Meet our 2024 Fulbright Distinguished TeachersResearch & Community project Quick factsDirector/PI: Hairong Shang-Butler, PI and Program Director; Maria Teresa Valdez, Co-PICollaborators: Council Rock Primary School, Vollmer Elementary School, Burger Middle School, Twelve Corners Middle School, Roth Middle School, Rush Henrietta High School, East High School, and The Harley School of RochesterFunding: The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs Overview The Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program for International Teachers (Fulbright DAI), sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs, brings international primary and secondary teachers to the United States for a semester-long program to pursue individual or group projects, take courses for professional development at a U.S. host university, and observe and share their expertise with U.S. colleagues. The Warner School of Education, is serving as host institution for this program in 2023, bringing 22 Fulbright Teachers from 14 countries to Rochester, New York.The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. Related articles Warner School receives funding to host Fulbright teachers for a second yearMeet the 2023 Fulbright Teachers Explore Faculty & Research Publications Community Initiatives Research Projects 2024 Teachers Rene Boucar NdioneHome country: SenegalYears teaching: 14Teaching discipline(s): English as a Foreign Language (EFL)Teaching level: Secondary School TeacherResearch topic: Assessment from students’ perspective: workable solutions towards better performances in English language learning Matti KastikainenHome country: FinlandYears teaching: 8Teaching discipline(s): Special EducationTeaching level: Secondary School TeacherResearch topic: Productive learning – recognizing curricular goals achieved outside of the classroom Ndechedzelo TauHome country: Botswana Years teaching: 15Teaching discipline(s): ChemistryTeaching level: Senior Secondary School TeacherResearch topic: Decrypted in the U.S.: Reflections on chemistry pedagogy and assessment for outcome-based education curriculum Michelle HuangHome country: Singapore Years teaching: 14Teaching discipline(s): Physical EducationTeaching level: Primary School TeacherResearch topic: Using cooperative learning strategies to engage students with behavioral needs in a dynamic PE environment Fanny Badillo PerezHome country: MexicoYears teaching: 9 Teaching discipline(s): Science (Biology, Environmental Sciences, Chemistry)Teaching level: Secondary School Teacher Research topic: Using active methodologies such as PBL to develop science projects and critical and scientific thinking Hassã BezerraHome country: BrazilYears teaching: 12Teaching discipline(s): EnglishTeaching level: Secondary School TeacherResearch topic: Using role-playing games as tools to foster the full development of students' linguistic abilities, increase their motivation, and recover knowledge not acquired in previous school years Michelle GohHome country: Singapore Years teaching: 10Teaching discipline(s): EconomicsTeaching level: Senior Secondary School TeacherResearch topic: The use of starter conversation kits in helping teachers to engage students in mental health practices Sumana DuttaHome country: IndiaYears teaching: 21Teaching discipline(s): Special EducationTeaching level: Ages 14 and above; teacher training coursesResearch topic: Role of Universal Design of Learning (UDL) in inclusive education practice Madhura RajvanshiHome country: IndiaYears teaching: 16Teaching discipline(s): English for Non-Native SpeakersTeaching level: Middle School Teacher (ages 12-14)Research topic: Developing a structured program for teachers in Maharashtra for teaching English to non-native speakers Ma. Angelica A. GumanganHome country: PhilippinesTeaching discipline(s): English and readingTeaching level: Junior High School TeacherResearch topic: Translanguaging practices in developing literacy and reading skills of Filipino students Sani Yanti PanggabeanHome country: IndonesiaYears teaching: 9Teaching discipline(s): EnglishTeacher level: Junior High School TeacherResearch topic: Teaching strategies in encouraging students to use English in practical context using project based-learning Mst. Rumin AkterHome country: Bangladesh Years teaching: 20Teaching discipline(s): English, Music, Arts and Social ScienceTeacher level: Primary School Teacher (ages 6-11)Research topic: Developing a module to support teachers as students transition into adolescence. Ariho InnocentHome country: UgandaYears teaching: 15Teaching discipline(s): MathematicsTeaching level: Primary School TeacherResearch topic: Mathematics teaching pedagogies for larger primary school classrooms Tsai Jung YangHome country: TaiwanYears teaching: 17Teaching discipline(s): EnglishTeaching level: Elementary School TeacherResearch topic: Utilizing iPads in the classroom to support differentiated instruction for elementary school English learners Sukhjeet KaurHome country: SingaporeYears teaching: 24Teaching discipline(s): Literature in EnglishTeaching level: Secondary School TeacherResearch topic: Thinking about thinking in the secondary literature classroom Jordana BarrosHome