The Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program (TEA) for 2008-2009 will provide 105 secondary school teachers from Eurasia, South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Western Hemisphere with unique opportunities to develop expertise in their subject areas, enhance their teaching skills, and increase their knowledge about the United States.

The international participants will travel to the United States in fall 2009 to participate in a 6-week professional development program at a U.S. university. The professional development program will include coursework and intensive training in teaching methodologies, lesson planning, teaching strategies for the participants' home environment, educational leadership, as well as the use of computers for Internet, word processing, and as teaching tools. The 6-week program also will include a 2 to 3-week internship at a secondary school to actively engage participants with American teachers and students. Trips to U.S. cultural sites and academic support will be provided for participants throughout the program.

In spring 2010 a cohort of 40 U.S. teachers will reciprocate the visits of the international teachers. Each U.S. teacher will be hosted by a TEA alumni school in the participating country where they will team-teach, and discuss best teaching practices, curriculum, and educational issues in the host country. The trip will include visits to local schools and parents' committees, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and local government offices.

Also, TEA will provide follow-on grants to the international teachers to purchase essential materials for their schools, to offer follow-on training for other teachers, and to conduct other activities that will build on the exchange visits. 

The TEA fellowship is fully funded and provides:

• J-1 visa support;
• Round-trip airfare from participant's home city to and within the United States;
• A Welcome Orientation in Washington, D.C.;
• University training program;
• Accident and sickness coverage;
• Housing (generally shared with other program participants) and meals;
• Transportation allowance for travel to school internship (if necessary);
• Book allowance;
• An End of Program Conference  hosted by one of the TEA host universities in the U.S.;
• The opportunity to host a U.S. teacher for two weeks; and
• The opportunity to apply for follow-on grants

Applications for the Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program can be obtained and submitted by contacting

International Research and Exchange Board (IREX)

vul. Velyka Vasylkivska (Chervonoarmiis'ka) 44, Suite 4, Kyiv,Ukraine 01004

Phone/Fax: (380)(44) 537-0604

http://www.irex.ua/

Contact person: Iryna Myroshnychenko  tea@irex.ua

Application Deadline: 5:00 PM, Friday, November 10, 2008