When the Dream becomes Reality

All of us have dreams, vision and goals for the future. When I was a child I dreamed that I would be an Olympic Gymnast. I loved the sport, I trained constantly, my parents dumped thousands of dollars in to my gym, camps and meets, and I actually had potential. Obviously that dream never became a reality. But, for the fortunate few- those who presevere, never lose sight of the dream and who don’t let “no” stand in their way- the dream does become a reality.

More than 16 years ago Prof. Manoel Andrade had a dream to revolutionize education in Brazil. He was well aware that the public school system in the impoverished rural areas of northeastern Brazil was failing the students. The schools didn’t have the resources they needed, the teachers often didn’t have the education or support they needed, and frequently there weren’t even schools that went past middle school. How were the communities ever meant to develop if the students weren’t provided the education they needed to enter the university and gain the skills they needed to improve their communities? But, Prof. Andrade and others had a vision and a dream- PRECE- the Program of Education in Cooperative Cells. Together they developed a methodology where the students would study in small groups depending on one another to gain knowledge and comprehension. The support that they gained from one another fueled their ambition to study and succeed. 16 years later the movement has helped over 400 students enter the university, over 50 graduate and 18 go on to graduate degrees. The methodology works and students, families and communities are improving.

Recently PRECE has taken another giant leap toward the dream becoming a reality. Currently the Secretary of Education in the state of Ceará is building a new Professional and High School in the town of Pentecoste (the county were PRECE began and has the most momentum). The state has asked PRECE to take administrative control of the school and use the Cooperative Learning methodology to teach! This is not only a great honor but a great opportunity. If PRECE leaders have success and the students at the school experience more success/higher test scores than other public schools around Ceará there is a chance that the methodology can be spread to every other school. Talk about change! Talk about an educational revolution! Sometimes dreams do become reality!

The school will open in August and right now PRECE leaders are busy planning for the opening. We deeply appreciate all your support and prayers. If you want to see what the new school will look like please check out the video below.