English Language Development (ELD) teacher McCarthy-Towne Elementary School in Acton-Boxborough, MA
Keyword: Peruvian Arts and Culture, Imperative Verbs, Ordinal Numbers, Create a Peruvian Recipe
My name is Rebecca Mazonson, and I am an English Language Development teacher in Acton-Boxborough, MA. Throughout my 11 years as an educator — first as a social studies teacher, and now exclusively teaching multilingual learners — I have shared my passion for cultural exploration and exchange. The 2024 Fulbright-Hays program in Piura and Cusco, Peru was a perfect opportunity for me to immerse myself in the Spanish language and Peruvian culture for a concentrated period of time with other K-12 educators from around the country.
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The school community where I teach is culturally and linguistically diverse, with an increasing number of students hailing from South America. Before traveling to Peru, I had never been to the continent. The experiences that I have already been able to share with my students and their families help build a bridge between us, and provide an anchor of familiarity for students who are new to the country. Furthermore, the daily and intensive Spanish language practice — in coursework, excursions, and homestays — was invaluable, as I am able to more fluidly communicate with my new students and their families than I was previously.
I have taken so much home with me from my time in Peru. From the yarn we hand-dyed at the Centro de Textiles Tradicionales in Chinchero, to the recipe for causa that I learned from my host family in Piura, to the active WhatsApp thread to continue conversing with my cohort, the experience truly lasts longer than the 6 weeks spent in the country. It was an unforgettable and muy chévere summer!