Interview with Laura Ruth Ward, August 24, 2022

Project: Peace Corps: The Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Oral History Project

Interview Summary

Ukraine, 2009 – 2012, TEFL Laura Ward grew up in eastern Kentucky. With parents working in community services, she was exposed early to volunteerism. She received a master’s in English from the University of Louisville. Laura was invited to a TEFL teacher training project in Ukraine. Pre-service language training was practical, engaging and experiential. In retrospect, she felt more emphasis on practical introduction to progressive teacher training techniques would have been beneficial. Laura was assigned to a pedological school co-teaching with other English instructors. Co-teaching allowed Laura to model more progressive and engaging teaching techniques in contrast to the traditional rote learning being used. Laura participated in summer camps and developed original curricula for teacher training seminars. Laura stayed for a third year to complete the school year. She also assisted Peace Corps with assessing potential sites for in-coming PCVs and speaking at PSTs. Laura talked about challenges, memorable moments, relationships, and approaches to change.

Interview Accession

2022oh1667_pcrv0637

Interviewee Name

Laura Ruth Ward

Interviewer Name

Randolph A. Adams

Interview Date

2022-08-24

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Ward, Laura Ruth Interview by Randolph A. Adams. 24 Aug. 2022. Lexington, KY: Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.

Ward, L.R. (2022, August 24). Interview by R. A. Adams. Peace Corps: The Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Oral History Project. Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries, Lexington.

Ward, Laura Ruth, interview by Randolph A. Adams. August 24, 2022, Peace Corps: The Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Oral History Project, Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.





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