From April 4th to 11th, the Catalunya Voluntaria Foundation hosted the practical training activity ‘The Class Teacher – A Mediator for Social Inclusion’ at Hotel Cesar, at Baixamar district, Vilanova i la Geltrú (Barcelona). The activity featured 6 teachers from the Vocation School of Food Industry and Tourism in Momchilgrad, Bulgaria. Four female teachers, including the school’s director, and two male teachers, including the translator, spent a week learning new teaching methods, gathering new ideas, and meeting other teachers. We sincerely thank them for their hospitality and for opening their schools to us.
Over the course of a week, the group enjoyed various activities, visits and meetings, in which they learned, despite the linguistic barriers, about new cultures and languages, as well as the functioning, organization and working methodologies used by the pedagogical team of two educational centers: the IES ‘Baix a mar’, in Vilanova, and the Geltrú and the CECAC, in Barcelona, together with the non-formala nd intercultural methodology that the FCV uses in this type of activities.
Some of the most outstanding activities were the visit organized by NGO Garraf Coopera in the Ortoll forest, the meeting with the Matas-Arnalot business group in Sitges, as well as the set of reflection activities at the end of the program, moments that help to share impressions and better understand what has happened throughout the day.
A session dedicated to the exchange of experiences helped us understand the differences between social integration and social inclusion, as well as to increase awareness of the role that teachers and tutors can play inside and outside the classroom. This involved a greater understanding of the need to manage diverse needs, interests, and abilities, which requires, above all, the willingness of the school and the ability to manage personal information, being aware of what each school can offer, and considering community resources. This aims to promote the continuous training, participation, and socialization of students inside and outside of school hours, which (we insist) requires the willingness of the school, collaboration among teachers, with families, and with other agents in the area, such as non-profit organizations, businesses, and social services.
On the last day, the group filled out their final evaluation forms, thanking the FCV for “an unforgettable experience” and for organizing an intensive, relevant, and well-balanced program.
The group took advantage of the good weather in early spring and the Easter holidays to explore the capital of the Garraf region and visit Barcelona.
For the teachers, the activity met between 99% and 100% of their expectations, and the logistical aspects received an excellent rating with average scores of 9.3, 10, and 9.6 out of 10 for accommodation, meals, and transportation, respectively. These results encourage us to continue collaborating with the school and are particularly noteworthy considering accommodation prices during peak season and the operation of the R2 commuter rail service.
It is the result of a partnership agreement between the FCV, the Centre for European Initiatives-Stara Zagora, and the school, made possible thanks to the support of the European Commission’s Erasmus+ program and the Bulgarian NA.
For more information about this activity, please send an email to projectes@catalunyavoluntaria.cat
