Biroul de Diplomaţie al Ambasadei Statelor Unite ale Americii la Bucureşti a anunţat lansarea ediţiei 2022 a Study for the U.S. Institutes for Secondary Educators.

Acest program este destinat profesorilor de limba engleză care predau la liceu şi este conceput sub forma unor cursuri de specializare de vară, cu o acoperire totală a costurilor şi diurna inclusă.

Pentru a participa la selecţie profesorii trebuie să trimită un e-mail de intenţie de participare la adresa de e-mail: alexandrescu@state.gov. şi să completeze unformular de participare care le va fi trimis ulterior.

Termenul-limită la care poate fi trimis formularul completat este vineri, 28 ianuarie, ora 23:59.

Detalii în documentul de mai jos, remis Inspectoratului Școlar Județean de Ambasada SUA:

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS:

SUMMER 2022 STUDY OF THE U.S. INSTITUTES FOR SECONDARY EDUCATORS

ACTION REQUEST AND SUMMARY:

1. The U.S. Embassy to Romania solicits candidate nominations for three summer 2022 Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSIs) for Secondary Educators.  All candidate nominations must be received at the following e-mail address: alexandrescui@state.gov by midnight on Friday, January 28, 2022.  Exact dates for the programs will be determined at a later time.  The Institutes will be conducted as traditional in-person programs at U.S. host institutions.  Should health, safety, and travel conditions continue to pose significant challenges, the programs will pivot to a modified virtual format.   

The interested candidates must ask for the nomination form at the following e-mail address: alexandrescui@state.gov. If the candidates do not receive the requested form in a term of 24 hrs. during working days (Mon-Fri), they should call 0040-721 288 797 from Monday to Friday, 10:00 – 16:00 hrs.

The nomination forms must be sent at the following e-mail address: alexandrescui@state.gov in a Word format only no later than Friday, January 28, 2022, 23:59 hrs.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW:

2. Study of the U.S. Institutes for Secondary Educators (SUSIs) are intensive post-graduate level academic programs whose purpose is to provide foreign secondary school educators and administrators the opportunity to deepen their understanding of U.S. society, culture, values, and institutions.  The ultimate goal of the Institutes is to strengthen curricula and to enhance the quality of teaching about the United States in secondary schools and other academic institutions abroad.

 3. Study of the U.S. Institutes for Secondary Educators will take place at various academic institutions throughout the United States over the course of five weeks beginning in June 2022.  Each Institute includes a four-week academic residency component and a one-week integrated study tour to another region of the United States.  Prospective applicants are encouraged to visit the SUSI website page to obtain general information about the Institutes.  The website address is: http://exchanges.state.gov/susi.

 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

 4. The Study of the U.S. Institutes for Secondary Educators (SUSIs) will provide three multinational groups of 20 experienced secondary school educators (including teachers, administrators, teacher trainers, curriculum developers, textbook writers, Ministry of Education officials, and others) with a deeper understanding of U.S. society, education, and culture – past and present.  The Institutes focus on providing content and materials for participants to develop high school level curricula about the United States.  Two of the Institutes are tailored for secondary school teachers; please note that the Institutes for Teachers focus on content and materials about the United States rather than teaching methods and pedagogy.  The third Institute is tailored for experienced administrators including teacher trainers, curriculum developers, textbook writers, Ministry of Education officials, and others.

 5. Through a combination of traditional, multi-disciplinary, and interdisciplinary approaches, program content will examine the history and evolution of U.S. institutions and values, broadly defined.  The programs will also serve to illuminate contemporary political, social, and economic debates in American society.  The four-week academic residencies will take place at U.S. university and college campuses and will consist of a balanced series of lectures, panels, seminar discussions, readings, workshops, site visits, meetings with practitioners in the field, and cultural activities.  One-week study tours to a different region will complement the academic residencies and showcase the cultural, geographic, and ethnic diversity of the United States.  The program features curriculum based on the study of how America’s foundations and historical development have shaped and continue to inform U.S. politics, economics, and society.  A key cultural component of the program involves community service activities, which will provide participants with a first-hand experience of how volunteerism plays a vital role in U.S. civil society.  The program will offer multiple opportunities for follow-on engagement through alumni webinars, grant-funded follow-on projects, social media, and an alumni workshop.

 6. The University of Montana in Missoula, MT will oversee and administer the three SUSIs for Secondary Educators and will conduct one Institute for teachers which will explore American studies through the lens of democracy and citizenship.  The Institute for Training and Development (ITD) in Amherst, Massachusetts will conduct the second Institute for teachers which will explore the ways in which individual rights and social obligations have evolved through American history.  California State University at Chico will conduct the Institute for Administrators and will focus on sociocultural understanding, equitable learning communities, and diversity and inclusion in U.S. education and society.

OTHER ESSENTIAL PROGRAM INFORMATION:

7. Through awards given to the Institute of Training and Development (ITD) and the University of Montana (UM), all participant costs will be covered, i.e. program administration; book, cultural, mailing and incidental allowances; and housing and subsistence.  If the program is conducted virtually, ECA will work with ITD and UM to provide a technology stipend to all participants.  If the program is conducted virtually, ECA will work with UM to provide a technology stipend to participants.  

