Two Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) educators have been chosen to participate in the highly competitive Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Program, a yearlong initiative designed to prepare U.S. teachers to bring international perspectives into their classrooms.
Angela Williams of Seneca High School and Brandon Lewis of Pleasure Ridge Park High School will complete professional learning, cultural exchange, and collaboration opportunities with elementary, middle, and high school educators across the country as part of the program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.
Participants complete an intensive semester-long online course in global education, attend an in-person professional development workshop in Washington, D.C., and spend two to three weeks abroad immersing themselves in another nation’s culture and school system. Each educator also develops a global education guide to share what they’ve learned with their local community.
Williams, an Exceptional Child Education teacher, lead, and National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) at Seneca High School, said she’s eager to connect with global educators and see the impact of the program on her work.
“The Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Program will provide invaluable experiences that will transform my teaching by bringing the world directly into my classroom,” Williams said. “I aspire to become more culturally responsive to the incredible diversity of our students at Seneca, gaining a glimpse into their educational experiences in their home countries.”
Brandon Lewis, a teacher at Pleasure Ridge Park High School (PRP), said his passion for languages, cultures, and supporting multilingual learners inspired him to apply. He credited a fellow educator he met during a recent trip to Malaysia with encouraging him to pursue the opportunity.
“In the past three years, (PRP) has increased our number of multilingual learners to over 300,” Lewis said. “Working with multilingual learners and our ELD teachers gives me great joy. It is their inspiration along with the desire to bring in more resources and knowledge for my school that has driven me to apply to this prestigious program. I hope to use this Fulbright opportunity to strengthen my abilities as an educator, to collaborate with other educators abroad, and help take our school to the next level.”
Both Williams and Lewis will spend the coming year engaged in coursework and professional development before embarking on their international field experiences.
Learn more about the Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Program.