Trained educators are instrumental in raising the academic performance of students. Our efforts are focused upon training teachers in the areas of Math, Computing, English, Natural Sciences, Literacy and Reading Comprehension.
Mathematics
25 weeks – 6 hours on Saturday
Fundación Uno, the National University of Engineering (UNI), the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua (UNAN) and the Ministry of Education (MINED) developed an intensive math-training program. The program was launched in 2008 in the department of Rivas, Nicaragua. The topics covered are arithmetic, geometry, algebra and functions for both primary and secondary school teachers. So far we have trained 2,123 teachers in the departments of León, Managua, Masaya and Rivas.
Math trainings for both elementary and secundar school teachers begin in march of each year in Carazo, Chinandega, Estelí y Managua. Additionally, we are working along with the Ministry of Education to launch online training in the department of Rivas.
English
34 weeks a year, 6 levels, 2-3 years, Sundays
In 2010, Fundación Uno, Peace Corps, and the Nicaraguan Ministry of Education (MINED) launched an intensive English training program in Rivas called STEP (Striving Towards English Proficiency). The program utilizes the internationally recognized TopNotch materials (published by Pearson Prentice Hall) and is taught by Peace Corps volunteers. Upon completion trainees take a TOEFL equivalency exam to determine their advancement, which is administered with help from the United States Embassy. The program is offered in Chinandega, Estelí, León, Managua, and Rivas.
72%
of teachers that graduate from the program have an equivalent TOEFL score which approaches the requirement to be admitted into a U.S. community college or university
Natural Sciences
In 2008, the Cultural Collection of Central America published Natural Sciences in Nicaragua by Jaime Incer Barquero. Since its publishing, the Ministry of Education recognized it as the official textbook for primary school students in Nicaragua.
A total of 4,965 books have been donated between 2008-2012 to teachers all over Nicaragua and with the help of Dr. Jaime Incer Barquero each of these teachers received a one-day training on how to use the material.
Literacy and Reading Comprehension
9 weeks, 6 hours on Sunday
Fundación Uno, the Ministry of Education (MINED), Fundación Yo Quiero Ser Feliz, and the American Chamber of Commerce (Amcham) began an initiative to reinforce the literacy and reading comprehension skills of teachers.
The objective of these trainings is to improve the professional performance of teachers, keep them up to date with the latest methodologies and provide them with the necessary tools for promoting reading habits among their students.
Computing
15 weeks – 6 hours on Saturdays
Given the significant results of the math training, Fundación Uno expanded “Teacher Training” and offered a new course on basic computing skills for the highest achieving teachers of the mathematics workshops.
