21 - Colegio NUEVA GRANADA

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Colegio NUEVA GRANADA December 2012
cng:
international
m adventure
My oldest and dearest friend had been This was the last job fair of the season
trying to convince me for years to start and it was pretty much now or never. At
teaching on the international circuit. She the CNG presentation, Dr. Habegger elo- by: Paula Hirschorn
Primary School Teacher
said that once I was exposed to the high quently spoke about this incredible school
caliber of curriculum, professional devel- with a dynamic and interactive learning
opment and support, and camaraderie of environment, where visionary teachers
the international community that I would and administrators converged to challenge
never go back to teaching at home. She students to achieve their optimal potential,
said I was perfectly suited for the lifestyle, where parental involvement was integral
that it would be an amazing, life-altering to the school philosophy and giving back
experience and to top it all off, I would get
to the community was a key tenet of the
plenty of opportunities for travel, which
philanthropic mission. As I sat listening, a
has always been a personal passion of
sensation came over me. I knew right then
mine. The timing somehow never seemed
that CNG was the place for me. A couple of
right; I was starting a new job or a new
interviews and the deal was sealed! Fast
relationship, moving to a new city or at
forward four weeks and I was on a plane
a place in my life where I wanted to “put
down some roots”. Finally, this summer,
she put in one last-ditch effort to sell me on
giving this whole international teaching
to Bogotá with all of my belongings stuffed
into a few suitcases. The journey had
begun.
thing a shot. This time, somehow, the con- Now it’s late October and I am in full swing
versation seemed different. As she spoke, at CNG. The culture shock has worn off and
I envisioned myself in a classroom across the excitement of a new challenge each day
the world, championing new curriculum has taken its place. When asked to share my
while learning a new language and expos- thoughts on honored tradition and visioning
myself to a completely different culture ary future, I think of the very reasons I was
and lifestyle. My interest was piqued. After drawn to CNG: the unique combination of
our conversation, I reached out to one of
hearkening back to founding principles
the well-known placement services and
and ideals while looking toward tomorrow
was encouraged to create a candidate pro-
to meet the demands of an increasingly
file. Was it really going to hurt to consider
global world. I think of how my personal
it as an option? Was it just a coincidence
journey to CNG parallels these same ideals.
that my life was perfectly poised to place
With strong conviction yet an open mind,
me at the next international job fair? Was
fate intervening?
I came to CNG to share my experience and
to be shaped by this incredible community
The job fair buzzed with energy and ex- that is so much bigger than myself. I’m not
citement at this late June date, as teaching sure how this story ends yet, but I’m pretty
candidates bustled to meet school recruit- sure there are some people out there that I
ers and schedule interviews.
can convince to come to CNG.
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tradition
honored
visionary
future
by: Juanita Martínez
Primary School Teacher
75
years of honored tradition and vision-
ary future… What a powerful statement.
And having been part of it for the last 28
years has been such an honor. I still remember
my first days at CNG when I started to
work as a Kindergarten teacher assistant.
Later on I became a Spanish, Music, K4 and
K5 teacher. Each of these diverse opportunities
filled not only my mind with new
knowledge and experiences as an educator,
but also filled my soul and heart with love
for my students and desire to always continue
learning and teaching.
I will never forget the hundreds of beautiful
faces willing to learn through the fun
and diverse activities that were developed
daily. I remember earlier times with the famous
K4 swimsuit days, the Primary School
auction, the Invention Convention, and the
Primary School Kaleidoscope magazine, to
more recent times with CNG’s Spirit Weeks,
Classroom Without Walls, the Hogar kids
and Proyecto Vida sessions. As our vision
states, CNG is constantly educating the
mind, strengthening the body and developing
character for leadership and service
since our students start in K4. This all happens
in the different areas of study and in
all sorts of activities in such a fun way!
An educator once said, “Fun is the vehicle
of learning” and in primary school that has
always been our main goal.
Many programs have been implemented
throughout my years as an educator at
CNG and each one has brought new learning
experiences with a vision to the future.
From learning centers, whole language approach,
PWIM (picture word inductive model),
Cooperative Learning, Learning Styles,
Project approach, Math investigations,
Positive Discipline and Kelso’s Choices
to the latest CAFÉ & Daily 5, Conscious
Discipline, Readers and Writers Workshop
and Math “Expressions” programs, all of
them have provided wonderful new experiences
and challenges to our little ones
who have benefitted tremendously.
I have also been very lucky to share these
years with hundreds of wonderful, committed
CNG families. They have been part
of our school for a long time and they have
given the school a sense of belonging and
love that will always be remembered.
Thanks CNG, for giving me the opportunity
to develop myself as an educator and always
striving to be up to date in the latest educational
trends. These have been such memorable
years where each smile, each drawing
or letter I get from my little ones, is motivation
to continue giving the best of myself
always. I want to wish CNG the very best of
luck and congratulations for the wonderful
task you have accomplished during these 75
years. Happy Anniversary CNG
PRIMARY
SCHOOL
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