“The educators I was able to work with for the week were incredible, and I learned so much by working alongside them. Throughout the week, I was able to grow as an educator. It is exciting to think about what could be accomplished through this program, especially after seeing the enthusiasm from the local teachers in just one week.”

“Having worked with teachers for many years, I can say that my Mathkind experience was one of the most meaningful I have had. It was so refreshing to work with the Guatemalan teachers who were enthusiastic and eager to learn. Partnering with the teachers there gave me an opportunity to learn from them – I loved it!”

“I really valued this amazing opportunity to work with the teachers in Santa Cruz, and all of the facilitators. I feel like I made some very valuable connections, and met many mentors as well!”

“These trips allowed me to ‘walk my talk’. It is one thing to talk about diversity and helping open further access to students. It is another to be the one working with teachers to collaborate on change and implementation. These trips allowed me to reflect on not only my profession and practice but also on what some children and teachers face just to put a foot in a school.”

“My students and I all realize that service is important, but my experience helped me realize that service can come in many forms. In particular, it’s important to think about what others actually need, not what I think they need. I’m hoping to talk with my students about what service they’re doing and how that is impacting others. In addition, I am planning to incorporate some projects into my classes where the students think about how math is used in the lives of people in developing countries.”

“I had the most amazing experience of my teaching career in Guatemala with Mathkind! I wish I was on the way now, but I know I will return. The people I met, especially my translators, changed my life forever!”