Well, How Did I Get Here?

Dazu Stone Carvings near Chongqing, China

While perusing my Facebook feed one lazy Saturday afternoon last August, I saw a post by a friend who had just returned from the Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Orientation in D.C. She had uploaded pictures from the event with a list of the different countries participants would be visiting. I was amazed to read that these teachers would be spending three to six months in a foreign country. In 2014, I was selected for the Fulbright-Hays Summer Seminars Abroad Program. I spent four weeks in some of China’s most culturally significant cities: Beijing, Xi’an, Chongqing, and Shanghai. This experience transformed the way I approach instruction, and I have been seeking field-based professional development opportunities like this ever since. Hence, after having learned about the Fulbright DAT Program by accident on Facebook, I began my quest to become a 2018 Fulbright Teacher. I spent the better of that day and night in August investigating the Fulbright DAT Program’s eligibility requirements and the application process. After all, with the deadline set for the first of December, there was no time to waste.

Eligibility:

The Fulbright program encompasses diversity. So it only makes sense that a wide spectrum of teachers are eligible to apply. The program is open to current full-time elementary through high school teachers, guidance counselors, curriculum specialists, Talented and Gifted coordinators, Special Education coordinators, and media specialists/librarians. The program also seeks applicants who are accomplished teachers and have experience conducting professional development activities. 

To meet the basic eligibility requirements of the program, an applicant must meet all of the following requirements at the time of application:

• Be a U.S. citizen;
• Be fluent in English;
• Hold a Master’s degree (or be enrolled in a Master’s program at the time of application);
• Be employed full-time at an accredited school in the U.S. or in a U.S. territory;
• Spend at least 50% of their time teaching or working directly with primary or secondary level students;
• Have taught primary or secondary students for at least five years.

Funding:

The Fulbright grant provides funding for program costs for the U.S. grantee. Each grantee receives a monthly allowance that covers housing, transportation, daily living expenses, and costs associated with other program activities. 

The Application:

There is a great deal one can expect to gain from becoming a Fulbright Distinguished Teacher. If selected you get to:

• Study and observe international best practices in education;
• Share professional expertise with educators and students in the host country;
• Develop leadership skills and understanding of educational policy;
• Enhance your ability to work in diverse and multicultural environments.

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Participating Countries in 2017-2018:

Botswana, Finland, Greece, India, Israel, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Palestinian Territories, Singapore, Taiwan, United Kingdom, Vietnam

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Inquiry Project:

Each Fulbright Teacher must complete an inquiry project. Inquiry projects are to reflect activities undertaken as part of the Fulbright program experience. The product should be of direct relevance to the teacher’s teaching, home school, and host country.

Possible formats include:

• Written report or research paper
• Curriculum unit or individual lesson plans
• Instructional Game
• Book, e.g., children’s book, demo book
• Media: Video, recordings, dynamic PowerPoint presentation

My inquiry project will investigate how Finnish schools use project-based learning to enrich students’ use of 21st century skills, especially at the elementary level. My research will provide valuable insight into several core principles of librarianship: interdisciplinary teaching, student-led instruction, cooperative learning, strategic use of technology, and the development of global competencies through the investigation of real-world issues. More information about my inquiry project will be coming soon. 

Phone Interview for Finalists:

My office on phone interview day!

Around March, finalists for the Fulbright DAT Program are notified! If that is you, you will schedule a phone interview with a staff member of IIE. This is a great opportunity to talk about more about your qualifications and inquiry project. The interview takes place via telephone and lasts no longer than 30 minutes. Be prepared to discuss your application and your overall goals for the program. I might have taken my preparation a little overboard! I covered my tiny office with papers about my application, inquiry project, and Finland. The funny thing is that even though I had this information readily available during the phone interview, I hardly utilized it. Reviewing my application and creating notes gave me the confidence I needed to discuss my project in a natural, thoughtful way. Plus, It really helped that I spoke with someone from IIE who was extremely friendly and personable. 

Once all of the finalists’ interviews are complete, selection decisions are made. I learned of my final selection by email in early April! It is a long process but totally worth it. I do not regret any second spend responding to prompts, developing, my inquiry project, or seeking letters of recommendations. Nine months after first learning of the Fulbright DAT Program on Facebook, I found myself a Fulbright Teacher uploading the official program badge to my email signature. My oh my how time flies! 

Learn more about applying to become a Fulbright Teacher at www.fulbrightteacherexchange.org.