Wednesday, October 10, 2001
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Wednesday, October 10, 2001 |
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Fayette's international teachers inspired by school system's hospitality
Three teachers of exceptional children have come from different parts of the world to the Fayette County School System with one common goal: to make a difference in the lives of students. Johanna Hughes of Scotland, Karen Kline of Australia, and Cathleen Jensen of South Africa chose to leave their homes, families and friends to come and teach in a country whose education philosophies and methods are revered the world over. Although each teacher came prepared to learn valuable education techniques and strategies, they say their experiences of friendship, generosity and hospitality have far exceeded their expectations. Hughes is in her sixth year of teaching at Greenview Primary School in Glasgow, Scotland. She and fellow Fullbright Scholar Marviesta Jordan of East Fayette Elementary swapped schools at the beginning of the year to gain exposure to teaching in different countries. Hughes was especially excited to come to America because her school system is beginning to adopt an inclusive approach to teaching exceptional children. Currently, exceptional students in Scotland attend a special school instead of being integrated into regular classrooms like in the United States. "I wanted to come to America because the United Kingdom takes a lot from it," said Hughes. "The inclusive environment interested me because my country is moving in that direction. When I return home I hope to be able to assist my school system with the change." With the exception of inclusion, Hughes says the American and United Kingdom school systems are, for the most part, on a par with each other. Both have access to televisions and computers in the classroom and both enjoy support from school administrators. However, one major difference across the board is the way in which teachers are viewed in the two countries. Hughes says that in Scotland the child is seen as always being right, so it is the teacher's fault when he or she does not excel. In contrast, she has noticed that in the U.S. there is a strong link between parents, the school and students. "Here everyone works together to ensure the success of the child," she said. "This type of situation is essential to education. It has been lovely to come here and not be the bad guy." When Hughes first arrived in Fayette, she did not have a car. She says fellow teachers at East Fayette helped her become acclimated by showing her around the county and inviting her to their homes for dinner. "The people here are great. I had heard about Southern hospitality but I have been showered with more generosity than I had ever expected. I would definitely consider coming back to teach again," she said. Hughes will return to Scotland at the end of the 2001-2002 academic year. Like Hughes, this is Kline's first time teaching in America. She is a participant in the Visiting International Faculty Program, which arranges for educators in other countries to teach in the U.S. Principal Diane Teer turned to the VIF program after she was not able to find a teacher to fill a vacancy at Hood Avenue. Teer says she could not be more pleased with Kline's performance and sees her as an asset to the school. "We are so lucky to have found Karen. We needed an exceptional children teacher and had not found one and the beginning of school was getting close. That's when I decided to go through VIF to try to find a teacher," said Teer. "Clemene Ramsey [exceptional children coordinator] and I interviewed her over the phone. It was 2 a.m. the next day in Australia. Even though we woke her up, she was very alert and attentive. She had all the right answers to our questions. It was the best interview I have ever had." Kline says she has been amazed at the amount of support teachers receive from administrators as well as the high morale of the staff members. "Back in Australia I would be lucky if I saw my principal at a staff meeting. I see Ms. Teer just about every day and she is always asking her staff if there is anything they need," said Kline. "Everyone at the school helps each other. It is wonderful." Kline says she wanted to come to America to teach because the education curriculum in Australia is modeled after that of the U.S. While the teachings are similar, Kline says the environment and culture is completely different. The schools in Australia are two-story, wooden buildings without air conditioning. Unlike American schools, teachers do not put a lot of effort into their classroom presentations, Kline says, adding that students begin the first day of the school year with bare walls. As students complete projects throughout the year, teachers hang them up for decoration. Kline's students are just as curious about her as she is to experience the American educational system. She says they are most interested in the way she says certain words. "I'll say pick up the rubbish and put it in the bin," she said. "They will look at me funny and then I'll say 'trash' and 'trash can' and they give me a look like why didn't you just say that in the first place." Kline says she would like to stay at Hood Avenue for another year. The VIF program allows teachers to work in the U.S. for up to three years. "This is an easy place to live. I think the country is beautiful. It would be lovely to stay here for another year to see what I have implemented. I can see myself wanting to come back here," she said. While Kline is beginning her first year with VIF, Jensen is entering into her third and last year with the program. When she first came to the U.S., Jensen taught at a school in North Carolina before coming to Flat Rock Middle. Jensen has been so impressed with the Fayette County School System and the teaching staff at Flat Rock that she is hoping to find a way to remain at the school. "I will be very sad if I have to leave but I don't know if I will be able to stay. It's something I don't like to think about right now," Jensen said. The aspect Jensen likes most about Fayette's school system is the support she has received from school and county administrators. She credits executive director of personnel Judy Byrd, staff development coordinator Terri Gaspierik, Superintendent John DeCotis and Principal Tyrone Jones for making her feel welcome in an unfamiliar environment. "One day Dr. DeCotis left a note in my mailbox that said 'I appreciate you and thank you for all that you do.' Mr. Jones stops by my room from time to time just to say hi. This means more to me than money. These personal touches are very important to a foreign teacher," said Jensen. Since coming to the U.S., Jensen says she has enjoyed luxuries in the classroom that teachers in South Africa only dream about. She says there are no televisions or computers in every classroom. Most teachers have about 50 students in each class and there are no school buses to transport students to and from school. "Some kids in Africa have to walk very long distances. Just coming to school is challenging," she says. Although Jensen has her own classes to teach, she says she realizes that there are more students at Flat Rock who need her help. She makes it a habit to arrive early in the morning and stay late in the afternoon so students who need her assistance can get it at their convenience. "This is my way of saying thank you to the community. If I can just make a difference in one child's life, then I have achieved my goal," Jensen says. Since teaching in Fayette, Jensen's biggest reward was when a former student presented her with a "star award" for the extra help Jensen had given her during the school year. "When she handed me the award she said, 'Thank you for making a difference in my life.' That just made my year."
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