ECHO 2002 Daily Diary

The ECHO 2002 group at the 13th Annual
PARATESOL Conference.

ECHO 2002 panelists Jennifer Klimsza, Mary Molt, Yohandre Suarez, Lori Kissinger, Frank Spikes, and Carrie Boden discussed international issues in American and Paraguayan higher education. Topics included American graduate programs, Paraguayan teacher certification standards, and current research in artificial intelligence and socio-linguistics. A popular topic among both North and South American educators was the impact of education on ecological and environmental problems and the development and implementation of governmental policies.

Panel discussion on American higher education.

Victor Bogado of Centro Cultural Paraguayo Americano and Mary Molt of Kansas State University at PARATESOL Conference.

Jennifer Klimsza in the hotel swimming pool.

Jim Harper, Frank Spikes, and Carrie Boden walking
outside of the Gran Hotel del Paraguay.

In their few spare moments for leisure activities, ECHO 2002 participants got in some morning exercise in the pool and outside the hotel grounds. Other pastimes included yoga, sitting around the blazing fireplace talking, and watching Spanish-language television. Walking trips to the post office, craft market, Internet café, and laundromat were also on the free-time agenda.

The ECHO 2002 group at the 13th Annual PARATESOL Conference.	Along with 300 educators from throughout South America, the ECHO group attended several sessions of the 13th Annual PARATESOL Conference at the Colegio San Ignacio de Loyola. A luncheon was hosted for the group by the board of PARATESOL. Keynote speakers included international educators Mario Herrera sponsored by Pearson Education and Samantha Mace sponsored by Oxford University Press.
ECHO 2002 panelists Jennifer Klimsza, Mary Molt, Yohandre Suarez, Lori Kissinger, Frank Spikes, and Carrie Boden discussed international issues in American and Paraguayan higher education. Topics included American graduate programs, Paraguayan teacher certification standards, and current research in artificial intelligence and socio-linguistics. A popular topic among both North and South American educators was the impact of education on ecological and environmental problems and the development and implementation of governmental policies.	Panel discussion on American higher education.
Victor Bogado of Centro Cultural Paraguayo Americano and Mary Molt of Kansas State University at PARATESOL Conference.	After the presentation, "Can you be Creative when you feel Sluggish?", Victor and Mary exchange ideas about innovative instructional methodolgies and approaches for use in the PARATESOL classroom. This is one instance of the sharing of ideas, frustrations, and challenges across international boundaries that occurred at the conference. This spirit was encapsulated at the end of the session with an international choral rendition of James Taylor's "You've Got a Friend." For lyrics and sheet music, click on the link below: www.james-taylor.com/albums/afriend.shtml
On the right, Erwin Bogado Soler and Cindy Garwick discussed common concerns regarding their respective programs. Cindy teaches first grade at Northview School and is actively involved with the Kansas State University USD 383 Partnership Program. Erwin is the head of the English Department at San Ignacio de Loyola Bilingual School and of the Teachers' Certification Program at Centro Cultural Paraguayo Americano. He has studied at the Catholic University of Asuncion, the Universidad Nacional de Asuncion, and in the United States and England. Erwin met with and welcomed the ECHO group on their arrival and has been instrumental in making arrangements for the ECHO 2002 project.	Cindy Garwick of USD 383 in Manhattan, Kansas chats with PARATESOL President, Erwin Bogado Solar.

Ballet of Esther Villasanti dancers at the Gran Hotel del Paraguay.	Ramon Ramirez y los Galanes Paraguayos.
The Gran Hotel del Paraguay, which by this point in the trip the ECHO participants affectionately call "home," is located only five minutes from the center of the city. The hotel welcomes its guests to its spacious grounds filled with tropical plants, trees, and animals. On Saturday evenings, the hotel features delicious buffet dinners and folklorical shows presented by famous Paraguayan artists. On the left, the Ballet of Esther Villasanti artists perform a traditional Paraguayan folk dance. On the right, Ramon Ramirez y Los Galanes Paraguayos pose in the hallway before their performance of traditional Spanish music.
Jennifer Klimsza in the hotel swimming pool.	Jim Harper, Frank Spikes, and Carrie Boden walking outside of the Gran Hotel del Paraguay.
In their few spare moments for leisure activities, ECHO 2002 participants got in some morning exercise in the pool and outside the hotel grounds. Other pastimes included yoga, sitting around the blazing fireplace talking, and watching Spanish-language television. Walking trips to the post office, craft market, Internet café, and laundromat were also on the free-time agenda.