International educators Thomas Kientega (Burkina Faso), Moussa Tangara (Mali) and Uugantsetseg Gantumur (Mongolia) have been placed with teachers at Chelmsford High School through the Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program.
by Jennie Oemig
CHELMSFORD – Every year, the Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement (TEA) Program brings international secondary-level educators to the United States for a six-week professional learning opportunity at a host university.
Dr. Linda Hirsch, assistant superintendent for Chelmsford Public Schools, said UMass Lowell is hosting 20 Fulbright TEA educators this year, and three of them have been placed with instructors at Chelmsford High School.
“They are learning about the American education system and they work closely with our teachers,” she said. “Our teachers are learning from them, and our students are benefitting from them.”
Chelmsford High world language teacher Veronica Gadbois said this is her sixth year being involved in hosting participants of the TEA program.
“It’s been a wonderful experience getting to know all of these scholars,” she said. “This experience doesn’t only help us in our teaching, but it also helps our students.”
During their time in the program, Fulbright TEA participants attend academic seminars that focus on topics such as new teaching methodologies, student-centered learning, instructional technology and content-based instruction.
They also complete a minimum of 40 hours in a field experience with a U.S. partner educator of their same or a similar discipline in a local secondary school.
In addition, participants learn about the United States and their host communities through an offering of cultural activities.
“One of my dreams was to come to the United States to study,” said Moussa Tangara of Mali. “I’m here now and I think I came to the best place in Massachusetts. … It’s the best place for me to share and to learn from the teachers about teaching.”
While here, Mr. Tangara said he observed a number of classes, and plans to use the knowledge he has gained to make some changes in his home country.
“To change the behavior in teaching is not something easy,” he acknowledged. “I can see this situation like a revolution for me. … I hope and I’m sure I will win this revolution.”
Thomas Kientega, from Burkina Faso, said teachers at CHS have been incredibly welcoming, which has made the overall experience even better.
“We are delighted to be partnered with nice people from Chelmsford High School who used their valuable time and resources to help us grow professionally,” he said. “The professional immersion I had at Chelmsford High School will really be helpful to me and my colleagues, in addition to my students back home.”
Uugantsetseg Gantumur, from Mongolia, said she has gained a great appreciation for project-based learning and social-emotional support for students.
“I’m very happy because I’m taking a lot of things from your country to implement in Mongolia,” she said, adding that she learned English from Peace Corps members. “One person can change a lot of things, which I kept telling your students, inspiring them to be good volunteers around the world.”
