2014 Study of the United States Institutes for Secondary School Educators
Call for Applicants
The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy at Bridgetown, Barbados is now accepting applications from secondary school educators to participate in a summer Study of the United States Institute for Secondary School Educators. We are particularly interested in receiving applications from educators in the Science, Technology, Mathematics and Engineering (STEM) fields.
Program Dates
The Study of the United States Institute for Secondary School Educators will take place over the course of five weeks beginning on or after June 2014.
Program Description
Three institutes for secondary educators will be offered - two with a focus on classroom teachers and the third with a focus on administrators, teacher trainers, curriculum developers, textbook writers, and ministry of education officials, among others. Each Institute includes a four week academic residency component and a one week integrated study tour.
The Study of the U.S. Institutes for Secondary School Educators will provide a multinational group of 20 experienced secondary school educators with a deeper understanding of U.S. society, education, and culture – past and present. The focus of the Institute will be on providing materials for participants to develop high school level curricula about the United States. To this end, the Institute may be organized around a central theme or themes in U.S. civilization. Through a combination of traditional, multi-disciplinary, and interdisciplinary approaches, program content will elucidate the history and evolution of U.S. institutions and values, broadly defined. The program will also serve to illuminate contemporary political, social, and economic debates in American society. The four-week academic residency will be complemented by a one-week study tour. The aim of the study tour is to showcase the rich cultural, geographic, and ethnic diversity of the United States. The University of Illinois will host one Institute for teachers; the hosts for two additional Institutes (one for teachers and one for administrators) will be communicated at a later date.
Program Details
Travel and administration: All participant costs will be covered including program administration; travel and ground transportation in the United States; and book, cultural, housing, subsistence, mailing, books, and incidental allowances.
Housing and Meal Arrangements: Participants may be asked to share living quarters during the residency portion (four weeks) of the Institute. Private room accommodations cannot be guaranteed during the residency portion of the program. During the study tour (up to one week), participants may share a hotel room with a participant of the same gender. During the residency, housing will typically be in college or university owned housing. Most meals will be provided at campus facilities, though participants may have access to a kitchen to cook some meals on their own. Care will be taken to ensure that any special requirements regarding diet, daily worship, housing, and medical care are satisfied.
Health Benefits: All participants will receive the Department of State's coverage of up to $100,000, with a $15 co-pay per medical visit, for the duration of the program. Pre-existing conditions are not covered. Information on the health benefit program may be found online at usdos.sevencorners.com.
Program Requirements and Restrictions: All participants are expected to participate fully in the program. Selected participants must attend all lectures and organized activities and complete assigned readings. Family members and/or friends cannot accompany participants on any part of the program. Candidates should be made aware that this is an intensive Institute and there will be little time for personal pursuits unrelated to the program. The Institute is not a research program.
Applicant Description and Qualifications
Priority will be given to candidates who have firm plans to enhance, update or develop courses and/or educational materials with a U.S. studies focus or component, who have no prior or limited experience in the United States, and who have special interest in the institute topic as demonstrated through past scholarship, accomplishments, and professional duties.
Candidates should be mid-career, typically between the ages of 30-50, highly-motivated and experienced secondary school educators. This Institute is for secondary school teachers, teacher trainers, curriculum developers, textbook writers, ministry of education officials, secondary school administrators, or other related professionals with responsibility for secondary education. Ideal candidates are individuals who are seeking to introduce or enhance aspects of U.S. studies into their curricula or to offer specialized seminars/workshops for education professionals in U.S. studies or related fields. While the nominee’s scholarly and professional credentials are an important consideration, the potential impact and multiplier effect of the Institute is equally important.
Candidates should be willing and able to fully take part in an intensive post-graduate level academic program and study tour. First consideration will be given to mid-career professionals and to persons who are likely to be comfortable with campus life and an active program schedule.
Additional Information
Participants in Secondary Educator Institutes may, at their own expense, opt to extend their stay in the U.S. after the close of their program to the extent allowed by visa regulations. Under the terms of their J-1 Visas, participants generally have up to 30 days after the end of the program to depart from the U.S. However, the participant must be aware that he/she is responsible for all arrangements and expenses after the end of the Institute and will no longer have the sponsored health benefits. Participants should bring their own spending money if they wish to purchase souvenirs or other items during their time in the United States.
Applicant Statements
In order to get a better sense of potential participants' motivations and goals, applicants should provide a short personal statement (one page) indicating why he or she is interested in participating in the program and what he or she expects to get out of the experience. In addition, statements should describe the applicant’s capacity/plans to amplify the impact of the institute beyond just their own knowledge and research. Priority will be given to applicants who have firm plans to enhance, update or develop courses and/or educational materials with a U.S. studies focus or component, who have no prior or limited experience in the United States, and who have special interest in the program subject areas as demonstrated through past scholarship, accomplishments, and professional duties.
Applications should send a personal statement and current curriculum vitae to
If you have questions send an email to:
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