Class of 1995
F EAT U R E STO RY
The Middle SchoolYeares Programm
JOHN F. KENNEDY · THE AMERICAN SCHOOL OF QUERÉTARO
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17 años asegurando al JFK... dice mucho de nosotros.
Fall 2013 VOL. 1 NO. 12 ·
nov 2013
vision
Adquiere un Seguro de Educación
To facilitate the balanced development of our students; with commitment and respect for the local community and a multicultural world.
Editorial Letter
Mirtha Stappung M.Ed., MA General Director
Debra Cortney MA Pre–school Principal
Mark Dunn M.Ed., MA Elementary School Principal
Robert Callahan M.Ed., MA Middle School Principal
Adrian Leece MA, BSc, FRMtS High School Principal
Arturo Bustamante Athletic Department Director
Brainstorming JFK’s 50th Anniversary
Dra. Josefina Morgan Financial Director
Jeffrey Lewis
OPERATIONS AND SERVICES DIRECTOR
Ing. Ángel De Lope Friedeberg , C.P. Benito Adolfo Tagle Jiménez, Arq. Matthew Schmidt Covo, Dr. Raúl Gerardo Paredes Guerrero, Lic. Luz Ma. Aguirre Schoelman, Arq. Martha Naranjo Romero, Dra. María Isabel Miranda Sauce. Board of Directors
Lic. Mónica Duarte Balcárcel
Editor in chief and Chair of the editorial board
Sin importar lo que pase... nosotros nos encargamos de que tus hijos terminen sus estudios. calle del rio 107 residencial calesa 2nda sección Querétaro 2
josé ramón vela
tel oficina 2233418 2134381 celular 442 1 81 71 45
Karime D. Gutiérrez, Leonor Cortina, Virginia Watkins, Paloma Parás Ochoa, Mónica Duarte.
Teacher’s Role in the Implementation of the MYP
The New ry Elementa School Building
WRITERS
Leonor Cortina
Proofreading and translation
COVER
STORY
sextosentido Design & COVER PHOTO
Víctor Ortega, Asbed Levi. Photography
Alumni contact
Virginia Watkins vwatkins@jfk .edu.mx Advertising Sales
Karime Dorantes Ph. (442) 218 0075 ext. 1010 cdorantes@jfk.edu.mx
A TR
UE
ADVENTURE CLASS OF 1995
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School-Wide Professional Development Plan
Changes for etter thdenetsB talk about the MYP Stu
SPORTS THE ATHL E DEPARTM TIC ENT &
the MiddleY e Programmears F E AT U R E ST O RY
The Middlers a School Yem Progra
FOR THE
O.OOO1%
Find our Spring 2014 JFK Times tablet issue App Store Google Play
Dear readers,
to share with In this issue we want innovation you themes reflecting the and the that characterizes us, t are taking important activities tha place at JFK. Elementary The construction of the ellent pace. is advancing at an exc School new facilities pus, with will embellish the cam A work that certainly century s that match the 21st classrooms and facilitie enjoy. all l wil utiful spaces we education and with bea tly ren ancements, we are cur Regarding academic adv ortunity gramme. We had the opp implementing the MYP Pro School Callahan, our new Middle to interview Mr. Robert invited and es, tion of the JFK Tim Principal for this edi h us wit red to write too. They sha students and teachers t wha it s important program and their vision about thi ´s educational process. represents in the school the l also be able to learn In this edition you wil a guí Mun ational story of Karla fascinating and inspir her us h school, who shares wit Colmenero, alumni of the ica. for Animal Planet in Afr experience of working ry of rsa ive ognize the 50th ann Lastly, we want to rec place on k John F. Kennedy that too the death of President year after school was founded the Nov.22nd. Given that our oring this e, we will also be hon his death and in his nam as we celebrate hout next school year historic leader throug join us. rsary. We invite you to our very own 50th Annive Mónica Duarte Editor in Chief JFK Times Magazine
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OUTSTANDING ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS BY OUR FACULTY OR STUDENTS
School-Wide Professional Development Plan 2013 – 2014
The Professional All schools should be professional growth for all Development Plan represents members of the JFK perplaces where both adults a school wide effort to and students learn. Teachsonnel. The asembly has address the present and ers and administrators authorized the implemenfuture needs for training and who routinely develop tation of the MYP and professional growth for all their own knowledge and fully supports the demembers of the JFK skills show students that velopment of the necespersonnel. learning is important and sary skills in teachers in useful. Professional deorder to be able to deliver velopment is the best strategy schools have the instructional programs offered by the to strengthen educators’ performance levels International Baccalaureate for 6th through and therefore raise student achievement. 10th grade. The Professional Development Plan repThat is why, in JFK all staff are encourresents a school wide effort to address the aged to participate in professional developpresent and future needs for training and ment that may occur in many different ways.
