A SOLID FOUNDATION by Ron Pope

It has been a while since anything new has been posted on our Facebook page or here on our blog. We've been busy – in fact, very busy. I will write separately about current activities. What I want to introduce now is a feature tentatively titled Blasts from the Past. This will focus on excerpts from seven years’ worth of newsletters – and other sources. One of the goals of this feature will be to shed some light on what has been accomplished – and how it has been accomplished.

In the spring of 2002, when the first issue of the newsletter was published, we were approaching the 10th anniversary of the dedication of the American Home. Getting the home built was a major challenge. Most people familiar with the project – both Russians and Americans – didn't think it could be done. But that is another story—which you can read about on our website.

We are now approaching our 20th year of operation. One major question is how has it been possible for this small, underfunded by any reasonable standard, independent operation managed to stay afloat – and accomplish a great deal. A major part of the explanation is that from the beginning there has been a very special linchpin on the Russian side – someone who has been there from the beginning. Someone who has stuck with the organization through a never-ending series of trials and tribulations. Someone who has found ways to do what needs to be done – even when that has seemed "impossible."

That someone is of course Galya Altonen – more formally known as Galina Petrovna.

Galya was there at the beginning as the Director of the English program. Her comments below from the first issue of the newsletter allude to the challenges the first teachers and the Russian staff had to face and surmount.

In 1996 she took on full responsibility for the American Home’s operations. (See the AH history information on our website.) And her husband, Alexei, accepted the position of Director of Special Projects. Together they have provided the foundation the AH’s success has been built on. (More on Alexei later.)

While Alexei’s contributions are often quite visible—e.g., the Street Ball tournaments and successful Criminal Justice and Fulbright tours—much of what Galya does that is essential to keeping the American Home functioning, like getting our educational license renewed, passing safety inspections, and much more, is less visible—but essential to our operations.

We need to acknowledge her behind-the-scenes contributions that make the visible successes possible.

For now, I want to say: “Galya, no words I can conjure can adequately express my gratitude for your commitment and hard work for now nearly 20 years. Without your efforts, we would not be enrolling more than 400 students in our English program, expanding our Intensive Russian program, providing substantial educational tourism services, and much more. Спасибо вам за все, что Вы делаете!”

Galya’s Comments, AH Alumni Newsletter, No. 1, March 2002

Our dear teachers, dear friends:

It is difficult to believe that almost 10 years have passed since we had our first English classes at the American Home here in Vladimir. I remember very well our first year. We had only one computer and one pin printer, no textbooks, no Xerox machines. We had only enthusiasm--which is still our main moving force. We have been always eager to make the American Home the most informative and pleasant place, where people of Vladimir can learn everything about America.

A lot has changed during all these years. And mostly thanks to…our teachers. Every year [they] have added something to our program. I remember all of [them] and the things each of [them] suggested to make our school better. But if I start to write about everybody, it will take forever to read.

Now we have 4 computers only for the teachers, 2 copy machines, and access to the Internet. In each classroom we have a TV and VCR. We also have a CD player for each classroom.

[Those of you who have taught or studied here,] do you remember the room which we used to call "Stinky"? It's gone! Well, it is still there, but it has an air conditioner in it. We also have another air conditioner in our Big Room, where we have our meetings and parties.

Our library is also growing little by little.

Starting this year we have 7 teachers--and that is why the workload is a little bit easier. Each teacher has 4 groups and 2 preparations, except the teacher who works with conversation classes. But he works only 3 days a week.

What is most important is that we still have the creative and friendly spirit [the first teachers] brought which is especially appreciated by all our students. No wonder our Home is always full, even on Saturdays and especially when we have festive parties, presentations, or music and dance clubs. In February we celebrated for the first time Mardi Gras. It was fun!

