Cultural Educator of the Year
Jen Austen - Ga. Outstanding Cultural Educator
“My students have loved having a teacher from England. For many it is the first exposure they have had to the world outside their community, and it has opened their eyes to the diversity of the world. During my time in the USA, I have learned about different theories and strategies in teaching, making me a more versatile and confident teacher. I look forward to incorporating these new ideas into my classroom back in the UK.”

Jennifer Austen • United Kingdom United Kingdom
Georgia Oustanding Cultural Educator

First-grade teacher
Harriet Tubman Elementary ▪ Fulton County Public Schools, Georgia

Each time Jennifer Austen mentions the “rubbish bin,” she has the opportunity to talk to her first-graders about her homeland, England. Vocabulary is just one tool Austen uses to integrate her culture into daily lessons at Harriet Tubman Elementary School. She and her students have compiled a list of vocabulary differences between American and British English. Her students have become so familiar with the British terms that they “translate” for visitors.

This second-term VIF teacher uses lessons on map skills to teach her students the location of England. Austen encourages the children to teach her about American customs, and they discuss similarities and differences between the two countries.

Austen helped organize a two-day Olympic Games at school, with teams representing different countries. Austen’s “Team England” learned a traditional English country dance, which they performed at the closing ceremony. She even taught the students some football (known in the U.S. as soccer) chants to use to encourage their teammates during the games. During the week leading up to this event, she gave fellow teachers information on British culture and history, so her colleagues could teach their students, too.

Lacey Andrews, Student Support Team Chairperson, Harriet Tubman Elementary:

“Ms. Austen’s students have learned so much more than the first-grade curriculum. Because of her, the students and staff have learned about a different place and culture from that of their own. Every day she makes a difference in a child’s life.”