Date: February 2005
To: Area
Education Agency Education Service Directors
Local Education Agencies Superintendents and
Administrators
From: Judy
Jeffrey, Director of Education
Susan
Fischer, Interim Executive Director, Board of Educational Examiners
Carmen P. Sosa, Consultant,
ESL/Bilingual and Foreign Languages, Bureau of Instructional Services
John O'Connell, Consultant,
Instructional Technology, Bureau of Instructional Services
Geri
McMahon, Consultant, Board of Educational Examiners
Subject: Invitation, Visiting Teachers from Spain Program
We
would like to invite you to participate in an exciting venture, The Visiting Teacher from Spain Program.
This program provides local school districts with the opportunity to fill
vacant Spanish teaching positions. This is the fifth year for the program in
Iowa. Currently, there are six school districts participating: Tri-County,
Bennett, Holy Family Catholic School at Dubuque, Gilbert, New London, and St.
Edmond Catholic at Fort Dodge. Some of the general reactions to the program
from the administrators are, "This program [made it possible for us] to
give our students a chance to continue their Spanish." "I have been
the supervisor of this program and am pleased with the results for our
students."
With
the Visiting Teachers from Spain Program, Iowa school systems have the option
of recruiting highly qualified Spanish educators for a period of up to three
years and at the same time provide Iowa students, parents, and communities the
opportunity to work with professionals from other countries. Visiting teachers
from Spain are qualified educators with at least two years of teaching
experience. Local school districts hire the visiting teachers in accordance
with all other local policies in terms of salary scale, licensure, and local
systems requirements. The Iowa Department of Education will assess a fee
($850.00 estimated) to the local school districts for the application processes
and fees, orientation, and training.
The
program strives to:
v
Promote
cultural and educational relations that will benefit the State of Iowa and
Spain.
v
Foster
knowledge and appreciation of the culture shared by these two global
communities.
v
Foster
an educational environment that supports both students and teachers in their
continued and future effort toward personal, academic, and professional
success.
v
Utilize
technology to promote teaching and learning of world languages.
Please
disseminate this information to the school principals or respective officials
in charge of hiring. If your school district is in need of a qualified Spanish
teacher and might be interested in hiring a teacher from Spain, please complete
the enclosed Application of Intent.
This Application of Intent does not obligate the local school
district to hire teachers from Spain. It only expresses a local school
district's interest in participating in the program. All Applications of Intent
need to be returned by April 1, 2005 to the Iowa Department
of Education.
Enclosed
are also a detailed explanation of the Visiting Teacher from Spain Program and
a flier. If you have any questions, please contact:
|
Carmen
P. Sosa, Ph.D. 515-281-3805 FAX 515-242-6025 |
John
O'Connell 515-242-6354 FAX 515-242-6025 |
Geri
McMahon 515-281-8323 FAX 515-281-7669 |
Thanks
for you interest in the program and for your continuing support of world
languages programs in Iowa. We are looking forward for your participation.
Enclosures:
The Visiting Teachers from Spain
Program (Flier)
Visiting Teachers from Spain Program
(Process and Responsibilities)
Application of Intent 2005-2006