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These are the main topics offered in each section by our Professional Development Plan:
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21st century approaches to teaching and learning. Education has changed dramatically over the past 20 years, transitioning from the belief that learning is about having information and accumulating knowledge by grade level to the belief that learning is primarily understanding the processes by which we make sense of the natural, social, and cultural worlds around us.
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Increasing technology as a tool for teaching and learning. Students today live in two worlds -one tangible and one digital- that increasingly connect with each other. The Internet Revolution, providing unlimited access to information, makes this transition even more apparent and urgent. Education must keep pace with the new skill demands of this revolution and prepare students for a future of amazing -if uncertainpotential.
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Required IB training needs. JFK believes that the International Baccalaureate represents the most advanced research and educational theory in the world, thus making their programs the best educational option for our students of all ages. The Diploma Program, which has been offered at JFK for more than 15 years and the recent implementation of the MYP, respond to our community expectations as an excellent education for the future.
Education has changed dramatically over the past 20 years to the belief that learning is primarily understanding the processes by which we make sense of the worlds around us.
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ACADEMIC CORNER
You’re Invited to a Historical 50th Birthday Party We are excited to announce the creation of a unique 50th Anniversary Alumni Committee and are inviting you to be a part of it. ➽ Reach out to other graduates. ➽ Share memories. ➽ Impart knowledge as a guest speaker. Contact the Head of Annual Campaign & Alumni Relations
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Required SEP training needs. Provide a variety of formative and summative assessment tasks to students, and use assessment for learning. Students should always know the purpose of an assessment, be given a rubric based on clear objectives, and receive timely feedback that supports the learning process.
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Alignment of the curriculum from K-12. Plan yearly revisions looking to prepare students to enroll in the Diploma Program in HS. Define a school wide way of mapping the curriculum, same format K-12 and train teachers to use it in a systematic way
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Collaborative learning groups. Teachers participate in collaborative learning groups to improve student learning. Promote regular participation in professional Learning Communities among staff.
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Interpreting and Using Data to Improve Student Learning. Our main focus is student learning. Everyone involved in the students’ education is accountable for improving student performance and results.
Virginia Watkins
vwatkins@jfk.edu.mx
/exalumnos.kennedy
Who’s at the Table? THE JFK SPIRIT
Brainstorming JFK’s 50th Anniversary Through a Community Workshop By Virginia Grace Watkins Head of Annual Campaign & Alumni Relations
In the evening of September 17th, representatives across our community sat down together for a united purpose... to explore the why and how of celebrating our JFK 50th Anniversary. Here’s the skinny on how it went and what we learned.
