be able to utilize the lesson plan in their curriculum.
Baker said she hopes to write several lesson plans from her experience. For her Sandpoint Middle School students she will provide a comparative view of Germany before and during World War II to how it has evolved since that era.
For her students in the Idaho Digital Learning Academy, Baker will focus on entrepreneurship economics and the process of developing a successful business in Germany as it compares to the process in the United States.
Not only will they write the lesson plan, but McShane said, Baker will also be asked to present an overview of her experience at a staff meeting.
“The teachers at Sandpoint Middle School work together to build a sense of community,” said McShane. “We know that we are all enriched by each person’s efforts, and that we all benefit by sharing information.”