Centro Educacional Leonardo da Vinci

I was a teacher the first year of the program and I had an opportunity to come back today to visit. I'm extremely impressed by how far the Elementary Bilingual English Program has come and better yet, how well my ex-students are speaking in English, even if it takes more effort or time, they really try. I am impressed by the rapport that the new teachers have with the students and the relationship that the students have made with them and also the student's enthusiasm for English classes. I am extremely happy and proud that I had an opportunity to witness these successes in the development of the program and the students and that I was able to be a part of it. Congratulations Leonardo on making this program such a success and enabling such a young generation of students with the skills and knowledge they need to have continuous success in the English language!

It has really been a thrill
 living here until
 the time has come to pack my bag s
and say..Bye Bye Brazil 

The people have been friendly 
the food has come a plenty 
self service, buffet, burgers, sushi 
but churrasco my best memory 

The weather was very hot 
but it also rained ALOT 
It made me feel at home
 but sometimes it made me groan 
 
Espírito Santo I lived 
it really is god’s gift 
provided many adventures up and down 
even Pico da Bandeira accomplished 

I feel incredibly lucky
 to have seen lots of Brazil’s history 
from Ouro Preto to Salvador 
and Cristo above the big city 

But Leonardo is why I arrived
 the children occupied my time 
I’m really impressed with the vision of which
 the school is continuing to strive 

I will miss everybody dearly 
and would like to thank you all sincerely 
I have learnt alot and hopefully taught alot 
and I mean that really...really 

So I hope it does not rain 
for tomorrow I’m leaving on a jet plane 
don’t know when I will be back again 
hopefully in 2014 to watch a game 

So, it really has been brill
 living here until
 its goodbye to all of you
 ....Bye Bye Brazil

I would like to say thank you to Centro Educational Leonardo Da Vinci for providing me with the opportunity to live and teach in Brazil. In the past two years as a teacher for Grade One in the Infantile Bilingual Program I have had many rewarding experiences. I will remember the school for the unique aspects of education the school provides in striving to deliver a cultural learning environment for students. Through the school’s choice of a topic for the entire school to focus on throughout the year I’ve had the opportunity to learn last year about Architecture through Oscar Niemeyer and this year of the fascinating life of Augusto Ruschi and his contributions to Ecology, Espírito Santo and Brazil, two remarkable individuals I may not have otherwise been exposed to. I enjoyed working together with all teachers for various theatre productions put on for the students, either to celebrate a special day as we did last year for Children’s Day with TV DaVinci or for educational purposes to help the children learn about an area of study. However the productions put on by students are what I found to be truly remarkable. I will always remember my experience of being with Brazilian students during the World Cup, singing and playing drums to the world cup anthem in Pedro’s music class and participating in the dance presentation of choreography and music representing partaking countries from around the world. This year I enjoyed the opportunity to learn about and join in an aspect of Brazilian culture through the Festa Junina dance and celebrations, and although I will never be able to dance like Dulce, I appreciated her trying to teach me how! Some of my most treasured memories are from my experiences with the Musical, not only the presentation itself, but the moments leading up to it. The original music score, choreography and costumes were of a caliber I´ve never before experienced in all of my years in early education. The students, working together with teachers to accomplish productions of these sort is truly something special, and what sets Leonardo DaVinci apart from any other school where I’ve taught. I wish only the best for the Program as it continues to grow. Thank you and Goodbye!