This is my first post since we completed the highly successful and initial 2009 Field Experience. I am looking forward to returning to San Pedro, Belize from the University of North Carolina Wilmington for the Spring 2010 field experience. And, I can't wait to see all my friends again at both San Pedro High School and La Isla Bonita Elementary School. I'm looking forward to making new friends at Ambergris Caye Elementary School. They are going to be the third school we will collaborate with on the island. We are gaining traction with the community and look forward to many more. We leave on Wednesday, March 17th.

I'm going to be leading the trip with another University of North Carolina Wilmington faculty member, Susan Catapano. Having Susan's assistance planning the field experience has been so helpful this year. Susan will work primarily with the elementary students and I will work primarily with the secondary students, although there will be lots of overlap.

I have to thank Richard Huber for all the hard work he has done "behind the scenes" to make this a great success. I want to thank Dr. Edward Paul, Honorary Consulate to Belize, for all his leadership and guidance in creating opportunities for our students. And, we need to thank the Office for International Programs at UNCW for handling much of the administrative work to allow Susan and I to plan for a successful field experience.

We have a much larger group than last year...17 students. I must be crazy! But, we've had motivated students apply to the program, progress through an interview process, checked their references, and selected a group that holds as much potential as last year. I'm looking forward to working with each of them. Although, I'm worried a bit that all will adjust accordingly. We will be staying at Pedro's Inn again this year. While the accommodations are sufficient, they are much different from the comforts of Wilmington. We'll see how all of our students react. I've tried to prepare them as best as I can, but anything is possible.

I'll end this first post here! More to come!