An Australian teacher has been recognised in the annual awards for the United States’ Visiting International Faculty (VIF) program. The VIF program is the largest cultural exchange program for international educators who want to teach in the United States.  The Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) has recently formed an alliance with the VIF program with an aim to expand opportunities for Australian teachers to benefit from the rich professional development to be gained by teaching in different contexts and in different cultures.

Australian teacher Amanda Wheeler, on exchange in the US since August 2006, says that the program has given her the opportunity to broaden her personal and professional experience.

While all the Australian teachers participating in the VIF program have been very well regarded, Wheeler in particular has excelled, this year receiving the program’s Cultural Educator of the Year award for the state of Georgia, where she teaches Grade 3 at Porter Elementary.

"It’s an honour that’s given to a teacher in each state who has gone over and above in bringing the culture of their home country to the classroom," Wheeler explains.

In the last year Wheeler has instituted a range of activities and programs designed to foster the students’ cultural awareness through teaching US students about Australian songs, animals, sports and food – including making her class eat Vegemite sandwiches.

"Generally Americans don’t travel like Australians do, so the kids get a lot out of having an exchange teacher. On top of the curriculum that they learn, they get to see another perspective. They realise that they’re actually part of the whole world, and they’re exposed to other countries and other cultures,"says Wheeler.

According to Jennie Hayes, the VIF Program Manager at ACER, "The VIF program provides an opportunity for teachers to work in an American school for one to three years and when they return here their wealth of experience will be hugely valuable to our system. We consider it a brain gain rather than a brain drain," she says.

"The VIF has been placing Australian teachers since 1990, but ACER’s role, initiated in 2008, will be to increase the number of applicants, to manage selection of teachers in Australia and to ensure recognition for the professional development that teachers will gain through the program.

"It’s a chance for Australian teachers to have a look at a different educational system, expand their professional development and come back to Australia with a wider view of the world," she says.

Jane Larsson, Director of International Partnerships at the VIF Program, agrees. "Teaching in the United States can be a great opportunity for Australian teachers to complement their professional development.

"Undertaking a new adventure and experiencing a new culture, while learning and applying new skills, can be a wonderful personal growth experience. We know that exposure to a new system of education and a new country and culture is influential in developing teachers' perceptions and instructional abilities as they prepare students for their roles in the global marketplace.

"The endorsement and recommendation of ACER will ensure local recognition of the reputation of the program. Our collaboration with ACER, an organisation that has a deep commitment to improving learning, assures Australian teachers that they’ll benefit from a high-quality experience in the VIF Program," says Larsson.

For more information about the VIF program in Australia contact Jennie Hayes, 03 9277 5747 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

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