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The Voice of Business,
Industry & the Professions Since 1942
North Carolina's largest
business group proudly serves as the state chamber of commerce
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A Letter from Phil Kirk
Discovering a Love of Teaching
in Argentina
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As a member of the Visiting
International Faculty (VIF) Board of Directors, I recently took a week’s
vacation from my NCCBI job and traveled to Buenos Aires, Argentina, a city
of 14 million
people.
While there, I did not use my cell phone or e-mail, in addition to not
reading a newspaper or watching television. All were available, but not in
a language (Spanish) I could understand or in technology I could use! But
I survived without these items which I, like so many, have come to depend
on.
In addition the schedule was such that there was not much “spare time.” My
main purpose in going to Argentina was to review the VIF
recruitment/interviewing process and to make suggestions for improvements.
VIF, headquartered in Chapel Hill, brings nearly 2,000 teachers from 40
countries to teach for up to three years in North Carolina, South
Carolina, Virginia, Georgia and California. VIF, founded in 1987, is
dedicated to transforming the lives of students and teachers around the
world through international exchange.
While I was originally supposed to observe the process, it took only a few
minutes for me to move from the sidelines to the interview table where I
actively participated in questioning nine prospective VIF teachers in
one-hour interviews. I also observed the teaching of a five-minute lesson
by approximately 15 prospects and a briefing session on all the logistical
aspects of the program.
This proved to be a rewarding but challenging experience, just as a
similar experience in interviewing applicants for the Teaching Fellows
Program, which is operated by the Public School Forum of North Carolina,
had been on several occasions.
All the prospective teachers were excited about coming to the United
States to teach for a variety of reasons. Our job was to help determine
which ones would be successful and effective teachers! Those we
interviewed fit into three categories — very likely to succeed, not likely
to succeed, and some who revealed signs of both! Those were the tough
ones.
I noticed many similarities between American teachers and those from
Argentina. When asked what they needed most to be better teachers, several
responded, “more time.” I’ve heard that before! High school teachers were
concerned about the huge number of students they taught each day — often
300 or more! They also have concerns about a lack of parental involvement
in many schools.
Many said they wanted to teach in America because they had learned to
speak English at an early age and they admired so much about the history
of our country. Some also cited poor pay and working conditions in their
schools but countered that the ability to influence and change lives as
positive role models outweighed the negatives. They felt the experience in
the U.S. schools would make them better teachers.
At the informational session, the teachers were told of the many services
VIF would provide to make their transition to teaching in the U.S. a
success. Some examples include securing appropriate work authorizations
and job interviews/placements, airline tickets, temporary lodging and
housing location assistance, insurance options, cultural education guides,
automobile leasing, and even e-mail addresses!
While in this country, VIF also provides professional orientation and
development activities, in addition to opportunities within the local
school systems. Alumni networks are formed, there is a VIF website and
newsletter, and a year-end awards event.
VIF is a tremendous program. The Young family began this one-of-a-kind
program 17 years ago. Chairman of the board is Dr. Fred Young, the retired
president of Elon University. The three children of Fred and Phyllis
Young, Alan, David, and Jane, along with a very capable, energetic staff,
are partially responsible for North Carolina’s reputation as a great state
for international education.
For more information about the VIF program, check out the website —www.vifprogram.com.
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