Russian Teachers, Tomsk, Russia
University of Georgia, Athens

Coordinated by the Office of International Public Service and Outreach
Coordinated by the Office of Educator Partnerships, College of Education

	Teachers Training Teachers at the University of Georgia

Eight teachers and two facilitators from Russia spent nearly three weeks at the University of Georgia as part of a teacher training and exchange program from October 13 to November 1, 2005. The program, Teachers Training Teachers, is a partnership that includes UGA's Office of International Public Service and Outreach, the Office of Educator Partnerships in the College of Education, Georgia League of Professional Schools, and selected faculty in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) and the College of Education, as well as local Georgia school districts.

SEE ALSO
	• "Visiting Russian teachers talk about similarities, differences in schools," Columns, November 7, 2005

The training program centered on a coordinated series of presentations by University of Georgia faculty who specialize in mathematics education, science education, teacher preparation and retention, and instructional technology. Ms. Heather Edelblute, Program Coordinator, Office of Educator Partnerships, organized visits to area schools where the Russian teachers observed classrooms and met with American teachers and administrators, complementing the series of academic lectures. UGA faculty, as well as Georgia K-12 educators, shared with the Russian teachers the U.S. approach to teaching mathematics, science, and information technology in today's schools. Russian teachers participated in hands-on, interactive sessions on areas ranging from inquiry-based science lessons to the use of technology to aid communication among teachers. In addition, the Russian teachers observed UGA teaching fellows in area schools developing lesson plans for the Science Behind Our Food Program, coordinated by Dr. David Knauft, Regents Professor of Horticulture in the CAES.

Left: Anna Vdovina, Tamara Kuchina, Yelena Taleyko, and Natalya Klimenko listen to an explanation of primary school education in Georgia at Barnett Shoals Elementary School. Middle: The Russian teachers found the children's section of the Athens-Clarke County Library the most interesting part of their tour and very different from libraries in their region of Tomsk. Right: Sergey Abramov, a physics and IT teacher from Tomsk, shares a profile of his school and students on a Smart Board at Barnett Shoals Elementary School.

Five UGA students served as translators during the Russian teachers' visit. "Students helped the Russian teachers understand the U.S. educational system and campus life, contributing to greater cross-cultural and global understanding," noted Dr. Art Dunning, Vice President for Public Service and Outreach.

In addition to professional development, the visitors learned about Georgia's culture and history, and the important role of education to its economy through field trips to cultural locations in Athens, Atlanta, Madison, Braselton, and Lexington, Georgia coordinated by the Office of International Public Service and Outreach. They took in the history of the state by visiting places like the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site and the Carter Center in Atlanta, while also witnessing the innovative uses of technology in agriculture at the Green Acres Dairy Farm in Maxeys, GA and Goodness Grows Nursery in Lexington, Ga.

Left: Svetlana Kalashnikova listens to children's stories on the computer at the Athens Clarke County Library. Middle: The Russian teachers enjoyed selecting apples at Thomas Orchards Fruit Stand in Watkinsville, Ga. Right: The Russian teachers visit Mr. Henry Cabaniss Green Acres dairy farm in Maxeys, Ga.

While the Russian educational system is noted for its strength in math and science, the teachers indicated an interest in topics such as how American teachers motivate students, assess students' achievement, and use technologies in the classroom. They were able to see these areas of interest in action by observing K-12 classrooms and then having discussions with Georgia teachers about the many aspects of teaching. The Russian teachers also collected assessment tools as well as lesson plans on their school visits.

This experience not only benefited the visiting Russian teachers, but also widened the world view of education for K-12 educators, university faculty, and others involved in the program. Most school visits involved a discussion between American and Russian teachers about the similarities and differences between science and math curricula, school schedules, and the day in the life of an educator in the United States and Russia. Russian teachers were able to have a dialogue with a room full of science and mathematics educators at a Partnership for Reform in Science and Mathematics Education (PRISM) meeting at Sandy Creek Nature Center in Athens. On Thursday, October 20, the Russian teachers presented a seminar about math and science education in their home region of Tomsk, Russia at UGA's College of Education. Faculty, graduate students, and staff filled the College of Education conference room to learn more about the Russian teachers, Tomsk, and the Russian system of education.

Throughout the Russian teachers' two-week training program at UGA, Dr. Lewis R. Allen, Co-Director, Georgia League of Professional Schools and Workshop Coordinator, met with the teachers to plan for a three-day teacher-training workshop to be held in Tomsk in the summer 2006. During this time the teachers discussed what they were seeing and observing and reached agreement as to what ideas and impressions they wanted to share with their colleagues. Typically, the teachers broke into small groups and then came together as a whole group to create a draft schedule for the summer workshop. They were extremely conscientious in working on this task, and the dedication to their professions was clearly demonstrated through the workshop planning. Even though they had very full days, the teachers voluntarily spent several evenings putting in extra time to make sure they complied with all deadlines. It is anticipated that the summer workshop will be very well planned and carried out. American Councils for International Education funded the Teachers Training Teachers Program (3TP).