Brazil – Day 5

I’m nearly there – only two more days after this one. Although, when I’ve finished, I’m probably going to try and write about the Big “E”s (that makes more sense if you had had it explained to you)! I will explain it though – in a few days time, and try and explain the rationale behind the way that I’m starting to think as a result of this Brazil experience.

We started Day 5 with a group reflection time. Now, I’m not good at all the ‘touchy, feely’ stuff … and I’ve never really enjoyed ‘sharing!’ BUT, I have to say that the group times we spent in Brazil were generally pretty rewarding, and we touched on some really good issues in a supportive way. The Leaders Quest guys were obviously well trained in leading this type of thing and allowed us to contribute as much or as little as we wanted. I got more out of the sessions than I normally would I think!

We first had to create a rich picture. Something that expressed what we were seeing, feeling, thinking from the quest so far. We then talked about our pictures in groups and we talked together as a bigger group. Below is a picture of my rich picture (the one on the right) and Justin’s rich picture (the far superior one on the left)! Not being a natural artist (although some may argue otherwise), I struggled somewhat with the drawing element, and chose to go with a more doodle based approach!

Mine basically talked about the experiences we’d had so far, and the fact that they were underpinned with the new relationships we’d encountered and started to develop! (If you can decipher that from what I’ve drawn, you’re a better man than me)!

The room we had the session in was pretty cool – it was a space called The Hub. They had a swing!! it also had lots of wall space that was eventually covered with everyone’s pictures. There was real feeling of ‘what next?’ during this session – and already a question about how we were going to take these ideas and thoughts and experiences home with us …

After we finished the session we headed up into the countryside (a different part to Day 3) and went to visit Kaka Wera, the leader of the Instituto Arapoty. This Institute is set up to help with the loss of culture of the native Guarani people (sometimes referred to, wrongly, as Indians). The traditional methods of the Guarani people – from tribal dancing to storytelling with music are used to help educate people in and preserve the customs of the Guarani people. The day was fascinating, and after (yet another) mammoth lunch we had a tour of the site. We got to take part in a tribal dance – something my tutor group will be doing on the first day back (they’re going to love it), and we also got to listen to a story. A really simple story, but beautifully told. I was transfixed! We then made a rather hasty departure to head to Estadio Morumbi for the football – Sao Paulo vs Goias!!!

As I just mentioned, we then went to the football. This was a bonus activity that we had negotiated for ourselves!! (and how lucky were we). It was a fab experience, and the fact Sao Paulo won 3-1 over Goias made it all the better. We were sitting in a relatively quiet part of the stadium, and the atmosphere was amazing even there. (I don’t really want to say it, but it may have even been better than the Walker’s Stadium). We really enjoyed it. I was most impressed with the fact that they served drinks, lollipops and popcorn at your seat! You didn’t even have to stand up! I was also amused by the fact that toilet paper was being distributed at the entrance to the toilets (a couple of sheets each), presumably to prevent people from throwing it on the pitch!!

Most important thing from Day 5 – Difficult, day 5 was a day where I experienced rather than took an active part. I was quite tired (which is worrying in itself), and I never quite got in the zone. I loved the storytelling, and I guess the natural and genuine enthusiasm with which the story was told (even in the teller’s second language) should tell me that passion is important! Something that was underlined by the Sao Paulo fans!!

Brazil – Day 4

So to Day 4.  Day 4 was much more touristy in flavour, but finished on a really motivational note.  We got to see some beautiful mountain views, experienced pain at Sao Paulo market and saw the Portugese language museum.  We finished the day with dinner preceded by a really amazing visit to an organisation called Eletrocooperativa … you want to know what I saw in the morning don’t you?  Well, when we woke up (roused by the gentle neighing of the horses next door), we went outside, and saw …

   

Cool huh?  As I've mentioned before, we were so lucky!! We then had a lovely breakfast at Paulo’s house, followed by a coach ride back to Sao Paulo.  Paulo also gave us T-Shirts for our FC Schwanke team photo (also below).  I haven’t told you what that’s all about yet.  We were messing around giving ourselves Brazilian footballer’s names.  I am Smitinho for example.  We then set about sorting an entire Brazilian football team including all the people on the quest in various guises.  At breakfast Tooteldinho was stripped of the captaincy and I gratefully accepted the responsibility.  Where did we get the name from I hear you cry??  It was the name of a company on a crane in the Embraer plant.  Anyway, we took the photograph in matching T-shirts.  As you can see, we were flanked by the 2 young pianists from the night before.