• Roughly 50 participants • 10 teachers & 2 staff • 16 students & student volunteers • 17 parents • 4 alumni • 11 foreign nationals • Several friends with a long JFK hist ory • Various school directors • A couple of professional commu nity workshop coaches
The 3 Big Questions & Your Answers: #1 “Why Do We Celebrate Anniversaries?” Past •• To commemorate/honor progress made, goals met and special moments
The Format • 8 round tables of mixed representation • 1 High School Student Council scribe at each table • Large sketch paper & a marker in every hand • 3 targeted questions, asked one at a time, with 15 minutes to collectively answer • Feedback gathered for analysis & applied to the development of the 50th Anniversary 2014-2015 school year of celebration
Present •• Celebrate an evolution •• See the big picture & reevaluate our direction •• Share our successes with society
Future •• Inspire young generations •• Start a new chapter and set new goals •• Build momentum for future progress
Community •• Strengthen relationships within our JFK family •• A sense of belonging & unity; to be part of something
Appreciation
Why this Format? • Because people prefer to discuss ideas through casual dialogue • All sectors of the JFK Community are given a voice at the table • Encourages teambuilding & collaboration of ideas • Targeted questions build upon each previous one, filtering toward a specific objective • Eliminates corporate politics and influence of agendas • Collects as much info as possible within a brief period of time 8
•• Honor/thank the dedicated individuals who have played key roles in the school´s growth & success
#2 What Does JFK Have to Celebrate After 50 Years? History •• Academic/athletic/national/international achievements •• Facilities advancements •• Overcoming numerous obstacles during our growth •• Persevering for half a century!
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BUILDING COMMUNITY
What´s Next? SHOUT OUT! First things first:
Thank You!
to all of our JFK Community participants for your active collaboration, time investment & invaluable feedback; it´s worth its weight in gold! Take pride in knowing that you´ve helped shape a historical celebration for JFK during next school year´s 50th Anniversary!
People •• Decades of JFK graduates •• Achievements by our students, staff & alumni •• Professionalism and dedication of our extraordinary teachers & staff •• Alumni who have been improving the world & changing society •• Those who have dedicated years of leadership & service to JFK •• Teachers who have impacted lives
Education •• Academic advancements & quality of education •• Education model that successfully integrates many cultures/languages/learning styles •• International scholarships for graduates; opportunity for world travel & exposure •• The development of all aspects within each individual
Community/Relationships: •• Relationship between students & teachers •• JFK Community as a single, unified family •• The people who work at JFK smile, and the students smile as a result •• Legacy of the JFK Community, where alumni return to enroll their children •• The spirit, love of community & pride to be Kennedy
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Culture
•• Our multicultural identity! (The diversity of different cultures/languages & the positive interaction between them.) •• Effective bilingualism
Values •• •• •• •• •• ••
Tradition Honor Leadership Genuine prestige Good sportsmanship The footprint JFK leaves on its students; the high caliber of a JFK student, reflected in society
Social Responsibility/Impact •• Social commitment & service •• Being a green school/environmentally conscious
#3 How Are You Going to Be Involved in JFK´s 50th Anniversary? Also answered as: “How would you like to celebrate our 50th ?”
Recognition
•• Past & present leadership •• Valuable retired teachers •• All JFK employees
Culture
•• Art •• Music •• Ethnicity
Sports Community-building activities Fundraising
MOVING FORWARD With the community´s feedback on what you value and event concepts, we´ve constructed a layout for an anniversary year full of historical recognitions & meaningful celebrations. This ´14-´15 golden anniversary will include not only several unique commemorative events, but “golden touches” integrated throughout the school calendar & its existing activities. You will have the chance to honor our past, celebrate our present and dream about our future. So, get ready to be an active part of a historical moment in our JFK history as we celebrate 50 years of achieving the extraordinary!
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THEY HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY
By Paloma Parás Ochoa 7D
Changes for the Better
I would recommend them to pay attention in each class and to do all their homework because with the new program, homework counts more than usual.”
What is the MYP? Upon being asked this question many of the Middle School students came up with different answers and opinions. MYP stands for Middle Years Programme.
