A program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), with funding provided by the U.S. Government and administered by IREX
2023-2024 PROGRAM OVERVIEW
FOR INTERNATIONAL TEACHERS
The Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement (Fulbright TEA) Program Media Literacy Cohort 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.
The 2023 program will mark the twenty-fifth year of the Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program (formerly the Teaching Excellence Awards program), the fifth year the program will be known as the Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program, and the fourth year to offer the Media Literacy Cohorts.
The Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program will bring international secondary-level teachers to the United States for a six-week professional development opportunity to take academic seminars at a host university, observe and share their expertise with U.S. teachers and students, and develop action plans to promote media literacy and critical thinking skills in their home schools, classrooms, and communities.
The program’s Media Literacy Cohort will include content-specific coursework with a focus on media literacy and critical thinking classroom skills. Seminar topics may include recognizing bias, propaganda, stereotypes, and misinformation; strategies for improving students’ critical thinking; how media literacy promotes civic engagement; the role of media in society; fostering cyber safety and digital citizenship in the classroom; and technology training.
Teachers are nominated to participate in the Fulbright TEA Program Media Literacy Cohort based on their educational experience, academic training, leadership, and professional experience. Final selection of Fulbright TEA Program Media Literacy Cohort 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 Media Literacy Cohort will:
- Take part in advanced 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 be expected to share the knowledge and experience gained on the program with teachers and students in their home schools and within their communities.
U.S. Embassy will select two finalists from Azerbaijan to participate in the Fulbright TEA ML program. Preference will be given to applicants teaching in the regions, however everyone is welcome to apply.
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, curriculum development, lesson planning, and instructional technology training for teachers. The Media Literacy Cohorts will offer additional academic seminars and content- specific coursework with a focus on media literacy, recognizing bias/propaganda, stereotypes, and misinformation; strategies for improving students’ critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills; how media literacy promotes civic engagement / the role of media in society; and fostering cyber safety and digital citizenship in the classroom. Please note that the program is designed to accommodate participants with an interest in the topic of media literacy but with minimal experience, as well as those more versed in the field.
U.S. School Placements: The program will also include a practicum of at least 40 hours with a U.S. partner teacher of English, social studies, history, civics, communications, journalism, math, or science in a U.S. 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.
What is the profile of the ideal Fulbright TEA Media Literacy candidate?
Successful Fulbright TEA Media Literacy candidates are current, full-time secondary school teachers of English, English as a Foreign Language (EFL), home country language and literature, social studies, civics, history, global studies, media studies, communications, journalism, law, math, or science at institutions serving primarily a local population.
Candidates should have experience or demonstrated interest in the field of media literacy and critical thinking.
Candidates must have a minimum of three years teaching experience by the start of the program with a preference for those who have completed five years of full-time teaching. Pre-service practicum years should not be included in the three-year minimum. Candidates should be planning to continue working in secondary education for at least five years after the conclusion of the program.
Candidates should be educators who demonstrate strong leadership or leadership potential and the ability to function well in an intensive and collaborative learning environment with teachers from around the world.
Candidates should be able to live and work closely with people from a variety of backgrounds and interact in a culturally sensitive way with students (minors) and colleagues in U.S. secondary schools. Preference will be given to applicants who:
- Are members of or who work with students from under-served communities or traditionally underrepresented groups including but not limited to women, racial, ethnic and religious minorities, people with disabilities, and the LGBTI community.
- Have had few or no opportunities to travel to the U.S.
- Have not previously received a Fulbright teacher grant.
- Have not had substantial recent experience in the U.S., including study, teaching, research or employment for a period totaling more than 9 months during the past five years.
Fulbright Program Partner Information
For more information, contact the U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan via email: bakueducation@state.gov or join the info session in February. All the information will be shared with prospective candidates on U.S. Embassy Facebook page.
APPLY HERE:
https://fulbright.irex.org/
Country Application deadline:
February 26, 2023
Online Application Guide for Applicants
Frequently Asked Questions
Program Presentation
Program Dates
Spring 2024
November-December 2023: Pre-Departure Orientation: Prior to arrival in the United States, the U.S. Embassy or Fulbright Commission will conduct a Pre-Departure Orientation for Spring 2024 teachers.
Late January 2024: Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program Spring 2024 Cohort Fellows begin their six-week program in the United States.
Mid-March 2024: End of spring 2024 U.S. program.
Fall 2024
By February 15, 2024: Posts/Commissions send Fall 2024 Cohort completed participant medical forms.
June-July 2024: Posts/Commissions conduct visa interviews and PDOs for Fall 2024 Cohort (making sure to allow adequate time, depending on the country context).
September 2024: Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program Fall 2024 Cohort Fellows begin their six-week program in the United States.
Late October 2024: End of Fall 2024 U.S. program.
Travel: IREX will make international travel arrangements and provide all teachers with an international airline ticket and a travel allowance to cover the cost of checked bags and incidental expenses. Fulbright teachers will also be reimbursed for round-trip travel expenses between their home city and the point of departure for the United States; however, participants (or U.S. Embassies and Fulbright Commissions) are responsible for making these domestic travel arrangements to and from the international airport.
You must arrive in the United States on the start date of the Fulbright TEA Program and return home at the conclusion of the Fellowship. Any personal travel during the program must be approved by IREX. You may not miss any program activities for personal travel or visits (including, but not limited to, courses, workshops, field experience, cultural and civic activities). You may not travel outside of the United States. If you do plan to travel within the United States, you are responsible for all related expenses and travel arrangements and must seek prior approval from IREX and your host university at least two weeks in advance by completing the U.S. Travel Authorization Form
Housing: Participants will live on or near the host university campus in housing in single rooms arranged for them by the university. Dependents are not permitted to accompany the teachers on the program.
Maintenance Allowances: Each Fulbright teacher will receive a maintenance allowance during the program to cover expenses such as supplies for classes, household items, personal items, and cultural and other activities. Included in this total is a daily stipend to purchase groceries, meals at local restaurants, or food from on-campus dining services.
Fulbright Program Partner Information
For more information, contact the U.S. Embassy or Fulbright Commission in your home country. Contact information is on the program website at www.fulbrightteacherexchanges.org.