“You Want Me to Lead?”

Abstract

This case study explores the experiences of three American pre-service teachers participating in an international applied learning context in Belize. The pre-service teachers worked in San Pedro Town, Belize for a month with local teachers and children in primary grades. The applied learning context was a demonstration classroom located in the center of the city where local teachers and children would visit each day. The pre-service teachers were responsible for creating lessons and activities, then teaching the children in the demonstration classroom while the Belizean teachers observed. The pre-service teachers also provided professional development for the teachers in the teacher's classroom. Through this international applied learning experience, the pre-service teachers strengthened their teaching and leadership skills while exploring their cultural sensitivity living in a new culture and country. The lessons through international applied learning contexts can greatly influence pre-service teachers' teaching practices when they have their own classroom.