Fulbright-Meg Everton Professional Enhancement Awards in Education (2010-2016)

Fulbright-Meg Everton Professional Enhancement Awards in Education (2010-2016) were for New Zealand educators in early childhood, primary or secondary education to undertake a professional development activity in the US which would enhance their professional knowledge, practice and/or skills.

Meg Everton, 1956 Fulbright New Zealand Exchange Teacher

These awards were made possible by a generous bequest from Fulbright alumna Meg Everton, who passed away in June 2010, aged 90. A lecturer at Ardmore Teachers’ College in Papakura, Meg was a 1956 Fulbright New Zealand Exchange Teacher to State University of New York’s Teachers College in New Paltz, where she taught classes in early childhood education and child development.

The types of professional development activities grantees of this award undertook included educational courses, conferences, school visits, meetings and presentations. The activities of grantees were required include at least one major presentation/public talk, and enhance understanding between the education sectors in the US and in New Zealand. Upon return to New Zealand recipients were required to share the learnings and benefits with their peers.

What Fulbright-Meg Everton Professional Enhancement Awards in Education grantees had to say about their exchanges

“The cultural exchange has been tremendous, more than I would have thought possible…, I was able to contextualise my knowledge and gain a deeper understanding as to the reality of the challenge facing race relations in the US,” – Alexander Davis

“Many other discussions took place informally and wider networks and friendships were made. These discussions, observations, visits and presentations with many nations have contributed greatly to my own international understanding,” – Tere Gilbert

“This overall experience has enriched me as an individual and added to my own professional understanding,” – Laura Hawksworth

“What struck me was how everyone seemed to be singing from the same songbook. Knowing that I am on the same page as internationally accomplished practitioners and theoreticians has resulted in a significant increase in confidence for me and already I am noticing developments in my counselling practice as a result,” – Paula Moneypenny

“Hopefully, I have had a positive impact on many infant/toddler programmes throughout the USA as many of my audiences included researchers, teacher trainers etc with a wide reach in their field,” Toni Christie