With the aromas of stuffed grape leaves and baklava in the air, the "Portrait of Turkey" presentation at the GoggleWorks on Sunday certainly had nothing to do with the upcoming Thanksgiving season.

The focus of the program was on the country and its people through lectures, presentations and crafts.

Giving a presentation about their recent trip to Turkey were four teachers: Laura Zamperini, a Wyomissing Junior/Senior High School arts teacher; Scott Snyder, Oley Valley High School, history; Heather McCord, Twin Valley High School, art; and Nicole Dysart, Reading High School, English.

Over the summer, the four took a trip sponsored by the World Affairs Council of Greater Reading and the Turkish Cultural Foundation.

"The expectation is that teachers will use this in their classes," said Carol Sabold, the program organizer who is a past president of the World Affairs Council.

Zamperini said she expects to do just that. She teaches a global perspectives art course and a ceramics class, both of which will benefit from the tiles and pottery she saw in Turkey.

"It's the crossroads of everything," she said of the country. "As an art teacher it was really amazing to see in person."

For the past three years, the World Affairs Council has sent Berks County teachers to Turkey with help from the Turkish Cultural Foundation.

For 12 days, the teachers toured nearly two-thirds of the country by bus to learn about art, religion, history and culture.

The trip is open to any Berks teacher from sixth to 12th grade.

Contact Kate Wilcox: 610-371-5015 or kwilcox@readingeagle.com.