Guadeloupe, an overseas region of France, became our study destination this time. The course titled Teachers First, which I participated in with coordinator Jolana Kouřímová, took place from July 16 to 23, 2024.
Along with teachers from the Czech Republic, we were joined by educators from Madeira, Finland, Ireland, and Estonia. The instructor was a unique individual, Ms. Rita Stoskiene, originally from Lithuania, but living on the island for the past nine years.
It wasn’t until I left the "imaginary certainties" of my previous life and found myself in an unfamiliar environment (until I got to know it a little better and the "certainty" set in) that I allowed myself to start discovering new things again — new people, new customs and traditions, gastronomy, culture, art, nature, new opportunities, and experiences. We often meet teachers from all corners of Europe. Teachers from different destinations, with varying mentalities, different, perhaps more diverse, types of schools. Teachers from kindergartens, elementary schools, high schools, and sometimes art schools. However, I mostly present the ZUŠ as a completely unique "natural phenomenon," a direction of artistic education on a unique scale.
I wholeheartedly recommend the motivation for new projects and innovative teaching trends through sharing with new educator friends. This is an unforgettable, non-transferable experience that must be lived.
And why Teachers First? One of the European Union’s priorities is mental health. A school is only as good as the quality of the teachers within it. Therefore, it is recommended that educators take care of their own mental health, contributing to the well-being of each teacher, and subsequently applying this process to their students. Teaching is a calling with an incredible bonus — we can pass on our life experiences to the younger generation, who look up to us and perhaps even expect our suggestions for their creative endeavors as a "thrown glove." However, even teachers sometimes need to observe new ideas and draw inspiration from new possibilities as motivation for their future work. It is no longer true that when I finish university, I know everything, and further education is unnecessary. In fact, it is quite the opposite. The times are uncompromising. Despite the current wide-ranging educational offerings, some educators still do not take advantage of them. Why? This is probably a question for the individuals concerned. I can't easily answer that simple question myself. It's their loss; they don’t know what they're missing. And because my dignity requires me to keep my mind active, so that much more can be created — new, fresh, interesting ideas that might even inspire and engage future generations that we are allowed to shape in our profession — I embark on my study stays. I’m sure that Ms. Coordinator Jolana feels similarly. And yes, teachers also need to know how to deal with burnout, fatigue, responsibility, daily stressful situations, and handle non-standard situations with perspective and calmness. The course's theme was how to work with yourself and set your mind to the level of a person, a teacher, who will pass on their experiences with a smile, joy on their face, and peace of mind.
The entire course and its activities were organized with sustainability in mind. A significant role was played by supporting the local economy (farmers' food, crafts, local traditions). The course included information about marine life, forests, coastal areas, and environmental protection activities to maintain biodiversity. To support local culture, many educational experiences led by cultural activists were included.
Completing a course outside of Europe expands our understanding of the world, its problems, and potential solutions, as we explore the interconnectedness. Experiencing the cultural, geographic, natural, and economic diversity of the European Union, especially in its remote areas, brings enormous added value to school projects and the Erasmus+ program itself.
And of course, I can’t leave out the opportunity to communicate in various languages of the world. Although the course was taught in English, the primary language of this part of the world is, of course, French. No, I didn’t know a word of it, but the language is so beautiful that I still wanted to learn a few words. So, slowly but surely, I’m trying to learn more than just a few words.
Thanks to everyone I had the opportunity to meet on this journey.
