Bakhadir Abatbaevich Mambetkarimov
Home School, City, Country: Bakhadir Mambetkarimov, Shomanay, Uzbekistan
Subject: Language
Bakhadir has been teaching the English language for more than 6 years now and is currently teaching at a secondary public school. His students range in age from 9-17 years old and he averages 18 students per class. Bakhadir supervises various extra curricular clubs to help his students improve their language skills as well as discover their “why” for learning English. Bakhadir understands that when learning a language, there is no such thing as “one size fits all.” In fact, he strives to incorporate his students’ interests into each of his lessons and understands that this tailored approach is key to student motivation. Bakhadir received a bachelor’s degree in English from Karakalpak State University in 2014 and has taught at many different schools since then. He has been with his current school since 2019 and also works as a private tutor on the side. Bakhadir takes pride in his professional development; He has received many certifications over the years including a TESOL certificate, was a member of the TESOL organization, and is an avid volunteer as well. Despite having already taken multiple courses relating to teaching methodologies in his country, Bakhadir would like to gain an international perspective in this area: What does “teaching effectively” look like in different parts of the world? He’s excited to experience this firsthand in the United States as well as exchange experiences with other participants through Fulbright TEA.
Billura Ikramova
Home School, City: School 21, Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Subject: Language
Billura Ikramova has been teaching English and training EFL teachers in her district for over 10 years. The students that she teaches range in age from 13-16 years old and she has, on average, 32 students in each class. Billura received a bachelor's degree in English from Bukhara State University in 2011, has a TESOL certification, and is currently taking a TETE course from George Mason University. Billura is a Core Trainer in the English Speaking Nations Program in Uzbekistan and was even awarded “The Best Teacher 2020” by the Local Department of Public Education. She has spoken at many regional conferences and has published more than ten publications in the field of ESL. In addition to leading teacher training sessions, Billura also works extensively with the younger generation too. As an active supervisor and volunteer at “Tarakkiyot” Youth Center, she works to engage young learners in the English language and culture. Billura is passionate about not only her career, but her country’s education system and its impact on society. Billura has been collaborating with TESOL course instructors from Yale University to reform her country’s traditional approach to teaching and learning English and is excited to dive even further into modern teaching approaches and techniques as a participant of TEA. She wants to share the new information she learns with her trainees and Regional Peer Mentors.
Catherine Aku Awuku
Home School, City, Country: Tarkwa Senior High School, Tarkwa, Ghana
Subject: Language
Catherine Aku Awuku is a Ghanaian English Language teacher at Tarkwa Senior High School, in the Western Region of Ghana. She has over 12 years of teaching experience and her current students range from 13-21 years old. Catherine is both an instructor and an Assistant Headmaster at her school. She is not only passionate about each student's academic success, but their welfare too. As a member of the Parent-Teacher Association, Catherine understands that teachers can only do so much; they need parents to be involved and invested in their child’s education. Catherine works to bridge this gap. She aims to generate this very interest among the parents in her community. Catherine obtained her B.A. in English Language in 2015 from the University of Education, Winneba. She also has a Diploma in Basic Education received from St. Louis College of Education in 2011 as well as a Teacher Certificate “A” from St. Louis Teacher Training College in 2005. Lastly, she serves as a mentor for many early education teachers and enjoys providing her guidance and expertise. Catherine's hobbies are cooking and listening to music. Her motive for partaking in the Fulbright TEA program is to discover new teaching strategies and improve skills focused on child-centered classroom management to support learners excel in their academic endeavors.
Cristina Cernei
Home School, City, Country: Public Institution Theoretical Lyceum Onisifor Ghibu, Nicolae Costin str. 63A, Chisinau, Romania
Subject: Language
Cristina is an English and Media Literacy teacher at the Public Institution Theoretical Lyceum Onisifor Ghibu. She teaches 10-19 year old students and has been teaching for more than 18 years. She has a Master's Degree in English Philology and is also passionate about writing; she has written and published many valuable articles for scientific magazines and well-known local newspapers. Cristina has participated in several professional development programs abroad in countries such as Greece, Poland, Sweden and Romania with the European teaching community known as “eTwinning” in addition to the Education through Development Foundation, a local Moldovan NGO. She has also visited the United States prior as a participant in the Telling Our Stories 1989, Fellows on Demand Program. As a result of this experience, upon returning, Cristina encouraged her students to gather content to highlight different issues of violence in the Moldovan community. In addition to teaching her students English, Cristina aspires to help mold her students into good citizens. She teaches English through values and virtues and discusses relevant topics in each class – human rights, climate change, and the influence of mass media, just to name a few. By participating in the TEA Program, Cristina hopes to gain an international perspective to solve important issues in her classes and community, as well as create opportunities for her students to become valuable, engaged citizens.
