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The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos is pleased to announce the annual call for applications for the 2020-2021 Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement (TEA) Program. TEA is a six-week non-degree, professional development program fully funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), and implemented by IREX, a U.S. based NGO and the Public Affairs Sections of the U.S. Mission in Nigeria.

TEA consists of customized academic program in U.S. universities including seminars on new teaching methodologies, curriculum development, lesson planning, teaching strategies and instructional technology. Participants will also participate in practicums in U.S. secondary schools near their host universities to work closely with U.S. teachers to teach U.S. students. Cultural enrichment, mentoring, and support will be provided throughout the program. Selected teachers will travel to the United States and participate in either of two cohorts: Spring (January-March 2021) or Fall (September-October 2021).

SEE ALSO: JOINT JAPAN/WORLD BANK GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM 2020 FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES NATIONALS (FULLY FUNDED TO JAPAN)

Upon returning home, TEA program participants are eligible to apply for small grants for essential teaching materials, follow-on training for other teachers, collaborative projects between schools in their home country and the United States, and other activities that build on their exchange experience in the United States.

Note: The TEA program promotes diversity in the classroom and in learning, and it supports inclusion and strongly encourages teachers with disabilities to apply.

The Purpose of the TEA Program: The TEA program offers a unique opportunity for outstanding secondary school teachers who lack international exposure and is designed to:

• develop expertise in their subject areas.
• enhance their teaching skills.
• increase their knowledge of the United States.
• develop productive and lasting relationships and mutual understanding between U.S. and international teachers and their students.
• preparing participants to serve as teacher leaders who, upon returning home, will apply and share their experience and skills with their peers and students.

Application Deadline: Please note that the STRICT deadline for submitting online applications with supplemental documents uploaded as part of the applications is Sunday, April 19, 2020.

Grant Benefits: The TEA program provides J-1 visa support, a pre-departure orientation to be held in PAS, round-trip airfare to and within the U.S, a welcome orientation in Washington, D.C., academic program fees, housing (generally shared with other program fellows), accident and sickness medical insurance coverage, transportation to the teaching practicum school (if necessary), a daily allowance for meals and incidentals during the academic program, baggage/shipping allowance, book/professional development allowance and the opportunity to apply for alumni small grants after the completion of the program.

Note: TEA program does not cover travel of family members; hence participants will not be allowed to travel with spouse, children, relatives and friends to the United States even at their own expense.

Eligible Teaching Disciplines for the TEA Program are:

• English or English as a Foreign Language
• Social Studies (Social Studies, Civics, History, Geography, etc.)
• Mathematics
• Science
• Special Education teachers in the disciplines listed above

TEA Program Eligibility: Fulbright TEA fellows are selected through a merit-based, open competition based on eligibility criteria below. Applicants must:

• be citizens of Nigeria and currently residing in the country.
• have earned a bachelor’s degree or equivalent education and experience.
• be current secondary school-level, full-time teachers, including special education teachers at secondary schools that serve primarily local (not expatriate) population.
• have five or more years of classroom teaching experience.
• ability to express ideas clearly and effectively.
• demonstrate English language skills adequate to manage coursework, develop lesson plans, and team-teach in U.S. schools. The candidates must earn a minimum score of 80 in the internet based TOEFL–IBT test. PAS will provide vouchers for shortlisted candidates to cover testing fees.
• have leadership skills and ability to motivate students to learn in an emphatic manner.
• preparedness (including maturity, flexibility, and ability to function independently) for an intensive U.S.-based program at a U.S. university with very limited free time for personal travel or sightseeing.
• willingness and capacity to work and live collaboratively with international peers to foster a positive learning community for professional development.
• demonstrate potential for developing long-term linkages between U.S. and Nigerian educational institutions and schools.
• have high motivation and a serious commitment to continue teaching after completion of the program as scheduled and to returning home.
• ideal candidates will have little or no prior experience in the United States.

TEA program seeks applicants that have developed a sense of personal integrity and are original thinkers. Applicants that are found to have plagiarized in their application will be disqualified.

Teachers who have participated in the International Leaders in Education Program (ILEP) are not eligible for Fulbright TEA.

Application and Instructions: Applications must be completed online here  New applicant should click on “Start New Application” An online application guide is attached for your convenience.

Attached program flyer provides additional information on the program and you can also visit the program website at  https://www.irex.org/fulbright-tea

Applicants with specific questions should send e-mails to [email protected] indicating “Teaching Excellence and Achievement (TEA) Program” in the subject line.