WHITEHOUSE, Westmoreland — Great Shape! Inc, the Sandals Foundation and the Ministry of Education will once again collaborate in hosting a series of ‘Teach the Teachers’ workshops, starting today through to August 12 at the Godfrey Stewart High School in Savanna-la-Mar.

A Sandals release said the Teach the Teachers programme focuses on language arts, behavioural management, and computer training.

“These workshops will offer area educators and members of Parent Teacher Associations free innovative training to increase language arts skills in Jamaica, while preparing them for the educational changes being implemented by the Ministry of Education as they practice new techniques in real time,” the release said.

According to the release, the Teach the Teachers programme was first launched in Jamaica in 2011 with computer classes for Jamaican educators, and after realising its impact, educators requested additional training in language arts techniques and classroom management.

“Today, the programme attracts volunteers from around the world, particularly from the United States, Canada, and Jamaica, who specialise in these areas,” added the release.

It added that for the first time, a “model classroom”, called “Kids Camp”, is to be introduced, which is expected to give an opportunity for local educators to observe the new teaching techniques in action with local students. “Workshop participants will then have a broader understanding of how the strategies impact the children and their academic and social development.

“We are especially excited to launch Kids Camp. In our past workshops, teachers learned and practised the new techniques with each other. Now they’ll be able to experience the techniques first-hand, with the children,” said educator Alicia Palmer, a volunteer who is from the US.

Great Shape! Inc uses an application process to select the top 60 volunteers to serve in Jamaica. These volunteers pay a project fee of US$750 and their own airfare, and this year the Sandals Foundation will host the teams at Sandals Whitehouse and provide the usual logistical support.

“We have partnered with Great Shape! Inc. since 2003,” said director of programmes for the Sandals Foundation, Heidi Clarke. “We’ve hosted their dental, eye care and student literacy projects, and now we’re pleased to host Teach the Teachers. It’s an amazing opportunity for us to collaborate on projects that are sustainable, provide the most contemporary training, and benefit the people of our island,” added Clarke.

“With training from Great Shape! Inc, tremendous improvements have been noticed. Both teachers and students are now very excited about the teaching learning process,” said Dr Joyce Graham Royal, principal of GC Foster College of Physical Education and Sport. “Great Shape! Inc continues to save lives, and this invaluable contribution is indeed a timely and opportune one which will ultimately revolutionise the nation’s literary landscape,” said Dr Graham Royal.

The workshops focus on:

• Language Arts.

• Methods to enrich reading and writing techniques with emphasis on comprehension, skill building, word recognition, and written expression.

• Classroom behavioural management.

• Tools to provide motivation, rewards.

• Methods to create a joyfully controlled classroom and tips to manage staff.

• Techniques to build self-esteem and effective communication.

• Child-centred teaching practices.

• Conflict resolution, effectively managing behaviours and consequences.

• Computer education — from beginner to advanced (including hardware and troubleshooting); guides teachers to improve their own computer skills and techniques to share computer learning with their own students.