 

On the way home we were treated to something else special.  As well as a much needed toilet stop in Campos do Jordão (something I really needed as a result of an unwelcome clogging up brought about by lovely Brazilian cuisine – I needed fibre), we were driving down the mountain and our debrief was interrupted by this …

  

Stunning … On arrival back at the hotel we rechecked in, I discovered that I’d forgotten to repack my underwear and was the cause of much hilarity in efforts to get it back.  I am more grateful to Ella than she might realise for her help in that area.  My underwear was eventually returned I’m pleased to say.  Anyway, after that unnecessary episode, we went to Sao Paulo market and ate lunch.  In midst of which we were curious as to the little chilli things on the table.  See if you can see what’s happening here …

 

After lunch and a visit to the Portugese language museum, we visited an organisation called Eletrocooperativa.  This is an organisation that is aimed at encouraging people in using technology to give themselves more opportunity.  This can be through sound, video etc.  An amazing place where we got to think in a variety of ways and express ourselves.  The organisation describes itself as an education social network for sustainable development, cultural production and income distribution.  It provides an online platform where videos, songs and radio shows can be published.  This can encourage people to buy and pay for these songs and generate a ‘self-sustainability’ using the Internet as a platform.  Here are a couple of videos …

We got to share our thoughts about past, present and future of education (again, in a variety of ways) before a debrief session where we all shared thoughts via the microphone, to a background of Bob Marley and repetition of the words “We are the future” thanks to Darren and Reinaldo Pamplona (from Eletrocooperativa).  A somewhat surreal, but amazing experience.  So, what did I get out of it?  Mainly – I was intrigued by the need for variety and giving people a voice.  I need to make sure that’s apparent in all my lessons.  Students should be able to use all the technology available and use it to express themselves.  It was a seriously moving experience, and people were able to express a number of different feelings.  it’s not the sort of thing I’m normally that comfortable with, but I relaxed a bit and said what I thought.  This was largely about the need to get that heart and enthusiasm back in teaching (maybe just for me personally, but it’s certainly something I was starting to get a handle on in my adventures)!

 

We went for dinner after that, and I then discovered that replacing the word meerkat with other words (as in comparetheBATHROOM.com) was more funny that it should be!!

Most important thing from Day 4 – Continued reminders about the need for heart, and also the need for relevance and use of technology – to allow students to express themselves.  Being publicly vulnerable and open was also an interesting feeling – not one that I’m used to!!

Brazil – Day 3

I’ve only got five more days to write about, so will have to get a move on!! I’m back in the UK now, so obviously much of what I write now will be reflective!! (Gene would be so proud). Day 3 gave me the most fantastic opportunities to experience a part of Brazilian culture (the High Life to be exact), and also the chance to look at planes being made. I got a chance to see how planes were made, and also looked at a school in a town called Campos do Jordão.

After another breakfast of cake, we made a fairly long trip to the headquarters of Embraer, a company that makes aeroplanes, and what aeroplanes … after a brief presentation during which we all decided we wanted an executive jet we had a moment of realisation that they were probably out of our price range (but look at what they look like)! After that moment of realisation, we learnt about how the company was sponsoring and running a school called the Colegio Eng Juavez Wanderley. This is a school with three guiding principles – academic excellence, cultural, social and environmental education and professional guidance. The school selects students from an entrance exam and then sponsors them through their school life. Their aim seems to me to be raising the aspirations of people from poorer communities. They provide transport, food and uniforms for the students, as well as books. Students are only allowed to apply if they have attended public schools for the previous 4 years.

As people will know, I’m a little sceptical of selection by any means, but my perspective has shifted slightly – in a country where an opportunity to attend a good school is so limited, should we stand in the way of offering one to the few?? I guess while I’d like every student to have the Juavez Wanderley experience, I should be pleased that those that have it embrace it and make what seems to be outstanding progress. Thanks to swine flu (it’s everywhere), we weren’t able to visit the school, and that was a shame.

