Teaching Excellence and Achievement (TEA) Program

Participating Organizations & their Roles

The United States Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA)

• Funds the program
• Provides overall oversight of the implementation of the program
• Collaborates with IREX and U.S. Embassies and Fulbright Commissions to select program Fellows

U.S. Embassies and/or Fulbright Commissions

• Manages recruitment, conducts pre-departure orientation, and engages with alumni

IREX

• Collaborates with ECA, U.S. Embassies/Commissions and U.S. Host Universities to implement the TEA program,
• Conductsall aspects of monitoring and evaluation, provides support to Fellows during the program, and implements U.S.-based aspects of the program
• Manages alumni programming

The Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program (TEA) will provide approximately 154 secondary school teachers from Europe and Eurasia,

East Asia and the Pacific, the Near East, South and Central Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Western Hemisphere with a unique opportunity to develop greater expertise in their subject areas, enhance their teaching skills, and increase their knowledge about the United States.

Eligibility Requirements for TEA

Applicants must:

• Be current secondary school-level, full-time teachers in an institution serving primarily a local population;
• Have earned a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent;
• Have five or more years of classroom experience as a teacher of English, English as a Foreign Language (EFL), Mathematics, Science, or Social Studies, including special education teachers in those subject areas;
• Be a citizen of and resident in an eligible TEA Program country;
• Earn a minimum score of 450 on the paper based TOEFL or equivalent**;
• Demonstrate a commitment to continue teaching after completion of the program; and
• Submit a complete application.

**A limited number of participants with TOEFL scores between 425 and 450, or equivalent, will be accepted for the program into a special cohort with additional English language training included as part of the professional development program.

TEA Program Provisions

The TEA Program will provide the following

• J-1 visa support
• A pre-departure orientation held in your home country
• Round-trip airfare to and within the U.S
• A Welcome Program in Washington, D.C.
• Academic Fees
• Housing (generally hared with other Fellows) and meals

Accident and sickness medical coverage

A daily allowance for incidentals during the university academic program

A professional development allowance

A baggage allowance

The opportunity to apply for alumni small grants for alumni in good standing

TEA Program Regulations

• All fellows receive a J-1 visa.
• Fellows must return to their home countries for at least two years upon completion of the TEA program, as stipulated by laws governing J-1 visa
• The J-1 visa does not allow for paid employment during the program.
• No visa transfers or extensions will be given.
• No visas will be provided for dependents (children, spouses)

TEA Selection Process

• Selection is made through a merit-based open competition.
• All applications are first reviewed for technical eligibility.
• The top candidates are interviewed by an interview panel and take the TOEFL examination or another comparable examination.
• The top nominees’ applications and TOEFL scores will be reviewed by a selection committee and then by ECA and IREX in Washington, D.C., and, barring any ineligibilities or other concerns, the nominees will be confirmed as finalists.

*The Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program promotes diversity in the classroom and in learning. The TEA Program supports inclusion and strongly encourages teachers with disabilities to apply.

TEA Selection Criteria

• Demonstrated commitment to teaching in secondary education;
• Demonstrated leadership potential;
• Professional and educational experience and achievements;
• Potential for developing long-term linkages between U.S. and home country educational institutions and schools;
• Preparedness for an intensive U.S.-based training program;
• Willingness and capacity to work and live with international peers to foster a positive learning community for professional development;

Teaching Excellence & Achievement Program

TEA is an intensive non-credit, non-degree six-week professional development program at a U.S. university (late January – March 2018 or mid-September – November 2018).

The TEA program includes: 

• A customized academic program in general pedagogy and discipline-specific education sessions;
• A customized course in instructional technology;
• A field experience at a U.S. secondary school with a U.S. partner teacher;
• Organized U.S. civic and cultural activities

Teaching Excellence & Achievement Program

TEA is an intensive non-credit, non-degree six-week professional development program at a U.S. university (late January – March 2018 or mid-September – November 2018).

The TEA program includes: 

• A customized academic program in general pedagogy and discipline-specific education sessions;
• A customized course in instructional technology;
• A field experience at a U.S. secondary school with a U.S. partner teacher;
• Organized U.S. civic and cultural activities