Outside the Box – Kate Estes
Yesterday, a group of Italian business professionals visited the Panama City Renaissance School. After observing the children in the classrooms and teaching the children some simple Italian, the visitors discussed education in Italy. Chinese immersion program are still rare in their country, but children are exposed to many European languages early. All the visitors spoke excellent English. Also, it was interesting to compare and contrast academic expectations and common practice in Italy and the US. In Italy subject matter expertise is critical for teaching. They were surprised subject matter degrees were not required for instructors at the middle and high school levels. For example, it would be unheard of for physics to be taught by someone without a degree in physics or engineering.