However, this did mean that we could visit the aeroplane factory. We were like kids in a sweet shop!! The size and appearance of planes in their ‘mint’ form was just amazing! Unfortunately we weren’t allowed to take any pictures, (so that we didn’t sell any secrets to MI5 I suppose), but it was tremendous fun. The trip to Embraer also yielded something else – something very exciting that I’m quite proud of, and of which you will hear more later in the diaries (Embraer, Brazil is the birthplace of FC Schwanke) …

Here are some views we got on the way up to Campos do Jordão … (which is apparently a city on a par with Aspen in terms of tourism). The city is very high up in the mountains, and Paulo (as we shall see) has a home even higher up!

After another mammoth lunch (Brazilians know how to eat), we met Paulo Bilyk, who is one of the founders of a company called Rio Bravo Investments. He also has involvement in several more altrustic projects, one of which is Ame Campos, community project which works on social and cultural advancement in the city. When I was looking at links, I notice that they have written a report on our visit to the school. I wish I could understand it – I have decided to learn Portugese! Anyway, we visited the school and had the opportunity to ask questions of Brazilian teachers. The school is called Escola Estadual Theodoro Corrêa Cintra but is known more simply (and preferably for those of that don’t speak Portugese) TCC. The school is supported by Ame Campos as well as an organisation called Parceiros da Educacao (Partners with Education). This partnership has enabled the school to start addressing some of their performance issues as well as consolidating and improving their infrastructure. We were shown some pictures of the improvements that they had made and I was particularly struck by a slide that highlighted the progress that was being made, and also a target board (read more later)! The scheme aims to involve 400 schools by 2015.

Here are some pictures of the school environment, including the computer room and library. This includes a picture of me demonstrating my school’s virtual learning environment to a gentleman called Rodrigo (who runs the computer room) and two students. Notice how Darren is also looking in to steal information for his school in Grimsby ;). We were all really struck by how bare the school was, there’s nothing on the walls. Can you imagine that in the UK? I was also made aware of just how much we take for granted. At my school, we have nearly 400 computers. At this school they have a room of about 20, that students can use when they wish. They don’t teach discrete ICT, and only around 150 students made access to the room (out of 2500). I think we probably don’t appreciate how much we’ve got and maybe it’s time for us to start focussing on the student experience rather than measuring and ticking everything! Don’t get me wrong, I know we need to measure and have targets, but I wonder whether or not or focus has shifted away from the heart of teaching to the cold matter of statistics and league tables. As people will know, I’m big on targets and I’d never lose them, I’d just like to see more heart around school’s motivation.

Having just moaned about targets, one thing I am convinced of is the need for Brazil to use targets in its public schools. As they form a more coherent education system, they MUST measure to raise those standards. This is a picture of Paulo translating the ‘target’ board at TCC – they measure things like ICT access etc. Also, lessons taught by teachers who are supposed to teach the class. Staff absenteeism is a big issue in Brazil. We moan when we have to cover a lesson – in Brazil loads of lessons don’t have teachers as they simply don’t turn up!

I should mention, that this day was my opportunity to be ‘co-leader.’ Leaders’ Quest have a thing where participants have to help lead a visit. I had to co-lead the visit to TCC and then to Paulo’s house. I quite liked being translated in Portugese for the teachers at the school!

Then, after we’d finished at the school, we went up to Paulo Bilyk’s house – and up is the word! The house was at the end of a twisty, turny mountain path. It was amazing. We really enjoyed the hospitality, the surroundings, the generosity. We were treated to a traditional Brazilian feast, together with local beer. Here’s something interesting … I don’t really like beer, but the beer in Brazil tasted much lighter, and I found myself getting more of a taste for it! Maybe there’s hope for me yet … The house was amazing too, aesthetically pleasing and really sensitively designed. After the dinner, we had a piano recital from two young men - Lucas Thomazinho and Flávio Lago. It was really beautiful, and I spent so much of the night reflecting on just how lucky I was to be there!!

Paulo accepting a gift from Leader’s Quest

After dinner we went to bed – no small feat. We were staying in the stable area away from the house (in fact, it was a bus ride away!!). There was a little confusion, but we ended up staying in a room at one end of the stable. There was a picture on the wall that kept us chuckling for hours, and I mean hours … See if you can tell what it is …

In the morning, we woke up and saw … (I’ll tell you on Day 4)

Most important thing from Day 3 – Appreciating Brazilian hospitality and having the chance to think about how well resourced and lucky we are in the UK education system. Also, the realisation that we need heart as well as numbers in the UK!