Flotilla 17-11 participated in the second annual “Teach-In Osceola” on November 18, 2010 at Kissimmee Charter Elementary School.  Each year all Osceola County, Florida, public schools (elementary, middle, and high) invite parents and community members to “teach for the day” to underscore the role communities need to play in education. 

This was an opportunity Auxiliarists of Flotilla 17-11 couldn’t pass up.   Important was their prior experience instructing the Auxiliary’s “Boating Fun – Safety on the Water” program to youngsters ages 3 to 9 last summer in local county libraries.   They also instructed “America’s Boating Safety” classes to a group of Boy Scouts and “Waypoints – A guide to Boating Safely” to middle school students age 10-12 located in the same school.

By the end of the day, our seven member team of Auxiliarists Carl Motes, Wagner Nolasco, Jim Nickles, Richard Navas, Joe Bonacourse, Robert Amort and George Ward taught 226 students water and boating safety.  Hand-outs were also provided to students to take home to share.

”The event was like having multiple field trips in one day without leaving the classroom and an awesome enrichment to their education,” one teacher said.

“Teach-In Osceola” is part of the annual “The Great American Teach-In” a national event.  Participation by local Auxiliarists is an excellent way to present boating safety information to our youngsters.  Participation in the event also offers exposure to the Auxiliary and its boating safety mission.

When planning your flotilla's 2011 calendar, we suggest contacting your local school district and adding this event to your agenda.

 

 

~GJA 01/07/11