Celebrating Mardi Gras at the American Home

Preparing the first 'Russian Lunch' of 2010

Grilling shashlyk at staff member Tanya Akimova's family dacha

First day of class, Fall 2009

Galya talking with Russell Pope, Ron’s father; 4th of July celebration, 1999 (Russell provided more than $100,000 to cover things like the shipping costs for the AH project.)


Galya in the Ah backyard, Fall 2010

SERENDIPITY AT WORK: The Russian Adventures of an American Lawyer

This past May I (Dr. Ron Pope) received an e-mail from Karen Porter, an American attorney in search of an opportunity to teach English in Russia. She had come across the American Home website and decided to contact me.

E-mail received May 9, 2010

I am an American lawyer with 35 years of experience. I have worked for the past 20 years at an insurance educational organization writing books and preparing other educational materials of all kinds - such as these textbooks, The Legal Environment of Insurance and Insurance Regulation. I am also co-author of a popular textbook for law students, Legal Writing and Oral Advocacy. I have taught at Villanova University Law School and also teach courses in several venues on copyright law. Additionally, I was Assistant Dean for Graduate Legal Studies at Temple University School of Law, where I managed the comparative law program for foreign lawyers. I have attached my resume, which has more details.

I am planning to leave my current position within the next few months, but not planning to stop working. I plan to start a new career in teaching English, perhaps focusing on (but not limited to) professionals, particularly lawyers and other business professionals; and I saw your website. You evidently are doing exactly what I wish to do.

My son will graduate from Oberlin College soon with a double major in Russian and history, and he plans to study for a Ph.D. in Russian history. His experiences studying in St. Petersburg over the past two years have reawakened in me a life-long interest in Russia, and I am (slowly!) learning Russian now. He will be working in Moscow for 4 months in the fall (before going on to graduate studies), and I will visit him in November (my first trip to Russia). My plan is to obtain the CELTA certification for teaching English early next year, perhaps even taking that training in Moscow (or in New York, depending on many factors). Afterward, I would love to teach in Russia.

Would someone with my credentials be of possible interest to you next year? Or do you have advice for me? I think my professional experiences and skills would be immensely helpful in teaching Russians in business and other professions, particularly law.

Thank you, in advance, for your response.
Karen Porter, Esq.
West Chester, PA
USA

Murom Connection

My immediate reaction was that Ms. Porter would be an excellent resource person for the English program at the Murom Institute where one of their largest groups of students was in the law program.

Although Murom is older than Vladimir and the “home” of the legendary Russian “heroic warrior,” Ilya Muromets, because it was the site for a large number of major military factories, it was completely closed to foreigners during the Soviet period. Vladimir also had its share of military factories, but as the former capital of ancient Rus and as a member of Russia’s historic “Golden Ring,” it was not completely closed to foreigners. (The fact that it was necessary to go through Vladimir to get to the specifically designated “tourist stop” of Suzdal also undoubtedly contributed to the partial “openness” under the Soviet regime.)

In any case, after the collapse of the Communist controls Vladimir’s contacts with the non-communist world expanded significantly, in part through the development of Sister Cities relationships. Murom was not so fortunate. It was not an established tourist destination, and it did not attract the attention of foreign investors. However, two of the English teachers at the Murom Institute, Natasha Zhelinko and Lena Pankratova, made a point to contact the American Home with an offer to host visiting "native speakers of English." This led to arrangements for the first Fulbright group in 2004 to spend several days in Murom. The Institute staff and students almost literally "rolled out the red carpet." They informed us that we were in fact the first group of American teachers to ever visit Murom. Their hospitality was overwhelming. The Fulbright program teachers, some of whom were initially concerned about the value of spending several days in this unknown community, later acknowledged that this was one of most rewarding parts of the program. They felt they learned a great deal about the "real Russia" from the open and enthusiastic reception they received in Murom – and wished they could have spent even more time there than had been scheduled.

Needless to say, a visit to Murom became a regular part of most of our tour programs. In addition, we strongly encourage the American teachers in our English program to accept the invitations they receive to participate in the Murom Institute's English program's activities.

