Wednesday, March 26, 2008
What do I do first?
So many things to do. First the book store to purchase a travel book about Japan. Then I must tell everyone. "Mrs. Kelly is going to JAPAN!"
Monday, March 24, 2008
From the top of Illinois to the heights of Japan!
I can't believe it. I was just notified by Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund that I was awarded the grant to travel to Japan during June 2008. This is an unbelievable opportunity. I can't believe I will be representing teachers from Illinois in Japan. This is a dream come true.
You may ask "how did you get a chance to go to Japan as part of the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund?"
The story begins back in October. I was reading the NEA (National Education Association) Magazine and found an article about international travel opportunities for teachers. I always read the back of the magazine first because that is where all the ads for free or discounted educational materials is located. That is exactly where I found the article about the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund grant program.
Then the next thing I did was log onto the website for the Institute of International Travel (http://www.iie.org/) and started reading. This was an educational opportunity to travel to Japan for 3 weeks to learn about the government, culture, and educational system. Expenses paid by the Government of Japan. This was perfect. My mind was made up. I was going to apply.
The grant application consisted of supplying basic demographic information, employment history, education, and professional background. The the next step was to start writing about my community, school, classroom, and myself. Then I needed to develop a focus statement and a follow-on plan to share my experience with my classroom, school, and community.
"From the top of Illinois to the heights of Japan" became my focus statement. Writing about my school, community, and myself ways very easy. Writing about my plan to share my experience was a little more difficult. I decided to be very basic. I wrote about a travel journal and hundreds of photos to share through the school web page. Newsletter article and newspaper articles would meet the community part of the grant. I also would prepare a presentation for local groups interested in my travel experiences. I also will add my experiences to my curriculum when teaching U.S. History and the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, World History would focus on historical empires of Japan and how other countries have impacted Japan. Contemporary Issues curriculum will be given a first person explanation of current issues impacting Japan and the United States.
The final step was to get approval from the administration and two letters of recommendation. This would be the easiest part of the application process. My administration supported me from the start. But I think they doubted, as I did, that I would be awarded the grant.
The application was due by December 15, 2007. I set the goal of mailing the application by Thanksgiving. Things had gotten busy in November, so I didn't get the application mailed until the Monday after Thanksgiving. But I was still a couple of weeks early.
Now all I had to do was wait and wait and wait.
When the letter arrived today with a Tokyo return address all I could think of was that I had been turned down. As I sat and looked at the envelope I decided it was ok. If I didn't get the grant, I would just reaply next year.
Then I opened the envelope and I was stunned by the first sentence..."It is a pleasure to inform you that you have been selected as a participant in the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund Teacher Program to Japan for June, 2008".
I couldn't believe it. I was not rejected. This was the greatest birthday present I have ever received. Yes, today is my birthday, and today is the day I found out I am going to Japan.
You may ask "how did you get a chance to go to Japan as part of the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund?"
The story begins back in October. I was reading the NEA (National Education Association) Magazine and found an article about international travel opportunities for teachers. I always read the back of the magazine first because that is where all the ads for free or discounted educational materials is located. That is exactly where I found the article about the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund grant program.
Then the next thing I did was log onto the website for the Institute of International Travel (http://www.iie.org/) and started reading. This was an educational opportunity to travel to Japan for 3 weeks to learn about the government, culture, and educational system. Expenses paid by the Government of Japan. This was perfect. My mind was made up. I was going to apply.
The grant application consisted of supplying basic demographic information, employment history, education, and professional background. The the next step was to start writing about my community, school, classroom, and myself. Then I needed to develop a focus statement and a follow-on plan to share my experience with my classroom, school, and community.
"From the top of Illinois to the heights of Japan" became my focus statement. Writing about my school, community, and myself ways very easy. Writing about my plan to share my experience was a little more difficult. I decided to be very basic. I wrote about a travel journal and hundreds of photos to share through the school web page. Newsletter article and newspaper articles would meet the community part of the grant. I also would prepare a presentation for local groups interested in my travel experiences. I also will add my experiences to my curriculum when teaching U.S. History and the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, World History would focus on historical empires of Japan and how other countries have impacted Japan. Contemporary Issues curriculum will be given a first person explanation of current issues impacting Japan and the United States.
The final step was to get approval from the administration and two letters of recommendation. This would be the easiest part of the application process. My administration supported me from the start. But I think they doubted, as I did, that I would be awarded the grant.
The application was due by December 15, 2007. I set the goal of mailing the application by Thanksgiving. Things had gotten busy in November, so I didn't get the application mailed until the Monday after Thanksgiving. But I was still a couple of weeks early.
Now all I had to do was wait and wait and wait.
When the letter arrived today with a Tokyo return address all I could think of was that I had been turned down. As I sat and looked at the envelope I decided it was ok. If I didn't get the grant, I would just reaply next year.
Then I opened the envelope and I was stunned by the first sentence..."It is a pleasure to inform you that you have been selected as a participant in the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund Teacher Program to Japan for June, 2008".
I couldn't believe it. I was not rejected. This was the greatest birthday present I have ever received. Yes, today is my birthday, and today is the day I found out I am going to Japan.
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