The RITE (Rotary Intercountry Teacher Exchange) program was started in our District by Ralph and Armida Hight in 1996. It began as a joint project of the Rotary Clubs of West Wichita and West Sedgwick County–Sunrise and has grown to involve additional clubs in our District, namely Downtown, East & Andover. The inbound portion of the project includes receiving teachers from Panama and Argentina for 4 weeks mid-January to mid-February. While here, they visit a wide variety of schools to learn our educational methodology and experience our culture through various community activities.  Our thanks to Dalia Hale (WSC- Sunrise Rotarian) and Shelli Kadel (former WW Rotarian) organizers of this project, and to those hosting the teachers! This year's hosts from our club include: Mark Hansen, Mark Hazleton, John Mosley and DeAnn Sullivan. 

Ayelén (Aye) Usandizaga, 30 yrs old,  is from Baradero in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina and is a member of the Baradero Rotary Club. She is a busy and creative teacher of English at four schools and a private institute in her community. This experience has allowed her to work across all grade levels up to adults since 2013. Her passion for teaching English was learned from her much older sister who owns an English school. She is looking forward to learning new methodologies in teaching English. Her goal as a RITE Teacher is to promote peace between countries and learn about US culture. She also wants to interact with people and use her English. Ayelen loves to cook and spend time with her dog, Berni. She loves the beach and dancing in her folklore group. 

Belén Morán Galvarici, 31 yrs old, is from Junin, Buenos Aires, Argentina. She is a highly professional and talented teacher who continues to learn to help her students at primary to university level adapt and excel in clever and self-inquiry methodologies. She is a busy and creative teacher of English in three schools in her community. This experience has allowed her to study and earn her credentials to teach elementary and secondary students. Belén’s goal for the RITE Program is to help her expand her knowledge about other cultures to share with students. She strives to grow from others worldwide and expand her teaching repertoire. She continues to create connections around the world. Belén comes from a big family. She is a dog lover and she loves spending time outdoors in her garden. She loves cooking (her favorite is Italian) and loves music and movies. 

Esteban Almengor, 41 yrs old, is from David, Chiriquí, Panamá. He is an enthusiastic and determined educator with over 15 years of experience teaching English as a Second Language. He has worked with elementary students to students in higher education. He desires to keep improving his skillset as a teacher. Esteban is comfortable motivating his students through technology and creating educational content on various platforms. His student-centered approach helps him maintain a positive learning environment. He has received recognition for leading school projects that help his students. Esteban is married and has three children. He has volunteered in a recycling programs called “Bottles of Love” for kids and teenagers.

Dayra González, 42 yrs old, is from Dolega, Chiriquí, Panamá. She has been a teacher of English to elementary at three different schools for 24 years in the David area and has continued her education in higher education. She has become an expert in teaching English at the bachelor's and master’s level and beyond. Recently, she completed her master’s in management and supervision. Dayra is eager to participate in the RITE program because it offers an exceptional platform for professional and personal growth as an educator. She also believes that cultural exchange enriches learning experience and fosters mutual understanding which is essential in the context of language education. She is committed to sharing the insights and strategies learned while here with colleagues. She is hoping to return to motivate others and make changes as needed to help her school and community. Using Dayra’s words, “Learning new things every day is one of my personal goals. I like to be updated on the teaching field, and I also like to use technology in my classroom. I am sure this experience will provide more than I expect.” Dayra is a mother of an adult daughter and a teen son.