Dilorom Abdimuradovna Kudratova
Home School, City: School 10, Zarafshan, Uzbekistan
Subject: Language
Kudratova Dilorom Abdimuradovna has been teaching English for about 8 years. She has worked as an English language teacher in various educational establishments such as a vocational college, an academic lyceum, a WIUT learning center, a state pedagogical institute, and schools. She received a Bachelor’s degree in the English language at Karshi State University in 2013. The majority of her students range from 12-18 years old. Dilorom began her career working at a vocational industrial college in Zarafshan. Throughout her career, she has also worked as a teacher trainer at her Regional Teacher Training Center, was selected as a semi-finalist in the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan, and was nominated for the “The Best Teacher 2017” award. Ever since her childhood, Dilorom dreamt of one day being able to visit the United States and participate in an educational program abroad. After having received the required certifications to teach, she found out about the Fulbright TEA program – it seemed to be a great match. Methodology, skills in technology, and skills in motivating and better engaging students are some specific areas that Dilorom wants to focus on and improve on during the TEA program.
Elizabeth Hinostroza Quilli
Home School, City, Country: Colegio de Alto Rendimiento, Pasco, Peru
Subject: Language
Elizabeth Hinostroza Quilli has been teaching English at a secondary school for the past 5 years. Her students range in age from 14-16 years old. On average, there are 50 students in her class. Elizabeth is also an online tutor where she plays a role in promoting effective parental involvement in student education. Elizabeth received a bachelor's degree in English from Federico Villarreal University in 2012. Now, she is studying to get her master's degree in Educational Integration and Innovation for ICT at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru. She has also received international certifications from Cambridge University like “Train the Trainers” and ESOL exams such as FCE and TOEFL. Elizabeth's hobbies include sightseeing and learning about EdTech tools. Her primary objective for participating in Fulbright TEA is to explore new methodologies for engaging students and creating a classroom setting that encourages more participation. She would also like to learn about new technology to use in the classroom to measure her students’ progress.
Khamphaeng Saysamone
Home School, City: Xaithany District, Laos
Subject: Language
Khamphaeng Saysamone is an English teacher at the School for Gifted and Ethnic Students in Laos. Khamphaeng has been teaching for about 12 years now and averages approximately 25 students per class. Her students range in age from 11-18 years old. Khamphaeng completed her bachelor’s degree in Special English Pedagogy in 2007 at the National University of Laos, as well as a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Management at Flinders University in Australia in 2015. She also attended a course called “Advanced Specialist in Teaching Reading and Writing I” in Singapore in 2018. Khamphaeng is a dedicated teacher and wants to help her students in any way she possibly can. Being a participant in the Fulbright TEA Program is not only a great opportunity for her – it’s a great opportunity for her students. Khamphaeng is excited to gain real teaching experience in the United States and wants to understand how American students learn. She plans to share and implement key learnings with colleagues to improve student learning, as well as inspire her students with her experiences.
Lusine Tadevosyan
Home School, City: Meghri secondary school N2, Meghri, Armenia
Subject: Language
Lusine Tadevosyan has been teaching English at Meghri N2 secondary school for both boys and girls for the past 8 years. Her students range in age from 6-17 years old. On average, there are 15 to 20 students in her classes. Lusine is an active member of her school's parent-teacher committee where she has played a positive and effective role in the involvement of the parents in student education. She is adept at using positive reinforcement teaching techniques to encourage student behavior and growth. She is committed to improving student and school success and focuses on creating a positive and trusting environment in the classroom. Lusine received a Bachelor's degree in the field of Translation (Interpreter of German) from Yerevan State Linguistic University after V. Brusov in 2007 and a Master's degree in English foreign language and literature from Mkhitar Gosh Armenian - Russian International University in 2016. She is also a member of the AELTA organization. Lusine has worked with multiple Peace Corps volunteers in Armenia. Together, they created after school clubs for students to practice their English. She also attended both the 6th South Caucasus Regional ELT Conference and the 7th. These conferences led her to co-teach with the ACCESS program – a free after-school program for teenagers in her community to learn English. Lusine strongly believes that teachers should never stop learning – there’s always room for improvement. Her primary objective for participating in Fulbright TEA is to explore new teaching methods and gain new teaching skills to become an even more effective teacher.
