a new chapter has begun

Happy 2013 to all of my readers.  I hope you are enjoying the new year.  For most of us, most of the time, the new year doesn't really bring much new with it.  But for me, 2013 brings some significant changes.  A new chapter has opened in my life and in my service here in Nicaragua.


As many of you well know, I have embarked on a new journey with an old friend...Nicaragua Christian Academy (a.k.a NCA).  When I first came to Nicaragua over seven years ago (!) I came as an English teacher at the fledgling school called NCA Nejapa.  It was the second campus, and a young sister to what is now called NCA International.   NCA Nejapa was to carry the vision of an excellent Christian education rooted in scripture to the growing middle class in Nicaragua.  While the original NCA was still primarily focused on serving the children of missionaries, it had grown to include a majority of Nicaraguan students.  But having all North Americans teachers meant the school was out of reach financially for many people.  The birth of NCA Nejapa brought the first NCA school that was aimed at the underserved middle-income segment of the population in Nicaragua.  In the past 8 years, since it's inception, NCA Nejapa has grown from 35 students to nearly 400, a clear testament to the desire of Christian families to give their children a great education.

On February 4, NCA will be celebrating the inauguration of another sister in the NCA school family, NCA Matagalpa.  And that is also where I come in.  February 4 marks the beggining of a new academic year, but it also marks the beginning of doing something different with technology in education.  Vision casters at NCA determined to challenge the current norm for tech in education.  For many, many schools, both in North America and in Nicaragua, technology in education often fills the role of "computer class."  But, as technology has advanced and permeated society, we are all finding ourselves having to adjust to new technological resources and tools.  The plan at NCA Matagalpa, and NCA Nejapa, is to integrate the computers into the learning process of every class.  Rather than relegate them to a laboratory as an object to be learned, we will try to use them as a tool to help us learn other things, and a means of expressing our creativity.

the only picture with us all together so far

My role at NCA is basically to help that vision grow legs.  I've been labeled the Educational Technology Specialist, a title that has me a bit intimidated.  The more I learn, the more I realize that I am not an expert.  But I have a great team of people around me, and we are pushing forward on some really cool things.  If you read the paragraph previous, you may be wondering, "Is he going to be a computer teacher or not?"  Good question.  The idea is that I will focus my efforts on working with and training the Nicaraguan teachers at NCA Matagalpa in the use of computers in education.  Since we want computers to become a part of every class, the teachers have to learn how to use computers themselves, and then start to employ them in their classes.

teachers have had many trainings

For many of our teachers, computers are still a bit mysterious--something that they have had some contact with, but really haven't had the chance to use and dig into.  None of them have used computers in their classes.  Ever.  In fact, all but one wrote their philosophy of education report for our principal last week with pen and paper.  During my first training, I realized early on that I was going too fast, and that I needed to stop and explain what the "touchpad" (mouse on a laptop) was called, and how it worked.  Maybe some of you can relate. :)  We have managed to move along quite well, though, and they are now entering into the computer, accessing their NCA email, the NCA database, and are quickly becoming well versed in Google Apps, which we are using for email, calendars, creating and sharing documents.

For those that have facebook, I invite you to pop on over to the NCA Matagalpa facebook page.  I have begun posting there short profiles of our teachers.  First and second grade teachers (Suyapa and David) are there, with more to come very soon.  Please don't hesitate to like our page and show your support.

discussing the training topics in groups

Some initial stats.  NCA Matagalpa is starting with grades 1-7.  Currently we have about thirty students enrolled, with several more in the process.  We expect some this week right before classes start, and then more as the year moves forward.  Grades one, two, and three will be in their own rooms, with one teacher.  Grades 4-7 will share specialized teachers for different subjects, as it is a requirement for grades 7 and up.  Next year we will add 8th grade, then 9th, and so on until high school is complete.  Construction at the school is nearing completion of it's first stage, and the school is looking very nice.  I have been working on the network, but I'm also still waiting on some ordered parts to come in.

the reception and offices

I would also like to say how nice it was to meet with many of you while I was back in Michigan and Ontario in November and December.  It was one of my longest trips "home," but I learned that it's never long enough.  Some of you I met for the first time, and others have become old friends.  I appreciate deeply all of the support that you have generously extended to me in more ways than one.  Without people who feel the nudge to support me and follow that nudge, I'd be unable to serve in Nicaragua the way I do.

I know I've left out a lot of stuff I wish I could share now.  It will have to wait for another post.  As I embark on this new journey, please keep me in your prayers.  It has been exciting and challenging so far, and it is my prayer that the Lord takes the hard work we have been putting in to make his name known among the nations.

Prayer items:

• Pray for more students at every grade level so that we can make our budget balance this year.
• Pray that a true sense of excitement about learning and creativity will shape the attitudes of the teachers at NCA Matagalpa and the new culture that we are trying to form there, and that students will ultimately develop a love for God that will flow over into their learning and relationships with others.
• Pray that the heavy workload of starting a new school will be bearable.
• Pray that the construction process would finish well.
• Praise for how well things are going up until now.