波恩航行
CEHHS Senior Student Teaches in Germany, Opens Doors for Future Instructors
When applying for her student teaching assignment, 克里斯蒂娜•皮特里 submitted several safe choices before throwing in her dream location just to see what would happen.
此后不久，她被 瑞Boysen-Taylor他是该组织的实地安置主任 课程与教学部(C&I) 在 College of Education, 健康 and Human Sciences (CEHHS). Boysen-Taylor told Petrie that if she was serious about her dream pick, CEHHS would advocate for her with university administration to see if they could make it happen.
As a social studies teacher, multicultural education is incredibly important to me, especially as U.S. 教室的文化越来越多样化. I can’t think of a better way to learn about different approaches to multicultural education than to be in this setting.克里斯蒂娜·皮特里，大四学生
结果是, Petrie became the first U of I student in several years to spend an entire semester student teaching outside the United States, 帮助CEHHS和 国际项目办公室(IPO) create a blueprint for future student teachers wishing to follow suit.
“We thought she was the perfect candidate and both CEHHS and U of I were willing to try this as a test case,博伊森-泰勒说. “We think this will spark the conversation about international student teaching and how it can enhance their experience, 即使他们想回到爱达荷州教书.”
主场优势
Petrie had several factors going for her when she applied to teach in Germany. She was born and raised there, moving to 莫斯科 prior to her junior year of high school. Additionally, she holds dual citizenship in both countries and speaks German fluently.
But the idea to go back and teach there was rooted in more than just an opportunity to go home again.
“As a social studies teacher, multicultural education is incredibly important to me, especially as U.S. 教室的文化越来越多样化,”她说。. “I can’t think of a better way to learn about different approaches to multicultural education than to be in this setting.”
Petrie was also willing to do a lot of extra work required to secure the placement. Not only did she need to be comfortable with international travel, have proper documentation and pass background checks, but she also took the lead in finding somewhere to teach.
她找到了 波恩国际学校(BIS), where there happened to be an open spot for a student teacher in social studies. A major advantage for Americans wishing to teach at BIS is that English is the instructional language used by all faculty.
“学生们把我看作一个美国人，”皮特里说. “我甚至没有告诉他们我会说德语!”
Petrie performing well at BIS bodes well for U of I’s interest in building an international student teaching program according to 凯特·雷·切特里，主任 国外的教育 在首次公开募股.
“All international student experiences are based on relationships U of I has within those countries,”她说。. “We don’t really have those in place for student teaching right now but based on this successful initial placement, 我们很高兴探索长期规划.”
外交关系
皮特里计划返回美国.S. 2024年1月，她将开始伊利诺伊大学的学业 课程硕士 & 指令 在线项目. Despite teaching seventh grade at a private school in a foreign country, her goal after completing her graduate degree is to teach in a public school system in the Pacific Northwest before exploring careers in curriculum design.
Based on her upbringing overseas and her experience teaching outside the United States, she hopes to bring a more balanced approach to her classroom when delving into subjects like geography and world events.
“We have 80 different nationalities in this school but in the U.S., a lot of Americans don’t know where the Middle East is,”她说。. “I want to show a more open-minded view of the world so we can focus on what connects us.”
Petrie also hopes to help CEHHS with building out the international student teaching program. 她的生活经历, working and maneuvering around a foreign country will be invaluable to students who are interested in following her footsteps.
Boysen-Taylor and Chettri are also excited to expand the program. Chettri noted that Petrie was not only the perfect candidate for the first overseas placement, 但它也来得正是时候.
“这是我们的时刻，”她说. “International travel is almost back to pre-Covid levels. IPO and CEHHS are working on expanding international opportunities for students interested in teaching abroad. We think this can be a huge opportunity for all U of I students.”
