School board to salute ‘Project Overseas’

In its monthly recognition of excellence, the Rainy River District School Board tonight will salute Robert Moore teacher Dana Kosowick and her participation in “Project Overseas.”
“Project Overseas” involves Canadian teachers who volunteer their time and knowledge in improving the academic and professional qualifications of teachers in developing countries in Africa, the Caribbean, Asia, and the Middle East.
As reported in last week’s Times, Kosowick was in St. Vincent and the Grenadines from July 9-28 teaching computers to teachers there—many of whom had never used a computer before.
Her workshops included basic and advanced applications.
Kosowick was paired up with a local co-tutor.
Conditions in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are very poor so while she was there, Kosowick distributed Canadian children’s books donated by her local of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation Ontario (ETFO).
She also made a donation to the Boys’ Grammar School there (Grades 7-11) on behalf of Robert Moore School. This money will be used for technological purchases.
Kosowick was one of 50 Canadian teacher participants this year. She was one of a five-person team that went to St. Vincent and the Grenadines (her other colleagues hailed from Toronto, Ottawa, Brampton, and Calgary).
A total of 135 teachers in St. Vincent and the Grenadines attended the two-week series of workshops, covering topics ranging from information technology to science and special education to differentiated instruction and gender equity.
“Project Overseas” is a joint initiative of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation, participating member organizations (in this case the ETFO), CTF’s overseas partner organizations, and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
Now in its 45th year, “Project Overseas” has seen 1,882 Canadian teachers participate over the years, working with 100,000 teachers from around the world and affecting the lives of an estimated three million students.
Also at tonight’s meeting, which gets underway at 7 p.m. in the board office at Robert Moore School, trustees will:
•hear a report on “Celebrating Summer Learning”;
•vote on policies regarding professional development, Competitors’ Assistance Fund, and donations;
•hear reports on the Aboriginal Education Advisory Committee, Special Education Advisory Committee, and Ontario Public School Boards’ Association meetings each held back in June;
•receive a director’s update and 2007-08 system plan report from Education Director Jack McMaster;
•receive a personnel report updated to September, 2007;
•receive a Occupational Health and Safety Committee report;
•receive a report on the “Secondary Success” and the new teacher induction programs; and
•a report on summer maintenance projects.