The UW–Madison School of Education hosted 21 secondary-level educators from abroad again this fall as part of the Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement (Fulbright TEA) program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by IREX.
These teachers came to Madison from 17 different countries across Eastern Europe and Central Asia. They arrived in Madison on Sept. 13, and left town on Oct. 30 for a three-day conference in Washington, D.C., before heading home.
While spending time on campus and around the Madison area, the visiting educators took part in an academic program focused on media literacy, technology, contemporary issues in education, and language pedagogy.
The program included a field experience component at either Monona Grove High School or Verona Area High School. The group also enjoyed some fun activities, like touring the Wisconsin State Capitol and checking out the Dane County Farmers’ Market, taking in a Badgers football game, visiting Chicago, and attending the School of Education’s Homecoming Tailgate event Oct. 7 at Union South.
Before departing, several of the visiting teachers shared their thoughts with the School of Education about their time via a Q&A. Following is what Olga Šilová, who is from the Czech Republic, shared about her experience:
Why did you apply for the Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement program? Every day in my teaching career I feel the need to improve. To know more, to be a better teacher. As a teacher of languages and civics I believe that this TEA program was just tailored to my needs.
Overall, how would you describe your experience? My expectations were high but it was much more than I had expected. I believe it will help me a lot in my teaching.
Is there a particular highlight that stands out to you from this program and your time in Madison? Apart from great UW courses we had a chance to share our teaching practices within our group of Fulbright teachers. Seeing what my colleagues do was incredibly interesting and valuable.
What is one thing you learned during your time in Madison that you hope to take back home and be able to implement it in your classroom and country? There were so many amazing things. … One thing: I’m sure I will try the Socratic Seminar with my students. If the result is not 100 percent for the first time, I will keep trying.
Similarly, what do you hope those on the UW–Madison campus and in the surrounding communities have learned from you? We had a great discussion with the students from Monona Grove High School about my country. I hope they’ve learned new things about Czech Republic. At least they know now that it does exist … : – )
What did you know about Wisconsin and the United States before coming to Madison? And how, if at all, have your perceptions changed about this state or the U.S.? I did prepare. But reading about a place and seeing photos is definitely not the same as being here. Madison is even more beautiful than I expected. And I loved the liberal atmosphere here. Wisconsin has so much to offer. I’m a big hiker so I really enjoyed the Devil’s Lake State Park.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about yourself or this experience? Yes! There is great Latino dancing happening here in Madison. I took it as a part of my cultural (and sport) experience and I went dancing to the Capitol Social every Wednesday. I can’t wait to tell my friends in my dancing club at home about it.
Note: This story was funded in part by a grant from the United States Department of State. The opinions, findings and conclusions stated herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of State.