Deadline: April 15, 2016
The US Department of State through IREX invites applications for the 2016 Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program (TEA). TEA is an intensive six-week academic program that brings outstanding secondary school teachers from around the globe to the United States to further develop expertise in their subject areas, enhance their teaching skills, and increase their knowledge about the United States.
TEA consists of a six-week non-degree, non-credit customized academic programs, including seminars on new teaching methodologies, curriculum development, and instructional technology. Participants work closely with U.S. teachers in secondary schools while teaching students. TEA alumni are eligible to apply for small grants to implement self-designed projects that benefit their home schools and communities.
TEA is a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US Department of State.
Project Activities
- Teacher Training: TEA teachers participate in an intensive six-week academic program at a U.S. university that includes coursework and training in teaching methodologies, curriculum development, and education technology. The program also includes subject-specific strategies for teachers in the disciplines of math, science, social studies, and English as a foreign or second language. The program also includes field experience in an American classroom environment with an American partner teacher. Civic and cultural activities round out the interactive schedule for TEA teachers.
- Alumni Small Grants to Benefit Secondary Education: TEA alumni have the opportunity to apply for small grants to benefit their home schools and communities. These grants are awarded on a competitive basis to alumni who design outstanding projects to improve local secondary education.
Fellowship Benefits
- J-1 visa support;
- A pre-departure orientation held in participant’s home country;
- Round-trip airfare to and within the U.S.;
- A Welcome Orientation in Washington, D.C.;
- Academic program fees;
- Housing (generally shared with other program fellows) and meals;
- Accident and sickness medical insurance coverage (does not cover pre-existing conditions);
- Transportation to the practicum school (if necessary);
- A daily allowance for incidentals during the university academic program
- A book/professional development allowance;
- A baggage/shipping allowance;
- The opportunity to apply for alumni small grants
Eligible Teaching Disciplines
- English or English as a Foreign Language
- Social Studies (social studies, civics, history, geography, etc.)
- Mathematics
- Science
- Special Education teachers in the disciplines listed above
Eligibility
Eligible applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be current secondary school-level, full-time teachers in a school that serves a primarily local (not expatriate) population;
- Have five or more years of classroom experience in TEA teaching disciplines: English, EFL, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, or special education;
- Be citizens of and residents in eligible TEA countries: Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cote d’Ivoire, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Georgia, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Malawi, Mali, Moldova, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, Russia, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Bank/Gaza, Zambia, and Zimbabwe;
- Have earned a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent;
- Obtain a minimum score of 450 on paper based TOEFL or equivalent English language examination*; and
- Demonstrate a commitment to continue teaching after completion of the program.
- Staff or families of staff at a U.S. Embassy or Fulbright Commission are not eligible to apply.
- Former participants of TEA, the International Leaders in Education (ILEP) Program, Partners in Education (PiE), or the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program are not eligible to apply. If you have participated in other U.S. government-funded professional development exchange programs, please talk to the Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy in your country about your eligibility.
TEA is a program for practicing teachers. Ministry of Education officials, full-time principals or Educational administrators, full-time teacher trainers, university faculty, and private English Language tutors are not eligible.
Please Note:
*A limited number of participants with TOEFL scores between 425 and 450, or equivalent, will be accepted for the program into a special cohort with additional English language training included in the professional development program.
TEA promotes diversity in the classroom and in learning. TEA supports inclusion and strongly encourages teachers with disabilities to apply.
Application
- Information and Application for International Teachers
- Information for US Teachers
- See the TEA Application Instructions
For more information and to apply, visit Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program.
