IAPE Teachers' Collaborative

Program Description

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The IAPE Teachers' Collaborative takes place over a two-week period in July.  The next program is scheduled to take place July 14-29, 2012, inclusive of travel days. Participants are housed in residence halls at Dartmouth College, an Ivy League institution located in Hanover, New Hampshire, USA. Each day includes interactive workshops during which participants are introduced to dynamic language teaching techniques pioneered by world-renown language professor John A. Rassias and seminars conducted by Dartmouth faculty members and other leading educators on such topics as language assessment, interdisciplinary instruction, mentoring, and children at risk. Evening cultural activities and cultural excursions to nearby towns and/or major cities round out the program.

Over 85% of each participant's program costs is covered by the program sponsors. The balance is covered by each teacher's home institution or state authorities.   Program costs include round trip transportation, housing, all meals, all instructional costs, all teaching materials, medical insurance, cultural activities and excursions, and U.S. visa fees when applicable.

Profile of Participants

The IAPE Teachers' Collaborative is designed for English language educators at under-resourced public schools in Mexico, who have leadership potential and advanced English proficiency.  This is currently defined as having a minimum Institutional TOEFL score of 500. (The IAPE Intensive English Program is designed for English teachers with an Institutional TOEFL score between 375 and 499.)  The IAPE Teachers' Collaborative seeks teachers who have made a difference in the lives of others, and who look to continue their professional growth and development as educators. The program is rigorous and a considerable amount of written and oral work in English will be expected each day.

Because group composition is a critical factor in determining the program's impact in Mexico, preference is given to groups of three or four educators from the same state, with different levels of responsibility, and who are committed to working together as a team to implement new teaching practices in their states. When possible, preference will also be given to groups that include teachers who teach different academic levels.

A Typical Day

Commitment

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The goal of both IAPE programs is to create a community of innovative and committed English language educators who will work together to transform English instruction in Mexico. Toward this end, IAPE and its teachers make a commitment to each other. IAPE provides and maintains the IAPE Virtual Community Forum to provide teachers with follow-up support from program staff and fellow IAPE teachers. IAPE also offers periodic follow-up workshops to IAPE participants in Mexico. In turn, participating teachers agree to continue to teach English at public institutions in Mexico for at least three years and to actively engage in the IAPE Virtual Community. Participants in the IAPE Teachers’ Collaborative make the additional commitment to provide mentoring and support to colleagues. This support can take many forms, including offering workshops at their home institutions and/or serving as teaching assistants during IAPE Intensive English programs. Upon successful completion of the three-year program, participants in the IAPE Teachers’ Collaborative and their home institutions are eligible to receive a certificate of completion.

Application Information

Teachers interested in applying to the Teachers' Collaborative should read the Teachers' Collaborative Application Page.