Monday, October 20, 2008

Fulbright Announces Awardees of 2009 Teacher Exchange Program


33 teachers from Uruguay to spend three weeks in U.S. schools
By Leigh Miller
The Fulbright Commission of Uruguay announced on October 15, the awardees of scholarships for the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program in the United States.
Thirty-three teachers, principals, subdirectors, superintendents and second language educators from across Uruguay were selected by the Fulbright Commission to visit the U.S. in February. Following an introductory visit to Washington D.C. to learn about the U.S. school system, they will then spend three weeks teaching alongside their U.S. counterparts in bilingual schools throughout the country.
The educators’ goals during the program will be to learn about the U.S. school system, teaching methods and American culture, and to share information about Uruguay with their host schools and families. Upon returning to Uruguay, the teachers will complete projects based on their experiences and maintain ongoing contact with the U.S. schools.
The awardees were congratulated by U.S. Public Affairs officer Robert Zimmerman, who also serves as chair of the Fulbright Commission, and the commission’s executive director, Mercedes Jimenez de Arechaga, during an introduction session held Oct. 15, at Cala di Volpe Hotel in Montevideo.
Ana Maria Carballo, national superintendent of the National Board of Education Public Elementary Schools Council (ANEP-CODICEN); Norma Quijano, advisor to the ANEP-CODICEN general director and Gabriela Casal, director of ANEP-CODICEN’s Second Language Program, gave words of congratulation and advice to the teachers during the meeting. Fulbright Commission Board Members Felipe Michelini and Leigh Miller also attended the event.
The annual Teacher Exchange Program, funded by the U.S.-based Fulbright Foundation, supports Uruguayan teachers to visit the U.S. each February, and American teachers to teach in Uruguayan schools each July.
Uruguay’s Fulbright program was established in 1960 to promote understanding between the U.S. and Uruguay through educational and professional exchange programs. In addition to the Teacher Exchange Program, the Fulbright Commission funds Uruguayan scholars to complete graduate study and research in the U.S. and supports educational partnerships, teacher exchanges and American Fulbright scholars doing projects in Uruguay. Visit www.fulbright.org.uy for more information on the Fulbright program in Uruguay.
The 2009 Teacher Exchange Program awardees are:
Canelones: Adriana Hernández, Etel Perdomo, Graciela Raquel Techera
Cerro Largo: Ana Isabel Borba, Wilson Fernandez
Colonia: Myriam Lourdes Ayala, Ana Victoria Vazquez
Florida: Gessy Pedreira
Montevideo: Ana Gabriela Abelenda, Luisa Ayerza, Mónica Grisel Bruguera, Maria Dolores Buján, Maria Isabel Eraña, Diego Estévez, Vilma Esther García, Sylvia Itté, Alicia Gloria Lacuesta, Carmen Nibia Lopez, Silvia Rosario Mariño, Sara Muñoz, María José Quintela, Ana Quinteros, Marcelo Rodriguez, Verónica Soler
Rocha: Faty Yanina de Avila
Salto: Gretel Beatriz Castagno, María Celia da Rosa, María José Souza
San Jose: Ana Inés Andrada
Tacuarembo: Nelly Graciela Caro, Gloria Silva dos Santos
Second Language Program: Gabriela Balao, Beatriz Tejeira

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I was lucky enough to host Maria Celia Da Rosa and Faty Da Avila at my home in February as part of the Fulbright exchange program. They are both truly amazing educators. We had so much fun together and I gained a deeper understanding of what it means to be a "teacher". It was fascinating to learn about the culture in Uruguay, about its geography and about the "One Laptop per Child" program. I am hoping to go to Uruguay this summer to continue this wonderful friendship that has begun.
With Much Love,
Diane Duckworth