Bringing a Worldly Perspective to Teaching

Oyster Bay, N.Y. – Each year, East Woods teachers apply for two enrichment grants established by long time East Woods families. This past summer, Michele Burke, a Pre-K lead teacher at East Woods, received the Mayer Fellowship grant—an award to aid educators in providing enrichment to them and their students.

With this grant money, Michele chose to visit and tour a school in San Salvador, El Salvador. The school Michele visited was the Ce Corajon De Maria School. While having the chance to experience and learn from her hosts, Michele also wanted to leave something of value with the school when she left. Prior to leaving for El Salvador, Michele was able to fill two large suitcases to bring with her with puzzles, pencils, small toys and gently used crayons and markers that were being replaced as a result of the renovation of East Woods’ Early Childhood wing, She was also able to bring over gift cards and cash donations that were generously provided by East Woods families and staff.

"It was an extremely rewarding experience for me. It was also heartwarming to see how generous and supportive the East Woods community was in helping me provide learning materials and financial support that were so welcomed by both the staff and students at the Ce Coraion De Maria School” noted Michele. “I plan to start a pen pal relationship with the school once all of our pre-kindergarteners become more experienced at drawing and writing.”

In 1986, the family of Donna Mayer established the Mayer Fellowship in her memory to provide funds for enrichment activities for the East Woods faculty.

For more information on the East Woods School, please visit www.eastwoods.org or visit the school’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/eastwoodsschool.ews.