End of Year report 2022/23
July saw the end of another busy school year for our local English students and our teaching team. This was the first full year of in-class teaching since 2019, and it has been wonderful to be able to give them access to the library and extra curricular activities again.
CELEBRATION
In the final week of the year all of the students get the opportunity to showcase the English skills they gained during the year at our annual clausuras, or graduation ceremonies. Each class works with their teacher on a project to demonstrate, present or perform in front of classmates, friends and parents. The school is always packed with people eager to see what the students have been working on.
This year’s events featured a puppet show performance of ‘A Flea in a Paper Boat’, a student play adaptation and translation of a local Maya myth, students getting the opportunity to lead classes teaching parents about English Grammar rules, dance performances and much much more. It is always amazing to see how hard our students have been working and how much they support each other in their learning.
We look forward to welcoming our students back for the new school year in early September, and hope they bring some of their friends along to begin their English language adventures as well.
GOODBYES
The end of the school year also sees us say goodbye to two very talented teachers, Patrick and Georgia, who have done an amazing job with their students. While we are sad to see them leave, we know that they will go on to do amazing things and wish them all possible success in their next steps. They will remain a part of the Na’atik family and we hope they come back to visit us soon.
Georgia wrote a few words about how she feels about her time at Naátik;
“I am writing this while sitting among the trees on the beautiful balcony at Na’atik, it's hard to believe that in a few days I will be leaving this tranquil life behind. Of course what I will miss the most is the big things, my wonderful students and the amazing team at Na’atik. But right now I am thinking about all the little things that I am going to miss. Riding my bike around town, waking up to the sound of birds, even the sound of Cumbia blasting from the local Cantina. I‘ve had the best five months and I can’t thank everyone enough for helping to make it special. Na’atik is a special place and I am grateful that I have been able to join this community. “
Patrick, with his homestay family, the Garcia Uicabs, and Georgia with some of her students.
CONGRATULATIONS
We would also like to congratulate our teacher Erick on his promotion to the role of English Program Director. He will work with a new team of teachers and a library activity coordinator to ensure that we continue to deliver great classes, events and activities for our local students. Erick began his English language journey with classes here at Na’atik over a decade ago, and that he is now head of the program that helped him access University education, is both inspirational and testament to the impact learning English can have on the lives of our students. A big well done to Erick from the whole team
THANK YOU
Our local English classes are only possible because of the support of our immersion students, donors and sponsors, who enable us to offer a program that not only helps local and Indigenous students learn English, but also gives them educational, career and life opportunities. Thank you to every member of the Na’atik family for helping us deliver our mission.
Our donor tree features the names of some of our largest donors. Thank you to all of you and to everyone else who supports Na’atik.
To read more about how Na’atik helps change lives in Felipe Carrillo Puerto, and how you can help support us, visit our impact page.