T
his new school year there have been a lot of changes at the JFK Middle School. First we had to say goodbye to our principal Miss Tara who was with us for many years. With the arrival of the new principal Mr. Callahan, we started the new school year ready to learn. We also have the construction of the new Elementary School building, right next to the Middle School. But what came as the biggest shock of all was the MYP. What is the MYP? Upon being asked this question many of the Middle School students came up with different answers and 12
opinions. MYP stands for Middle Years Programme. It is a programme that was recently implemented in our school. It is designed to help students learn and be better prepared once they go out into the “real world”. Here I am going to briefly describe what some of the students of Middle School think about the MYP. Students have been encouraged by the MYP all over Middle School, and I quote, “It is really important and a very good idea to change the programme because the school is trying to make us better students”, says Valeria Urbiola (6C). This is true because
the MYP is trying to make the students grow as people and become better human beings every day. There have been many challenges to overcome with the arrival of the MYP programme. Some students feel ready to face the challenges head on like Jorge Rangel (6A), “Children need to challenge themselves more”. Many students agree with him and are ready to start facing the challenges ahead of them, like Valeria (6C) who thinks that “Every challenge helps me become a better person and develop my abilities.” With students ready to learn all
The MYP is a new programme in which we get more homework and everything changes. It’s supposed to make the school better but we think it is more difficult than before.
Children need to challenge themselves more.
Jorge Rangel (6A) Annika Honack (7C) Ale Lizarraga (7C)
It is really important and a very good idea to change the programme because the school is trying to make us better students.
Valeria Urbiola (6C)
Gerardo Urbiola (8C)
It is a programme that was recently implemented in our school. It is designed to help students learn and be better prepared once they go out into the “real world”
around Middle School the MYP brings many positive outcomes. Some older students who were in Middle School before the programme was introduced also have something to say about the MYP. One of them, Gerardo Urbiola (8C) gives advice to the new students about how to work with the MYP, “I would recommend them to pay attention in each class and to do all their homework because with the new program, homework counts more than usual.” If you work hard and do all the work there should not be any problem getting good grades and not failing.
However, some students don’t like this approach to “real world” learning. What if the challenges are difficult for some students? What do they have to say about this? Annika Honack and Ale Lizarraga (7C) say, “The MYP is a new programme in which we get more homework and everything changes. It’s supposed to make the school better but we think it is more difficult than before.” The new programme involves a lot of changes for many of the students, and some are uncertain of their feelings towards it. Other students have mixed feelings. So now we know that some
students are enjoying the change the MYP brings to the school, and others not so much. One thing that is certain is that our school has a reputation of always being a school that teaches the students and helps them grow in every aspect of their life. It has always shone in all aspects (especially academic) thanks to the hard work of its principals, teachers and students. We know that there will be a period of adjustment that may be difficult for everybody, but once the change is implemented and we are all adjusted, the school will continue to shine, brighter than ever. 13
David Whartnaby Seventh Grade English Teacher
A FOCUS ON OUR STAFF
The importance of the Teacher’s Role in the Implementation of the MYP (Middle School Years Program)
Can you share with me an experience of something that in this process has impacted you or caught your attention of a change?
We talked to three teachers from Middle School to get an insight on their opinion and vision on the implementation of the MYP program at the Kennedy school. They are very enthusiastic with this challenge and are already applying new ways of teaching and feel motivated by their leader.
Ma. Guadalupe Fragoso Portales
6º grade Science Teacher
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What do you think about the MYP program being implemented at the school? I’m a practicing educator with twenty years of experience now. When I came into this school and I began to experience the implementation of the program, I realized the importance of incorporating new ways of teaching. This is something I was already looking for, I wanted to do things differently but I didn’t know how. When I began with the training program and this new way of teaching, I said to myself ‘Bingo!’ this is what I was yearning for.
In your opinion, what do you think will be the greatest benefits for the students? This way of learning is preparing them for the real world. They will stop being mere receivers of information and they will learn to investigate, question, analyze and organize information and apply the knowledge to solve different types of problems in real life.
