ISFODOSU professor Fátima Pons drives community engagement through school projects

Santo Domingo.- The Félix Evaristo Mejía (FEM) campus of the Higher Institute for Teacher Training (ISFODOSU) is strengthening its ties with local communities by offering specialized value to schools and businesses. The effort is led by Dr. Fátima Pons, a research professor and head of Extension at the FEM campus.

Dr. Pons explained that as trainers of educational professionals, the university believes in collaborating directly with community spaces like schools. “By instructing, training teachers, counselors, and principals, we can empower people to work together to solve the challenges facing Dominican society. This is the core mission of the FEM Campus Extension Division,” she stated during a recent visit to the “Viva la Mañana” program on the EduMás platform.

ISFODOSU values families, viewing them as the vital support structure necessary for community improvement. Dr. Pons noted that her duty, along with the extension team, is to integrate with communities and schools, an effort that has received very positive responses.

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Dr. Pons cited the Educational Sites Project as a successful example of this outreach. The project helps participating schools transition from traditional paper bulletin boards to utilizing Google Sites for communication. This move allows educational centers to document their activities, manage projects, and enhance transparency using digital platforms.

She also discussed the Positive Discipline Project, which aims to create a synergy across the entire school ecosystem—students, teachers, and staff. This initiative is designed to promote and reinforce good behavior using concrete examples. Dr. Pons detailed that the project incorporates concepts from the teaching of Dr. Washington B. Collado, which are based on the studies of Dr. Becky Bailey (author of Discipline with Love and Logic) and Dr. Randall Sprick (A Positive Alternative to Behavior Management). The program includes activities, lessons, and mentorship to institutionalize positive discipline within the school environment.

As both a teacher and researcher, Dr. Pons emphasized ISFODOSU’s commitment to pedagogical excellence. “We are a university dedicated to disseminating education and pedagogy among our students,” she affirmed. “Our students are immersed all day in pursuit of proper training, focusing on ethics, principles, and values with a view toward strengthening our education here in the Dominican Republic.” This commitment to high-quality teaching is further reinforced by research projects that actively involve students, faculty, and graduates.