Photo Gallery Clark students prepare scrapbook to share with students in Paraguay From left, Angie Barrientez, ESL assistant at Clark, Nicole Krasa of Rotary, Jana Schaffner and husband Shawn Schaffner. Schaffner has been selected by Rotary to travel as an exchange teacher to Paraguay.

Jana Schaffner, English as a Second Language teacher at Clark Middle School during 2008-2009, is packing up to travel to Paraguay as a Rotary Exchange teacher. The Frisco Rotary Club, which meets each Thursday at noon, is sponsoring her trip. She will be part of the R.I.T.E (Rotary International Teacher Exchange) program. Several FISD teachers have participated over the years and many teachers from other countries have visited and observed classes in Frisco ISD, as well.

Schaffner studied in Mexico as a college student but this is her first international visit as a professional teacher. Her students helped prepare a scrapbook detailing life in the United States for her to share with the students in Paraguay. Since many of the ESL students are also new to American life, they had many things to share with students of other countries, Schaffner said.

"Some of my students who were newer to the United States had some very interesting observations. Many other countries do not have students change classes as often as we do. Many countries do not use lockers. When we have new students come from another country, we often have to teach them how to work a combination lock because they have never opened a locker before. And many countries do not include sports as part of school."

Her ESL students also commented on the wonderful technology available in Frisco schools, she said.

Schaffner is taking advantage of technology to allow her students and the world to learn about her trip and follow along with her. She has set up an educational blog for friends, students and Rotarians to follow. It includes a map section where her blog visitors may record their location. The blog address is www.JanainParaguay.blogspot.com.  

"It is a neat feature. Sara Isbell, technology integration specialist at Clark, suggested it and I have already had visitors from South Africa and all over the United States. I have asked my students to make sure they check the blog when they go to their home countries for visits this summer," she said.

Schaffner will be in Paraguay from mid-June throughl July 22. The visit will be an opportunity for her to exchange ideas and philosophies of education with the people she meets in Paraguay and to bring back information for FISD teachers and students.