schoolWelcome

Welcome Host Schools

If you are from a school new to EducatorsAbroad (EA) - welcome. If your school has participated in the past or has a long term involvement - thank you for your service and for your trust and confidence in our efforts.

EA faculty and staff are privileged to have colleagues in countries who have accepted responsibility for guiding the professional development of prospective and employed educators through our three school based programs:

• Practicum
• Student Teaching
• Teachers, Go Abroad

Educators in these schools exhibit the highest levels of professionalism in fulfilling expectations of our profession and of EA faculty, participants, and partner universities. And, host school colleagues often go far beyond any expectation one could have in making us all welcome and offering opportunity to learn from and with each other.

It is a particular pleasure to visit host schools and learn that participating in EA programs is not perceived as a burden, but as an opportunity to learn through the presence of individuals from other countries and educational systems.

It is through sharing our individual experiences across regional and cultural borders that our profession, we as individuals, and students in our school’s benefit.

You are encouraged to review any and all aspects of EA programs and to contact us at any time with questions you have or for support we can provide.

We will do our best to live up to the expectations you have of EA faculty and staff.

Sincerely,

--

Dr. Craig Kissock, Director
EducatorsAbroad
+1-952-261-3784
Craig Kissock

We thank you for working with us.

Host School Responsibilities

Host school teachers and administrators play a critical role in assuring the success of each EA school based program. Through their efforts, EA participants are made to feel a part of the school and community and offered the support and guidance they need for their professional and personal development.

Host school personnel are not asked to work alone in this endeavor. EA program directors, colleagues responsible for placement and supervision, and staff all seek to support host school personnel in fulfilling their role through development of mutually supportive and beneficial professional relationships.

EA, as study abroad provider along with participants, host schools, and partner universities have responsibilities, that when fulfilled assure the success of each placement. EA materials that describe these responsibilities, program policies, and assessment processes are sent to each participant and available on the EA www site.

While there are responsibilities, there are also limits to the expectations we have of host schools. When an EA participant does not live up to expectations of the school or EA faculty their privilege of participating ends.

In such cases, which are very rare, we are guided by the principle that the problem is ours as EA faculty and not that of colleagues in the host school. In these situations, we have and we will remove students from their placement.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns contact the EA host country coordinator, supervisor, or program directors. We will help in any way possible to assure that each EA assignment offers a positive experience for everyone.

EAPracticum

This section provides an overview to assist host schools and mentor teachers as they assist practicum participant in fulfilling their responsibilities.

Responsibilities of Host School Administration

• Review each candidates application materials and determine if an individual will be offered an assignment in the school.
• Advise and assist the student in arranging for room and board (home stays are often preferred).
• Review the student's criminal background check report and determine fitness for entry to the school. This report should include the date of review and a statement with details of any criminal or arrest record if applicable.
• Select a qualified mentor teacher in the student teacher's subject area(s).

Mentor Teacher Responsibilities

A key person in this experience is the teacher in the host school who serves as the mentor teacher. This individual:

• creates opportunities for the practicum participant to work with P-12 students and to develop their understandings about pedagogy, comparative education, or language learning;
• shares expertise;
• observes, supports, and assesses the work of the student; and
• provides support the student needs for professional and personal wellbeing while living and working in the host school and country.

Each Practicum student has selected a focus for their study while assisting the classroom teacher. Responsibilities are outlined in a syllabus for their chosen focus (Pedagogical Development, Comparative Education, Language Learning).

• Pedagogical Development – Guide and Summative Report.
• Comparative Understanding of Education – Guide and Summative Report.
• Language Learning – Guide and Summative Report.
• I will use a guide provided by my university.

Mentor teachers are asked to assist the student, where necessary, in completing their course responsibilities and to completes the summative report for the student’s chosen focus at the conclusion of the placement.

The EA supervisor assigned to each student will support the mentor teacher and student to assure a successful experience for all involved.