As a teacher, how does the MYP change the way you teach? I think for most of us in Middle School it’s creating much more of a sense of facilitation and the fact that we roam around the room helping students out much more individually with their unique needs inside the classroom and it helps us specialize the learning environment with differentiation for all of the students.
Nick Konopa
Eight grade Mathematics Teacher This way of learning is preparing them for the real world. They will stop being mere receivers of information.
For the Pythagorean theorem class, we will go out and actually take measurements of the stairwells to be able to use the information for the discussion of the class.
Well with our particular novel unit that we are doing our literature circles, we started out with an author study and students had to do their own research to learn about the different authors of their individual books and really figure out how the author’s life has impacted their writing and what they have chosen in their own profession. I thought that was interesting to see the students’ thought process and that they had never considered how an author’s background has a substantial role and played such an intricate part in their expression on the page.
What do you think about the MYP implementation at JFK? I think it’s like an exciting time, because as technology is increasing, students have more and more access to content, for me just to show what a square root is to students, they could get that lesson online, and so we have to go deeper, we have to be able to force them to analyze things more, to use more critical thinking skills.
We started out with an author study and students had to do their own research to learn about the different authors of their individual books and really figure out how the author’s life has impacted their writing.
methods sessions we’ve been discussing different type of activities. I’ll give you an example: For the Pythagorean theorem class, we will go out and actually take measurements of the stairwells to be able to use the information for the discussion of the class.
Something else that you would like to share with our readers? The students are going to be able to dig deeper and unAnd as a teacher what derstand things better, with opportunities will arise with reflection. They are going to this new method and new develop skills they are going way of thinking? to use for life. To me it’s an I think you are going to exciting time, it can be nerve see more of us teachers, wracking as a teacher who out of the room, because I has grown up in the lecture think you are going to see taught style of class, but I’ve more hands on type of stuff. also had experiences of probI know within our math lem-solving type of classes. 15
SPORTS PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR OUR MODEL OF EDUCATION
THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT &
the MiddleYears Programme By: Karime D.Gtz.
I
n preparing for the future, our commitment to our students and our whole JFK community, with the best and highest quality education, the implementation of the program involves not only the academics aspect but the sports one too. To learn a little more about how the MYP is revolutionizing the Athletics Department, we talked to Professor Ramón Salce Ayala, who teaches Physical 16
Education to 6th, 7th and 8th graders here at the JFK. He agrees that this new way of teaching requires being up to date with the new technology and of course, training in the new methods and structures of teaching a class, which are different from the traditional ones. It’s not only about integrating the sports knowledge into the programme but a matter of health and that includes taking courses, certification
programs and training. This implies that the change be imminent and, as Ramón puts it “the teachers who do not incorporate themselves into this rhythm of work and study won’t be able to incorporate themselves in a programme like the one we are working with now.” Implementing the MYP involves a new way of teaching, and the Athletic Department teachers are no exception. With the help of
The teachers who do not incorporate themselves in this rhythm of work and study won’t be able to incorporate themselves in a programme like the one we are working with now.
the activities done during the Professional Days and the training programs that are given to the teachers as counseling and teaching methodology, teachers can innovate, experiment and make the necessary changes in the classes. “They –Robert and Danielle- are working very closely with us and helping us check our lesson plans and they are also supervising our classes first hand”, Ramón says. It is important that teachers follow the same direction according to the standards that are being asked of them. Our teachers will not only feel proud to be part of the JFK community, which in itself is a prestige already, but they will play a very important role in the implementation of the MYP. As an institution that is constantly looking for better and new ideas to help its students improve their lives by having the best quality education that’s out there, the implementation of the MYP from the International Baccalaureate it’s more proof of how committed they are with their community to keep providing their students with the proper tools to face the future in this 21st century and show the world the best they can be. 17
WHAT ARE WE UP TO?
