NewsUpper SchoolFaculty/StaffAcademics
Kinney selected for Toyota International Teacher Program
Sep 19, 2006 1:23 PM
By Tannika King - Faculty
Environmental Science Teacher Owen Kinney is one of two Georgia teachers selected to participate in the Toyota International Teacher Program. Through this program, Kinney and fellow educator Olivia Roller of Decatur High School will spend Oct. 27 to Nov. 8 exploring the rich environmental heritage of the Galapagos Islands, a designated World Heritage site off the coast of Ecuador.
“Ask any nature nut and they’ll tell you that a tour of the Galapagos Islands is really the Holy Grail of all field trips,” said Kinney. “I am honored to have been chosen by Toyota to contribute to their efforts to promote sustainability across the curriculum of secondary schools. I am looking forward to working with educators from the Galapagos as well as the panel of 19 other U.S. teachers.”
As one of eight science teachers among a contingent of Spanish, economics, statistics, English and media arts teachers, Kinney is eager to meet the challenge of designing truly interdisciplinary lessons that address environmental issues.
“And I must say that the giant tortoises and marine iguanas are at the top of my tourist wish list,” he added. “I hope to attain a greater understanding of the Latin American educational system, particularly in the area of environmental science. Also, I want to bring the insights I gain from the program back to Darlington. There are many opportunities to work among departments on lessons that focus on real-world environmental topics.”
While visiting the legendary Galapagos Islands, educators of all subject areas will observe and explore environmental projects, speak with experts and community leaders, and participate in activities that encourage global awareness about environmental stewardship. A key component to the program will be a joint professional development forum of American and Galapagueño teachers. They will spend two days together and will share innovative ways of teaching environmental issues across all subjects and disciplines.
This is the first time the program will visit the Galapagos Islands. Previously, all program trips had visited Japan, and to date, 400 teachers from all over the U.S. have been participants. The 20 teachers selected to go to the Galapagos Islands represent 10 U.S. states – Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Texas and Washington D.C. and were selected based on their professional and leadership qualifications, as well as their plans to incorporate their experiences and research into their curriculum. Funded through an annual $1.2 million grant from Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., the program is the only one of its kind sponsored by a major U.S. corporation.
“This is a new opportunity for teachers to receive a global environmental perspective that they can take back to the classroom and to their communities,” said Michael Rouse, corporate manager, philanthropy and community affairs at TMS. “We are proud to offer this opportunity for teachers to explore environmental sustainability as it relates to the balance of humans and nature.”
The Toyota International Teacher Program is administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE) in Washington, D.C., the nation’s most experienced non-profit international exchange organization.
“The Toyota International Teacher Program provides teachers with experiences and tools they can use to enable their students to think and act on a cooperative and global basis,” said IIE President and CEO Dr. Allan E. Goodman.
An independent, nonprofit organization founded in 1919, the Institute is the world’s most experienced global higher education and professional exchange organization. IIE designs and implements over 250 programs of study and training for students, educators, young professionals and trainees from all sectors with funding from government and private sources. IIE also conducts policy research and provides advice and counseling on international educational opportunities abroad. The Institute of International Education has a network of 15 offices worldwide, over 800 college and university members and more than 5,000 volunteers. Information about IIE can be obtained from IIE’s Web site, or by contacting Nancy Overholt.
“Ask any nature nut and they’ll tell you that a tour of the Galapagos Islands is really the Holy Grail of all field trips,” said Kinney. “I am honored to have been chosen by Toyota to contribute to their efforts to promote sustainability across the curriculum of secondary schools. I am looking forward to working with educators from the Galapagos as well as the panel of 19 other U.S. teachers.”
As one of eight science teachers among a contingent of Spanish, economics, statistics, English and media arts teachers, Kinney is eager to meet the challenge of designing truly interdisciplinary lessons that address environmental issues.
“And I must say that the giant tortoises and marine iguanas are at the top of my tourist wish list,” he added. “I hope to attain a greater understanding of the Latin American educational system, particularly in the area of environmental science. Also, I want to bring the insights I gain from the program back to Darlington. There are many opportunities to work among departments on lessons that focus on real-world environmental topics.”
While visiting the legendary Galapagos Islands, educators of all subject areas will observe and explore environmental projects, speak with experts and community leaders, and participate in activities that encourage global awareness about environmental stewardship. A key component to the program will be a joint professional development forum of American and Galapagueño teachers. They will spend two days together and will share innovative ways of teaching environmental issues across all subjects and disciplines.
This is the first time the program will visit the Galapagos Islands. Previously, all program trips had visited Japan, and to date, 400 teachers from all over the U.S. have been participants. The 20 teachers selected to go to the Galapagos Islands represent 10 U.S. states – Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Texas and Washington D.C. and were selected based on their professional and leadership qualifications, as well as their plans to incorporate their experiences and research into their curriculum. Funded through an annual $1.2 million grant from Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., the program is the only one of its kind sponsored by a major U.S. corporation.
“This is a new opportunity for teachers to receive a global environmental perspective that they can take back to the classroom and to their communities,” said Michael Rouse, corporate manager, philanthropy and community affairs at TMS. “We are proud to offer this opportunity for teachers to explore environmental sustainability as it relates to the balance of humans and nature.”
The Toyota International Teacher Program is administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE) in Washington, D.C., the nation’s most experienced non-profit international exchange organization.
“The Toyota International Teacher Program provides teachers with experiences and tools they can use to enable their students to think and act on a cooperative and global basis,” said IIE President and CEO Dr. Allan E. Goodman.
An independent, nonprofit organization founded in 1919, the Institute is the world’s most experienced global higher education and professional exchange organization. IIE designs and implements over 250 programs of study and training for students, educators, young professionals and trainees from all sectors with funding from government and private sources. IIE also conducts policy research and provides advice and counseling on international educational opportunities abroad. The Institute of International Education has a network of 15 offices worldwide, over 800 college and university members and more than 5,000 volunteers. Information about IIE can be obtained from IIE’s Web site, or by contacting Nancy Overholt.
