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For a first-hand experience of America
CHITRA DEEPA A.
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Under the International Leadership in Education Programme, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, teachers from south India get an intensive six-month professional development training in a U.S. university.
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Photo: S. S. Kumar
Guiding teachers: Jane E. Schukoske (far right), executive director, USEFI, New Delhi, interacting with some of the teachers selected by ILEP at the pre-departure orientation programme in Chennai.
Eight secondary school teachers from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala, selected for the International Leadership in Education Programme (ILEP), will leave India on January 8, 2008, and spend six months (one semester) at a U.S. university undergoing intensive training in teaching methodologies, curriculum writing and teaching strategies for their home environment and educational leadership and will be familiarised with the use of computer and software that can aid them in t
eaching.
First-hand experience
The programme for the teachers teaching English, social studies, mathematics and science, also includes an internship at a secondary school to engage participants actively with the American teachers and students. The host universities for this programme are South East Missouri State University, Kent State University and Georgia Southern University. “The host universities were chosen in order to expose the participants and to make them experience the heartland (rural places) of America. We also want to spread awareness and expose the natives of the heartlands to the international guests,” says Jane E. Schukoske, executive director, United States Education Foundation in India (USEFI), New Delhi.
Mixed schools
The teachers selected for this programme are: Reena Alfred, Aplha Matriculation School, Chennai; Shaki Mani Choorapuzhayil, Lourdes Matha Higher Secondary School, Alapuzha, Kerala; Harikrishnan Dambe, Little Rock Indian School, Udupi, Karnataka; Parekaden Boby Rappai, Sacred Heart Convent, Trichur, Kerala; Anitha Nair, Trivandrum International School, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala; Rakesh Ramachandran, SRKGVM higher secondary school, Thrissur, Kerala; Mathew Tom Kalappurayil, St. Xaviers Vocationla Higher Secondary school, Kottayam, Kerala, and AjayakumarAroliveetil, Panchayath Higher secondary school, Kannur, Kerala.
“All eight teachers selected for this ILEP are from mixed schools, ranging from elite and private schools to government schools. Therefore, the teachers from India themselves are from a diverse background and upon their return they have to share their learning with their fraternity and peers,” says Sarina Paranjpe, Indian Programme Officer, USEFI, New Delhi.
Selection
In addition to teachers from India, ILEP brings together teachers from nine other countries to this professional development programme that will further develop their expertise in their subject area and enhance their teaching skills. This particular programme was offered only for the teachers in South India. Announcement was made in the media and the final selection was made by the U.S. Department of State in U.S. From the 98 applications that were received, and eight were selected.
Widening horizon
According to Ms. Jane, “ILEP provides a wonderful opportunity for teachers to learn about higher secondary education and teaching methodology in American schools. They get to meet people from various backgrounds and observe student life, understand the culture and thus get a first-hand experience of America.”
“When it comes to the selection, we look for experienced teachers who possess leadership qualities, are open and eager for professional development, and who present themselves as good cultural ambassadors for India. English skill is essential.” ILEP is a U.S. Department of State-sponsored programme administered by the USEFI and International Research and Exchanges Board.
Talking about the advantages of this programme to the teachers, Ms. Jane says, “USEFI is delighted to offer such programmes to teachers in India. They are the people who reach out to India’s youth at a very impressionable age. The teachers who undergo this professional development programme, return with a sense of optimism and enthusiasm, which they can pass on to their students.”
Small grant for ILEP alumni
The alumni of the ILEP programme who return to the home country can compete for a small alumni grant. They have to submit their proposal and compete either independently or collaborate with an American counterpart.
Projects can also be done in partnership with other alumni from other participating country. What they learned or acquired during their semester at the U.S. university can be applied for their project on their return. The schools may extend their support in this regard.
Ms. Priyadarshini Jayakrishnan, who teaches English at Padma Sarangapani Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Chennai, is an alumni of this programme and she had underwent training at Drexel University, Philadelphia. Ms. Jayakrishnan has now submitted her proposal to start a e-magazine in collaboration with her American mentor teacher based in Philadelphia and another alumni from Morocco. All the three school students will contribute to this magazine. All the participants are also encouraged to blog their experiences in the U.S university and schools.
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Education Plus
Karnataka
Chennai
Coimbatore
Hyderabad
Madurai
Tiruchirapalli
Vijayawada
Visakhapatnam
|
