Adios Mexico! I'll miss you!

Sadly, it's time for me to say goodbye. It's been a wonderful and busy 2 years for me working as an English Language Fellow in Mexico. For example, I've attended 2 national MEXTESOL conventions, presented at 5 regional MEXTESOL conventions, taught 1550 teachers in 16 different states of Mexico.

In this time I feel I've learned so much: how to not sweat the small stuff, how to be confident when giving a plenary talk, how to be flexible when you don't know who you'll be teaching and above all, I've learned what kind, creative, fun-loving, hard-working people most Mexican teachers are. I haven't left yet and I can't wait to come back.

However, as is the case with fellowships, its time for me to give someone else the opportunity to work in fabulous Mexico. That someone is Deborah Farley, the new Senior English Language Fellow, a really nice teacher from Vermont. So if you want another workshop, contact Jose Manuel Villafuerte at the Office of English Language Progams at villafuertejm@state.gov .

As for me, I will be moving with my husband to Oman in the Middle East to teach at Sultan Qaboos University.
Finally, I'd like to thank JM and Kay for all their support and friendship over the past couple of years and all the teachers and coordinators who've made my stay in Mexico so memorable.
So, as I finish, I won't say "Adios" but just "Hasta luego!" Keep in touch!

Mexico DF 19th Regional MEXTESOL Conference Touches the Future

Plenary speaker Joep ven der Werff introducing the Queen of the Netherlands
The Mexico City MEXTESOL chapter hosted its 19th regional conference "Touching the Future" on Saturday, June 21st, 2008 at the Escuela Bancaria y Comercial Reforma Campus. The opening plenary by Joep ven der Werff's "Planning Lesson Planning" got the audience sharing beliefs and practices of lesson planning.

I gave my last presentation in Mexico (sniff, sniff) "Use Your Brain: Applying Brain Research in the Language Classroom" with a really fun crowd of about 35 Mexico City teachers who were full of ideas, insight and applications. I also got to meet up with one of the really driven teachers I know from my work in the State of Mexico, which was a treat. - It was fun talking with you, Florencio!
Thank you Uli Schrader for your organizing prowess, good luck on future conferences!

• If you'd like to become a member of MEXTESOL click here.


• If you'd like to see upcoming MEXTESOL regional events click here.


• If you want information on the MAIN EVENT "New Ways for New Needs in ELT" in Leon, Guanajuato from October 16-19, 2008 click here.

Ambassador and US Secretary of Education Honor Mexican Teachers

On June 13th, 2008, U.S. Ambassador Tony Garza hosted a "Teachers Day" reception for teachers in Mexico at the Anthropology Museum in Mexico City in honor of U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings visit. The event was a cheerful affair where teachers, diplomats and Fulbrighters from all over Mexico got to reconnect with each other and enjoy a beautiful view of the Anthropology museum's Aztec calendar while nibbling on "botanas" and sipping wine or soda. Personally, I enjoyed the opportunity to say good bye to many of the teachers I might not see again until the next time I'm in Mexico.

Ambassador Garza, thanks for supporting teachers and English programs in Mexico!