ANSWERS to prospective participants' MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

1. In which countries are Host School Sites available?
2. What will my role be in the Host School?
3. What if I have a specific location or site in mind?
4. Can I choose my own location?
5. What are the COSTS of participating in the program?
6. Who makes my travel arrangements, and can I determine my dates of departure and return?
7. How might I utilize these 6 continuing education graduate credits?
8. What will the requirements be for the 6-credit course? Will I need to attend 'regular class sessions'?
9. Are there any opportunities for educators who would enjoy providing teacher in-service during their GEP experience?
10. What is the GLOBAL EDUCATORS PROGRAM application deadline?
11. What is the best way to get in touch with the program director?

In which countries are Host School Sites available?

During the past 20 years, I have arranged school placements for over 500 educators in over 50 countries worldwide; and each year I work with participants to initiate sites in NEW COUNTRIES, or new regions within countries, in response to their very specific and unique requests. I am dedicated to working with you to help you realize your personal goals!
 

What will my role be in the Host School?

The most common role is for participants to "team-teach alongside" an overseas colleague. In addition, educators often give presentations in a variety of classrooms, assist with special programs in the school, accompany teachers and their students on "field trips or school camp experiences", observe in other classrooms and area schools, etc. On some occasions, teachers might be more heavily involved in teaching…as in the case of teaching ESL in countries in which English is NOT the native language. Ultimately, your role will be determined by your goals, and designed in collaboration with faculty at your host school, to ensure that your international experience is a "mutually beneficial one" for everyone who is involved in your stay!
 

What if I have a specific location or site in mind?

I will be happy to work with you utilizing any "leads" that you might want me to pursue; or, if there are none, I will "start from the ground floor" and utilize the networks that I have found helpful in the past.
 

Can I choose my own location?

YES, you can choose your own town in a specific country, although I cannot guarantee that a school in the specific town will be willing to host an "overseas educator" from the US during the dates you have chosen.
 

What are the COSTS of participating in the program?

In general, the costs would include the following:

a) Application/placement fee: $125, to be sent in with your Program Application Form. This fee IS refundable IF I am unable to locate an acceptable placement site in your selected country. It is non-refundable IF YOU WITHDRAW your application once the search for a site has begun. This policy is in effect because costs are incurred whether you ultimately participate or not, and I'm sure you can understand the rationale behind the policy.

b) Registration/Tuition: $870 for 6 continuing education graduate semester credits (in or out-of-state). The course for which all participants register is titled: "Gaining a Global Perspective through Cultural Immersion".

c) Airfare: $500-1500 (depending upon destination). Participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements.

d) Accommodations: Participants should build into their budget approximately $100-150 per week (this amount includes room and 1-2 meals per day); payment is made directly to the host family (or guest house, B&B, etc. as the case may be). Living arrangements will be made for you by the program director (with the assistance of the host school) UNLESS you have friends or family in the desired location with whom you can stay, in which case you are free to determine how much you will pay them. Participants who bring family members may be required to make their own living arrangements.

e) Attendance at program seminars, workshops, or conferences that have an international or global education focus (IF these are chosen to complete your course requirements): For example, you would have some expenses such as travel costs, room and meals should you choose to build any of the following options into your Professional Development Plan.

• NWEA (NorthWest Education Assn.) -- Selected International Sessions -- October 8-9,2009 and/or October 14-15, 2010 ~ Eau Claire, WI
• ISSA (International Studies Schools Assn.) -- Please visit http://www.du.edu/issa/ for more information
• WCSS (WI Council for Soc. Studies)/International Education Conference -- March 15-16, 2010 ~ Madison, WI
• Pre-Departure Workshop or Meeting -- April, 2010 ~ Site to be determined.

f) Other costs one would need to consider on an individual basis might include: passport, visa, additional tourist travel, etc. NOTE: Costs directly related to participation in the program and completion of the "course requirements" would be tax-deductible, given the usual IRS guidelines for educational expenses.
 

Who makes my travel arrangements, and can I determine my dates of departure and return?

