Today we visited the Slavic-Anglo-American School in Moscow where 350 lucky students study under Tatiana, the fascinating principal who is probably more familiar with Kennesaw and Augusta, Georgia than I am.
In addition to learning about the DUMA- the Moscow government organization that oversees education and Russian federal curricula standards, we visited classrooms and participated in discussions with Russian teachers and students. In some respects, I think that the education systems in the USA and in Russia aren't that different. The principal compared her outstanding private school to our charter schools, while the vice principal and teacher from public schools in Moscow explained that they can't offer as many classes, exercise as much autonomy over their curricula offerings, or get as much money or as many resources as they'd like.
Here is a list of the more interesting things I've discovered or observed so far:
-Labor laws in Russia allow for a generous three years of maternity leave
-Cafes, or at least the wonderful one where we had dinner last night, allow for caged rabbits
-Muscovites may need to allow for two hours in traffic (and I thought Atlanta was bad)
-It is cold only outside. In fact, places are so warm that many establishments and homes open windows.
-Spring in Moscow may mean freezing weather and snowstorms.
-Russian food is really good.
In addition to learning about the DUMA- the Moscow government organization that oversees education and Russian federal curricula standards, we visited classrooms and participated in discussions with Russian teachers and students. In some respects, I think that the education systems in the USA and in Russia aren't that different. The principal compared her outstanding private school to our charter schools, while the vice principal and teacher from public schools in Moscow explained that they can't offer as many classes, exercise as much autonomy over their curricula offerings, or get as much money or as many resources as they'd like.
Here is a list of the more interesting things I've discovered or observed so far:
-Labor laws in Russia allow for a generous three years of maternity leave
-Cafes, or at least the wonderful one where we had dinner last night, allow for caged rabbits
-Muscovites may need to allow for two hours in traffic (and I thought Atlanta was bad)
-It is cold only outside. In fact, places are so warm that many establishments and homes open windows.
-Spring in Moscow may mean freezing weather and snowstorms.
-Russian food is really good.