Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program 2015

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program (TEA) will provide international teachers with unique opportunities to develop expertise in their subject areas, enhance their teaching skills, and increase their knowledge of the United States.

The Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program (TEA) will provide approximately 160 secondary school teachers from East Asia and the Pacific, Europe and Eurasia, the Near East, South and Central 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. TEA consists of a six-week non-degree, non-credit academic program at a U.S. University. The international participants will travel to the United States in two cohorts of approximately 80 teachers each in spring or fall 2016. TEA provides academic seminars focusing on teaching methodologies, curriculum development, lesson planning, teaching strategies, and instructional technology training. Intensive English language instruction will be offered to teachers who need additional practice. The program will also include a field experience at a U.S. secondary school where participants work closely with U.S. teachers and teach and present to U.S. students. Cultural enrichment, mentoring, and support will be provided to participants throughout the program.

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.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

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 TEA teaching disciplines: English, EFL, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, or special education;
• Be citizens of and residents in India;
• Live and teach in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Telangana;
• 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 450 on paper based TOEFL or equivalent English language examination*;
• Demonstrate a commitment to continue teaching after completion of the program; and
• Have submitted a complete application.

*A limited number of participants with TOEFL scores between 425 and 450, or equivalent, will be accepted for the program into a special cohort with additional English language training included in the professional development program. 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.

The Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program promotes diversity in the classroom and in learning. The TEA Program supports inclusion and strongly encourages teachers with disabilities to apply.

APPLICATIONS NOT MEETING THE ABOVE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS WILL NOT BE FORWARDED TO THE SELECTION COMMITTEE.

IREX reserves the right to verify all of the information included in the application. In the event that there is a discrepancy, or information is found to be false, the application will immediately be declared invalid and the applicant ineligible.

PROVISIONS OF THE FELLOWSHIP

• J-1 visa support;
• A pre-departure orientation held in participant’s home country;
• Round-trip airfare to and within the U.S.;
• A Welcome Orientation in Washington, D.C.;
• Academic program fees;
• Housing (generally shared with other program fellows) and meals;
• Accident and sickness medical insurance coverage (does not cover pre-existing conditions);
• Transportation to the practicum school (if necessary);
• A daily allowance for incidentals during the university academic program
• A book/professional development allowance; a baggage/shipping allowance; and
• The opportunity to apply for alumni small grants.

SELECTION PROCESS AND CRITERIA

TEA 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 a year of the application deadline. TOEFL scores received between June 2014 and the application deadline are valid for consideration and use for selection committees to assess an applicant’s English language proficiency.

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 450 is required for TEA participation).
• Applicants who have had few or no opportunities to travel to the U.S. will be given priority.

GENERAL APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS & SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

• Please answer all questions on the application.
• Please type or print in black ink.
• If a question does not apply to you, enter N/A (not applicable).
• Include your full, legal name as spelled on your passport (if available) or other photo identification.
• Include complete contact information (including zip/postal codes for all addresses and city codes for all phone and fax numbers if available).
• Write your full name, city, and country in the top right corner of each page.
• Hand sign the Privacy Policy on the last page with ink.

A completed application includes all elements listed below. You may submit your application by April 1, 2015 to USIEF Regional office in Hyderabad in paper form in the following order:

1. Application,
2. Institutional Support and Reference Form completed by your supervisor, and
3. A copy of the photo and information pages of your passport (or photo identification).

 PROGRAM TIMELINE