ITLP Professional Development Initiative
Sarah Bever and Matthew Thomas, two graduates of the International Educational Development program at Teachers College, Columbia University and former public school educators, worked for ITLP this year through its Professional Development Initiative, a program that aims to directly impact pedagogy and practice in Tanzanian classrooms.
In addition to discussing educational theories and instructional approaches with secondary school teachers, Sarah and Matthew spent time observing classrooms, conducting interviews with school teachers and staff, and encouraging reflective practice among teachers. They also facilitated a professional development workshop with the teachers and administrators at Nkoanrua secondary school that focused on inquiry-based, learned-centered, and participatory teaching and learning approaches.
The new Tanzanian national curriculum, adopted in 2005, requires teachers employ these learner-centered approaches, rather than those approaches that are more didactic and teacher-centered. Although many Tanzanian teachers have a wealth of experience in the classroom, few have adequate training in these relatively new methods. Through its theatre workshop programs, ITLP has cultivated long-standing relationships with Tanzanian teachers and educational administrators and, thus, is uniquely positioned to provide vital training in learner-centered and participatory methods.
The work of Sarah Bever and Matthew Thomas this past summer as part of the Professional Development Initiative laid the foundation for a future ITLP programming in the field of teacher training and development.
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