JAPAN   Secondary School Teachers
                      Toyota International Teacher Program

Program Overview and Themes
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. , Inc. (TMS) offers secondary school teachers a unique opportunity to travel to Japan through the Toyota International Teacher Program. During this short-term study program, participants will be exposed to Japan ’s past and present, as well as global issues shared by industrialized nations. The program will focus on four major themes — history, education, environment and technology — and how these affect industry and society.  The themes are explored each year through the lens of various interdisciplinary activities such as: History: Participatory traditional arts; Guided historical and cultural site visits; Lectures / discussions with Japan historians and cultural experts. Education: Exposure to elementary, secondary, and technical schools; Lectures / panel discussions with teachers and university educators; Environment: Examination of land reclamation projects; Tour areas of environmental protection; Lectures / discussions with environmental experts. Industry: Introduction to industry, both automotive and textile manufacturing; Lectures / discussions on ancient to modern industrial development. Participants will visit several locations in Japan including the cities of Tokyo , Toyota City and Kyoto , the ancient capital of Japan , as well as other locations in the south central region. The program takes from mid-June to mid-July, including travel time, two nights in Los Angeles for pre-departure orientation and 13 nights in Japan . All direct costs of participation (transportation, lodging and meals) will be paid by Toyota . A total of 50 teachers from Alabama , California , Indiana , Kentucky , Michigan , Missouri , and West Virginia will be selected to participate.

Objectives
The Toyota International Teacher Program was commissioned by Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. in 1998 to strengthen its on-going commitment to education — specifically to teachers. For several years Toyota has provided grants to K-12 science and math teachers, and continues its support by offering this international professional development opportunity for secondary school teachers. Specific program objectives include the following: Provide a professional development opportunity to build global skills and perspectives; Facilitate the flow of knowledge and ideas to address international issues in the classroom and enhance high school curriculum; Promote understanding of the effects of history, the arts and values on approaches to education in Japan and America; and Increase awareness of key global issues — technology, environment, resource management and industry — through exposure to special environmental projects, to the automobile industry and to related manufacturing

Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the following requirements to be eligible for participation: Be a U.S. citizen at the time of application; Be employed full-time as a secondary school teacher (grades 9 -12); Work in the states of Alabama, California, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri or West Virginia; and Have a minimum of three years full-time teaching experience by the time of the program. NOTE: Relatives of employees of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. , Inc., its subsidiaries, affiliates and Toyota and Lexus dealerships are not eligible. Relatives of employees of the Institute of International Education and members of the program Review Panel are not eligible.

Selection Criteria
Program participants will be selected through a competitive, merit-based process. Applications will be individually and jointly reviewed in Washington , D.C. by members of an IIE-organized Screening Panel, with relative merit determined by applicants' overall professional qualifications, motivation for participating in the program, and evidence of leadership skills. The potential long-term impact of the program experience also will be based on review of the applicant's proposal for incorporating international perspectives into instructional practices upon returning to the U.S. Specific criteria are as follows: Professional Qualifications - as evidenced by successful classroom teaching approaches incorporating interdisciplinary / global outlooks, educational background, involvement in continuing professional development, and endorsements of supervisors and colleagues. Reason(s) for Participating - as evidenced by applicant's statement of intent and professional goals, letters of reference, previous participation in international activities, and letters of reference. Leadership - as evidenced by involvement in the community such as participation in key committee positions and group presentations, management and organization roles in the school environment, and supervisor's assessment of pertinent skills. Potential Value of Program Experience - as evidenced by the quality and feasibility of interdisciplinary Impact Plans to draw on program experiences after returning to the U.S.

Application Process
On-line Applications. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications on-line. Please visit www.iie.org/programs/toyota and follow the instructions for applying on-line. On-line applicants will also need to submit the following by mail: Applicant Reference Form - form available for download at www.iie.org/programs/toyota/ Referees should complete sections A and B, or in lieu of section B, one page or letter attached; Signed Principal Approval - form available for download at www.iie.org/programs/toyota/  Note: You will not need to submit a hard copy of the Applicant Data Form, the Personal/Professional Background, or the Statement of Intent forms). Applications must be post-marked by January.

