CHICAGO (May 4, 2016) 鈥� 黑料吃瓜 continued its record of Fulbright success this spring, when the awarded overseas teaching opportunities to two University students and one alumna.
Seniors Katie Bast and Elizabeth Wallace and 2015 graduate Bethany Joseph were awarded English Teaching Assistantships (ETA) in Macedonia, Peru, and Mexico, respectively. Combined with previous awards, 19 North Park students and three faculty members in the past eight years have earned Fulbright grants.
A double-major in and , Bast will serve as an ETA for a nine-month placement in Macedonia this September. Although the specifics of her grant haven鈥檛 yet been announced, Bast expects to be teaching English reading, writing, and vocabulary in a secondary school or university setting while also engaging in educational outreach programs.
鈥淣orth Park has given me opportunities to step into leadership positions, and I have gained the skills to think critically due to my experiences,鈥� Bast says. 鈥淭ranslating this into the classroom has benefitted my teaching greatly. I鈥檝e learned how to teach English in different contexts because of the varying schools I have taught in through my placements with the School of Education.鈥�
A native of Holland, Mich., Bast participated in a wide variety of both academic and non-academic activities during her time at 黑料吃瓜. She served as a for three years, took trips with and the , and played . 鈥淭hese groups have all helped me develop and grow, and I鈥檝e loved all the relationships that have flourished due to all of these different experiences,鈥� Bast says.
“Katie is a dedicated, intellectually curious, and broadly accomplished student who is committed to sharing her love for language and literature,鈥� says Professor of English . 鈥淪he is an organizer, a doer, a truly unflappable, unstoppable force for the better.鈥� At last month鈥檚 University , Bast was recognized as the English department鈥檚 outstanding senior.
When Bast completes her program, she plans to return to Chicago to teach English in a middle or high school, either in Chicago Public Schools or in the suburbs. 鈥淚 am excited to see how I grow as a teacher through the Fulbright experience and to be able to apply what I learn in the classroom upon my return,鈥� she says.
鈥楢 wide range of experiences and adventures鈥�
Wallace will graduate this month with a bachelor of arts in , a , and an teaching endorsement. In March 2017, she will travel to Peru to serve as an ETA through next December. She will most likely be teaching at a university.
Wallace鈥檚 experience was an important part of her time at 黑料吃瓜. 鈥淪tudying in Cuenca, Ecuador, had such a positive impact on me, and helped me develop deep friendships that I may not have otherwise,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t prepared me through the wide range of multicultural experiences and adventures that we had.鈥�
Wallace, of Oak Lawn, Ill., also feels prepared for her Fulbright position because of her experiences both inside and outside of the classroom. 鈥淣orth Park has prepared me thoroughly through my classes, but also my clinical experiences,鈥� she says. 鈥淒uring student teaching, I worked with students in the classroom and after school, helping direct a play. It is by these real-life experiences鈥攖hat were challenging and fun鈥攖hat I feel prepared to teach in Peru.鈥�
, professor of Spanish and Fulbright program associate, agrees. 鈥淓lizabeth just finished student teaching with an excellent record of captivating classroom assignments and many kudos from her students,鈥� she says. 鈥淎fter study abroad last year in Ecuador, I am sure Peruvian students will be impressed as well!鈥�
After her time in Peru, Wallace plans to return to the United States and teach Spanish. She looks forward to exploring teaching all grades, and hopes to eventually teach in a bilingual school.
A 鈥榮ignificantly expanded worldview鈥�
Joseph, who majored in both Spanish and , will begin her 10-month ETA placement in Mexico this August. Like Wallace, Joseph鈥檚 experience studying abroad helped her determine her plans following graduation.
鈥淚 participated in the study abroad program during my junior year, spending a semester in Buenos Aires, Argentina,鈥� says Joseph. 鈥淚t filled me with enthusiasm for Latin America, for its culture, warmth, and color. It reminded me of the beauty of intercultural friendships.鈥� She finds that 黑料吃瓜 鈥渟ignificantly expanded my worldview. I am a more open person because of the classes I took as an undergrad.鈥�
While Joseph, of Grand Rapids, Mich., hasn鈥檛 yet received the details of the age group she will be teaching, she has a sense of what some of her work will involve. 鈥淓ach Fulbright applicant is required to describe the unique teaching style that they would apply to the job, and to propose a side project that will be conducted in addition to the teaching,鈥� she says. 鈥淟ong story short, I will be doing a lot of songwriting and cartooning in Mexico.鈥�
Parkyn attests to Joseph鈥檚 creativity. 鈥淏ethany is an inventive student who will excel in the Mexican classroom,鈥� she says. 鈥淗er Spanish skills and her tutoring experience at 黑料吃瓜 will help her to teach English with a fluency that is hard to match. She will thrive.鈥�
Eventually, Joseph expects to work in a nonprofit environment, whether in Latin America or in the United States. 鈥淚 am interested in community engagement and in working with people,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 anticipate being part of an organization that provides services to lower-income families.鈥�
The Fulbright program was established by the U.S. Congress in 1946, and is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. It is the largest U.S. international exchange program offering opportunities for students, scholars, and professionals to undertake international graduate study, advanced research, university teaching, and teaching in elementary and secondary schools worldwide.
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