In October 2022, Teacher Exchange alumni were invited to apply for Global Teacher Grants to support education-based projects in their communities. We are excited to announce the 55 winning projects representing 29 countries!
Global Teacher Grants offer alumni of teacher exchanges an opportunity to demonstrate teacher leadership, develop themselves professionally, and enhance their role as change agents in their schools and communities. Fulbright Teacher Exchange alum Izuddin Syarif of Indonesia is committed to making a difference in the lives of at-risk youth through career and technical education, “This project is a collaboration between schools, industry, and the village government, which aims to provide entrepreneurial skills training for 60 students. Upon graduation, they will be ready to work.”
Recipients of Global Teacher Grants use the funding, in addition to resources, skills, and networks that they acquired during their exchange, to benefit their students, colleagues, administrators, and community. Inspired by her Fulbright experience at Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2020, Shermy Motlhabane of Botswana will collaborate with school and community leaders to establish anti-bullying campaigns and promote safe learning environments, “The project directly connects to my [Teacher Exchange] where I experienced how the safety of learners was prioritized. During my placement at both rural schools and urban area schools, the importance of having safe schools was at the core.”
Global Teacher Grants allow for a maximum of $3,000 in funding per individual award and $5,000 in funding per collaborative award. With a total of nearly $175,000 in funding, this year’s winning projects address themes such as developing students’ digital and media literacy, promoting social and emotional well-being, creating more inclusive learning environments, supporting culturally responsive arts initiatives, and advancing environmental sustainability efforts. Teacher Exchange alum Elizabeth Rwabu’s project will train 120 Ugandan teachers to use educational technology with a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, “Online learning is still ongoing, but learners with disabilities are being left out. The goal is to equip teachers with technology skills to adapt content to accessible formats.”
In the United States, Fulbright Teacher Exchange alum Joshua Amstutz of Ohio and his students will spotlight the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to investigate food security, nutrition, and sustainable agriculture, “The hope is that through the care given to the gardens and the community aspect of the gardens bonding us together… our students will have a better awareness on what it will take to end hunger on a global scale.”
This year, the winning projects will be led by 70 Teacher Exchange alumni and implemented in communities worldwide between January – July 2023. Global Teacher Grants are sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs with funding provided by the U.S. Government and administered by IREX.
