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Teacher exchange supports economic development
Third-grade teacher Shawn Hull returned to his Indianapolis classroom after a year teaching in Taiwan with a new outlook on his profession and Indiana’s place in an increasingly global society. A trained magician as well as a teacher, Hull’s unique skills proved to be an advantage in Taiwan as he mixed variety shows and magic into lessons designed to help students practice the English they were learning. Today, Hull applies what he learned abroad at Brook Park Elementary in MSD Lawrence Township – incorporating the Chinese language, culture and traditions into his teaching. Students in both countries have benefited from Hull’s experience, made possible when Indiana became the first state in the nation to form a teacher exchange agreement with Taiwan two years ago. The Indiana Department of Education has made a concerted effort to bring these international experiences to more classrooms across the state, forming similar partnerships with Spain and France and working to establish another with China. State education officials believe these connections are vital in preparing Indiana students for success in today’s global marketplace. “Our efforts to equip Indiana’s children with 21st century skills must include the study of world languages and cultures,” said Caterina Blitzer, coordinator of international education for the Indiana Department of Education. “Any business that thinks globally has an appreciation of the language and culture of its customers.” There are more than 850 foreign-owned companies from 30 countries operating in Indiana. Programs like the partnership with Taiwan offer opportunities for teachers and students to gain a better understanding of different cultures, history, language, interests and lifestyles – essential skills in a global economy. Blitzer serves as the Department of Education’s point person for facilitating policies and programs that will bring these international education opportunities to more K-12 classrooms across Indiana. Students in many countries begin learning other languages at a much younger age than their American counterparts. Districts like Hamilton Southeastern Schools in Fishers have made the strategic decision that language training should begin at the elementary level – they have chosen Chinese, Blitzer said. Jill Kreider a second-grade teacher at Bristol Elementary in Elkhart Community Schools established a pen pal exchange when she taught in Taiwan in 2005-06. The exchange provides cultural and language sharing for students from both countries. Today, she has her second-grade children write to the children in the school where she taught abroad. “I got the chance to work in a team setting. I taught in the same room with one of the teachers from the Taiwan school,” Kreider said. “The teachers at the school shared more with each other there.” The Indiana Department of Education is seeking more teachers like Jill Kreider and Shawn Hull to participate in the Taiwan teacher exchange program. Applications for the program are being taken through April 27. Interested teachers can call 317-234-2375 or apply online at www.doe.in.gov/opd/Int_St/Taiwan/welcome.htm. Story Ideas:
Editor’s Note: A print-quality map of Indiana companies with foreign investment and a photo of Indiana teacher Shawn Hull in Taiwan are available online at www.doe.in.gov/news.
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Indiana Department of Education |
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