JAPAN
Primary and Secondary
Teachers
and Administrators
The
Fulbright Memorial Fund Teacher Program (FMF)
The
Fulbright Memorial Fund Teacher Program (FMF) is designed to provide American
primary and secondary school teachers and administrators with opportunities for
fully-funded short-term study programs in
Japan
. Its aim is to
increase understanding of
Japan
among a crucial group
of Americans who will be helping to shape and educate the next generation of
leaders in the
United States
. The program will provide significant professional development
opportunities for individuals who traditionally may not have had such
opportunities, while increasing the level of understanding between
Japan
and the
United States of America
.
Recipients
of the FMF grant will travel to Japan to participate in a three-week program
that features an orientation to Japan followed by visits to primary and
secondary schools, teacher training colleges, cultural sites, and industrial
facilities. Meetings with Japanese teachers and students, and home stays with a
Japanese family are also key components of the program. At seminars in
Tokyo
, participants are
introduced to the Japanese culture and education system and meet with Japanese
government officials and educators. Participants also visit urban schools,
museums, and historic landmarks. Then, they are assigned to small groups which
spend the next nine days visiting a particular city outside of
Tokyo
. There the
participants visit local schools and teachers' colleges, where they interact
with Japanese teachers, students, and parents. For many, the highlight of the
study visit is a short homestay with a Japanese family. The program concludes
with debriefing sessions in
Tokyo
where all participants
share their experiences and insights. Throughout the study visit, participants
are encouraged to discuss their "follow-on plans" and develop
strategies for sharing their experiences with their schools and communities in
the
U.S.
Eligibility
FMF
seeks primary and secondary educators with great potential for the 21st
century. A minimum of two FMF awards will be given to each of the 50 states and
Washington
,
DC
in order to reflect a
broad cross-section of the American primary and secondary community. Applicants
must be employed full-time as
teachers or administrators at primary or secondary levels (grades 1–12);
please note that auxiliary personnel (guidance counselors, nurses, social
workers), as well as kindergarten teachers, and university professors are NOT
eligible. Applicants must reside in one of the 50 states or the
District of Columbia
, and must be a
U.S.
citizen at the time of
application. The spring cycle (June) is open to primary and secondary school
teachers only. The fall cycle (October and November groups) is open to primary
and secondary school teachers and administrators.
Qualifications
Applicants
should demonstrate the following: (1) Commitment to implementing a carefully
designed follow-on plan and to remaining active in the field of education as a
primary or secondary teacher/administrator in order to share experiences gained
through FMF on a long-term basis (at least 2–3 years) in the classroom,
school, and community, (2) Serious academic/professional interest in curriculum
development, teaching methodologies and/or projects and activities related to
Japan, and (3) Personal adaptability and flexibility, sensitivity to group
dynamics, and ability to be a team player as demonstrated by applicant's
recommendations from supervisors and education professionals.
Application
The
Institute
of
International Education
(IIE) coordinates the publicity, recruitment, screening, and
pre-departure services of applicants in the
United States
. To complete the application on-line or to request and application
packet, please contact IIE Program Officer, Jaime McQueen. Phone: 1-888-527-2636 Fax: 202/326-7698
fmf@iie.org Institute of International
Education http://www.iie.org/pgms/fmf
Applications are due in December.
For
further details, contact
Dr.
Jean Benton, Scully 421,
Southeast
Missouri
State
University
,
Cape Girardeau
,
Missouri
63701
, jbenton@semo.edu