8. Program Requirements and Restrictions: All participants are expected to participate fully in the program.  Candidates should be made aware that they are applying for an intensive program and there will be little time for personal pursuits unrelated to the program.  The Institute is not a research program.  Participants must attend all lectures and organized activities and complete assigned readings.  Family members and/or friends may not accompany participants on any part of the program.  Please note that Institute curriculum will not formally address teaching methodology and pedagogical methods.  If the program is conducted virtually, the same participation requirements apply.  Please make these requirements clear to all nominees.

 9. English Language Ability:  All candidates must be proficient in English so that they can actively participate in the academic program.  Host institutions will take into account that the level of comprehension and speaking ability of participants may vary and will prepare lectures and discussions that meet the highest academic standards while using language appropriate for participants whose English is their second or third language. 

 10. Housing and Meal Arrangements: Each participant will have a private room but may be required to share a bathroom with a participant of the same gender during the Institute.  Most meals will be provided at campus facilities; participants may have access to a kitchen to cook some meals on their own.  Please make sure that you are comfortable with such arrangements. 

 11. Care will be taken to ensure that any special requirements regarding diet, daily worship, housing, and medical care are satisfied.  However, while Institute staff will make available special accommodations to the greatest extent possible, participants must be reminded that full participation in all Institute activities is still expected.  Should a participant need to quarantine due to positive COVID-19 test results, accommodations will follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.

 12. For all Institutes, the implementing partner (UM) will arrange and pay for international and visa travel.  The host institution will provide each participant with a $100 travel allowance.  In all Institutes, the host institutions will cover any travel within the United States during the Institute.

 13. Health Benefits: All participants will receive the U.S. Department of State’s Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE) health benefit, that provides coverage of up to $100,000 with a $25 co-pay per medical visit and a $75 co-pay per emergency room visit, for the duration of the program.  Pre-existing conditions may be covered up to $100,000, subject to policy exclusions and limitations.  COVID-19 is treated like any other illness under the ASPE policy.  Information on the health benefit program may be found online at https://www.sevencorners.com/gov/usdos.

14. Expectations: Violations of program rules, U.S. host institution rules, or U.S. local, state, or federal laws can be grounds for immediate dismissal from the program.  It is important that these requirements and restrictions be made clear to all candidates before nominations are submitted. 

 15. Virtual Program Contingency: Should health, safety, and travel conditions continue to pose significant challenges, the SUSI will pivot to a virtual format.  The virtual program will consist of a minimum of 36 hours of required programming and will be a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning.  To the extent possible, the virtual programming will include lectures, small group discussions, videos, readings, panels, site visits, assignments, and individual and group activities.  Participants are required to fully participate in the entire virtual program from their home location outside the United States.   

 16. Connectivity: Should the program need to pivot to a virtual format, participants would need access to a computer and a stable internet connection.  If a participant does not have a computer or adequate internet access, the University of Montana (UM) will work with the participant to facilitate computer access on an as-needed basis.  Participants would be expected to actively engage in all program activities, and therefore, they should notify immediately the host institution and post of any issues with their online access during the duration of the program as well as any difficulties affecting their participation.  

 CANDIDATE DESCRIPTION AND QUALIFICATIONS:

 17. Study of the U.S. Institutes for Secondary Educators are highly competitive.  To confirm suitability for the program as well as the required English fluency, an American officer at the U.S. Embassy may interview the proposed nominees.  Priority will be given to candidates who have firm plans to enhance, update, or develop courses and/or educational materials with U.S. studies focus or component; who have no prior or limited experience in the United States; and who have special interest in the program subject areas as demonstrated through past scholarship, accomplishments, and professional duties. 

18. Candidates should be mid-career, typically between the ages of 30-50, highly motivated, experienced secondary school teachers and administrators. 

19. Ideal candidates are individuals whose home institution is seeking to introduce aspects of U.S. studies into its curricula, to develop new courses in the subject of the Institute, to enhance and update existing courses on the United States, or to offer specialized seminars/workshops for professionals in U.S. studies areas related to the program theme.  While the nominee’s educational and professional credentials are an important consideration, the potential impact and multiplier effect from their participation in the Institute is equally important.  Ideal candidates will have little or no prior experience living or visiting in the United States.

20. As noted above, candidates must demonstrate English language fluency.  Institutes are rigorous and demanding academic programs conducted entirely in English.  Participants will be expected to read and comprehend substantial written materials and assignments in English and to participate in all seminar and panel discussions fully and actively.  English fluency is vital to a successful experience in the Institute, for participants as individuals and to foster a cohesive and interactive group. 

21. Candidates should be willing and able to fully take part in an intensive post-graduate level academic program.  It is important that the prospective participants are likely to be comfortable with campus life and an active program schedule. 

22. U.S. citizens and permanent residents (green card holders) are not eligible for these programs.

OTHER FACTORS FOR CONSIDERATION:

 23. As a general rule, no more than one teacher and one administrator per country for a total up to two nominations per country will be selected.