Frequently Asked Questions
May I apply even though I am not a teacher of Japanese language or history? Yes. The program is of general interest to secondary school teachers of all disciplines - including art, physical education, history, geography, mathematics and science. Previous knowledge of Japan or Japanese subjects is not a selection criteria. Instead, the program seeks teachers who are interested in learning about the country and its people, and who will draw on their program experiences to enrich their teaching and professional activities. In fact, participants with little or no Japanese experience may benefit a great deal from this program.
If I do not teach in the classroom full-time, am I still eligible for the program? No. Eligible applicants are full-time classroom teachers only. If you are an administrator and teach classes only for part of the day, you are not eligible for the program. Librarians and counselors are also not eligible.
I don't speak Japanese and I've never traveled overseas. Will this matter? No. Program activities will be conducted in English and participants will receive detailed information packets well in advance of travel. Before departure for Tokyo , all participants will attend a predeparture orientation workshop in Los Angeles to discuss details of the in-country program. Participants will travel to Japan together and will be escorted by program officials throughout the program.
This program is "fully funded." What does this mean, specifically? This means that expenses specific to the program will be covered by Toyota Motor Sales, USA . This includes costs of program materials, transportation, meals, and lodging. Applicants should note that they also may need to consider other costs, such as those associated with being away from their jobs during the program and other pre-departure expenses such as passports, travel supplies, etc. Such costs are not funded by the program. Schools should regard their educators' participation in this program as a valuable investment for their students and communities. As such, they are encouraged to explore with participants avenues for sharing any costs not covered by the program sponsor.
Are there any program requirements upon return to the U.S. ? Yes. Immediately following the study-program participants must submit a revised Impact Plan for sharing the experience with students and colleagues, as well as a brief article reflecting on their experience in Japan .
May I bring family members or friends with me on the program? No. The program will not accommodate family members or friends. Participants will travel as a group throughout the program and are expected to attend all program activities.  Each participant's time will be fully occupied with site visits and related discussions.
I already have Japanese experience. Will this increase my chances of being selected?
The selection committee will work toward creating a diverse group of participants and the value of prior experience will be judged on its individual merit. If you have prior experience in Japan , you should consider carefully, and explain specifically, how this program would build on your previous exposure.
I want to apply, but am not sure if I'll be able to go this June. What should I do? All applicants should obtain supervisor clearances or make other necessary arrangements before submitting their applications. On your application form you must confirm that you are available on the indicated program dates. If you aren't sure, it is better to apply during another program year.
I am planning to retire and/or leave the field of education in the near future. Should I apply?
The principal objectives of this program are accomplished through classroom impact activities of educators who have returned to their U.S. classrooms. For this reason, preference will be given to applicants who plan to remain in the field of education as a classroom teacher.
Is the program open to educators in states other than those listed? No. The program is offered at this time to educators in the states of Alabama , California , Indiana , Kentucky , Michigan , Missouri and West Virginia .
Are there any special health requirements for participation? There are no special health requirements for participants. However, participation will require extensive travel and a rigorous program schedule, and applicants are asked to consider the physical demands of this program (including strenuous walking, extensive stair climbing, etc.) before applying. If you are accepted as a participant, you will need to have a medical examination and provide a completed medical form with your doctor's certification of your fitness for travel.
Will I need a passport to travel to Japan ?
Yes. You must have a passport valid until at least January 2004. If you do not have a passport, contact a passport agency and allow 4 to 6 weeks to receive a new or renewed passport.

For further information contact: Dr. Jean Benton, Coordinator of International Programs, College of Education, Southeast Missouri State University, MS5575, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701   (573-651-2440)  jbenton@semo.edu