The Institute English faculty had hosted a Peace Corps member, but since that program ended had not had a resident "native speaker." I felt that Karen could nicely fill that void.

The reader can judge from the content of her diary whether or not my estimation was born out.

CLICK HERE to read Karen Porter's Murom Diary.

Left to Right: Lena Pankratova, now the Head of the Institute’s Foreign Language Faculty, Karen Porter, and Natasha Zhilenko

Nomination for Citizen Diplomacy Award

We didn't make the final cut, but it was definitely an honor to have been nominated.

Ron

FROM: US Center for Citizen Diplomacy
http://www.uscenterforcitizendiplomacy.org/share-stories/entry/ron-popes-story/
Ron Pope’s Story

By Gwenn Klinger

No one deserves recognition as an outstanding citizen diplomat more than Ron Pope, who for over the last twenty years has brought together a large number of citizens of Russia and the US in ways that have often greatly enhanced the lives of both Russians and Americans and fostered better mutual understanding. Ron's involvement began more than 50 years ago after he chose Russia as his focus for a class assignment and has not ceased. Prior to the collapse of the USSR, he had led eight groups on trips to the Soviet Union and has made over forty more trips since then.

In 1989, Ron was involved in the signing of a Sister City agreement between Vladimir, Russia, a community of over 300,000 residents, in the heart of that country and Bloomington-Normal, Illinois, where he was teaching Soviet politics at Illinois State University. That led to an agricultural exchange that he arranged the next summer. This turned out to be the first step in nearly 20 years worth of more successful projects than one could imagine possible, even with all the help from both sides of the ocean that Ron has managed to enlist. When he has seen a need, he has tried to find a way to meet it.

In 1992, a major step, which has been the foundation of all the subsequent successes, took place. With essential assistance from fellow ISU professor of industrial technology, Dr. Ed Francis, and a number of other Americans and Russians, Ron organized the construction of a model American home in Vladimir. This included lining up donated building materials and American construction specialists who volunteered their time and skills. When the Vladimir City Administration was not able to contribute financially because of the economic downturn in Russia that began in 1992, Ron sought funding in the States. His father, Russell Pope, a California resident who remains an avid supporter, came forward with the funds that were needed to cover shipping and other costs beyond the in-kind contributions that were provided by more than 50 North American firms.

The home was dedicated on July 4,1992, with a gala celebration involving citizens of both countries. It has a white rail fence, a well-groomed yard with flowers, and has set an example for Vladimir residents to consider. To this day people continue to come to the Home to take photos and to see what a typical American home looks like. Most important is the interaction the Home fosters between Americans and Russians. Its foundation is the Home's highly regarded English program, which has grown from 70 students and 3 young American teachers in 1992, to 8 American teachers, one Russian teacher and 2 Russian supervisors working with over 400 students each term. The American teachers live with families in the community which helps to
enhance their understanding of Russian culture. The American Home also provides Russian classes for foreigners, a lecture series, Saturday movies, and the celebration of American holidays. Several former teachers from the English program, including one that taught at the American Home for three years, are now assisting with operations on the American side.

Overall, more than 100 primarily young Americans have taught in Vladimir since 1992. In the process a great many lives have been significantly influenced. (See the video for some specific examples.) The success of the English Program has made possible the pursuit of a number of other projects. One of the first was the development of a relationship between the American Home and a local orphanage.

Beginning with some very high quality donated playground equipment, over the years bikes, good quality shoes, medical supplies, and other items have been provided by American visitors. A comprehensive program to attract tourism to the area has been in place since 2004. This has involved projects such as improving signage for local sites, translating website information, and technical assistance for the enhancement of the tourist experience. The funding for this tourism project initially was provided by a Sister Cities grant.

Also, the American Home played a substantial role in initiating and sustaining for a number of years a law enforcement exchange program that included extended stays in the US by about a dozen Russian law enforcement specialists, one of whom earned a Masters degree in Criminal Justice from Illinois State University.

