RANKIN INLET - Maani Ulujuk Ilinniarvik teacher Lisa Kresky of Rankin Inlet spent her professional development week in South America this past month.

Rankin Inlet teacher Lisa Kresky, left, spent lots of time with youth during her recent trip to Guyana. - photo courtesy of Lisa Kresky

Kresky had spent a month in Guyana this past summer while working with Project Overseas through the Canadian Teacher's Federation.

Kresky was at Port Kaitoma Secondary School, which has 620 students in Grades 7 through 11 being taught by 17 teachers and a head mistress.

There's no electricity in the school during daytime hours, and although it has walls and windows it's still quite open to the elements.

Fortunately the average temperature is 26 C, although it does rain a bit almost every day there.

Kresky said the students in Guyana are very excited to be able to attend school.

She said some kids travel miles every day so they can attend classes.

"The teachers in Guyana do the best they can with the resources they have," said Kresky.

"The students wear school uniforms and they're just pristine when they arrive. They're very happy and extremely polite kids who relish the opportunity to learn."

Kresky spent her week working with teachers on using different multiple intelligences in the classroom.

She also had the chance to help out with a track and field meet.

Kresky said her time in Guyana was an extremely enjoyable experience.

"The people are very inviting and friendly," she said. "They took me right back in during my second trip and my two visits there were great experiences."

Kresky said Project Overseas goes to many different countries and offers numerous learning and teaching opportunities.

She said there were about a dozen different Project Overseas teams that went to different countries around the world this past summer.

"This was my second time, having gone to Mongolia two summers ago.

"Being involved with Project Overseas gives you a deeper appreciation for the resources and support systems that we, as teachers, have here.

"But it also shows you sometimes we rely an awful lot on technology. It was good to get back to the roots of teaching and understand you can still be successful using the basics."

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