W
The New Elementary School Building By Mónica Duarte & Leonor Cortina
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hen the Assembly set itself the important task of building new facilities for Elementary School three years ago, it did so with the objective of providing the larger section of our community with spaces needed for a 21th Century quality education. Now, as we see the efforts of the Construction Committee taking shape in the new buildings currently under construction, we are discovering that this project is bringing much more to the
Kennedy Community than new classrooms. For starters, the transparency with which every aspect of the project was held is something we can all be proud of. The Committee invited 8 architectural firms to compete with their design and after the winner was chosen by a group of Assembly parents they proceeded to do the same for the construction firm. In the end the winner for design was Vega+Vega and the construction was awarded to indu sa. Now the Construction Com-
The project consists of four stages, two of which will be ready on August 2014. We are all working very hard to gather the donations needed to complete the remaining two.
mittee composed by parents, school directives, technicians, and JFK staff, are working day by day to make this dream come true. The project consists of four stages, two of which will be ready on August 2014. We are all working very hard to gather the donations needed to complete the remaining two. The remaining two stages complete the design in a “U” shape form that will allow teachers great visibility, while creating amazing spaces that will foster a feeling of
community. The design concept organizes the buildings around the central playground with a linear distribution where color is the main identifier. Children will be able to find their classrooms by looking for their “color”. Square shaped classrooms will allow the use of four walls for learning, where lighting and air circulation have been carefully studied to provide comfortable conditions at minimal cost. A bridge connecting this building to Mid-
dle School symbolizes the transition from one section to the other, but more than that, the feeling which inspired the whole project: a sense of community where we all belong. The final stage contemplates a green roof and solar panels that generate solar energy, a greenhouse and a special space for our animals Some of the materials and requirements used to build the school are all part of our commitment with the environment and of our certification as a green school. Other amazing spaces, such as the cafeteria that seats 200; a new multipurpose room for everyone to use; an agora where everything from a theater presentation to a parents meeting can take place; music and art rooms with direct access to the street which will house art exhibits; a new swas learning space; speak of a project that was conceived not just for Elementary but for the whole school. A project we will all enjoy and profit from. A building that will allow us to do what we do best: grow together. Every week we get closer to the completion of this dream… or the first half of it. As we start getting a glimpse of the great things our new facilities will bring to this community, we invite you to be a part of it; to put your hearts into it as many parents in the school Assembly and Construction Committee are doing and have done in the past. 19
F E AT U R E ST O RY
The Middle s r a e Y l o Scho e m m a r Prog
THE
P R E PA R IN G
O.OOO1%
ORLD S OF THE W R E D A E L E TO B O N E A RT H S T N E D U T S rte
By Mónica Dua
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Robert Callahan our Middle School Principal, explains to us the reasons, the challenges, the benefits and the expectations of implementing the Middle Years Programme in JFK Bob, can you explain to us what were the main reasons for implementing the MYP in our school? The IB is the most demanding academic program in the world. It requires a lot of self-management and being able to work independently, with the teachers as a guide. Here and in schools around the world, students were experiencing difficulties going from 10th grade to the 11th. One of the main reasons to implement the MYP at JFK was to have continuity, so students would learn the skills, the style, the organization and self-management they needed to have to succeed in 10th grade and transition into 11th grade. Ideas in education are changing so quickly that MYP’s philosophy of education really fits with the 21th Century, which is flipping the classroom so students engage content thru video and traditional reading, but when they come to the school they are investigating, enquiring into something. In the MYP, the learning process always starts
with an interesting question which students need to enquire. They need to find the information, organize it and present it in their own opinion, and those skills are part of every single job. Apart from continuity Ideas in with the IB, another imeducation are portant benefit of the MYP changing so is creating lifelong skills quickly that in students. MYP’s philosophy of What will be the main education really benefits for the students fits with the with this change? 21st Century. The MYP demands that students learn about key concepts that are directly related to their lives and that are important all around the world. Key concepts are the most important issues in our subjects and the Global concepts are how we make it relevant to the lives of students. Students will have a better sense of self management; they are going to think critically, to be able to solve things themselves, to communicate 21
In the MYP, the learning process always starts with an interesting question which students need to enquire.
that information and to work that information in order to create something original.
