The top 30 English language teachers from different regions of Georgia have been selected to participate in the U.S. based Training of Trainers Summer Institute (TOTSI) that will take place in mid-August 2013 on the campus of the World Learning School for International Training (SIT) in Brattleboro, Vermont, USA. The selection process entailed online rating of the participants’ applications through specially developed online application evaluation system and later - Skype interviews with 45 semi-finalists. Participant selection committee included the representatives from the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi, PH International, World Learning-SIT and Georgian Ministry of Education and Science.

TOTSI is an 18-day intensive training course that upgrades professional teaching and administrative skills for experienced primary and secondary level Georgian ESL teachers. The course will provide practical workshops to enhance teacher training knowledge and skills as well as opportunities for participants to plan and conduct micro-training sessions and learn how to give feedback to peers. The on-campus program will include a series of educational and cultural activities organically incorporated as part of the training program as well as a four day Professional Development & Leadership Study Tour to Washington, DC. Upon successful completion of the program, participants will receive World Learning SIT Essentials in Teacher Training Certificate.

On April 24, 2013 online conference was held at Tbilisi Multimedia Education Center in the framework of the USAID-funded Applied Civic Education and Teacher Training Program. The guest of the conference was Mr. Aluda Goglichidze, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Georgia,

During the 2013 Youth TechCamp each student developed an individual strategic action plan (SAP) framework to include specific and measurable goals, intended results, target audiences, potential challenges and resources. During the final Youth Techcamp session students determined what action steps need to be completed to achieve their goals. When determining each step, students identified specific and real organizations, individuals, venues and other resources to serve as the basis for their support system.

“It’s like a puzzle- by the end of GNML it all comes together. You return to your home community with the whole picture. And then you can break it into pieces again and show other people how to make a picture from all these little pieces.”

-Aleksandra Klevakova (Sasha) and Kamilya Isaliyeva

More than 40 civics teachers from different regions of Georgia will learn about professional learning communities and service learning through these workshops. Workshops will also include modeling of consultancy groups with participation of Georgian civics teachers and a civics master-class by experts from the United States.

School-based civics club students in Tbilisi took part in the action “Books for peers” to support the library of Alastani (Akhalkalaki municipality) public school (Armenian-language school) with Georgian books. Students learned about the issue from social network, when a Georgian language teacher of Alastani public school asked to support 110 students of Armenian school with literature to improve their knowledge of Georgian language.

Civics club students of Tbilisi public school #71 worked to increase public awareness about the issue of trafficking in the framework of ACETT’s mini-grant project “Slavery in 21st Century”.

Civics club students of Marneuli (Kvemo Kartli region) public school #8 initiated to solve problem of pedestrians' safety in Marneuli. There was no passage sign for pedestrians in front of the school, which made it dangerous for students and community members to cross the street. Students addressed local Government with a letter asking to resolve the issue. As the result of this initiative, street cross sign for pedestrians was arranged in front of the school.

On April 2, 2013 Civics club students of Kutaisi public school #25 signed memorandum of cooperation with representatives of the following structures: a Parliamentary Committee on Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Georgia and Ministry of Environmental Protection of Georgia. Signing ceremony was held at the Parliament of Georgia, with participation of a Minister and Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection of Georgia, members of the Parliamentary Committee, civics teacher, students and school administration officials.

Civics club students of Telavi (Kakheti region) public school #5 initiated to organize cycling marathon dedicated to the World Tuberculosis Day, in order to promote healthy lifestyle among youth

On April 23, 2013 Natia Kvaratskhelia, ELCE alumnae teacher from Zugdidi Public School, delivered a teacher training workshop on Technology for Teaching to 20 teachers in Zugdidi. Topics included effective incorporation of technologies into the lesson plans - using Word, PowerPoint and Video clips.