In 2004, 2007, and 2008, the American Home participated in successful four week Fulbright visits for a total of 43 American K-12 educators through the University of Illinois and the University of Chicago. Based on the Fulbright foundation, a high school exchange program has been initiated between two Illinois schools and two Vladimir schools in cooperation with the University of Illinois Russian, East European, and Eurasian Center. Support for the arts has included establishing a loan fund that has been used, for example, to produce CDs prior to concert tours. Arrangements were made for a very gifted young jazz singer, Yuliana Rogacheva, to receive training and performance experience in the US. At this summer's highly regarded Montreux Jazz Festival, Yuliana was voted most popular by the audience and was given second place by the judges -- out of 75 initial entrants in the vocal competition. (The panel of judges was headed by Quincy Jones.) These are just some of the "special projects" the American Home has pursued over the years.

For several years, special tours of Russia that included a week in Vladimir were provided for Americans. Among the activities during that week were a visit to a local school, an evening with a Russian family, an evening with a group of women quilters, and a visit to the orphanage mentioned above, as well as interaction with the teachers and students at the American Home. I was a participant in one of those tours and became acquainted with Ron Pope at that time. I have never been so impressed by the dedication and persistence of an individual who is clearly trying to help make a difference. His focus is always on trying to identify worthwhile projects and then find ways to take concrete steps that over time will hopefully contribute to meaningful progress, including especially better mutual understanding.

For example, arrangements have been recently made for a Vladimir girls basketball coach to visit the States this next fall to collect information for his "doctoral" dissertation comparing American and Russian approaches to teaching physical education. It is hoped that out this might come a program for further developing recreational opportunities for young Russians in particular. (In large part because of a shortage of funding, there is a significant lack of constructive things for young Russians to do outside of school. The plan is to get American and Russian students involved in the search for "affordable activities.")

Another recently developed idea is to have Russian students of English and American students of Russian correct and comment on essays each will be writing in their second language. The contacts made in America for recruiting teachers for the English program and students for the American Home's intensive Russian program will be used to attract participants on the American side for this new -- and very promising -- project.

In the 18 years since the American was successfully built -- to the surprise of the many skeptics on both sides of the ocean -- Ron Pope has never pursued personal recognition. In the opinion of many people familiar with what the American Home has accomplished and is continuing to accomplish, some recognition is definitely warranted. Ron will undoubtedly attempt to utilize any attention he might receive to help make it possible to get still more done.

To view our video, go to www.youtube.com/americanhomevladimir Click on Part 1 (in English)

Two comments:

Nils Wessell
• Ron Pope made it possilble for me to participate in the American Home on my sabbatical from the US Coast Guard Academy in 2000. The three months I spent in Vladimir and the region were the most intensive re-integration into Russian society that I have experienced since an academic year at Moscow State University in 1968-9. The quality of Russian language instruction for a visiting American was superb, the teaching and course work calibrated perfectly to my needs. Moreover, I had a chance to teach a couple classes to Russian youths learning English, itself an experience most Americans would love to have--and the American Home provided it all! Finally, the American Home provided terrific guidance and assistance in travel to neighboring sites of great historical and aesthetic interest. I am hoping to get back to the American Home again.

Meredith Clason
• As someone who participated in the summer Fulbright-Hays trip to Vladimir in 2008, I have seen firsthand how effective and efficient the programs developed by Ron Pope and the American Home are. This story is a well-deserved tribute to the dedication and hard work of the many people who have embraced Ron's ideas and helped him build not only The American Home, but bridges between the United States and Russia and a myriad of friendships along the way.

Ron's Trip Report

My June 26-July 11 trip was especially productive.

