01/18 - Athenaeum at 1pm - The Return of the American Teachers

Please join us on Wednesday, January 18, at 1pm for "The Return of the American Teachers" presented by Vanessa Fernandez Greene and Alicia Reed.

In 2010 Winona State was invited by the government of San Juan, Argentina, to take part in "The Return of the American Teachers," a celebration of education and international cooperation honoring the bicentennial of the birth of Domingo Faustino Sarmiento, who was instrumental in modernizing and broadening education throughout Argentina at the end of the 19th century. Of the nearly 65 American teachers who helped aid in this development, nearly half were graduates of Winona Normal School. Their contribution transformed Argentine society and lead to the expansion of professional opportunities for women and eventually the presence of the female voice in all aspects of society. Ten scholarship participants from Winona State participated in the events in San Juan, including the opportunity to work in a school named in honor of a Winona Normal School graduate and continue the legacy of WSU's educational impact in Argentina.

Vanessa Fernandez Greene will discus the history of Winona State's connection to the country of Argentina. Alicia Reed will discuss how she reinitiated contacts between Winona and the province of San Juan, Argentina. Several students who participated in the program "The Return of the American Teachers" will speak on their experience, and we will then discuss Winona State's plans to continue a relationship with San Juan into the future, including teacher/student exchanges, travel study and study abroad programs, and bilateral teacher training initiatives.

The Library Athenaeum is located on the second floor, bluff side of the Darrell W. Krueger Library. For additional information about the Athenaeum, please visit the following: http://www.winona.edu/library/athenaeum/