Margarita Zinovjeva
Home School, City: Jelgava Centre School, Jelgava, Latvia
Subject: Language
Margarita has a bachelor's degree in Philology and a master's degree in the Methodology of Teaching Foreign Languages, both from the University of Latvia. She has also earned a CELTA certificate as well as a certificate for teaching Business English. Margarita currently teaches 7-14 year old students at Jelgava Centre School and has been teaching for 22 years. She also teaches Business English and English for Law at Baltic International Academy. Margarita has plenty of prior professional development experience. She is a member of LATE (the Latvia Association of Teachers of English). She has attended many online training courses and conferences over the years and has led multiple workshops for teachers in her community. She has participated in two international programs with the British Council and the European Teacher Mobility Program. Margarita also teaches Business English and English for Law at Baltic International Academy. She has a family and has been happily married for 28 years. She has two adult sons: the elder has just graduated to get a GP qualification and has decided to continue his studies to become a heart surgeon. Her youngest is finishing secondary high school the following summer. Margarita is looking forward to the practical experience she will gain throughout TEA. She is eager to experience American culture firsthand and learn more about the United States’ approach to education.
Niphone Yar
Home School, City: Phonesavanh Secondary School, Phonesavanh, Laos
Subject: Language
Niphoe Yar is an English teacher at Phonsavanh Secondary School. Niphone received a bachelor's degree in English from the National University of Laos in 2012 and has been teaching for approximately 10 years now. He teaches English and music and is also the head of the Labor Union Organization at his school. He considers himself to be a creative, good-humored and an engaging teacher. He loves working with students and works hard to build and maintain good student rapport. His hobbies and interests include singing and playing volleyball. Niphone’s main reason for participating in the Fulbright TEA Program is to improve his English skills as well as explore new teaching methodologies.
Rachel Muzondo
Home School, City: Mkoba 1 High School, Gaborone West, Zimbabwe
Subject: Language
Rachel Muzondo has been an English Language and Literature teacher at Mkoba One High School, situated in the high density suburb of Mkoba, for about twenty two years. She teaches children ranging from 13-18 years of age and averages 55 students per class. She received a bachelor’s degree in Education in 1997 from Gweru Teachers College and is looking forward to going back to school in the near future to obtain another degree. Rachel is dedicated to preparing her students for life after school – she wants them to transition into successful citizens and contribute to their communities. In 2019, she attended the Yale Young African Scholars Educators Conference. The conference taught Rachel how to assist her students in choosing the right career path and applying to universities abroad. Rachel helps organize workshops to educate students about their rights and the importance of fighting for those rights. She also assists students in implementing projects to improve her community. Rachel even started the “Textbook Recycling Project” for the English Department in her school. The department had many old textbooks that were difficult to use. Instead of getting rid of these textbooks altogether, Rachel, with the help of many students, worked together to raise funds to repair these books. Rachel’s hobbies include: baking, zumba dancing, and watching movies. In Zimbabwe, many teachers stick to their traditional teaching methods; this is why participating in the TEA program is so important to Rachel. She wants to learn new teaching methods while in the United States and upon returning to Zimbabwe, Rachel plans to conduct workshops to share what she’s learned with others and to encourage more people to implement these new ways of teaching English.
Sindiswa Pearl Maphumulo
Home School, City: Embizweni High School, Durban, South Africa
Subject: Language
Sindiswa Pearl Maphumulo has been an English Language and Literature teacher for the past 7 years at Embizweni High School, located in an underdeveloped township called Umlazi South of Durban. She teaches students ranging from 13-20 in age and averaged 55 students per class prior to COVID-19. Now, she is limited to 30 students max per class. Sindiswa received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of Kwazulu Natal and a Postgraduate certificate in Education at the University of South Africa, qualifying her to teach professionally. Sindswa is very passionate about teaching and tries to encourage students to take learning outside the classroom as well. She also is passionate about empowering the female students in her school. Sindiswa saw a disconnect between young girls and female teachers and wanted to bridge this gap. So, she initiated an all-girls group called “The Soulful Queens” so that female teachers could help young girls grow to be strong and independent women in society. Sindiswa hopes to learn new teaching methods and strategies as well as how to include technology as a method of teaching while participating in the Fulbright TEA program.