Summary
I was able to "debrief" all but two of this past year's teachers; I met and worked with an intern from Wellesley College, Malina Dumas, who is preparing a video to go with the Vladimir history that is now on our website; met two of this summer's four Intensive Russian students; drafted a written proposal for setting up an independent tourism development organization and attempted to move that project forward; met the new director of the Oblast Tourist Information Center—and provided him with what hopefully will be some useful information; helped get things set up for this coming academic year's high school exchange program; attended the first annual AH-sponsored under 18 boy's street ball tournament; worked with Alexei (and subsequently David Johnson) on developing a new writing program for Russian students of English and American students of Russian; and discussed with David (while he was in town) and the Russian staff a variety of issues—and more.

NOTE:
David Johnson is playing an increasingly important role in the Serendipity-Russia (American Home) organization. He taught for three years at the AH—2001-04. He is currently teaching first through third year Russian at Vanderbilt University and is the Group Leader for the University of Arizona’s St. Petersburg Russian program. His contributions to the AH to date have included contacting more than 150 colleges and universities with Russian programs and providing them with information about what we have to offer. As noted previously, this was a major reason we had the largest number of applicants for our teaching positions ever this year -- 38. He also took the initiative in preparing the video about which I have heard only positive comments. And he is actively recruiting students for our Intensive Russian program. Finally, he is providing input on policy and administrative matters.

David clearly has a strong commitment to the AH. I'm sure he will be an increasingly valuable asset in the years to come.

English Program
The outgoing teachers presented me with a number of useful observations -- as did Lena and Olya.

For instance, the teachers pointed out that several of the movies now being used are not working out well. For example, A1 students reportedly have a lot of trouble understanding Forest Gump. They suggested that movie might work well at the “advanced intermediate" (C1 or 2) level.

Does anyone have any suggestions for what might work at the A1 level? (I encouraged considering using at least individual scenes from TV programs like I Love Lucy.)

For the record, some of the movies, for example, Father of the Bride (A2), apparently are a good fit for the level where they are being shown—and are very much enjoyed by the students.

In general, it was clear that this past year's teachers took their responsibilities seriously and worked well together and with the Russian staff. (We have high hopes for an equally good, if not even better experience with the new group of teachers.)

Much to my pleasure, I must admit, the customizing of the English program course materials that I pushed for "practical" reasons has turned out to have substantial substantive value. Both Lena and Olya have acknowledged that, what they initially thought would be time-consuming "busy work," has turned out to be very productive. Lena and Olya are able to target exactly what our students need to learn and to incorporate in the lessons the explanations, exercises, and supplemental materials that, based on past experience, have the best chance of working. In short, the customizing of the lessons is proving to make them more effective and easier for the teachers to present. All this is still taking a great deal of time and effort -- and Lena and Olya, assisted by Brooke Ricker, deserve a great deal of credit for their diligence and creative efforts. In short, this isn't something that just anybody could do.

Some former teachers, particularly Nicole Mercer (in addition to Brooke Ricker), have already made contributions to this effort. If you think you can be of assistance, please don't hesitate to contact Lena or Olya. They can specifically use things like brief, level-appropriate readings and exercises/activities. Ask them for the vocabulary and grammar lists they have prepared. (You can reach them through the AH address: ah@amhome.elcom.ru.)

Internship
Malina Dumas is making significant progress on the video for the City of Vladimir section of the history. And she is hoping to complete similar videos for Bogolubovo and Suzdal by the end of her 10 week internship.

The day I left for Moscow -- I overnighted there in order to do some shopping at Izmailovo, the now huge outdoor souvenir and flea market -- Malina was able to show a complete "draft” of the Vladimir section of her video to a small group that had come to town to take exactly the kind of walking tour presented in our "history." Malina has informed me that she received some good feedback. Alexei is continuing to provide suggestions as the work progresses.

I’m looking forward to seeing the final product—and making it available on the Internet.

Malina has also helped make recordings by native speakers of the vocabulary and dialogues for the Z1 course.

