For the fifth consecutive year, education majors will travel to Central America during their two-week spring break to gain a global perspective on teaching and learning to  work with elementary school students in Nicaragua.

During their first week, the group of six students will visit Moravian Primary School in Bluefields, Nicaragua, where they will see how cultural and environmental differences influence what goes on inside the classroom. Valpo’s students also will assist the school’s teachers in their classrooms by helping pupils with their assignments and assisting with their English language skills.

Dr. Delphina Hopkins-Gillispie, an assistant professor of education who plans the trip annually and accompanies the group, said the demographics inside traditional classrooms in the United States are changing, and teachers must take into account the needs of all students including those with diverse backgrounds and immigrant families.

“Teachers today must learn to be flexible and have the ability to adapt to different learning styles,” Dr. Hopkins-Gillispie said. “Seeing the education system in another country is a great learning experience for education majors and allows them to serve young people in the school.”

She added that the minority population is growing at a rapid rate in the U.S., and statistics show the average teacher is a white female. The changing demographics in the student population in schools across the country makes it even more important for teachers to be exposed to students from different cultures.