Since participants are NOT traveling as "a group", individuals are responsible for making their own travel arrangements. Regarding travel dates, you will request the preferred dates for your experience; these will obviously be determined to some extent by the school calendar in the country of your choice. However, you can choose to add weeks for additional travel to either end of your trip as your interests/schedule allow...and most participants take full advantage of the opportunity to do so. There is NO set date for beginning or ending your experience.
 

How might I utilize these 6 continuing education graduate credits?

Most educators will use the credits for "license renewal" (professional development) or for "salary improvement" (salary schedule/lane changes). These credits might be accepted within Masters (or Doctoral) Degree Programs, but you would need to discuss the course and your project plans with YOUR ADVISOR. In past years, educators have been successful in having the credits earned as a result of their participation in this, and similar, "overseas teaching experiences" accepted in established degree programs at a number of different colleges/universities. The University of St. Thomas is a highly regarded, fully accredited university, and your credits will be reported on an official university transcript.
 

What will the requirements be for the 6-credit course? Will I need to attend 'regular class sessions'?

Participants will not attend regularly scheduled class sessions on the University of St. Thomas campus. Your course requirements will include:

• Three credits = completion of a three-week team-teaching experience in a school overseas, including the preparation for such an experience and submission of a daily reflective journal.
   
• Remaining three credits = Personalized Professional Development Plan, designed by you, in consultation with the program director, including options such as attendance at seminars/workshops or conferences that have an international or global education focus, design of educational materials to globalize your curriculum, comparative research on topics related to your educational field, development of in-service opportunities for your colleagues in US or overseas, design of collaborative projects between your home and host schools/classrooms/colleagues, additional time in host school, etc. (See Course Contract Form).

Please note: The preceding ideas are only examples... the possibilities are unlimited! Participants are encouraged to give serious consideration to the ways in which this international experience can serve as a 'springboard' for significant personal and professional growth... and to the ways in which one's students and colleagues can share in the learning which occurs!

Applicants should submit the Graduate Course Contract/Professional Development Plan Form, along with their Program Application Form, to indicate which course "options" they intend to pursue to complete their course requirements.
 

Are there any opportunities for educators who would enjoy providing teacher in-service during their GEP experience?

Yes! The Global Educators Program: Professional In-service Team is a unique, opportunity for educators to provide and/or participate in professional development with colleagues in other countries. The program is designed for teachers who are interested in a professional international experience that is focused on providing in-service and staff development and who wish to travel with a team of 2 to 4 members.

Depending on the specific program, participants will spend up to four weeks in the host country. Up to one week will be spent team teaching and/or shadowing a colleague in the host school, providing the opportunity to learn about the curriculum and instructional design in that setting. The remaining time will include team teaching/shadowing, but will also include staff development activities focused on a specific topic of interest and/or expertise for the in-service team and the host school. Topics could include--but are not limited to--cooperative learning (or other group learning strategies), multiple intelligences, differentiating the curriculum for specific learner needs (G/T, LD, etc.), inquiry-based or hands-on learning strategies, ESL/EFL, specific discipline techniques or strategies, etc. Specific requests from host schools will determine the topics and schedule.

Schools in Ecuador, Ghana, Nepal, Tanzania, Paraguay and Russia, have expressed specific interest in a variety of topics. Schools in Mexico, China, Thailand and many other countries are interested in educators who can provide assistance to English language teachers. This is a wonderful opportunity to work with colleagues from other countries in exploring educational practices that will enhance opportunities for young people in that country. Participants will register for two to six graduate credits depending upon placement.
 

What is the GLOBAL EDUCATORS PROGRAM application deadline?

Educators are encouraged to submit their applications by mid-January; earlier is better, especially if the request is for a "new country/location" (or for the Professional In-service Team) which will require additional planning time. The DEADLINE is March 15; although under certain circumstances, placements CAN often be made after that date, and phone inquiries should be made before dismissing the possibility! The Program Application and Course Contract Forms can be downloaded from this site.
 

What is the best way to get in touch with the program director?

E-mail IS a very effective method for communicating with me. Should you prefer, I'd be more than happy to visit with you by phone to work out placement details, brainstorm possibilities, design project work, and respond to your personal questions and concerns!

• Opportunities to meet with me personally