U.S.-Ukraine Awards for Excellence in Teaching Program

The U.S.-Ukraine Awards for Excellence in Teaching (TEA) is an educational exchange program sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State (ECA/DOS) and is administered in Ukraine by American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS (American Councils) with support from the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine.

Professional Development Program:

Ten national winners will be invited to participate in a professional development seminar in the United States in summer 2005. The program includes a one-week orientation program in Washington, D.C., which provides an introduction to U.S. education and culture and the opportunity to visit historical and cultural sites. Following the orientation is an intensive six-week program hosted by a U.S. university, where teachers will exchange experience and further develop their skills in teaching English and American Studies. National winners participate in a three-day teaching conference with over 60 participants from ten countries, also held at a U.S. university. Costs for tuition, travel, accommodations, and a modest stipend are provided by the program. National winners may also apply to host a U.S. teacher in their home community and school for two weeks in October. Thirty-five regional finalists will receive an award valued at up to $125 from a set list of teaching and professional development materials. Their schools will receive awards valued at up to $800 from a set list of equipment of teaching materials. A school can receive only one set of awards per year, regardless of the number of its teachers chosen as regional finalists. No cash awards will be given. Once you are certain that you meet the eligibility requirements listed below, you must complete and submit one version of the application in English ALONG WITH TWO PHOTOCOPIES OF THE COMPLETED APPLICATION to the American Councils office nearest you no later than December 3, 2004, 17:00.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Citizens of Ukraine;
• Currently teaching at least 12 credit hours of English or American Studies in a secondary school in Ukraine (grades 5-11);
• Have at least three years teaching English and American Studies experience;
• Intend to continue teaching in a secondary school located in Ukraine during the subsequent two academic years;
• May not have spent more than 30 days in the U.S. on a U.S. government-funded program in the past five years;
• Graduated from a university, pedagogical institute, or teacher training institute; and
• If selected as a Regional Finalist (Round Two winner) in the TEA program a fourth time, after having won in three consecutive years, candidates may apply and be considered for participation in the professional development seminar in the U.S.; however, both teacher and school will not be eligible to receive a Round 2 prize.
• Previous TEA National Finalist (Round Three winners) who participated in the professional development seminars for any length of time in the United States are not eligible to reapply.

The Application Package:

The Application Package consists of three sections: Biographical Questions; Essay Questions; and Recommendations. When answering the essay questions, it is important that you provide as much detail as possible and concrete examples. Please urge the people giving recommendations to provide as much detail as possible and concrete examples, as well, in order to provide selection committees with as much information as possible. Answers should be typed or NEATLY hand-written. Illegible applications cannot be considered.

Additional materials such as student work, hand-outs, etc. should not be included with your application. Material that requires technical equipment, such as videotapes, will not be reviewed by the selection committee and should not be included. Nothing submitted can be returned to the applicant.

Check List: Before you submit the application package, carefully review the checklist below:

• Pages 3-9 of the application, completed in English;
• Sign the Certification and Agreement portion of the application located on page 9;
• Three recommendations; one completed and signed by a former student, one by a colleague, and one by a supervisor or teacher trainer. If the recommendations are not completed in English, an accurate translation must be submitted with the original. The translation does not need to be certified, but should be clearly marked as a translation;
• Two additional copies of the completed application, including copies of the recommendations and any supplementary materials.

• Download Program Description (English)
• Download Program Description (Ukrainian)

• FLEX
• FLEX-Ukrainian
• TEA
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