Each year, UNC Greensboro professors and students journey abroad for scholarship and service.
But the International Programs Center (IPC) also pursues opportunities to make our campus – and the surrounding community – a hub for international scholarship and a training ground for international teachers, and scholars.
This fall, 22 secondary school teachers, who come from 21 different countries and five world regions, will be paired with local teachers at Doris Henderson Newcomers School, Western Guilford High School, and Middle College at UNCG.
Their time in Greensboro is thanks to the Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement (Fulbright TEA) Program, a U.S. government program supported by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the U.S. Department of State, and administered by the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX).
UNCG is one of seven universities in the U.S. selected to host the six-week program, and it is the first time UNCG has received the associated $224,989 grant, awarded through a competitive process.
As the fellows teach locally through IPC’s partnership with Guilford County Schools, they will also work with university instructors on teaching methodologies, lesson planning, teaching strategies for their home environment and teacher leadership, as well as integrating technology in their teaching. While on campus, Fulbright TEA fellows will visit classes, serve as guest speakers and engage with organizations like the Center of New North Carolinians (CNNC) and the Coalition for Diversity in Language and Culture.
As well, they will enjoy unique opportunities to enhance their teaching and leadership skills and to increase their knowledge about the U.S. through first-hand experiences with cultural activities and through networking with their peers in North Carolina.
“The Fulbright TEA Program helps us bring the world to UNCG,” said program director and IPC Associate Provost for International Programs Maria Anastasiou. “We plan to maximize the benefit of having the breadth of expertise and international diversity on our campus by having the fellows interact with as many students, faculty, and staff as possible.”
The program will launch with the efforts of Dr. Ye He, Professor in the Department of Teacher Education and Higher Education, and a multidisciplinary team of more than 20 faculty and staff from a wide span of UNCG schools and departments, along with several graduate students.
“This program is a stellar example of the School of Education’s commitment to creating life-changing opportunities through education,” said School of Education Dean Randy Penfield, “We are thrilled to welcome the Fulbright TEA fellows to campus and to support them as they engage in the high-impact learning experiences supported by our broad network of community partners and collaborators across campus.”
For more information, to invite a fellow in your class, or to express interest in serving as a host family, contact Maria Anastasiou in the International Programs Center m_anastasio@uncg.edu or at 336-334-5404.
Story by Susan Kirby-Smith, University Communications, and the International Programs Center
Photography by Martin W. Kane, University Communications
