Call for Proposals is now: OPEN
The application deadline: March 30, 2023
The online application is available at: https://fulbright.irex.org
The Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program (Fulbright TEA) 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 Cohorts 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.
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.
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.
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.
Eligibility and Selection Criteria
Current secondary-level, full-time 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, or related fields at institutions serving primarily a local population
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
- Five or more years of full-time teaching experience
- Demonstrated oral and written English language proficiency
- Experience or demonstrated interest in the field of 21st century media literacy and critical thinking
- Citizen and resident of participating country
- Other requirements as indicated in the application
How to Apply
The online application is available at: https://fulbright.irex.org
A shortlist of candidates should be interviewed by the Embassy and Fulbright Commission.
All nominations for Fulbright TEA will be reviewed for technical eligibility by IREX and then read by panels of educational experts. The panels will recommend candidates to the FFSB based on a combination of the candidate’s application, Embassy and Commission ranking, and their own evaluation.
Program Dates
Spring 2023
November-December 2022: 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 2023 teachers.
Late January-mid March 2023: Fulbright teachers participate in the program in the United States.
Fall 2023
July-August 2023: Pre-Program Departure Orientation: Prior to arrival in the United States, the U.S. Embassy or Fulbright Commission will conduct a Pre-Departure Orientation for Fall 2023 teachers. 3
September-late October 2023: Fulbright teachers participate in the program in the United States.
What the Program Covers / Logistical Information
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.
More Information
For more information about FTEA program contact Fulbright Commission via email: office@fulbright.sk or Register for one of our Q&A webinars taking place either on February 21 or March 7, 2023.
