Teaching Together Program

Cooperation Projects

Teaching Together Program

Implementing Countries: Antigua and Barbuda; Belize; Benin; Gambia; Ghana; Guyana; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Sierra Leone; Togo; Trinidad and Tobago; Uganda

Description

Teaching Together is a annual joint endeavour of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF/FCE) and its Member and Associate Organizations to support partners as they co-plan and co-deliver professional development workshops for local teachers. It involves over 50 Canadian teacher volunteers each year. Currently programs are offered in Africa and the Caribbean in July each year.

Objectives

Collaboration to improve teaching and learning, and to promote equitable, high quality, public education for all. The program also focuses on strengthening unions and improving knowledge around equity and inclusion.

Activities

Canadian teachers are placed on teams of 3 or 4, and they are then paired with co-facilitators in the host countries. Canadian teachers receive pre-departure training starting in January. Daily professional development sessions are co-facilitated over a two-week period, with generic topics ranging from student-centered pedagogy to classroom management. Sessions on unionism and gender are also offered, as well as a cultural exchange.

Outcomes

Teaching Together is about building teacher (and union) capacity. It works to make connections, develop relationships and allows for mutual learning from all involved. It results in lasting change for students, teachers, unions and communities.