International Leaders in Education Program 2016

What is International Leaders in Education Program 2016?

The U.S. Department of State and IREX announce an open competition for a program that will bring outstanding secondary-level school teachers to the U.S. for a professional development opportunity. The International Leaders in Education Program (ILEP) provides international teachers with unique opportunities to develop expertise in their subject areas, enhance their teaching skills and increase their knowledge about the United States. ILEP consists of a semester-long non-degree, non-credit academic program at a U.S. university including seminars on new teaching methods, curriculum development, lesson planning, teaching strategies, and instructional technology training. As part of the academic program, participants will work in groups to develop a unique teacher professional development module. Participants will also audit two courses in the host university’s School or Department of Education and participate in a field experience in a U.S. secondary school near the host university, during which participants work closely with U.S. teachers and teach and present to U.S. students. All participants will receive a technology allowance and instructional technology training. Cultural enrichment, mentoring, and support will be provided throughout the program. ILEP will commence in January 2017 and conclude in May 2017.

After returning home, teachers will be eligible to participate in a small grants program to request funds for essential teaching materials, follow-on training for other teachers, collaborative projects between their home schools and U.S. schools, and other activities that build on the exchange experience.

Who can apply for this scholarship ?

Applicants must:

• Be full time school teachers (6th to 12th grades) in a school that serves a primarily local (not expatriate) population;
• Have five or more years of classroom experience in ILEP teaching disciplines: English, English as a Foreign Language (EFL), Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, or Special Education;
• Be citizens of and residents in India;
• Live and teach in the states of Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli;
• Have earned a Bachelor’s degree with a teacher training degree;
• Be present in India at the time of submitting the application and for the interview;
• Obtain a minimum score of 500 on paper based TOEFL or 61 on an internet based TOEFL*;
• Demonstrate a commitment to continue teaching after completion of the program; and
• Have submitted a complete application.
   

*TOEFL scores are not required at the time of application. If you are short-listed for interview, USIEF will administer the TOEFL or an equivalent of English proficiency test.

How can you apply ?

You are required to submit an online application along with supporting documents.

Please note that USIEF will accept only online application form from Indian applicants. No paper application will be accepted.
 

APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 1, 2016
PROGRAM TIMELINE
APRIL 1, 2016                                         Application Deadline
Mid-end April 2016                                  Paper screening of the applications
Mid May 2016                                         TOEFL Testing/Interviews
September 2016                                     Notification of Finalists
December 2016                                      Pre-Departure Orientation
January-May 2017                                  U.S. Program Dates

Terms and Conditions

The International Leaders in Education Program promotes diversity in the classroom and in learning. ILEP supports inclusion and strongly encourages teachers with disabilities to apply. Preference will be given to applicants who serve students in under-resourced communities or from underserved groups.

SELECTION PROCESS AND CRITERIA
 

ILEP Fellows will be selected through a merit-based open competition based on the criteria below. Top candidates will be interviewed by an interview panel and must take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or equivalent English language examination or provide valid results from within the past year, or June 2015.
 

Selection Criteria (not in order of importance):

• Demonstrated commitment to teaching in the field of secondary education;
• Demonstrated leadership potential;
• Professional and educational experience and achievements;
• Potential for developing long-term linkages between U.S. and Indian educational institutions and schools;
• Preparedness (including maturity, flexibility, and ability to function independently) for an intensive U.S.-based training program with very limited free time for personal travel or sightseeing;
• Willingness and capacity to work and live collaboratively with international peers to foster a positive learning community for professional development;
• Ability to express ideas clearly and effectively; and
• English language skills adequate to manage coursework, develop lesson plans, and team-teach in U.S. schools (a minimum paper-based or equivalent TOEFL score of 500 is required for ILEP participation).
• Applicants who have had few or no opportunities to travel to the U.S. will be given priority.

Important documents

USIEF-2016-ILEP-Online-form-instructions-3738.doc

Important Links

• Original website
• Apply online link