The Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Programme is for highly accomplished New Zealand teachers in primary or secondary schooling to participate in an intensive professional development programme in the US. Two awards are granted each year for this programme.
These awards provide international educators from all over the world with a four month professional development programme based at one of three host US universities. The programme includes academic coursework, leadership training, instructional technology seminars and opportunities to observe, co-teach, and share their expertise in US elementary and secondary schools. Each participant will also complete an individual or group project relevant to their teaching.
Participating teachers will be placed in groups of 16-20 at one of three host US university education faculties. Host universities will provide specialised orientation and seminars and will ensure that each group has access to a variety of professional development activities. Faculty advisors will guide the participants in the refinement and implementation of their projects.
This award is an investment in the individual grantee as well as an investment in education outcomes for the long-term benefit of New Zealand. Upon returning home, grantees will be expected to share the knowledge and experience gained on the programme with teachers and students in their home schools, within their communities and in New Zealand.
These awards are generously supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Education. The Ministry of Education will fund full relief costs to the grantee’s school through the Teach NZ Prestigious Awards Programme.
Rachael Kneepkens
Rachael Kneepkens from Ōtaki, on the Kapiti Coast, Aotearoa / New Zealand. She is the Special Education Needs Coordinator (SENCO) for Arahunga Special School, at Ōtaki College.
Rachael will research how we motivate and support disengaged students at secondary school.
“My research has come about from many years of working with students with additional needs, who then become disengaged at school. I’m really interested in how we can motivate students and in particular how we can establish support within the wider community to keep them in school.”
Mary Bluck
Mary Bluck is a senior kāiako at Te kura O Ngā Puna Waiora / Newtown School in Te Whanganui-a-Tara – Wellington, Aotearoa, New Zealand. Mary will be investigating how indigenous playground play may be introduced into the classroom to accelerate learning.
“In 2025 I had the opportunity to look at positive play in the playground as part of a Kāhui ako (communities of learning). This led to further questions and ideas around further research in play especially the role in accelerating learning in our English language learners at school.”
Joy Kitt
Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Programme for New Zealand Teachers
Joy Kitt from Palmerston North will explore non-traditional ways of creating opportunities to ensure her students have authentic and relevant learning experiences.
Joy has a BA from Massey University and a Graduate Diploma in Primary Teaching from Massey University College of Education in Palmerston North.
Maiken Calkoen
Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Programme for New Zealand Teachers
Maiken Calkoen from Hastings will research approaches to designing learning programmes which value, develop and support creative thinking and creative practice.
Maiken has a Bachelor of Architecture (Hons) and a Post Graduate Teaching Diploma from Victoria University of Wellington.
Keith Dobson
Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Programme for New Zealand Teachers
Keith Dobson from Palmerston North will research how student directed learning can be enhanced using technology to maximise engagement and outcomes at Indiana University.
Keith is Head of Visual Arts and Head of House (Dean) at Awatapu College.
Karen Douglas
Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Programme for New Zealand Teachers
Karen Douglas from Auckland will research the use of digital and collaborative learning in literacy education, with a particular focus on senior students, at Indiana University.
Karen is the Head of History at Botany Downs Secondary College in East Auckland.