The 2006 Plank Fellowship

A trio of Oklahoma teachers have been named as the second recipients of the Plank Fellowship Award.

Cindy Scarberry, Lani Garner and Stefani Stuemky, from Monroe Elementary School in Norman, Oklahoma, exemplified the Fund for Teachers' mission, according to their nomination.

"They traveled to Zimbabwe, where they gained firsthand knowledge about the culture and educational system," said Dayna Rowe, program officer for Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, the local Fund for Teachers partner.

"Our visit was indescribable," explains Garner. "We fell in love with the people, the simplistic way of life and the joy they share while living in such harsh surroundings and poverty."

"Our trip was a life-changing event that will impact the lives of many students here and abroad," continued Scarberry.

Scarberry and Garner are no stranger to African marimba music. For eight years, they have been teaching African drumming as part of their music curriculum.

On their trip to Mhondoro, Zimbabwe, they spent hours each day learning traditional songs, games and dances.

The trio also visited neighboring schools, where they taught music and shared gifts brought from Norman students.

"The children are very accepting, and were extremely pleased with the gifts we brought," said Garner. "Their playground is a sun-parched field with tires partially buried in the ground as playground equipment."

Back home, these teachers incorporated a day of activities based on knowledge acquired in Zimbabwe for students.

"We played games of net ball, which is similar to basketball, an African form of hopscotch and dodge ball. Perhaps the most fun for children is the hand-clapping songs and games," she said.

They also have shared footage of the trip and created a Web site, complete with photos and explanations.

Garner said her students were curious about a place that is so diverse and wondered if the children are happy without the toys, playground equipment and homes that are commonplace to them.

Perhaps one of the greatest offshoots of this Plank Award fellowship is that several people have become sponsors for individual Zimbabwean students, which provides a much brighter future for the entire village.