Our trip could hardly have been better. Nothing at all "went wrong" and, at every turn, morning, noon, and night, all of our jaws kept dropping, in response to the relentless wonders of both every avenue of the Amazon and the unlimited dimensions of the caring service of Dolly and your entire staff. Our kids are "worldly" (as far as 17 year-olds go) and 21st-century-cynical sometimes. So, it really does mean a lot when I report that, to an individual, they all felt be-siblinged (and be-mommed and be-uncled, etc.) by Robert, Peter, Josias, Ivom, Marlon, Alex, Victor, Dolly's sister and the rest of the kitchen staff, and of course the person they had been primed and sooo pumped to meet -- the All-Powerful and Benign Moises!

As a tropical field biologist I have a few more exciting perceptions and thoughts to share. But, they will have to wait until I have had the time I need to put out a few fires here on the home front. The crystal clear summary, however, is simply this -- none of us would have been even a tiny fraction as satisfied, were we to have chosen any other outfit with which to work or any other location -- in the world -- to visit.

Thank you for following your (eventual) life's dream and comprehensively making it happen for so many Americans so badly needing that education. You, Dolly, and your entire staff really are wonders of the world.

Sincerely,

Michael Pereira, Ph.D.

March 18, 2002

_____________________________________________________________________________

Arnold L. Stark, Ph.D.,
Educational Director

Dear Colleague,

If you are like me, then you have one primary goal as an educator: to have a lasting impact upon the lives of your students, so that they may enter the world of adulthood with all the qualities which promote success, responsibility, independence, an insatiable thirst for knowledge, and a sense of wonder about the world about them, its past, present, and future. How often these aspirations are stymied by the glitzy attractions of today's culture - Pokemon, video games, "action" TV and movies, the incessant beat of today's music promoting senseless thrill-seeking and the bashing of every value we hold dear, including education. Is it any wonder that, in spite of our best efforts and proven methodology, our educational system continues on a downward spiral?!

How endlessly frustrating! No wonder so many excellent teachers burn out and walk out, seeking satisfaction in other professions!

That you are still in the trenches fighting the daily battle against the bliss of ignorance speaks volumes about your professionalism and dedication. (It's certainly not for the money!) Yet, I am certain that a good portion of the time and energy you expend is involved in seeking that technique or approach which will grab your students' attention without making you feel like a candidate for the "Entertainer of the Year " award! And, I am equally certain that, more often than not, that promising new approach leads to the same old results: here today and gone tomorrow - that precious content you so painstakingly and enthusiastically delivered, with a little bit of luck, is held through the exam, but makes no real impact on the lives of your students!

As a teacher, I work with a population that is often deemed the most difficult to teach: students who have learning disabilities and/or attention deficit disorder. In spite of a more than adequate potential and, often, incredible capabilities in specific areas, these students usually persist in having difficulty with basic skills, have a history of school failure, and frequently possess an overwhelming sense of frustration and inadequacy. Their approach to education is often "I can't!" plus "I dare you to teach me something, to make me understand it, to make me remember it, to make me enjoy it!"

In spite of this negative attitude, these students can be led down the road to success, and along the way, this negativity evaporates and a snowball effect ensues: the more you learn, the more you want to learn! There is no one magical technique or approach to use to accomplish this; rather, it requires a complex of remediation, encouragement, nurturing of strengths, high expectations, strategic instruction, facilitating independence, and unflagging support and patience - plus a touch of tough love. A key ingredient is the inclusion of experiential learning - not mere hands on activities, but living what you learn, getting out into the world and experiencing its connections with what goes on in the classroom.

For my students and myself, this has meant going on field trips, including extended trips which take us out of our community, out of our state, and even out of our country! I wish to tell you about one of these ventures which has proved most effective.

Many of my students have an intense interest in nature, an interest for which I provide many opportunities to maximize. Nurturing strengths helps counter feelings of inadequacy, bolsters areas of weakness, provides avenues for remediation, and sets the stage for appropriate career decision-making.

The quest for experiential learning took us to Washington, D.C., New York City, The Florida Keys, Costa Rica, and, most recently, the Peruvian Amazon. It is this latter experience I wish to recommend to you, as it has proven the most effective. New students are clamoring to go, and those who have been there are anxious to return!

A trip to this part of the world has its obvious connections to the Science curriculum, especially Life Science, but Earth and Physical Science as well. There are also intricate relationships to the Language and Social Science curricula, and more subtle connections to Mathematics. A trip to the Peruvian Amazon connects life experiences across the entire curriculum, and helps to focus on the interdisciplinary nature of true learning!

Traveling to a part of the world which is vastly different from our own requires the services of individuals who possess firsthand knowledge of the area; choosing a touring company is therefore essential. When planning our first trip (so far, we have gone three times, and are now planning our fourth), I looked into a number of touring companies which specialize in the Peruvian Amazon, and compared them based on the following criteria:
· cost
· accommodations
· travel arrangements
· size of staff
· knowledgeability of staff
· flexibility of program to match interests
· potential of the area for wildlife encounters
· diversity of activities
· potential for cultural interaction
· provision of educational programming
· willingness to cater to youth

Weighing each of the above criteria equally, I chose to stay at the Rainforest Lodge. I am sure I could not have made a better choice, for their Jungle Lodge has met or surpassed all of my expectations, and has provided my students with outstanding life experiences which greatly enhance our classroom curriculum.

As this letter accompanies specific information regarding the Rainforest Lodge, I need not go into details about all its features, but do wish to relate those aspects which have made it most beneficial to my students and our educational objectives:
· the staff has assisted with individual student projects, has catered to individual activity requests, and has helped maximize student involvement;
· the guides are knowledgeable and capable, and are ever conscious of the safety and welfare of my students;
· the activities are varied so as to maintain student interest;
· the area provides a biota of unmatched diversity, providing a wealth of opportunity for observation and interaction with wildlife;
· the staff has developed personal relationships with my students, helping to make them feel comfortable and at home;
· there are numerous opportunities for cultural interaction by visiting villages, individual native homes, village schools, markets, experiencing native ceremonies, and through meeting staff member families and visiting their homes;
· a field laboratory permits the temporary housing of specimens for observation and a place for class lectures/discussions;
· an assortment of field equipment promotes the study of tropical field ecology;
· a curriculum of field activities is in the process of development.

The above list is but a concise overview of the benefits my students have reaped from their Rainforest Lodge experiences. A trip to the Peruvian Amazon has become an integral part of my students' education, and I highly recommend that you consider the same for your students.

I am sure that the potential costs of such a trip would give you pause in your consideration. However, let me point out that the necessary funds can be raised through fund-raising efforts within your community, and that the educational benefits derived from such a venture are well worth the effort. It can make the difference between wondering why you do what you do and feeling that your efforts as a teacher make real differences in the lives of your students!

Arnold L. Stark, Ph.D.