country: BrazilTeaching discipline(s): EnglishTeaching level: Secondary (High) & Adults School TeacherResearch topic: Expand and improve a small initiative, SururUP, to spread English in my community, encouraging other teachers to do the same, at the same time that motivates Brazilian students to learn English in person or online Zam BukirwaHome country: UgandaYears teaching: 12Teaching discipline(s): English and Literature in EnglishTeaching level: High School TeacherResearch topic: Using English as a second language to reduce school dropout Sharon Rose Pastoril-Puyo Home country: PhilippinesYears teaching: 21Teaching discipline(s): Special Education (Deaf & Hard of Hearing)Teaching level: Elementary School & Deaf Adults TeacherResearch topic: Computer-based instruction in reading for the Deaf learners Khalid IhtiteHome country: MoroccoYears teaching: 14Teaching discipline(s): English for Non-Native SpeakersTeaching level: High School ResearchResearch topic: Language instruction and the issue of inclusion Priya LaxmiHome country: IndiaYears teaching: 5Teaching discipline(s): Vocal MusicTeaching level: Senior High School Teacher (ages 14-18)Research topic: A study of Indian and American Music Education Systems in the context of folk music and its application in art-integrated learning and mental well-being Dimitrios KaradimosHome country: GreeceYears teaching: 6Teaching discipline(s): Inclusive Education, Sexual Education, Gender & Sexual IdentitiesTeaching level: Elementary School TeacherResearch topic: New contemporary ways to mitigate the discrimination and stereotypes toward the LGBTQI+ students in elementary schools by creating both new educational materials and an inclusive climate within classrooms Mohamed HrichaHome country: MoroccoYears teaching: 15Teaching discipline(s): English for Non-Native SpeakersTeaching level: High School TeacherResearch topic: Language instruction and the issue of inclusion Team Members Hairong Shang-Butler, PI and Program DirectorHairong Shang-Butler is an associate professor of teaching and curriculum at the Warner School. She is the PI and Program Director of the Fulbright Cultural, Pedagogical, and Linguistic Exchange grant in 2024, and was the Co-PI and Cultural Liaison of the same Fulbright grant in 2023. She directs the international Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages program and is affiliated with the Center for Learning in the Digital Age. She is also the PI of a Mother Cabrini Health Foundation grant that provides Workplace English programs to local refugees and immigrants in Western New York, aiming to improve employment, health and education equity for underrepresented communities. She also directs a Center for Bridging Cultures grant that aims to raise cross-cultural awareness and promote Asian languages and cultures. Maria Teresa Valdez, Co-PIMaria Teresa Valdez is the director of the Language Center and the Head Portuguese Program at University of Rochester. Her research explores Portuguese language instruction, foreign-language pedagogy, second- and foreign-language acquisition and development, heritage-language acquisition and development, teaching and learning methodologies for foreign, second, and heritage languages, second- and heritage-language learning materials, and online language instruction. Jasmine MitchellJasmine Mitchell is the associate director of admissions and the international student advisor at Warner School. She has years of experience working with international students and scholars from around the world. She provides logistical support for the program, including assistance with coordinating cultural events and creating student accounts for registration. Yu Jung HanYu Jung Han is a postdoctoral research and teaching fellow with the Center for Learning in the Digital Age. Her research explores how generative AI is mediating language teaching, learning, and research. She has taught English in South Korea, Japan and the U.S. for over 10 years. She serves as the technology seminar coordinator on the Fulbright program. Amy StellAmy Stell is a Rochester, NY-based educator and life-long learner. She's currently a PhD candidate at the Warner School, studying how educators teach controversial issues in the classroom. Stel has served Rochester for the last 10 years as a social studies and science teacher at a local middle school where she implemented culturally sustaining and transdisciplinary pedagogies to aid in literacy and learning practices in and outside of the classroom. In her free time, Stell enjoys reading, cooking, traveling, and spending time with her loved ones and her dog, Olive. Xu YanXu Yan is a PhD student in teaching and curriculum at the Warner School. She is an accomplished educator and professional with extensive experience in language education and program administration. Yan is certified in multiple areas to teach in California, and has taught both English and Mandarin as a World Language in China and California. Yan has demonstrated her expertise in curriculum design, second language acquisition, and translanguaging. She is the graduate assistant for the Fulbright CPLE program, and will focus on program administration and logistical support.