Summer 2024 Study of the United States Institute for Secondary Educators

Study of the U.S. Institutes for Secondary Educators (SUSI) 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.

Please email completed applications with a Subject line “2024 SUSI for Secondary Educators” to:  TbilisiExchanges@state.gov

Application deadline:  30 November, 2023 18:00 (local time)

Program Overview

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 2024.  Each Institute includes a four-week academic residency component and, if possible, a one-week integrated study tour to another region of the United States.  

Program Description

The SUSIs will provide three multinational groups of 20 experienced secondary school educators (including secondary school 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 to experienced administrators, including teacher trainers, curriculum developers, textbook writers, Ministry of Education officials, and others. 

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 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 in 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.  Community service activities are a key cultural component of the program and 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. 

The University of Montana (UM) in Missoula, Montana, will oversee and administer the three SUSIs for Secondary Educators and will also conduct one Institute for teachers which will explore U.S. 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. 

Program Funding

All participant costs will be covered including program administration; travel and ground transportation in the United States; cultural, housing, subsistence, mailing, books, and incidental allowances. If the program is conducted virtually, ECA will work with UM to provide a technology stipend to participants.

Housing and Meal Arrangements

When possible, each participant will have a private room with a shared bathroom during the residency portion (four weeks) of the Institute.  However, private room accommodations are not guaranteed.  During the study tour (one week), participants will likely share a hotel room with another participant of the same gender.  During the residency, housing will typically be in college or university owned housing or nearby hotels.  Most meals will be provided at campus facilities, though participants may have access to a kitchen to cook some meals on their own.  Please explain the above possible housing arrangements to your nominees to ensure that they are comfortable with such arrangements, particularly sharing a room with another participant during the study tour.  

Health Benefits

All participants will receive the Department of State’s Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE) health benefit, which 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.  Information on the health benefit program may be found online at https://www.sevencorners.com/gov/usdos .  

All participants are expected to participate fully in the program.  Participants must attend all lectures and organized activities and complete assigned readings.  Family members and/or friends cannot accompany participants on any part of the program.  This is an intensive Institute and there will be little time for personal pursuits unrelated to the program.  The Institute is not a research program.

Virtual Program Contingency

Should health, safety, and travel conditions pose significant challenges to the program, SUSIs will pivot to a virtual format.  The virtual program would consist of at least 36 hours of required programming and include both synchronous and asynchronous learning.  Virtual programming may include lectures, small group discussions, videos, readings, panels, individual assignments, and group activities.  Participants would be required to fully participate in the entire virtual program from their location.

 Connectivity

Participants should have access to a computer and a stable internet connection for virtual pre-departure orientation sessions.  If a participant does not have adequate computer or internet access, the UM will work with the participant to facilitate access on an as-needed basis. 

Candidate Qualifications

Study of the U.S. Institutes are highly competitive.  Priority will be given to candidates who have firm plans to enhance, update or develop courses and/or educational materials with a U.S. studies focus or component, who have no prior or limited experience in the United States, and who have special interest in the field of secondary education as demonstrated through past scholarship, accomplishments, and professional duties.

Candidates should be mid-career, typically between the ages of 30-50, highly motivated, experienced secondary school teachers and administrators whose students are approximately 14-18 years of age. Ideal candidates are individuals who are seeking to introduce or enhance aspects of U.S. studies into their curricula or to offer specialized seminars/workshops for education professionals in U.S. studies or related fields.

Candidates must demonstrate English language fluency.  Institutes are rigorous and demanding programs; participants will be expected to handle substantial reading assignments in English and to fully and actively participate in all seminar and panel discussions.  English fluency is vital to a successful experience in the Institute, both for the participant and participants from other countries.

Candidates should be willing and able to fully take part in an intensive post-graduate level academic program and study tour.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• What degree of English proficiency should a nominee have? All participants must be fully proficient in English.  They will need to fully understand lectures, actively participate in discussions, and read and write assignments in English throughout the Institute.  
• To what extent do the Institutes for Secondary Educators cover teaching methods and pedagogy? SUSIs for Secondary Educators focus primarily on content, materials, and education related to the United States.  The Institutes for teachers typically include a handful of sessions on teaching methodologies.  However, these sessions are supplemental to the main focus of the Institute.  Teachers more interested in teaching methods and pedagogy rather than U.S. content may wish to apply for the Teaching Excellence in Achievement (TEA) program or the International Leaders in Education Program (ILEP). 
• Can a nominee who is a dual citizen (U.S. and country of origin) participate in Study of the U.S. Institutes? No.  U.S. citizens and permanent residents (green card holders) are NOT eligible to participate in this program.      
• If an applicant has been to the U.S. before, would he/she be eligible to be nominated for Study of the U.S. Institutes?  Yes.  Nominees with minimal experience in the United States may be considered for the program.  However, priority will be given to nominees with no previous experience in the United States.  If you find it necessary to nominate a candidate with previous U.S. experience, please clearly indicate the purpose of the nominee’s visit to the United States, the year, and the length of their stay as requested on the nomination form.      
• Can family members of U.S. Embassy employees apply for the program? No. Nominees who are employees or immediate family members of employees of the U.S. Government (including a U.S. Embassy or Consulate, USAID, or other U.S. Government entity) or Fulbright commissions are ineligible.
• How much free time/time for independent research will a participant have during the program? There will be some free time during the program.  However, nominees MUST understand that this is an intensive academic program and they are expected to fully participate in all lectures, activities, site visits, and scheduled events.     
• If a nominee has relatives in the United States, would he/she have time to see them? Because of the intensive nature of the Institutes, participants will not be able to leave the Institute to visit relatives or friends.  Participants in Secondary Educator Institutes may, at their own expense, opt to extend their stay in the United States after the close of their program to the extent allowed by visa regulations.
• Will participants have time to visit relatives or friends that may live in the United States during the program?  Participants will NOT be allowed to leave the Institute to visit relatives or friends.  Occasionally it is possible for a relative or friend to visit the participant on a specific day designated during the Institute, if the schedule permits.  These situations will be considered on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the ECA program officer and the implementing partners.  
• Can a participant arrive early/late for the Institute? No.  Participants who choose to travel to the United States on a Study of the U.S. Institute for Student Leaders are required to abide by the terms and conditions of the program.  These terms state clearly that Student Leaders may NOT arrive in the United States before the program start date or remain in the country after the close of the Institute.       

• Can a graduate student participate in a SUSI for Student Leaders Institute?  No.  Study of the U.S. Institutes for Student Leaders are designed exclusively for undergraduate students with at least one remaining semester of study following the program.    

• Can a participant miss one part or component of the Institute? All participants are expected to participate in all scheduled lectures, events, site visits, trips, and activities.
• How much money will participants need to bring for the program? The Study of the U.S. Institutes cover all costs of an individual’s participation including transportation, lodging, and meals.  Generally, host institutions provide for meals through a combination of a cafeteria meal plan and cash allowance to permit participants to cook or eat at local restaurants.  Information on housing and meal arrangements will be provided by the host institution six weeks prior to the start of the Institute.  Participants should bring their own spending money if they wish to purchase souvenirs or other items during their time in the United States.  Participants will receive a stipend to purchase books and research materials while in the United States.
• Will applicants with disabilities be considered? Yes, the Study of the U.S. Branch welcomes nominations for individuals with disabilities.  We are committed to working with our Institute hosts to arrange reasonable accommodations for all participants.

წყარო: https://ge.usembassy.gov/