Susana Paola Palma Menendez
Home School, City: Dar. Guadalupe Larriva, Manta, Ecuador
Subject: Language
Susana Palma started teaching ESL at her current school (Dra. Guadalupe Larriva) when it was first established in 2016. Her students range from 4-19 years old with an average of 40 students in each class. Susana earned a Masters in Bilingual Education from the University of La Rioja in 2018 in addition to a TESL certification. Susana has also been involved in research within the field of TESL. She’s participated in three different research projects and has researched and published her own. Susana’s article analyzed the CLIL methodology (Content and Language Integrated Learning) used by other teachers in her community. Lastly, Susana attended the Go Teacher program for 7 months in Roseau, Dominica in 2015. Despite being accustomed to the traditional way of teaching English, she found that her perspective changed after having completed the program. Susana is excited to expand on this new knowledge as a participant in TEA. Susana is married and has two children, she lives in Manta, Ecuador, and she enjoys listening to music and painting. Her primary objective for participating in the Fulbright TEA Program is to acquire knowledge related to pedagogical issues in order to improve her students' academic and personal skills.
Taoufik Nefouci
Home School, City: Ibrahim Cherfi, Guemar, Algeria
Subject: Science
Taoufik Nefouci has been teaching at a secondary school as a physics teacher for 7 years. His students range from the ages 15-18 with an average of 35 students per class. In addition to teaching physics, Taoufik teaches Algebra, Geometry, and Calculus. He received a bachelor's degree in Physics from École Normale Supérieure de Kouba in 2018 and a master’s degree in Radiation and Energy Physics from Hamma Lakhdar Eloued University in 2019. Taoufik has attended many professional development workshops prior to this program, one being an intensive train the trainer program with the Algerian Youth Voices. He is also an active member of the Algerian Teachers’ Association and received the “teacher of the year” award two years in a row. Taoufik has even started his own private language school. It has been open for three years now and is called the Education Plus Center. He has 432 total students enrolled in language courses and 16 teachers. Taoufik has been introduced to the hardships of bullying at his school and it has urged him to organize workshops, spreading awareness of the effects of bullying. Though a physics teacher, he feels inclined to provide resources to his students to create a safe and comfortable learning environment. Taoufik's hobbies include football and gaming. His primary objective for participating in Fulbright TEA is to learn more about ESL and expand his network.
Yakou Cha
Home School, City: Santiphap, Luangprabang, Laos
Subject: Math
Mr. Yakou Cha has been teaching math at Santiphap secondary school for around 10 years. He is a mathematics academician in his school and teaches Algebra, Geometry, Calculus, and Statistics. He also teaches an extracurricular class for his country’s national math competition. He has had multiple students place first, second, and third. The students he teaches are 15-18 years and he averages 45 students per class. He graduated from Souphanouvong University in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in teaching mathematics. Additionally, Yakou has attended many training workshops to learn more about curriculum, teaching methods, and student-centered learning. Yakou comes from a big family that used to live in the countryside, however, he now lives in LuangPrabang city. In his free time, he likes to watch movies and learn English through Youtube. His objective for participating in the Fulbright TEA program is to learn new methods of teaching. Yakou is more than ready to serve his community back home by implementing what he learns throughout the Fulbright TEA program.
Htet Htet Lwin
Home School, City: NO 4 Basic Education High School, Mawlamyine, Burma
Subject: Language
Htet Htet has been serving as an English teacher and administrator at Wisdom Palace Private High School Magway for about 7 years. Her students range from 5-16 years old. On average, she has 25 students in each class. Htet Htet received a bachelor’s degree in Education from Yangon University in 2012 and a master’s degree in Education in 2014. She has a certificate in English Language Teaching-Secondary (CELT-S) from the Regional English Language Center in Singapore and has also completed a couple of MBA courses at the Myanmar Land Institute in Yangon. Htet Htet served as a volunteer trainer for the Post Primary Teacher Training in 2016. One of her greatest accomplishments is when she served as a liaison officer for the athletes participating in the 27th SouthEast Asia Sea games in 2013. Htet Htet loves cooking and making salads. She also enjoys playing tennis and working out. Htet Htet’s primary objective for participating in the Fulbright TEA program is to learn new teaching methods that she can use to enhance her classroom environment. She would also like to share these methods with others in her community to help improve the overall quality of education in Myanmar.