RITE Program in David, Chiriquí, Panamá

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. The Outbound portion of the program involves selecting and sending teachers from the Wichita area to Panama for 4 weeks during their summer break. Today, our Outbound teachers will share about their experience in Panama this summer. 

Amanda Allen has served as a Spanish teacher at Andale High School since 2019. She holds both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Wichita State University (WSU), and she is trained and fluent in Spanish and French. She earned her teaching certification through WSU’s Transition to Teaching Program while working in her first teaching position at Nickerson High School. She actively seeks opportunities to promote language and cultural learning for learners of all ages. She led a seminar in David for teachers who work in the Comarca (reservation). Growing up with foreign exchange students sparked her interest in world languages, and she believes students need to be prepared to engage confidently in a global community. Amanda is an avid traveler and lifelong learner. In 2021, she began teaching beginning and intermediate Spanish courses for WSU as a Concurrent Enrollment Instructor. She taught English in France for one year and completed a six-week immersion program in Mexico. Her travels have taken her to Mexico, Spain, Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, and most recently, Panama. Amanda is committed to continuing her support of the RITE Program because it aligns closely with her personal values, professional goals, and belief in the importance of language and cultural education.

Perla Coyle is a first-grade teacher at Cloud Elementary School in Wichita Public Schools. She began her education career in Mexico, where she earned her first bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in her native Spanish language and completed her student teaching. After moving to the United States with her family, Perla worked in retail for several years before joining Wichita Public Schools in 2020 as a high incidence paraeducator. She served in prekindergarten and kindergarten classrooms at Spaght and Colvin Elementary Schools, experiences that strengthened her commitment to early childhood education. During this time, she enrolled in Wichita State University’s Teacher Apprentice Program (TAP), an online program designed to prepare paraeducators to become licensed elementary teachers for birth through third grade. Through TAP, her paraeducator experience was recognized as a valuable foundation for her student teaching. Perla earned her second bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Wichita State University in May 2024. She is completing a master’s degree at Newman University in English as a Second Language Learning by end of summer 2026. Perla led a seminar in David with teachers of English in Chiriquí schools. She views her students as whole people and advocates for the potential within every learner she encounters. She brings a strong blend of professional excellence and personal warmth, making her an invaluable asset in any school. Perla has traveled between Mexico and the United States, and this experience marks her first trip to another country. She hopes her RITE experience will help her continue growing as a teacher leader in any school setting.