Interview with Peggy Steinhagen, May 31, 2022

Interview Summary

Peggy Steinhagen served as a peace Corps Volunteer in an Education Program in Dominica from 1994-96. She applied while teaching science in Texas and was originally assigned to Uganda, but reassigned to Dominica at the last moment because of political turmoil in Uganda. She discusses training and homestay in St. Lucia, including working in a summer science camp, teaching science in at the primary, secondary and teacher college level in Marigot, enriching the school library after floods, establishing a resource cabinet for teachers, and conducting cultural diversity training on other Eastern Caribbean islands. She talks proudly about her students and learning to be a more resourceful teacher. She tells stories of personal connections with neighbors and prime ministers, her ongoing relationship with friends she made, her return to Dominica and the multi-generation legacy of her cat. She concludes that despite some hardships, her experience was very positive.

Interview Keyword

Peace Corps (US) Dominica (Country of Service) Education (Peace Corps program) 1994-6(2 ½ years of service) NASA Grant for Curriculum writing program (teacher training in science education in which she participated in Houston Texas).

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