Olya is going to be teaching this course beginning in the fall. She will use what we recorded to present the material to the students. We hope to be able to arrange for more professional quality recordings which the students will be able to listen to at home.

Comment from Malina quoted in her hometown newspaper:
This is my third time in Russia, but for the first time I'm really starting to feel integrated into Russian society. Vladimir is a much smaller city than St. Petersburg or Moscow, and very few people speak English here. My Russian is better now than it was during my previous visits, so I have actually been able to make Russian friends and have become very close to my Russian host. I actually feel like she's my own babushka (grandmother).
-The Morning Sentinel, Waterville, ME

Intensive Russian
Thanks to David Johnson’s efforts, he did a great job of getting the word out, Nelli and Tanya, our two excellent Russian tutors, are being kept busy this summer.

Testifying to the program's excellence, the first student this summer had nothing but positive comments to make in his evaluation. For example, he had the following to say about his tutor:

I am very pleased with the way the Russian classes worked out. My teacher [Tanya] was always friendly and encouraging and actually had me speaking with more than just a couple of words or a sentence at a time (a first for me). She was also rather helpful with things outside of just teaching Russian, such as suggestions for things to do and places to go. I would gladly receive further instruction from her.
-Nick Shea, Purdue University

This program should definitely continue to grow.

Tourism Development
With any luck, we have reached a "tipping point" in our tourism development efforts. With significant input from Bruce Wicks, University of Illinois tourism development specialist, Alexei, and others, at the request of the Deputy Mayor responsible for tourism, Galina Vladimirovna, I have prepared a written proposal for the establishment of a Tourism Development Agency which will coordinate and make specific contributions to a comprehensive effort to promote Vladimir as an attractive visitor destination.

As envisioned, this organization will be set up under the "umbrella" of the American Home -- which should help give it some credibility as an independent, evenhanded "tourism development coordinator" worthy of support by the relevant travel agencies, hotels, and other tourism "stakeholders."

I also met with the new Director of the Oblast Tourist Information Center, Vladimir Vasiliev . He just recently took on the position. His background includes running a river kayaking business, teaching at the Tourism Academy for a number of years, and more. He had retired -- but obviously was attracted by the challenge of trying to get something done. In short, he appears to be the right man for the job. His only reason for being there is to try to get results.

Alexei and I told him about the tourism database program that Katya Lakshtanova put together several years ago -- with financial support from Karen Hasara -- as a part of our tourism development efforts. He knew nothing about this -- and was very glad to know that it was available. Getting this program up and running would be a major step.

We hope to work closely with the OTIC -- and other tourism stakeholders. We should be able to coordinate our efforts and just possibly make a significant breakthrough in promoting tourism in the Vladimir region.

High School Exchange
The high school exchange program we are attempting to put together on the foundation laid by the three Fulbright grants is getting off to a decent start.

This past April 3 students and 2 teachers from St. Gregory the Great High School in Chicago spent a week in Vladimir, where they were hosted by families from School #10. This was followed by a second week split between St. Petersburg and Moscow. While the second leg of their journey provided additional insight into the diversity of Russian culture and history, according to the lead trip organizer, the “person-to-person” program in Vladimir was invaluable.

Breanne Goldman -- from the 2008 Fulbright group -- along with her colleague Frank Edgeworth,organized this inaugural exchange program on the American side. Unfortunately, St. Gregory encountered significant financial problems which have resulted in it being unable to host a reciprocal visit. However, Breanne and Frank are independently organizing the group's visit to Chicago, where they will be hosted by families representing several different high schools. This unanticipated diversity should enrich the group’s experience.

The Russians will then travel to Tuscola -- where I am confident small-town Midwest hospitality will add additional valuable dimensions to their visit. Special thanks are due to Tuscola Community High School principal, Kyle Ransom, for being willing to participate in this project on short notice -- and to Katrina Chester, the U of I Russian, East European, and Eurasian Center’s new Outreach Coordinator, for recruiting him. (We are very pleased to have the assistance of the REEEC with developing this new program.)

