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Deliberating
in a Democracy
Estonian DID Partner Teachers Visit Colorado
March 3-9, 2007 |
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CELD is pleased to collaborate with the Constitutional
Rights Foundation and Street
Law in the international civic education exchange program
with teachers and students in Estonia – Deliberating
in a Democracy (DID).
DID focuses on the importance of deliberation for young
people and provides students and teachers with opportunities
to practice discussing controversial issues with their counterparts
in Estonia.
CELD and DID Denver area project teachers recently hosted
a delegation of our counterpart DID teachers from Estonia.
Five Denver area teachers will travel to Estonia, March
23-30, 2007.
On
April 23 at the University of Colorado-Denver, students
from participating classes in both nations will participate
in a teleconference, sharing results of classroom deliberations
and opinions on various controversial issues. |
| Estonia/Denver
Partner Schools and Teachers |
| Estonia
Perit
Multer
Sulev Valdmaa |
Denver
Barbara
Miller |
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Parnu
Raekula
Gymnasium
Bibi
Raid
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Denver
Center for
International Studies
Jennifer
Portillo
Heidi Hursh |
Kolga
Gymnasium
Sulev Valdmaa
Heiki Varend |
Northglenn
High School
Suzanne deLemos
Victoria Bull |
Tallinn
Pelgulinna
Gymnasium
Natalyia Gosteva |
Overland
High School
Eliza Hamrick
Ben Lindemann |
Saku
Gymnasium
Mai Kahru
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Cherokee
Trails High School
Cari Erickson |
Rakvere
Gymnasium
Eve
Raja |
Hinkley
High School
Dan Jarvis
Corey O'Hayre |
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Estonian
teachers visit classrooms at Denver Center for International
Studies, Northglenn, Overland, Hinkley and Cherokee
Trails High Schools
DID students deliberating the question, "Should
our democracy sign a binding international treaty to
regulate global greenhouse gas emmisions?" Students
also participated in discussions about hate speech.
Culture bags were shared across cultures—and provided
concrete artifacts (pictures, music, symbols, and school
memorabilia) for students to analyze and compare.
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Observing
Democracy: Visiting the Legislature
On
March 7, 2007, our Estonian guests visited
the Colorado State Capitol and were introduced
on the House Floor by Representative Wes McKinley,
"Cowboy" legislator from District
64 (southeastern Colorado).
To close their day at the State Capitol, our
Estonian delegation observed a House Committee
hearing on arguments for and against a proposed
bill to require a breathalizer device on cars
driven by citizens who have been convicted
of drunk driving. |
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Historic
Georgetown
A
culture becomes more understandable when you leave
the urban scene for the countryside. Georgetown
citizens provided and insights into what makes
their Colorado mountain town a special place.
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Professional
Development
It was interesting
for Denver area teachers to hear reflections from
Estonian teachers about US culture as reflected
in their school visits. One teacher noted
that she teaches about immigration and diversity
as part of the US historical experience.
Visits to several schools helped her to realize
that these movements are still part of our experience
today. (In some of the DID schools
in Denver, a majority of the students are non-white
or bi-racial.)
Participants agreed that the deliberation process
cannot be taken for granted. Denver teachers
look forward to hearing Estonian views on what
democracies should do about global warming.
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