Talent Without Effort….Useless!

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“Always make a total effort, even when the odds are against you.”   By Arnold Palmer

Sometimes, when I issue a Post, the message just seems to resonate or touch one or more of the “Friends” in a personal way and causes a response. Last week’s Post brought about a higher than usual number of positive comments.

I sincerely invite anyone to correspond with me in any of several ways available. This Blog provides a “Leave a Reply” option to send a note and my email address is provided. atbroady@aol.com.

I said last week, so much of this is “beyond us” as far as what has been accomplished to date. Fortunately, what has been achieved did not stop where our own limitations ended…but extended “beyond us”.  If you feel like talking back to me…send me a note. THANKS!  

I promised to introduce you to the volunteer teachers we have working at the Learning Center at this time. Folks…we have useful and talented people at the Leaning Center!

First, Jessica Skelton was born and raised in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas State University from 2011-2015 and graduated with a major in Interdisciplinary Studies with an Early Childhood through 6th grade ESL generalist certificate and ajessica-skelton-2 minor in Spanish. For the past four years she has worked for an Austin-based nonprofit called Girlstart.

Girlstart’s mission is to increase girls’ interest and engagement in STEM through innovative, nationally-recognized informal STEM education programs. (STEM is science, technology, engineering and math)

In addition to her experience teaching at Girlstart,  she has also taught 4th grade and 2nd grade each for a semester in Austin.

Her hobbies include practicing Spanish, yoga, and hiking. I’m finding that there are plenty of opportunities to do all of these things in Copey! From my perspective, it is very beneficial to have a volunteer who has familiarity with STEM and can inspire young female students at the Learning Center to pursue educational opportunities related to STEM.

Also, Roberto Luis Varona is on board from Manila, Philippines. He studied at an American Jesuit School and received his BA Degree in Economics in 1972. He then obtained his Masters in Public Administration at the University of the Philippines.
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Later, his family emigrated to Vancouver, Canada, where Roberto worked as an Urban/Regional Planner, and eventually as a Human Resource Specialist for the British Columbia provincial government. From 1977 to 2003, he helped raise a family of one girl and two boys. He claims his lust for travel resulted in his international career as an ESL teacher.
Just prior to arriving in Copey, Roberto spent 6 months in Popayan, Colombia and a total of 3 years in Latin America teaching English as a Second Language (ESL).  Prior to the last three years, Roberto was in China teaching ESL. He calls Copey a Central American paradise!
I have met both Jessica and Roberto via Skype and I believe the final two months of school will be both exciting and successful. I have consistently been impressed with the volunteers I have become acquainted with or aware of after “Friends” became involved. The backgrounds of those arriving at Copey to devote part of their time and talent in support of the mission of the Learning Center is highly commendable and shows the level of commitment the community and the Learning Center has to education.

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