Teachers

The Visiting Teacher Program welcomes teachers from China, Thailand,
Hong Kong, Turkey, Honduras, Panamá, Brazil, Peru, and Argentina in our
local schools.

Educators from around the world have long understood the many benefits
that young people receive by having opportunities to live and study abroad,
and have supported AFS as a worldwide leader in international student
exchange for nearly 60 years.

This program is for people who work in the field of education—
outstanding international teachers who come to work with K-12 schools in
the United States. Since 1972, AFS-USA has made it possible for
international educators from other countries to live, work, teach, and learn
in the United States for either a semester or a year at a time. A visiting
teacher brings a different area’s geography, history, culture, politics, and
economy to life in a way that is not just educational but colorful, current,
and exciting.

AFS Global Educators Program and the Host School
All Visiting Teachers are professional educators in their home countries;
most are English teachers. Through AFS’ Global Educators Program,
participants expand their knowledge of other cultures and educational
systems, exchange teaching methods, and learn from teachers and
administrators, all while acquiring first-hand knowledge of what it’s like to
live in another country.

The AFS Global Educators Program is one way to bring professional
educators from other cultures into your classrooms, school, and
community.

Since their hosting costs are borne by AFS-USA (through program fees or
through foundation support), the financial support expected from Host
Schools is not great. Usually, the only expenses that school
administrators will need to consider are for such items as school lunches,
textbooks, and other teaching materials needed for the host school;
transportation to and from school; and school activities (such as field trips
or after-school sporting events). U.S. schools are not asked to pay any
fees to host a Visiting Teacher. In fact, there are some fairly strict rules as
to work and remuneration policies for Visiting Teachers, as holders of J-1
visas.

In our experience, communities throughout the United States have been
excited about hosting a visiting teacher. Administrators are key players in
publicizing the program and articulating its goals to the school and
community at large. Bringing a small part of the world into your community
is a “big thing!” The students will love it–and so will their parents!

For more information, please click here.

Visiting Teachers to Downeast Maine 2006-7

Parntip Ittiwattana (Dice) Thailand
Boothbay Elementary School

Somphirom Wanna (Orm) Thailand
China Middle School

Naengnot Yongchooyot (Noi) Thailand
Mercer School

Yuk Fan Cheung (Daisy) Hong Kong
Windham Primary School

Yin Zhiyue (Lydia) Shanghai, China
Portland High School

Lixian Yang Beijing, China
Gorham Elementary

Kanya Saengpinit Thailand
Hall School Portland