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 program based at one of 3 host U.S. universities. The program includes academic coursework, leadership training, instructional technology seminars and opportunities to observe, co-teach, and share their expertise in U.S. 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 3 host U.S. university education faculties. Host universities will provide specialized 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 will fund full relief costs to the grantee’s school through the Teach NZ Prestigious Awards Programme.
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.
David Taylor
Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Programme for New Zealand Teachers
2015 Fulbright NZ Distinguished Teacher – David Taylor from Auckland researched ways of empowering parents to support their children’s reading development on his exchange.
David is an English teacher at Northcote College.
Su Mukund
Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Programme for New Zealand Teachers
2014 Fulbright NZ Distinguished Teacher – Su Mukund from Auckland researched professional learning development for teachers of secondary school science students from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Su is Head of the Departments of Biology and Gifted and Talented Education at Papatoetoe High School.