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A Letter from Phil Kirk

Discovering a Love of Teaching in Argentina
 
 
  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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