A group of 16 preservice teachers and three faculty members from Shanghai Normal University in China visited Northwood Elementary School and Ferndale Middle School in Guilford County Schools (GCS) during January 13-24, 2020. This is the second year that Northwood and Ferndale collaborated with the UNC Greensboro School of Education for this intercultural exchange.
With the support from administrators and teachers from GCS and the two schools, these preservice teachers not only had the opportunity to observe classes and learn from experienced teachers from the schools, but also planned and taught lessons to engage with learners in both schools. In Northwood Elementary School, the preservice teachers from China shared tea culture through a collaborative lesson planned and taught with teachers from Northwood.
With the commitment to bring the world to Guilford County, the Global Language Department at GCS works closely with UNC Greensboro in both international teacher exchange and dual language teacher preparation. During 2015-2016, for example, eight GCS teachers participated in the Fulbright-Hays Group Project Abroad program led by faculty from UNC Greensboro.
Currently, with the support from the Department of Education’s National Professional Development grant, GCS teachers also have the opportunity to participate in online professional development and add-on licensure program at UNC Greensboro to be better prepared to work with students and families from diverse language and cultural backgrounds.
To learn more about the current collaboration project, please visit enacted.uncg.edu.
