Fulton County school, administrator receive statewide awards from VIF Program
Area teachers also honored by nation’s largest cultural-exchange program

For release: March 17, 2008

Additional Resources

Printable Version (pdf) VIF Fact Sheet (pdf)

Chapel Hill, N.C. – School administrators in Georgia are leading the way in providing students 21st-century skills and international knowledge. Fulton County Schools has been honored by the Visiting International Faculty Program for striving to provide international education to students.

International Education Advocate of the Year:
Rick White, Director of Human Resources

Why: The diverse mix of nationalities and subjects of VIF teachers complements his district-wide recruitment efforts. He participates in international exchange opportunities both personally and professionally, while supporting teacher success.

School of the Year:
Evoline C. West Elementary

Why: Students, teachers, parents, and school staff actively participate in the cultural events that VIF teachers initiate. Evoline C. West continues to be an ideal environment for cultural exchange to thrive. A VIF teacher there has also been honored.

The honors are from the Visiting International Faculty Program (VIF), the largest international-exchange program sponsoring teachers from around the world to teach in U.S. schools for up to three years before returning home. With comprehensive support services to help ensure a rewarding experience, VIF is sponsoring over 1,600 teachers from almost 60 nations in nearly 1,000 schools.

One way that Fulton County Schools offers these skills to students is through hiring highly qualified international educators. These 39 VIF teachers are fostering curiosity and an understanding of the world and inspiring student achievement. Three of these international teachers have been honored as Outstanding Cultural Educators:

Jennifer Austen, a teacher from the United Kingdom, teaching at Harriet Tubman Elementary, organized a two-day “Olympics” at school, with different classes representing different countries around the world.

Marcela Uribe, a teacher from Colombia, teaching at Evoline C. West Elementary, displays art of artists around the world.

“The new perspectives and techniques that teachers from different countries bring to their U.S. schools help expand instruction to encompass broader and more diverse points of view that help prepare our students for an increasingly interconnected world,” said David B. Young, president of the VIF Program.

According to a survey by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills released in late 2007, 99% of respondents believe that the future economic success of the United States is tied to students’ learning 21st-century skills, such as communication and collaboration with other cultures. Students must be taught in new ways and be exposed to more international experiences. VIF teachers broaden student’s thinking as they are adept at integrating international and cultural material into their lessons.

About the VIF Program:
The Visiting International Faculty Program is the largest international-exchange program linking U.S. schools and teachers worldwide. The VIF Program selects, sponsors and supports highly qualified international educators who work as full-time teachers in U.S. schools for up to three years, serving as cultural ambassadors and providing students an international education for success in the global economy. VIF teachers return home from the professional-development experience to contribute to education in their nations and serve as goodwill ambassadors for the United States. Learn more: www.vifprogram.com.