ABSTRACT
In this chapter, we describe the history of coming to work with educators in Belize, Central America. We discuss our difficulties, negotiations, and breakthroughs in enacting effective professional development across cultural lines of difference. Specifically, we discuss our initial focus on materials and instructional programs, the difficulties we encountered with this approach, and a shift to focus on leveling power relations, building trust, and cultivating relationships. As it turned out, this shift was essential for paving the way to sustainable change. Finally, we argue for the importance of this shift for successful professional development in intercultural contexts.
