Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader joined the delegation of New York City and Utah State educators at the National Meritorious Teacher Award ceremony at the National Palace.
  
In a remarkable fusion of cultures and educational excellence, the Summer Professional Development and Study Abroad Program to the Dominican Republic came to life this past June. Hosted by Hostos Community College, the international teacher training initiative offered a three-week program from June 17 to July 7, featuring workshops, seminars, and field research in NYC and multiple locations on the island.
 
Designed over three decades ago by Hostos Dean Ana García Reyes and facilitated by CUNY faculty and staff, Department of Education administrators, world-renowned Dominican scholars of Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo, and Instituto Superior de Formación Docente Salome Ureña. The initiative helps teachers from New York City and the Dominican Republic understand the island’s educational system, immigrant experiences in the city, and socioeconomic, socio-historical, and socio-political cultural challenges to academic and career success for diverse youth.
 
Hostos President Daisy Cocco De Filippis (bottom, right) along with Dean Garcia Reyes welcomed
NYC DOE Teachers to the orientation week for this socio-academic transformative  journey.
This year's program included successful scholars’ presentations, lectures, and visits to higher learning institutions and historical sites, providing a well-rounded experience for all participants.
 
“I am especially delighted with this year’s successful program and honored by the generosity of so many scholars, elected officials, and organizations that supported our Hostos delegation,” said Dean García Reyes. “I am sure that all involved will appreciate all the experiences, which will help them in their careers. With this intensive immersion, they now have a culturally-informed appreciation of the communities they serve, which will help them continue being excellent teachers.”
 
The first week of activities took place in NYC, where Hostos leaders and staff members led many presentations. Hostos President Daisy Cocco De Filippis warmly welcomed attendees to this transformative experience. Public Safety Director Chief Arnaldo Bernabe spoke about international safety procedures. Chief Diversity Officer Philip Oliveri and Legal Specialist Rafael Torres – who was part of the traveling delegation – explained the legal mandates and policies crucial for a successful study abroad program. Vice President of Continuing Education and Workforce Development Dr. Evelyn Fernández Ketcham presented on Dominican students’ educational outcomes in the city. Communications Manager Wilfredo José Burgos Matos delivered a talk on Dominican music cultures. Additional presentations included “The Education of English Language Learner (ELL) Students” and “Post-pandemic and Massive Migration Challenges in Graduating Post-secondary Readiness for ELLs. Panelists included NYS Deputy Commissioner Eliza Alvarez, NYC DOE Senior Educational Researcher and Program Planning Specialist Gilberto García, NYC DOE Principals Yesenia Delarosa and Vivian Bueno. Hostos Alumni and NY Yonkers Public Schools Chief of Operations and Manager of Administration, Dr. Fénix Arias, who presented on “Teaching and Leading with Intention in a Bulimic Society.” CUNY DSI Chief Librarian and Hostos Alumni Sarah Aponte also presented on DSI Library Resources. The 20-teacher delegation was also joined by esteemed Hostos faculty members, Mathematics Department Chair Professor Nieves Angulo and Natural Sciences Professor Yoel Rodríguez, who shared their invaluable insights as seasoned and award-winning educators.
 
Participants after a lecture led by Dr. Evelyn Fernández Ketcham during the NYC portion of the program.
After the exhilarating NYC programming, the delegation dove into the vibrant Dominican Republic portion, experiencing more unforgettable moments. Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo renowned scholar presenters included Dr. Carlos Andujar, who presented about “Dominican Syncretism”; Dr. Odalis Perez, who presented on Dominican Spanish and Eugenio María de Hostos as the educator of the Americas; Dr. Irma NIcasio gave an overview of Dominican history, norms, values and traditions; Dean and Professor María Filomena González, who gave a brief overview of Dominican history. Dr. Aldrin Bonilla also lectured on equal employment opportunities in NYC and shared historical information about Dominicans and strategies for engaging students in the classroom. A key highlight was President Luis Abinader's recognition of two NYC Department of Education educators with the National Meritorious Teacher Award. Our two Hostos delegation honorees were Cristina Concepción Bonilla from In-Tech High School in the Bronx and Ernestina Castro from George Washington Educational Campus in Manhattan. Dominican Vice President Raquel Peña de Artuña, Minister of Higher Education Franklin García Fermín, Minister of Education Andrés Ángel Hernández, and First Lady Raquel Arbaje Abinader were present at the ceremony and graciously welcomed the Hostos group at the National Palace.
 
 
(L-R) Dominican Republic Vice President Raquel Peña de Artuña, Dean Ana García Reyes, President Luis Abinader, Hostos Professors Yoel Rodríguez and Nieves Angulo.
“We were deeply honored to be mentioned several times during President Abinader’s ceremony, underscoring the value and impact of our program over the past decades,” said García Reyes.
 
The delegation engaged in valuable discussions at the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo, where they enjoyed various lectures and were joined by a delegation of International Directors of Museums. 
The journey included visits to the Instituto Superior de Formación Docente Salomé Ureña (Isfodosu), a higher learning institution specializing in teacher training. The New York / U.S. educators' visit to Isfodosu was a fantastic experience, as the Isfodosu engages in innovative and creative pedagogical strategies to train their students/teachers. The delegation of higher education professors and NYC DOE Teachers was warmly welcomed by Rectora Nurys del Carmen González; Vicerrectora Académica Carmen Gálvez, Vicerrectora Ejecutiva Glenny Bórquez Hernandez, María Fernanda Evertsz Alvarado, Profesor Juan Nicolás Fermín Núñez, and other administrators as well as students who performed beautiful folkloric dances for the delegation. The delegation also visited the Comprehensive Care Center for Children with Disability (CAID) and the Dominican Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the island’s capital.
 
Part of the Hostos delegation at the Instituto Superior de Formación Docente Salomé Ureña.
 
In Punta Cana, the delegation explored the impactful work of the Punta Cana Foundation—Center of Research and Preservation. While touring the country's northern region, they visited the Mirabal’s Museum in Salcedo. The Honorable Governor Lissette Nicasio de Adames warmly welcomed the participants in Las Hermanas Mirabal Province, leaving the delegation feeling honored and humbled.  UASD Professor Rocío Billini and Dean Ana García Reyes received a special mention with beautiful flowers, for which both were very appreciative to the Governor. In Santiago de los Caballeros, they immersed themselves in the rich cultural heritage at El Centro Cultural León Jiménez in the historical Cibao region.
 
One of the most memorable moments was visiting historical and natural sites, including paying homage to the remains of Eugenio María de Hostos at the National Pantheon of the Dominican Republic. The delegation also visited The UASD Rectoría, where they had a meet and greet with the UASD Vice Chancellor and other administrators. 
 
 
The delegation at a reception with the Governor of Hermanas Mirabal Province, Lissette Nicasio de Adames.
This initiative was possible thanks to the funding support of NYC Public Schools, the Fund for the City of New York, and the Hostos Office of Community Relations.
 
(L–R) Dean García Reyes, Governor of the Hermanas Mirabal Province, and Professor Billini receiving a recognition on behalft of the province's governor.  

(L–R) Professor Billini, Hostos Professor Nieves Angulo, Honoree of the Hostos Delegation Ernestina Castro, First Lady of the Dominican Republic Raquel Arbaje, Dean García Reyes, and NYC DOE Administrator Gilberto García.

(L–R) Honoree of Hostos Delegation Cristina Concepción Bonilla, Dean García Reyes, Minister of Education Ángel Hernández Castillo, and Honoree Ernestina Castro.