In February 2021 the Connect Global team was able to start the Honduras school year off by assuming the financial and logistical responsibilities of a primary and secondary school, Las Huellas Del Maestro, which as of March 1st, 2021 has 172 students as a part of expanding our ongoing commitment to education and care for children.
The Connect Global team was able to tour two top notch Elementary Schools in Tampa Florida
Connect Global promotes education initiatives, funds scholarship programs, and provides other sustainable resources when and where we can in order to support those who educate children.
Earlier this year we told you about a new education initiative expansion in Honduras. As we continue this expansion through leadership development and infrastructure investments over time we expect to see even more value added for the current students as well as provide more opportunities for growth.
Through our decades long relationship with an educator in Tampa, Florida our executive team was able to make a very positive connection to two schools in the Tampa area. We believe that these strategic partnerships will help us provide the high level of care and attention that we desire at our school in Honduras, Las Huellas Del Maestro.
Bellamy Elementary
Bellamy is such a wonderful school and they have an ambitious plan of creating a school that is completely bi-literate, bi-cultural, and bi-lingual. Instead of just focusing on language as a supplement to learning they are using language and culture as a foundation to learning.
Their classes are fully immersed in both English and Spanish. Students learn all day in both languages and are put in amazing atmospheres that lend to full understanding of both languages as well as an appreciation for multi-cultural environments. This program not only allows each student to become fully fluent in language but the programs directors shared with us how they are able to track cognitive development across all disciplines of general education. Students are testing higher, have improved understanding in all subjects, and overall self esteem is higher as well because of a high sense of accomplishment.
We are excited to bring this information and work through the next steps of implementation of dual language programming in Las Huellas del Maestro in hopes of achieving these same milestones in our school, for our students and in cooperation with parents and our teaching staff. We are confident that dual-language will be a huge benefit and we are excited to be linked with a school such as Bellamy Elementary and their team to learn from.
Riverwalk STEM Academy @ Just Elementary School
The executive team at Connect Global has known Mr. Kevin McDonald for just about 20 years and have seen his heart for education and development. His most recent promotion finds him as Principal of Just Elementary.
Ernest Everett Just (August 14, 1883 – October 27, 1941) was a pioneering African American biologist, academic and science writer. Just’s primary legacy is his recognition of the fundamental role of the cell surface in the development of organisms. In his work within marine biology, cytology and parthenogenesis, he advocated the study of whole cells under normal conditions, rather than simply breaking them apart in a laboratory setting. In addition to his scientific contributions, On November 17, 1911, Ernest E. Just assisted three Howard students in establishing Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
On August 5, 2004, Ernest E. Just Elementary opened its doors to a student population that quickly rose to over 650 children. The staff at Just is striving to provide each and every student with an education and sense of self-worth that will carry them well beyond the education system. Carrying the torch in a legacy that began with our namesake is a challenge that enriches not only the students and staff of Ernest E. Just Elementary, but also the community and beyond.
Our introduction to Just Elementary was enlightening and inspiring. We were able to learn how they are honoring the legacy of their namesake, Ernest Everett Just, though their STEM academy. STEM is an acronym for the fields of science, technology, engineering and math. We learned how they use traditional tools along with new and innovative teaching methods to instill a strong foundation for learning within these educational fields.
We saw first hand how they are using robotics, engineering, and coding to teach math, science, and all other general education concepts. Students at Just have access to a whole host of amazing learning tools such as Lego, 3D printers & writing Pens, coding language tools, and hydroponics. Students learn in environments conducive to experiencing and experimenting rather than just lecture and reading. Learning through tactile and input/response methods allow for a deeper more visceral absorption of the concepts and learning milestones than traditional teaching methods alone.
Our team was able to see how valuable these tools are when coupled with amazing teachers who are committed to the students success. Students have fun while learning and have a way to see themselves succeeding in the fields of science, tech, engineering, and mathematics like never before.
We desire to see Las Huellas del Maestro grow into a STEM focused school over time and provide access to these tools which will open up the imagination of our students to be able to become masters of these disciplines.
Here is a Major way you can Give with Us as we forge ahead to provide the very best educational experience we can at Las Huellas Del Maestro.
We would like to begin outfitting classrooms with the tools and resources that will help us advance our school in the areas of STEM and Dual Language. Below is a sample of items we are looking to give our students access to. You can help by simply purchasing these items through our Amazon Wish List, or by making a tax deductible donation so that we can purchase these teaching tools. Either way you will be making a huge impact in the educational lives of our students for years to come.
“It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer ”
L-R Connect Global Co-Founders, Javier, Danielle, & Saige Mendoza; Founders of Las Huellas del Maestro School, David and Dialis Romero, & Travis Moffitt, Co-Founder, Connect Global — 2020
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
Nelson Mandela
Simple and easy ways to support teachers and their classrooms is by donating school supplies through Connect Global