What does an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) titled Accountability and Reforms in Education look like in a community the size of Pensacola? Five Armenian professionals discovered this as they met with locals to exchange experiences and knowledge, but first they explored something else — Thanksgiving in America! Tim Chandler and Larisa Reyes welcomed part of the group to their house and Linda Thompson shared her family’s Thanksgiving table with the remainder. Turkey, cranberries, and dressing joined laughter and cross-cultural sharing.
Of course, no Pensacola Thanksgiving is complete without the downtown Winterfest Performance Tour where music, singing, and elves help jumpstart the holiday season. Board member Jeremy Ochoa and members Dr. Gayle Baugh and Mary Reeber joined the group at this special event.
The visitors’ Saturday focused less on culture and more on volunteerism with an hour-long activity with Ocean Hour Florida and the some of the high school students of the Youth Diplomat program. Ocean Hour Co-President Sharon Gincauskas explained the organization’s mission and how it implements its weekly shoreline cleanups.
Their professional program included time at Pensacola City Hall where City Council Executive Don Kraher gave a brief overview of the city, a hospitality stop at Visit Pensacola, and a coffee with educators & locals Lynn Cacace, Alice Patterson, Pamela Schwartz, and John Toole that focused on parent-teacher communication in primary education.
Escambia County Superintendent of Schools Malcolm Thomas, Director of Middle School Education Vicki Gibowski, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum Instruction Steve Marcanio, and Elementary School Education Director Patti Thomas also welcomed the group. Their discussion focused on a variety of topics such as the challenges of operating a public school system in the current era of diminished tax revenues, best practices for restructuring elementary and middle school education in the region, and standardized testing to assess levels of learning.
A visit to NB Cook Elementary School with Principal Larry Knight highlighted teacher planning periods and the value of art and innovative education in young student learning. A visit to Sacred Heart Cathedral School focused on educational practices from a private school standpoint with Principal Elizabeth Snow, Assistant Principal David Kimbell, and Counselor Mary Adams; and a visit to the MESS (Math, Engineering, Science, and Stuff) Hall with Founder & Executive Director Dr. Megan Pratt highlighted hands-on, experiential learning.
What does an IVLP on Accountability and Reforms in Education cover in Pensacola? Site visits providing context compliment in-depth discussions with area professionals, and, on occasion, holiday feasts and elves.