Students will have a better sense of self management; they are going to think critically, to be able to solve things themselves.
How long will it take to implement this change? We are at the beginning stages of implementing the MYP. With the IB we had a period of three years to implement the program. But people are getting excited about the changes. It’s a different way of teaching; it’s a different way of learning.
What will be the impact for teachers? For teachers it’s a big change in the sense that we are now organizing the curriculum around inquiry. We are organizing the curriculum around having interesting questions in our subjects. As students investigate, we guide them through the learning process. It’s no longer teaching content. We already have all the content in the world, all the information online with technology. But now we are teaching students what to do with it, how to file information, how to organize it, hot to use it prac22
tically to be able to solve real world problems. We have one hundred years of education that have taught us to do one thing. Now we have three years to get the program going and change it. So it’s a very big change for teachers.
What are the new tools for the teachers to do this transition? Each department of Middle School will learn how to organize a unit and the best methods to transform teaching into the IBMYP. Teachers will give students a puzzle and then will guide them through the process of solving it. They will come up with a plan and we will give them feedback on the plan. Then they will present their findings or their results in every subject but we will not necessarily grade that part; we will grade them reflecting on what they created. We will grade their ability to understand key concepts in each subject, through reflection. That’s a key change in education; it’s the best change.
Only the top What are the key things that is in the same level of teachers in will generate enthusiasm? understanding is going the world Enquiry: giving students a to be a challenge. But, can structure problem and then telling them to for example, now when I and manage solve it. Using their natural curimeet with parents and tell a program like osity and their own perspectives this. Only the them where we’re going, on what’s the best way they’d everybody will shake their top students like to work to be able to accom- in the world head and say, ‘yes, that’s plish a goal. When students what I want for my kid’. can have come up with plans to be able But that’s the biggest chalsuccess in a program to solve a problem, teachers lenge: how do you take a are having twenty five different like this. community that is at differconversations to give them ent levels of understanding feedback on each one of their and an education system that plans. That’s brand new; that’s differenis a hundred years old, and change it tiation, getting a personalized educain three. I tell parents, ‘we’ll get there’. tion. That is not the same as teaching But we need to have patience. content and having everybody quiet in It’s important to realize that this prothe classroom. It looks like chaos when gram is for the.0001% of all students, you walk in but it’s not. It’s amazing. all people on earth. Only the top teachers in the world What does this challenge can structure and manage a program mean to you? like this. Only the top students in the It takes a little bit of patience to world can have success in a program realize that teachers, parents and like this. Because this is a program for students are not going to be on the the leaders of the world same level of knowledge. Moving in one direction when not everybody
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A TR
UE
ADVENTURE CLASS OF 1995 by M贸n i ca Duarte
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In an inspiring interview, Karla tells us how her hard work, passion and to determination drove her : m fulfill her cherished drea . working for Animal Planet
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WHEN I WAS SEVENTEEN I DISCOVERED A CHANNEL THAT BLEW MY MIND AWAY: ANIMAL PLANET.
