U.S. Embassy in Malawi

OVERVIEW

The Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program (Fulbright TEA) is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The Fulbright program was established in 1946 under legislation introduced by former United States Senator William Fulbright of Arkansas. Fulbright grants are awarded to students, scholars, teachers and other professionals from the United States and to foreign nationals to study, teach, or conduct research. Since its inception in 1946, more than 400,000 “Fulbrighters” have participated in the Fulbright program.

Teachers are nominated to participate in the Fulbright TEA Program based on their educational and professional experience, academic training, and leadership. Final selection of Fulbright TEA Program teachers is made by the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (FFSB). The FFSB is an independent, presidentially appointed board that has oversight responsibility for all Fulbright academic exchange programs.

Program Components

Teachers who are selected to participate in the Fulbright TEA Program will:

• Take part in tailored graduate-level seminars at a U.S. host university.
• Observe classes, co-teach, and share their expertise with U.S. colleagues in U.S. secondary schools.
• Engage in an online professional learning community with other participants to share best practices and other elements of host and home country educational systems; and
• Take part in other educational and cultural activities while on program in the United States.

Upon returning home, teachers will share the knowledge and experience gained on the program with teachers and students in their home schools and communities.

University Coursework:

Weekly Seminars: Teachers will participate in weekly seminars at their host university featuring presentations and discussions led by university staff, faculty members, and invited educational experts. The Fulbright TEA Program provides academic seminars focusing on new teaching

methodologies, student-centered learning, content-based instruction, lesson planning, and instructional technology training for teachers.

U.S. School Placements: The program will also include a practicum of at least 40 hours with a U.S. partner teacher in a secondary school near the host university to actively engage participants in the U.S. classroom environment. Cultural enrichment, mentoring, and support will be provided to participants throughout the program.

Online Professional Learning Community: Each Fulbright teacher will participate in a virtual community with other international educators to collaborate and share best practices about education and leadership in the participating countries.