Starfish Education Institute Holds Inaugural Conference

Worldfund's Director of Programs Discusses Quality Schools

June 2009

In June, Michelle Viegas, Worldfund's Director of Programs and Strategic Outreach, participated in the Starfish Educational Institute's first annual conference at Escola Estrela do Mar (the "Starfish School") in Maceio, Brazil.  The conference, "Every Child Can Learn: Quality Education for All", included presentations by a variety of education experts and related specialists from Brazil, Portugal and the United States. More than 100 teachers and education professionals, mostly from the local public school system, were in attendance.  

 

Michelle opened the week-long conference with her presentation, "High-Quality Schools", in which she discussed the characteristics of schools that effectively educate and transform the lives of impoverished students.  She also discussed the relevance of such schools in the context of Brazil.  Her presentation was based on the experiences of Worldfund and other international organizations, and contributed both practical information and an outside perspective to educators who face circumstances similar to those surrounding other Worldfund schools.  Other presentation topics included innovative teaching methodologies, educational play, inclusion of students with different needs, and advanced science education.

The mission of the Starfish Educational Institute is to leverage the work of the Starfish School to encourage significant, wide-scale improvements in education.  The Institute aims to achieve this mission by providing teacher training and employing Escola Estrela do Mar as a model and laboratory.  In 2011, it will begin advocacy and research efforts to further advance education in the state of Alagoas and beyond.

 

Worldfund partnered with the Starfish School in 2007, and since then, has provided it with grants totaling US$265,000 for student scholarships.  Worldfund is now expanding its support of the school's successful education model through Michelle's involvement with the Institute.