Support Teacher Program

In 2010, an auxiliary/support teacher program was started in Chacraseca, Nicaragua. This program began with 8 elementary teachers in some of the schools in the community for several reasons: the lack of qualified teachers, lack of job positions with the Ministry of Education, and the increase of students attending schools. At the beginning of the program, a support teacher was assigned to a base teacher. This has now changed to assigning an entire class to these support teachers. Since our auxiliary teachers have all graduated with education-related majors, we considered that it was essential to continue with this type of program to improve children education in our community.

My name is Benita Mercedes Vivas Acosta. I am 25 years old and I live in the sector of Puerta de Piedra. I have a bachelor degree in Social Sciences and I am currently getting another bachelor in Primary Education. I have been part of the Support/Auxiliary Teacher Program for the last six year and this year also part of the FNEI Scholarship Program.

This year I was assigned the 4th grade at the Instituto Alberto Berrios Delgadillo in the sector of Pedro Arauz of Chacraseca, and I teach to 16 children. In addition to receiving a monthly stipend to cover my expenses to continue with my studies, I have been able to receive theory and strategic principles in my major. Having the opportunity to practice with my students at the same time has benefitted me in a great manner because this helps me with my professional development.

Thanks to FNE International for this program; it is a very powerful resource because we are providing support not only to the schools we teach but the entire community of Chacraseca through the education system.