International Leaders in Education Program (ILEP)

Program Overview

ILEP Fact Sheet

Program News

IREX International Leaders in Education Program - YouTube video

Video - Part 2

Sixteen teachers from around the world are in Bozeman as part of a new MSU grant”

“NKU Hosts 16 International Teachers”

“My students have such a difficult time making world connections when they read. This experience helped to make them open up to other things going on in the world. Their world became much larger than their own community. All students and teachers could benefit from this type of shared learning experience.”

-Sharlett Eftink
Jackson R-2 School District
Jackson, Missouri
2007-2008 ILEP Internship Host Teacher

Initiated in 2005, the International Leaders in Education Program (ILEP) brings outstanding secondary teachers from the Near East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America to the United States to further develop expertise in their subject areas, enhance their teaching skills, and increase their knowledge about the United States. ILEP is a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US Department of State.

KEY ISSUES AND OBJECTIVES

To enhance teachers’ expertise in their teaching discipline and equip them with a deeper understanding of best practices in teaching methodologies, lesson planning, and the use of technology in teaching.
To create among educators a more nuanced understanding of the United States.
To develop productive and lasting relationships and mutual understanding between the United States and international teachers and their students.
To contribute to improving teaching in participating countries by preparing participants to serve as teacher leaders, who upon returning home will apply and share their experience and skills with their peers and students.

PROJECT PLAN

Professional training for 78 teachers
Opportunity for 20 US teachers to participate in a two-week reciprocal visit
Small grants issued for alumni activitie

Project Activities

Teacher Training: ILEP participants attend a semester-long, academic program at US universities, which includes coursework and intensive training in teaching methodologies, curriculum development, and the use of technology for education. The program includes an 8 week internship at a US secondary school to actively immerse participants into the American classroom environment. The program builds teacher leadership skills and provides experience that can be shaped for their home teaching environments.
US Teacher Reciprocal Visits: 20 US high school teachers will have the opportunity to participate in a reciprocal visit to an ILEP fellow’s home country. Any teacher from host US high schools, past or present, is eligible to apply for this opportunity.
Small Grants for Professional Development and Education: In addition to the US-based training component of ILEP, the program provides small grants to build partnerships among international and American participants. The creation of professional networks for educators sustains the impact of the program while promoting international understanding and collaboration.

IREX Education Programs Division History

IREX has been working to improve the quality of primary and secondary education around the world for nearly ten years. To date, IREX’s primary school development programs have reached nearly 50,000 students in more than 500 urban and rural schools. Since 1998, IREX programs have trained 7,000 teachers, school administrators, and pre-service education faculty, developed numerous teacher curriculum and methodological manuals, and established a Teacher Trainer Corps.

Program Contact

For more information about ILEP, contact ilep@irex.org.