The end of October, a group from School #36 will be hosted by Mahomet-Seymour High School. This visit is being organized by Tom Murdoch, a participant in the 2004 Fulbright program. Tom traveled to Vladimir this past March as a first step in organizing this exchange. This coming March Tom will take a group of American students and teachers to Vladimir.

In conjunction with the trips, the goal is for there to be substantial communication over the Internet. We hope to see both students and teachers getting involved in exchanging substantive information and ideas in part through the discussion of significant issues of mutual interest. (We are prepared to suggest topics -- and provide relevant readings -- to help get things moving.)

In a good illustration of “serendipity,” we are going to take advantage of the fact that Tom Murdoch’s daughter, Ann, was selected as one of our new teachers. With help from her father, Tuscola principal Kyle Ransom, The REEEC Outreach Coordinator, Katrina Chester—and others—Ann is going to prepare a presentation that will focus on Mahomet and Tuscola.

After Ann’s presentation, if there are no" technical problems," the two Russian groups will have a chance to ask questions of their American hosts via Skype

We hope to be able to expand and develop this program in partnership with the REEEC Outreach Program—and, eventually, other “Russian centers.” There is obvious value in getting kids seriously interested in Russia while they are still in high school. This program will also help young people who don't choose to pursue some form of "Russian studies" to better understand the world around them.

Street Ball
On July 4 we held the first under 18 boy's street ball tournament at a sports camp not far from Vladimir. It was a very pleasant setting -- and the teams played hard. Afterwards I asked the participants if they would like the tournament to continue. They answered unanimously and with enthusiasm, "Yes"! (See pictures of the tournament on Facebook)

Our second tournament for girl's teams is scheduled for September 26.

We can use assistance with getting appropriate items to give out at the tournaments. For each tournament we need 10 identical baseball caps to identify the referees and other tournament officials. We also need small items to give to each of the participants (up to 40 per tournament) -- these don't necessarily have to be basketball-related, just clearly "American" -- plus prizes for the first, second, and third place teams (4 players per team), the MVP, and a few other individual awards. One thing that would be very nice to have is one or more autographed photos from the NBA and WNBA or major university teams (photos of retired professional players would be quite acceptable) that specifically mention the American Home Street Ball Tournament. Digital copies of the photos can be printed as needed.

Additional Projects
On a related matter, Alexander (Sasha) Vlasov, currently a member of the physical education department at the Vladimir Juridical Institute and a coach for three girl's basketball teams, requested assistance with arranging a trip to the States to do research for his "doctoral" dissertation. He wants to compare the American approach to teaching physical education with the Russian approach. David Johnson was able to arrange a one-week stay in Nashville hosted by the University School. Sasha will then spend two weeks in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois as a guest of the Illinois state University physical education teacher training program.

He should be able to get all the information he needs for his dissertation.

As luck would have it, we have another example of serendipity at work. One of the teachers who will be accompanying the Mahomet-Seymour High School group next March happens to be the coach of a junior high school girl’s basketball team. The plan is for her to stay on in Vladimir an extra week or two and present some clinics for local coaches. (She will be following in the footsteps of former University High School varsity coach Cal Hubbard -- with whom Sasha will be staying while he is in Bloomington-Normal.See the section on basketball on our website for the history of this relationship.)

While Sasha is here we plan on exploring the possibility of setting up a program that will get young people here in States and in Vladimir involved in exploring "cost-effective" recreation possibilities that can be implemented in Vladimir -- where there is an acknowledged problem with a shortage of affordable constructive things for young people to do, especially over the summer when they are out of school.

As chance would have it, a large new park complex is being planned for Vladimir. This proposed "recreation development" project could provide input for the planning of this park. Once again, an opportunity for serendipity to work a little magic....

New Proposal—Writing Exchange
Out of necessity….

