Operation Smile At SCCS

Santa Cruz Cooperative School and Operation Smile are working together to improving the lives of children across the world. Operation Smile is a foundation that provides free surgeries to children who are born with a cleft palette. SCCS students are fully involve with Operation Smile: going to misions, working in the ExpoCruz, traveling to conferences, organizing bake sales, and raising money in various ways.

Click the link below to see the video that tells a little bit of Operation Smile’s history and SCCS’s participation. 

SEE THE OPERATION SMILE VIDEO!

-Francesca Colanzi

Enriching SCCS with Dedication, Passion, Writing and Art

Mrs.Talarico looking over her students' work. (photo by Fabiana P.F.)

"Art is what connects us to all the other areas of intelligence and development. Including people who are inclined to math, or any other field, art opens doors to everything, it gives you the possibility to develop other parts of the mind." – Mrs. Talarico. These are wise words from SCCS’s new art teacher Mrs.Talarico who has made the SCCS community thankful, for the dedication she possesses; and proud, for the many achievements she has acquired through the years.

Living most of her life in Bolivia, but born in Santiago Chile she calls herself a Bolivian. She received her college education in Europe and loves travelling especially when the voyages offer learning and growing experience. Recently going to Turkey she was marveled of the beauty and rich culture of the country. Nether less she feels she has embraced Bolivia and calls it her home. She even dared to say she was “tropicalized” and was “here to stay”.

When I questioned her about her job and why she had chosen to be an art teacher she simply said “I love my job” in such a manner that even if she had said something like “I love being a puddle of water” I would have believed her. Mrs. Talarico is a woman who is passionate about what she does and wants only to help young adults achieve their highest potential in all fields. She left it very clear that her choice in career was one of the best decisions she has taken.

It is widely known around school that Mrs.Talarico has received national awards for her works of poetry, but this humble writer doesn’t brag about the many children’s books she has published and the awards she has received for them as well.  When I asked where she gets inspiration she smiled and replied “the kids.” Being in an environment where she is able to help expand human minds she takes full advantage of her current position.

Mrs. Talarico has made SCCS richer this year with her encouraging words, kind actions and leading with example, example of someone who has perused her passion in life and is content with her decisions.

                                                                                                -Fabiana Peña Feeney

Teacher, Mother, Friend

Mrs. Skelly enjoying some family time (Photo provided by Mrs. Skelly)

   Scanning through all teacher names, one specific caught my eye: Mrs. Selena Skelly. I don't know why it interested me, but it did. I immediately asked her if she had some free time so I could interview her. She kindly accepted. Once I got to know her I was shocked; I never thought she'd have the life she does. I discovered she has two lovely children, who are located in the school's nursery during most of the day. When I first saw her, I thought "wow, she's really young and pretty!" I never thought she was a teacher and a mother, and I learned she is dedicated and excellent in her roles. With her blonde hair and light skin, I was surprised to find out she has actually lived in Bolivia for quite a while, nine years total. She came to Bolivia in 2004, and lived in Cochabamba: "I first went to Cochabamba to teach at Calvert. I really wanted to teach in Latin America."  Then I asked where she was before Cochabamba. "I was in Mexico for two years and before that in New York, and before that Colombia. I'm glad I came to Bolivia, I met my husband in Cochabamba. I got married in 2007, so we've been married for six years," she explained.

   Besides being a great mother, she is an excellent teacher who really puts effort into her job. The way she talked about teaching, you could tell she was very passionate about it. Her favorite subject is reading and writing. When I asked her to explain why, she responded with, "My favorite subject to teach would be reading and writing because I really enjoy teaching and being surrounded by children makes it even better. I enjoy that they are really interested in school, learning, I love how they ask so many questions and that they are curious." Her answer made me smile. Knowing a teacher loves her students is very touching. Not all teachers are known for liking their students. Mrs. Skelly takes her time showing kids how to do their homework, teaching them new things and it's refreshing to know some teachers actually enjoy their job to the fullest. I asked her if she had any challenges. "There are challenges. I think that the biggest challenge would be to make the class interesting and dynamic so that all students are staying focused because a lot of times students are getting bored and have a hard time staying on task." 

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          To conclude, Mrs. Skelly is a wonderful teacher, mother and friend. She's loves kids and takes good care of them. She has shown the love and passion for her work. We are glad to have her here and we welcome her to our staff with a warm smile.                                                                                    - Vanessa Luna