Partnerships
At the heart of our partnerships lies the idea of reciprocity. As we create and build each new relationship, we take the time to consider what we have to learn, what we have to give, and what we hope to receive.
Being a good partner is hard work. It requires both sides to seek information; to reach out and overcome preconceived notions; and to find the strengths, the value, and the dignity in the other.
Each of our partnerships contributes to the broadening of our perspective:
The first of our partnerships, the Saint Mark's–Canal Alliance program has been going strong since 2003. It gave rise to the principle of reciprocal partnerships: One day each week Saint Mark's middle school students visit the Canal Alliance offices in San Rafael to help Spanish-speaking students with their English and homework assignments, and on a different day, their buddies from the Canal visit Saint Mark's as the Spanish experts.
Our relationship with eSibonisweni began in 2000, and in January 2011 a dream came true: After sending four delegations from Saint Mark's to South Africa, we were finally able to bring five teachers and six learners here to the United States for two weeks. This exchange was invaluable. Teachers from both schools were able to learn from each other and devote time to developing ideas for future collaboration. Students from the two schools learned much from each other and formed friendships.
In 2011 Saint Mark's invited Lilydale Primary School in Soweto, South Africa, to join our partnership. Because the students at Lilydale all speak English and are computer literate, exciting new project exchanges and friendship opportunities are opening up. Our first exchange visit is set for January 2012 when we will host visitors from Lilydale at Saint Mark's. In July 2012 a delegation from Saint Mark's will visit Lilydale and spend time in their classrooms.
Friendships and in-depth learning and understanding have blossomed as a result of our partnership with this large private elementary school in China. To date, four teachers from Saint Mark's have visited Beijing, each for three weeks, while three teachers from Beijing have spent equal time at Saint Mark's. We have also hosted two larger delegations from Beijing here at Saint Mark's School. Our teachers have shared practices, cultural insights, and community values with each other, and on their return from China, they have brought their experiences and new knowledge to bear in the classroom.