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Building Bridges to the East

Despite certain cultural differences (for example, students would rise to their feet whenever Field entered the classroom), Field found many similarities between the American and Uzbekistani educational systems — for example, in the way that teachers deal with professional development. "They, too, have meetings and symposiums where new strategies and curricula are shared with interested colleagues." However, she also noted, "They are operating with limited materials. Many of their resources are outdated. In spite of this, they manage to get students to learn."

A panorama of Kirovsk, Russia (Photo courtesy of Sarah Powley)

Sarah Powley's (IN '93) travels took her to the town of Kirvosk, located on the Kola Peninsula in the Murmansk region, east of Finland and just above the Arctic Circle. A 31-hour train ride away from Moscow, Kirovsk is the kind of place where the sun disappears completely from view for several weeks each winter, forcing the school to adapt its schedule accordingly: six short days each week rather than five regular ones. However, as Sarah discovered, sunlight is not the only rare commodity in Kirovsk.

"Maps and other basic teaching supplies — even chalk and erasers — are in short supply," said Sarah. "Technology in School #13 is even less evident. No one, not even the principal, has a computer. There was neither a copy machine nor a fax in the building, and no copy paper, either. However, despite shortages and despite the fact that the teachers are months behind in receiving their pay, they are dedicated and hardworking.

"This is a difficult time for Russia, politically and economically," Sarah added, "but the people are persevering and resourceful. They can make a feast out of nothing, it seems, and the teachers are able to create a positive and caring learning environment in spite of a lack of resources."

A second-grade teacher and her students in an English-language school in Bishkek, Kyrgysztan (Photo courtesy of Dr. James Kerr)

Dr. James Kerr (IL '95), who traveled to Kyrgyzstan, echoes Sarah's observations, noting that the materials the students used were often old and out-of-date. English language texts left over from the Soviet regime still contained unfavorable views of the United States. However, what impressed James the most about the Kyrgyzstani schools he visited were the level of interest that students had in all forms of learning and the level of respect and admiration they had for their teachers.

"This confirmed a belief I have about teachers and their students," said James. "You can take all the bureaucracy and paperwork and standardized testing away and what really makes learning meaningful for students is knowing that someone they see every day is genuinely interested in helping them to learn and cares about them as people."

High school students from Kara Balta, Kyrgyzstan in traditional folk costumes (Photo courtesy of Dr. James Kerr)

All the Milken Educators who went agreed that their journey was among the most memorable experiences of their lives. "For me, this was the experience of a lifetime," said Sarah. "That sounds like a cliche, but it doesn't feel like one. It's the truth."

On the day before Cindy Field's departure from Samarkand, her host teacher Evgeniya asked Field to turn the video camera on her. Evgeniya then delivered a message for Field to take back to her school in South Windsor, Connecticut.

"I'm very thankful for the opportunity to greet and have Cynthia as my guest in Samarkand," said Eugenia, "and to show my respect and my love to all Americans. To me, her stay had a practical sense — it was a time of building up bridges of partnership and friendship." It's a bridge Cindy Field hopes to cross again someday.

Article by Johnny Cho

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