From the moment I saw that first take of a cheetah chasing an antelope, I said “I want to be the one behind the camera”. That is why I studied communications at the Tec de Monterrey. While studying, I found work at a Multimundo Radio. I started pulling cables and bringing coffee but ended up as a broadcaster and a producer. I had wanted to be a diver since I was eleven when, in a trip to Cozumel, the clarity of the water allowed me to see four divers kneeling at the bottom of the sea. When I was older, I saved all the money I had earned until I was able to buy my equipment and pay for my certification. After graduating from the Tec in 2006, the opportunity to work as a submarine videographer in Playa del Carmen came up. I loved the work, but weeks went by without the man who had hired me fulfilled his promise of paying the nice salary he had offered. One day, I got lost under the sea. I was starting to plan my emergency ascent, but the sea sent a diver to my rescue. At that moment I realized I was not only lost at sea, but 26
to make documentaries”. in my life. I returned home with noth- It was as if the universe had finally said, “Here’s this ing but a DVD with some for you, Karla”. The only of the shots I had made. To requisites were shake me out to speak English of my despair, a From the and to send a friend got me an moment I documentary interview for a saw that made by ourjob at a German first take of selves, which I company. But alsent along with most at the same a cheetah my resume and time, another chasing an the tape I had friend asked if I antelope, made at Playa had seen the inI said del Carmen. vitation to enter “I want to Meanwhile, I got a reality show the job at the announced by be the one German compaAnimal Planet. behind the ny, and was so The link publicamera”. focused on my shed in Disconew job that I forvery Network’s site led me to a window that got to check my email for read: “If you speak English, several days. One morning know how to handle a cam- my mother called me at work telling me Animal Planet era and write a script, this is your opportunity to enter had tried to get in touch with me for several days. When On Earth, a reality show in we finally talked, they asked the South African reserve Shamwari, where experts in me why I loved animals so their field will teach you how much. I answered that taking
care of the planet and loving last words I heard before boarding were my mother’s, animals was part of my saying “Karla, remember you DNA… something I never are representing Mexico, questioned because it was don’t cry” — part of me since I was born. Life is made because I cry a lot. Thirty hours After the lonof cycles, later, still believgest weekend I and my time ing someone can remember, in Africa had made a huge they announced me that out of came to an mistake, I arrived at Shamwari, a a 34,000 appliend. I now five stars reserve. cants, I had won take great It was not until I a place in On a saw my name Earth. I could not pleasure in on a huge manual believe that I was sharing my the only repreexperiences that I truly believed I had won. sentative from with The following the American children. day —at 6 am in a Continent —the I have great bitter cold that I other chosen would have never were two Europe- faith in have associated ans, one Austhem. with Africa— we tralian and two were all ready Asians; I believed to get started. As if being they had made a mistake. On July 7 2007 I traveled to in Shamwari wasn’t reason enough for excitement, all Mexico City. All my family through these days I had was gathered at the airport one other illusion. I had to bid me farewell, and the
heard that Lindal Davies, the woman who appeared in all Animal Planet commercials —my true hero— would be there. And on that freezing morning, as commotion arouse, I saw her coming towards us. She greeted me with a warm “Hi, Karla, how are you”. She was getting ready to board our first animal ride, when she noticed that nobody was following, and she soon learned that it was me breaking in tears that had steered the cameramen’s focus on an unexpected direction —so much for “Karla, remember you are representing Mexico, don’t cry”. We 27
To all Kennedy students... they should appreciate and take advantage of the complete and privileged education they are receiving
competed for four weeks to make the best documentary. I won second place. But that moment along with other opportunities set me apart in the eyes of the production crew. After chasing elephants and watching zebras in their natural habitat, my return to QuerÊtaro and a desk job was a little bleak. So I decided to write Lindal and try my luck again with Animal Planet. It turned out that she was just launching a new project in Shamwari and offered me work for a trial period of three months —that turned into three years. Every effort and every path I had taken until then finally made sense. I was living my dream. Life is made of cycles, and my time in Africa came to an end. I now take great pleasure in sharing my experiences with
children. I have great faith in them. Planting a small seed in them has become one of my callings, as well as writing a book where love of diversity, respect for all living creatures and taking care of our planet are the main themes I want to share with kids, young adults and women. I would like to say to all Kennedy students, that they should appreciate and take advantage of the complete and privileged education they are receiving. I also want to tell them they should own their dream and believe in themselves in order to make them come true. It takes great effort; it takes not surrendering after the first, the second, or the hundred times that things do not turn out the way you want them to. As I said, life is made of cycles. Now that one of mine has come to an end, I am getting ready for a new and exciting beginning.
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IAC
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