Crofton Middle School Teacher is Selected for Fulbright Seminar Abroad to China
On Valentine's Day, Sue Casler, English Department Chair at Crofton Middle School received more than chocolate and flowers. Mrs. Casler received her acceptance letter to participate in the 2007 Fulbright Seminars Abroad in China. The program, in partnership with the Chinese Education Association for International Exchange, focuses on the overall history and culture of China.
Mrs. Casler, who was recently named 2006-2007 Teacher of the Year in the county, applied for the Fulbright Seminar last September. Her application included a plan for infusing the history and culture of China into the curriculum.
Mrs. Casler is not the first teacher in the county to participate in the Fulbright Seminars Abroad. Superintendent Kevin Maxwell previously participated in the Fulbright Seminar. Two years ago, Sandra McWhirter, reading resource teacher at Annapolis Middle School shared her experiences from the same trip to China and her subsequent lessons.
“She did an extraordinary lesson as a follow up,” Mrs. Casler said. “She has been a great source of information. Sandra climbed all 1,200 steps of the Great Wall instead of taking an elevator, so she's inspired me to do the same!”
When asked what she learned from her experience in the Fulbright Seminar, Ms. McWhirter said, “We are more alike than different in many ways.” After attending university lectures in China and talking to teachers and students, Ms. McWhirter said, “One absolute way the Fulbright experience benefited my career is to further solidify my concern for minorities within our school system and our society.”
The month long trip, scheduled to begin in the end of June, will include stays in Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Kunming, and Hong Kong. The U.S. Department of Education funds up to eight such trips a year to various countries. Mrs. Casler will be traveling with a cohort of 16 teachers from across the country from all levels of education, elementary to college.
Although she has not packed her bags yet, Mrs. Casler is getting ready. She is using computer software to learn some Mandarin phrases, “a gift from my husband who is behind this trip 100%,” Mrs. Casler said. She was also given thank-you gifts that are representative of Maryland to give to her hosts. Delegate Ted Sophocelus donated 8 Maryland Flag pins and Delegate Mary Ann Love donated an Assembly pin.
“That is great especially since our state flag has two colors that are highly regarded by the Chinese: red and yellow,” Mrs. Casler explained. She is also hoping to find some green ceramic terrapins “since turtles are highly regarded and this is terrapin country. Green is another color that is highly regarded.”
In addition to the pins, Mrs. Casler is taking three copies of Priscilla Cummings book, “Chadwick the Crab.” Ms. Cummings will be giving a book talk at the school's media center later this month and Mrs. Casler is hoping to get her gift copies autographed. “I am so proud to be able to show off our state,” Mrs. Casler exclaimed.
When asked about any anxiety she has about traveling so far, for so long, without family, Mrs. Casler replied, “I am nervous but I am far more excited. I decided to live so that my 'dreams are bigger than my fears', something I read on a fortune cookie that seems to be good advice, don't you think?”
“There is always a reason not to do something. It's too easy to back out,” Mrs. Casler explained of her decision to apply for the seminar and take the trip. “I tell my students don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something. If you want to do it, aim for your goal. I have to follow that myself.”
Around the Schools by Ann Evankovich
CMS: Fulbright Teacher Award 3/19/07