Teaching the Integration of Faith to Teachers in Haiti: Photogallery

Traveling overseas is not only a learning experience for students but for faculty as well. Every year, Trinity professors study abroad during sabbaticals or serve as trainers and educators and in volunteer roles in countries all over the world.

Recently, Dr. Craig Mattson, professor of communication arts, and Dr. Rhoda Mattson, associate professor of education, traveled to Les Cayes, Haiti, with a team from their church, Trinity Presbyterian Church in Hinsdale, Illinois.

In addition to volunteering at an orphanage and assisting a physician and pharmacist with healthcare, the Mattsons worked alongside local educators to hold a three-day instructional workshop for day school teachers interested in integrating faith with learning.

The Mattsons encountered the anticipated barriers of language differences and translation issues but communicated the “what” and the “how” of faithful pedagogy across the many lines of cultural difference.

The Mattsons taught—and learned—as the days progressed, working to accomplish their goal to not so much fill a “need” but to share their experiences with fellow teachers.

“What made the workshops fun and super challenging,” said Craig Mattson, “was that sometimes we were the teachers and sometimes the students.”