Dr. Mandy Stewart, a professor in the School of Education, extended her expertise in literacy and language to Costa Rica this past summer as a Fulbright Specialist. Stewart was chosen by Asociación CREAR, a non-profit organization dedicated to after-school enrichment for rural children and adolescents in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. She developed a comprehensive 48-week English curriculum based on the interests of children in the communities of Sámara and El Torito.
Emphasizing her rural upbringing, Stewart noted the challenges faced by these communities. She stated before her trip, “I’m excited to get back to my country roots and learn with these young people and their teachers.” Her daily routine involved cycling two miles to her teaching location, where she confronted heat, humidity, and frequent rainstorms, all without air conditioning.
According to Stewart, the attitude of the Costa Rican students and teachers greatly impressed her. “They roll with it,” she said, referring to the local mindset of pura vida, or pure life.
The significance of English proficiency in the region is underscored by its vibrant tourism industry. Stewart’s efforts led the U.S. Embassy to request a book from her that encapsulates her curriculum and teaching ideas for use by future Fulbright English Teaching Assistants and Peace Corps volunteers. The embassy plans to share this resource with the Costa Rican Ministry of Education to potentially influence national English programs.
Stewart’s work also included participating in the high school’s English Fest, an event featuring a spelling bee and impromptu speaking contests. Reflecting on her experiences, she said, “I learned to be flexible and see the positive in everything.” Stewart emphasized the importance of putting people first in teaching, a principle that guided her work throughout her stay.
Accompanying her in this endeavor was her son Nathan, who assisted Stewart as one of the college interns at CREAR. Stewart raised Nathan with English and Spanish to enable him to serve a broader community, a value he put into practice over the summer.
Stewart’s contributions have not only impacted the Costa Rican communities she served but also promise to shape future educational approaches through her new curriculum.