Teachers are always looking for new ways to teach their students in this ever–changing world.
The U.S. Department of Education is bringing a Mankato East Junior High teacher to South Africa so she can bring the best educational elements back to Mankato.
Mary Draper is preparing for a trip of a lifetime.
The U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Economic Education is bringing the Mankato East Junior High teacher to Washington D.C. and then to South Africa.
Mary Draper, a teacher from Mankato East Junior High who is traveling to South Africa, says, "Our interchange is going to be one where we are working with teachers there. They are helping us to learn what their challenges have been and their successes. We do vise versa about financial education."
South Africa has a rapidly changing economic situation and South African teachers are now teaching personal finance to their students.
Mary Draper wants to take the best elements of that curriculum and incorporate it into her own curriculum.
Mary Draper says, "The economy now has been in flux. There are huge populations of people that are starting to have income. To manage that income well is a learning curve. The teachers are taking it upon themselves to help the families learn about financial education."
As we become a global economy, the students of Mankato will benefit to learn from a teacher who has spent time in schools abroad.
Mary Draper says, "We want to bring what is going on in the bigger world to Mankato Public Schools. If I have successes within my classroom, share that."
Mary was only one of 24 teachers nationwide to be selected for this 16–day trip.. and she's thrilled by the honor.
Russ Joseph says, "What was your initial reaction when you were chosen to do this?"
Mary Draper says, "I read it three times. I got so excited."