Alexei told me that the administration was adding to the teaching load of faculty at the former Pedagogical, now Vladimir State University for the Humanities -- without any extra pay. (I was told the same thing was being done at the Murom Institute.) Alexei wants his students to write as much as possible -- but he doesn't have unlimited time to grade papers. He asked about the possibility of having his students send their essays to American students who could correct mistakes.

We discussed recruiting American students who are studying Russian to help with this chore. The students in Alexei's class could send their comments on the topic under discussion to the Americans who would point out -- and possibly correct -- grammatical mistakes. The Americans would then respond to the content of their Russian partner's essay -- writing in Russian which Alexei's students would correct.

The more I thought about it, the more I thought this would be worth doing -- even without an increased teaching load.

If the students are discussing topics they are really interested in, they should put more effort into trying to communicate clearly. Also, there should be solid educational value in having the Russians and Americans exchange information and engage in critical discussion of, for example, gender relations, whether or not university graduates should be guaranteed employment, and underage drinking. The topics might be assigned by faculty or selected by the students, with faculty approval, or some combination of the two.

We are definitely going to pursue this approach, drawing on the substantial number of Russian language faculty contacts David Johnson has developed in the process of getting the word out about our English language teaching positions and our intensive Russian program.

Another example of serendipity at work?

Life at the American Home
On the Home front, as noted in a previous post, the staff has been hard at work making changes to meet safety code requirements -- and to make the AH a more comfortable and efficient place to work. For example, when I'm not there, "my room” is now used for lessons and office space. We need to get a decent quality "daybed,” so they won't have to set up and take down the existing bed when I come and go.

The primary safety changes are adding a staircase emergency exit from the small basement classroom with the window. (See the photos posted previously on Facebook.) And relocating the furnace. (According to the Russian safety code, our furnace needs to be at ground-level and with no occupied rooms above it.

The total cost for the furnace relocation is going to be about 1.5 million rubles -- roughly $50,000. Fortunately there is about 1.2 million rubles left in the reserve fund -- after paying for the new staircase. The rest of the cost will be covered by new income.

REQUEST FOR COMMENTS

I very much hope that some of you will find the time to comment on at least parts of this report. The one thing that has been missing so far in our Facebook and blogging experiments is substantive feedback. In short, please put in your two cents….

Ron arrives in Vladimir

I arrived in Vladimir yesterday, June 26. My flights from Bloomington (Illinois) to Atlanta and then Atlanta to Moscow went smoothly. I had to wait a while for my one checked bag to show up. I then exited through the Green Channel with no problems -- and immediately found Yuri, the driver who usually takes me from and to Moscow. It was extremely warm -- over 30° centigrade or in the 90s Fahrenheit. And it was humid. Fortunately, his Chevy his has climate control.... Shortly after we left the airport we encountered our first "probka," or "traffic jam." The bridge we needed to be able to cross to get on the Leningrad highway and from there to the outer ring road was closed. And there was no clear way to get around this. Russian road maintenance crews seem to have a habit of doing their work without making provisions for traffic to get around them.

It took us more than an hour to get headed in the right direction. We then encountered several additional traffic jams, most of which were caused by "fender bender" accidents or cars that were broken down. The disabled vehicles were invariably old Soviet models. (At least 70% of the cars on the road today are foreign models -- many of which are now assembled in Russia. It seems that no one who has a choice wants to get stuck with a Soviet-era car.)

We obviously eventually made it to Vladimir -- and I saw that the American Home was in fact still standing.

I was especially impressed with the new "emergency exit" from the basement. It is impressive. And it is clearly justifiable. I'll add some photos later.

Alexei and Galya showed up not long after I arrived. We discussed some business -- but postponed most of that until Monday. They are celebrating their ballroom dance teacher's birthday today -- and I can do with the chance to rest.

I spoke briefly with two of the current teachers yesterday evening. More on that later.

Overall, things appear to be "under control."

I am looking forward to a productive visit.

-Ron Pope