Announcements / June 13, 2019

American Educators Selected for European Union Exchange Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington, DC—The Washington, DC-based nonprofit Global Ties U.S. is launching a summer study tour to Brussels, Belgium thanks to a generous partnership with the European Union Delegation to the United States. The weeklong professional exchange will connect 14 American social studies teachers, curriculum specialists, and textbook publishers with international counterparts to explore ways to enhance pre-college students’ understanding of the EU.

The participants of the Teaching the European Union exchange program are:

  • John Davis of Springboro High School in Dayton, OH
  • Tina Heafner of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, in Charlotte, NC
  • Ann Heath of Bedford, Freeman & Worth High School Publishers in Oswego, OR
  • Bob Henson of Villa Madonna Academy in Villa Hills, KY
  • Lynne Johnson of Thomas Jefferson High School in Bloomington, MN
  • Jason Knoll of Verona High School in Verona, WI
  • Jayne Malorni of the Nevada Department of Education in Las Vegas, NV
  • Janet Mann of the California Council for Social Studies and the California History Social Science Project in Sacramento, CA
  • Kimberly Messer of Gulf Breeze High School in Gulf Breeze, FL
  • Samantha Phelps-Herrera of Fairfax County Public Schools in Falls Church, VA
  • James Price of Colchester High School in Colchester, VT
  • Jerry Price of Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction in Olympia, WA
  • Rachel Siegman of Design Tech High School in Redwood Shores, CA
  • Alyssa Teeter of West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District in Plainsboro, NJ

“We are thrilled to serve as a bridge between American educators and EU officials through this important partnership with the European Delegation,” said Jason Terry, Director of Exchange Programs at Global Ties U.S. “In creating this space for connections, we strengthen transatlantic ties and work closer toward a more peaceful, prosperous world.”

“We are proud to be supporting such a great educational opportunity,” said Maria Belovas, Spokesperson and Head of Press and Public Diplomacy at the European Union Delegation to the United States. “Good EU-U.S. relations start at the level of students learning about the EU and coming to appreciate the deep ties that connect us across the Atlantic. Educators – from publishers to curriculum specialists to teachers – play a critical role in imparting knowledge about our shared values and history.”

Participants were selected through a competitive application process to best represent the full scope of the education field in the U.S. The Global Ties Network—a community-based network of nonprofits serving all 50 U.S. states and 40+ countries—supported the recruitment process to ensure America’s rich diversity is represented in this professional exchange program.

Participants will travel independently from their cities across the U.S. and meet in Brussels.

During the June 23-29 exchange, participants will explore the deep transatlantic ties that connect the U.S. and the EU, and discuss the trajectory of international cooperation that has flourished in the decades since World War II.

Today, the EU is America’s largest trading partner, and an important strategic partner in promoting peace and stability around the world. The EU is also the number one destination for American students studying abroad.

Through meetings with representatives and institutions including the European Parliament, the EU Commission, the EU External Action Service, and the College of Europe (in Bruges), participants will gain new connections, curricula ideas, and understanding of the EU and its role in the world today.

The program concludes with an action-planning workshop to help participants integrate EU-related curricula into their work at schools and communities across the U.S.

Teaching the European Union is funded by the European Union Delegation to the United States, and implemented in partnership with the Global Ties Foundation, the charitable arm of Global Ties U.S. The program covers all expenses including roundtrip airfare, accommodations, and meals.

About the European Union Delegation to the United States

The European Union is represented in the United States by the European Union Delegation to the United States, which works in close coordination with the diplomatic and consular missions of the 28 EU Member States. The European Union Delegation to the United States promotes EU policies in the U.S., which includes presenting and explaining EU actions to the U.S. Administration, Congress, and public. By engaging with political actors, the media, academia, businesses, and civil society, the European Union Delegation to the United States raises awareness of EU values, issues, and concerns, and promotes the importance of the EU-U.S. relationship among the American public. It also acts as a liaison with other international institutions in Washington, DC.

About Global Ties U.S.

Global Ties U.S. is a nonprofit that makes international exchange programs more effective. We work with our members and the U.S. Department of State to bring current and future leaders from around the world to communities across the United States. Together, we build deep connections among people from many countries, resulting in a more peaceful, prosperous world.

About the Global Ties Foundation

The Global Ties Foundation is the charitable arm of Global Ties U.S., and shares the same vision—a peaceful, prosperous world where individuals build enduring relationships through international exchange. The Global Ties Foundation is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit.

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MEDIA CONTACT

Daniel Bremer-Wirtig
Director of External Affairs
Global Ties U.S.
DBremer@GlobalTiesUS.org