MLFTC hosts Jamaican delegation to share perspectives on education systems

Arizona State University recently hosted a delegation from Jamaica to share global perspectives on education systems and personalized learning. Leading the Jamaican delegation was Minister of Education and Youth, the Honourable Fayval Williams, who was joined by Ministry officials, presidents from colleges of education and the U.S. Embassy. 

For both U.S. and Jamaican educators, the pandemic has brought increased recognition of the substantial burden placed on teachers as they try to be all things to all students. Recognizing the need to change the education system to become more sustainable, Minister Williams came in support of Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College’s Next Education Workforce initiative. 

The delegation spent the majority of the multi-day visit with MLFTC learning about these team-based teaching models that are being implemented  in Mesa Public Schools. Conversations facilitated by the college’s leadership, including Dean Carole Basile, focused on the progression from the traditional one-teacher, one-classroom model to teachers working in teams to identify their unique expertise to deliver deeper and personalized learning to all students. While visiting ASU, MLFTC and Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering hosted the Minister for a public lecture on the current education system in Jamaica, and the innovative support systems the Ministry of Education and Youth are building. 

“We are just thrilled to be here to learn about the models that you're using here in the U.S,” says Minister Williams. “There's a lot that we will take back. Obviously, we don't just want to take things back and paste it onto what we have but to really go back and think about how we design and how we rethink our education models in Jamaica.”

Minister Williams has led Jamaica’s education sector in its most challenging times, including devastating disruptions related to the pandemic. The delegation visit marks the beginning of what is to be a long-standing, supportive partnership with Jamaica’s Ministry of Education and Youth towards continuing to provide innovative models and desirable opportunities for Jamaica’s educators and students.

Watch a recording of the Minister’s lecture.