This week, Baldwin School IB Coordinators gave a workshop for parents of Baldwin students. “The IB Classroom” was filled to capacity in all 6 sessions. In each workshop, parents sat in several small discussion groups.
IB Coordinators Laura Maristany, Cristina Castillo, and Sarah Loinaz designed and facilitated a series of learning engagements designed to provide information about teaching and learning in IB and at Baldwin School. They invited parents to engage in discussions and research within their groups and then share with the whole room their insights about the three IB programs and their subject areas.
The workshop was modeled after how a typical IB class is structured. The techniques used are designed to exercise many facets of learning at once, including; active engagement and research, community building, differentiation, social and listening skills, communication and public speaking, and appreciating commonalities and variety. The coordinators created an experience that helped cement a more complete understanding of Baldwin’s curriculum and the pedagogy through which it’s taught.
We would like to thank the IB Coordinators; the Parents Together Coordinators, Mrs. Sylma Collazo, Dra. Wihelma Echevarría, Dra. Maria del Carmen del Llano, Dra. Isabel de Puigdorfila; and the many parents who took time out of their busy schedules to be a part of this workshop. It is always a pleasure to have parents share in the Baldwin Experience. Below are some of their responses:
“The parent IB Workshop was very informative and a true glimpse of the positive impact this program represents for our school and most importantly, for our students. Moreover, it was also very clear in conveying the importance of the parents understanding of the program, as well as the importance of our collaboration and support during the process, in order for the implementation of the IB to be a success!”
“My AHA moment was when I realized my children were going to learn the same important material - it is just the method of teaching it that is changing.”
“Today’s workshop was, for me, an excellent starting point to begin learning what the IB program is and all the work Baldwin is doing to become a fully accredited IB school. I also got a better idea of what to expect during these transitional years; and of how I can guide and help my children through the process. I also loved that I got a peek at the IB teaching experience. Each coordinator started the workshop as they would start a typical school day. I was amazed to learn how different a school day is from what I was used to, how much probing and inquiring the teachers do, and how that inquiring sparks discussions. I am extremely excited about Baldwin’s new path and that both of my boys will be part of it!”
“IB is really an investment in our teachers - we are getting a better quality of teachers.”"I see that the IB program is very complex and that it is not static. Teachers, students and even parents will always be in a learning process, by asking and finding out why things are they way they are."
If you would like to read more about the IB at Baldwin on our website, please click here.
You may also contact our IB Coordinators:
- Laura Maristany - Diploma Program [email protected]
- Cristina Castillo - Middle Years Program [email protected]
- Sarah Loinaz - Primary Years Program [email protected]