mbtamb Connected Educator: September 2016

TEACHING EXCELLENCE AND ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM 2016

MOUSSA B. TAMBOURA-MALI

The TEA program gave me the opportunity to experience three amazing things.

First of all, I had the chance to experience different cultures and educational systems around the world in Washington DC during four days orientation sessions by IREX.

Secondly, in California State University, Chico , my host university during the TEA program, I had the chance to meet many wonderful instructors such as: Carol Levensaler as Lesson Planning(Topic-specific instruction Strategies) instructor, Terri Davis (Service Learning) , Karissa Ringel (Instructional Technology), Benjamin Seipel (Lesson Planning: Incorporating Assessment and Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling-TPRS-), Analia Martinez (Leadership- The importance of Communication in Conflict Management), Maris Thompson (Access and Equity in Education and Perspective on Gender and Schooling), Bob Kohen (Lesson Planning: Developing Goals and Objectives) and many others.

At least not at last, after weeks of intensive courses in Chico State, I was sent to Paradise High School for my field experience. In Paradise high school, Mrs. Virginia Partain was my partner teacher. Working with that amazing lady impacted my life professionally. I co-taught English 9, AVID 9 and English ERWC 12 students with Mrs. Partain.

Mrs. Partain and Moussa first meeting

Knowing that one the most important value of knowledge is sharing;

Knowing that sharing is one of African traditional value and as Amadou Hampate Bah, a Malian writer used to say that “Knowledge is the only fortune you can spent without losing any penny”; I decided to share my unforgettable and rich experience gained in the US with my colleagues, faculty staffs and students around Mali.

Back to Mali, I led two workshops in Bamako the capital city. After those two, I noticed that everything is centralized in Bamako, so I decided to give opportunity to others far away from Bamako.

Initiatives of development are not supported by the government in Mali. That’s why despite my limited means and resources, I targeted two regions of Mali. Thanks to Mrs Virginia Partain, my US partner teacher financial aids and incomparable support, I came up to lead eight days of Professional Development Training in Kadiolo in Sikasso region 480 miles from Bamako and one day TEA program experience sharing in Sevare- Mopti 700 miles from Bamako.