Education Office Embassy of Spain in the US - Consulate General of Spain in SF School districts/Charter schools Informational Session Visiting Teachers Program

EMBASSY OF SPAIN – EDUCATION OFFICES

International Spanish Academies Resource Centers Summer Courses for Teachers in Spain North American Language and Culture Assistants SpanishVisiting Teachers “Materiales para la enseñanza multicultural” Resources for Teachers Web site: educacion.gob.es/eeuu Programs and Resources Programs and Resources AP Spanish courses for students in Spain Ruta Quetzal Spanish Language and Culture Assistants School of the Year Award “Escribo en Español” CA entries E-twinning 2099 (78%) California 22% US 117 CA in the US 16 Courses new teachers

Based on Memorandum of Understanding, which enables teachers from Spain to teach in CA school districts on a J-1 cultural exchange visa up to 3 years. Followed by Agreement of Collaboration The program Started in California in 1986 Visiting Teachers Program

- 72 teachers began in Over 2000 teachers have participated in 27 years : 1348 teachers working in the US : Over 200 teachers from Spain in California - California: Agreement of Collaboration with more than 50 school districts and charter schools in 27years. - Teachers work here from 1 to 3 years. Some remain longer.

(DC) Washington Oregon California Nevada Idaho Montana Wyoming Colorado Utah New Mexico Arizona Texas Oklahoma Kansas Nebraska South Dakota North Dakota Minnesota Wisconsin Illinois Iowa Missouri Arkansas Louisiana Alabama Tennessee Michigan Pennsylvania New York Vermont Georgia Florida Mississippi Kentucky South Carolina North Carolina Maryland Ohio Delaware Indiana West Virginia New Jersey Connecticut Massachusetts Maine Rhode Island Virginia New Hampshire Michigan (upper peninsula) VISITING TEACHERS

For the US : o The presence of the teachers fosters knowledge and appreciation of similarities and differences among o It addresses problems associated with the availability of qualified and certified Spanish-speaking teachers o It provides communities with a diverse atmosphere o It brings qualified and extraordinary teachers to the education and lives of the students o It promotes cultural links between California and Spain. Why participate in the program?

For Spain: Teachers learn about different and good teaching practices in American schools It provides a variety of tools for future teaching work It improves teaching practice in a multicultural context Teachers acquire a more profound knowledge of American culture Teachers transfer this knowledge to the Spanish school community

Candidates: - Fully certified K-12 teachers - Proficient in English -European University Education: all have a Bachelors, many have a Master’s -They have at least 3 years experience -Strongly interested in international education and new pedagogical opportunities

Teaching subject: Spanish as a Foreign Language Immersion programs Alternative bilingual programs Other subjects (Math, Science,Music, etc.) From kingerdarten to grade 12

District’s Responsibilities: Logistic support upon teachers’ arrival Orientations, school and cultural mentoring Professional developement opportunities Work along with the Responsible Officer and the Education Advisor towards the success of the program

Teacher’s Responsibilities: As full-time teachers, they are expected to fulfil the same requirements as the rest of teachers: Teach a regular teaching day Elaborate their lesson plans and all other documents required by their Administrators Collaborate actively in their Departments and schools on any initiatives Teach and behave according to the rigor and standards expected

Ministry of Education: Covers travel, food, and lodging costs for CDE staff to test and screen Spanish teachers, and for the selected school districts to interview and offer teaching contracts in Madrid Teachers: Pay for their housing, health, medical evacuation and repatriation insurances, own travel, and US Embassy fees for visas School Districts/Charter schools: Teacher salary according to their teaching experience and university hours s Funding

Challenges for Visiting Teachers - It takes some time for visiting teachers to adjust to a new school system. - Visiting teachers need support with classroom management strategies. - Meeting credentialing requirements by exams for a short stay in California.

Kindergarten through twelfth grade students are reaping the benefits of the partnership with Spain.

December, 2013:  Yearly national call to recruit candidates January to March, 2014 :  The Ministry and CDE make an initial selection of candidates - Revision of required documents in Madrid - Pre-selection of candidates in California Selection Process Calendar

April, 2014 (in Madrid):  Responsible Officer from CDE: Mini CBEST/Oral interview  District/School representatives travel to Madrid to run the interviews  Orientation in Madrid for selected teachers

April/June, 2014:  The selected Spanish teachers sign the contract with each school district/charter school  2/3 day Seminar in Madrid paid by the Ministry  1/2 day Orientation Seminar in California  District support July, 2014

Upon arrival: Meeting about details of the process. All the interviews take place at the hotel. Start at 10:00 – Finish at 5:00 Monday through Friday. The interviewing teams determine the duration and structure of each interview. Every day representatives will receive the list and resumés of candidates to be interviewed the following day. Candidates may provide other type of documentation regarded as relevant Interviews

Important dates: January 31, 2014: Information sheet February 24, 2014: Agreement of Collaboration April 2014: Interviews in Madrid July 2014: Orientation for selected teachers in Madrid and California

Web site Find out: Who we are and what we do Services and Programs Publications Useful Links

CDE Edda Caraballo Responsible Officer Ministry of Education Rosario Outes Jiménez Education Advisor in Los Angeles Josefa Salvador Hernández Education Advisor in San Francisco us

«After many years of not accepting visiting teachers from Spain, my district changed its policy because we were not able to find well-prepared and skilled teachers who were native Spanish speakers. Fluency in Spanish is crucial to the success of our Spanish Dual Immersion program. The quality of these teachers is exceptional. Not only do our visiting teachers understand the California Standards, but they bring new strategies and perspectives to professional discussions. Their contributions on the rich cultural traditions of Spain have broadened the perspectives of our students. Our visiting teachers are enthusiastic, hard-working, and student-centered. Our school is better for having them on our team. » PRINCIPAL JUDY CRATES, Ed. D. MOUNTAIN VIEW WHISMAN, CALIFORNIA Visiting Teachers Program « What a joy to have the very professional visiting teachers from Spain arrive this year! They are well trained, experienced, and their presence has raised the level of professionalism for our entire staff. We also admire the way they have integrated into the lifestyle of our school and our city with energy and enthusiasm. Those same qualities are evident as they work together with us in moving toward implementing the Common Core curriculum. Indeed, their understanding of the need to encourage students to think more deeply was evident from the first day of school. They are already leaders on this staff and our dual- immersion elementary school is benefitting greatly from their presence. I sincerely hope that we can continue this beneficial partnership!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE our new teachers. Thank you for the important part you play in making this happen! » KATIE MCLANE ACTING PRINCIPAL, GLOBAL FAMILY ELEMENTARY OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA