Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) for Secondary Educators

Program Overview

The Study of the U.S. Institutes for Secondary Educators is an intensive post-graduate-level academic program with integrated study tours whose purpose is to provide secondary educators (including teachers, administrators, teacher trainers, curriculum developers, textbook writers, ministry of education officials, and others) the opportunity to deepen their understanding of U.S. society, culture, values, and institutions.

The ultimate goal of the Institutes is to strengthen curricula and to enhance the quality of teaching about the United States in secondary schools and other academic institutions abroad. Each Institute includes a five-week academic residency component and a one-week integrated study tour to another region of the United States.

The Institutes focus on providing content and materials for participants to develop high school level curricula about the United States. Two of the Institutes are tailored for secondary school teachers; please note that the Institutes for Teachers focus on content and materials about the United States rather than teaching methods and pedagogy. The third Institute is tailored for experienced administrators including teacher trainers, curriculum developers, textbook writers, Ministry of Education officials, and others.

Through a combination of traditional, multi-disciplinary, and interdisciplinary approaches, program content will examine the history and evolution of U.S. institutions and values, broadly defined. The programs will also serve to illuminate contemporary political, social, and economic debates in American society. The five-week academic residencies will take place at U.S. university and college campuses and will consist of a balanced series of lectures, panels, seminar discussions, readings, workshops, site visits, meetings with practitioners in the field, and cultural activities. One-week study tours to a different region will complement the academic residencies and showcase the cultural, geographic, and ethnic diversity of the United States. The program features curriculum based on the study of how America’s foundations and historical development have shaped and continue to inform U.S. politics, economics, and society. A key cultural component of the program involves community service activities, which will provide participants with a first-hand experience of how volunteerism plays a vital role in U.S. civil society. The program will offer multiple opportunities for follow-on engagement through alumni webinars, grant-funded follow-on projects, social media, and an alumni workshop.

The University of Montana in Missoula, MT will oversee and administer the three SUSIs for Secondary Educators and will conduct one Institute for teachers which will explore American studies through the lens of democracy and citizenship. The Institute for Training and Development (ITD) in Amherst, Massachusetts will conduct the second Institute for teachers which will explore the ways in which individual rights and social obligations have evolved through American history. California State University at Chico will conduct the Institute for Administrators and will focus on sociocultural understanding, equitable learning communities, and diversity and inclusion in U.S. education and society.

Please note that teachers who are more interested in teaching methods and pedagogy rather than U.S. studies should apply for the Teaching Excellence in Achievement (TEA) program.

Program Provision

J-1 visa support;
A pre-departure orientation held in participants’ home country;
Round-trip airfare to and within the United States;
Housing (generally shared with other program fellows);
Accident and sickness medical insurance coverage (does not cover pre-existing conditions);
An allowance for meals and incidentals during the academic program;

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

be either a full-time secondary school teacher in a school that serves a primarily local (not expatriate) population, or experienced administrators including teacher trainers, curriculum developers, textbook writers, ministry of education officials, and others;
have at least seven or more years of full-time, relevant employment;
demonstrate English language fluency during mandatory face-to-face interviews;
have commitment to introduce or enhance aspects of U.S. studies into their curricula or to offer specialized seminars/workshops for education professionals in U.S. studies or related fields;
be citizens of and residents in Uzbekistan; and
have submitted a complete application.

Program Requirements and Restrictions

All participants are expected to participate fully in the program. Selected participants must attend all lectures and organized activities and complete assigned readings. Family members and/or friends cannot accompany participants on any part of the program. Candidates should be made aware that this is an intensive Institute and there will be little time for personal pursuits unrelated to the program. The Institute is not a research program.

Program Duration

The SUSI for Secondary Educators will take place at various academic institutions throughout the United States over the course of five weeks beginning in June 2023. If the program is conducted virtually, ECA will provide a technology stipend to participants. The virtual program will consist of a minimum of 36 hours of required programming and will include lectures, small group discussions, videos, readings, panels, site visits, assignments, and individual and group activities.

Application Components and Submission

A completed application consists of the following:

Application (DOCX 36 KB);
CV/Resume
A copy of your passport.

A completed application package must be sent to Tashkent-Program@state.gov by 18:00 (local time in Uzbekistan) on October 31, 2022.

Incomplete applications will NOT be considered. Answer all questions as fully as possible. On this note, if you decide to send a scan of your application, check to make sure the scans are legible – if you cannot read them, we will not be able to read them.

Questions

Please email your questions to: Tashken-Program@state.gov with “SUSI for Secondary School Educators” in the subject line of all emails.