Last modified: Friday, August 10, 2007
Korean teachers conclude month of training at IU
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug 10, 2007
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Nineteen high school and middle school math teachers from South Korea made final presentations and received completion certificates today, wrapping up nearly four weeks of work with faculty at the Indiana University School of Education and other IU departments.
Visiting South Korean teachers completed their course of study with IU today.
The select group came for the second year of a partnership between IU and the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education. The Korean government sought proposals from U.S. universities starting last year to send some of its experienced teachers for more training on an American campus.
"It has been an exchange, really. We have learned a great deal from you and we hope you also have learned a great deal from these weeks here," Enrique Galindo, mathematics education professor, told the visiting teachers. Galindo is co-director of the project along with math education professor Anderson Norton.
"We certainly hope you take home ideas and experiences to share with your students," added Jane Henson, Associate Director of IU's Center for Social Studies and International Education, a co-facilitator on the project. "We hope that (the students) -- through your experience -- will experience a more enriched understanding of mathematics, and an appreciation that is uniquely from the perspective of the United States."
Since July 19, the group of South Korean teachers has seen Indiana classrooms, visited with local teachers, and developed their own projects based on their time in the U.S. Before a certificate presentation this morning, the participants presented classroom plans based on their studies at IU. The group has also seen much of Midwestern U.S. culture, taking in the Monroe County fair, visiting French Lick and enjoying local cuisine.
School of Education Dean Gerardo M. Gonzalez told the teachers, "We hope that this will be the beginning of a lifelong friendship."
The leader of the Korean delegation, Weon Man-lee, said, "There are no other words I can say to you, but, 'Thank you.'"
Media outlets: mp3 audio of this morning's remarks is available by contacting Chuck Carney with the School of Education.
