Teachers Training Teachers: A Mexico-US Higher Education Partnership to Improve Science, English, and Mathematics Pedagogy
January 2007-December 2009

U.S. Agency for International Development—Training, Internship, Exchanges, and Scholarship (TIES) Program, administered by Higher Education for Development (HED) in Washington, DC

What Is TIES?

	Seven TIES Phase II students attended the 11th Annual Conference on the Americas at Georgia Perimeter College in February 2008, providing a unique opportunity to present thesis research. See photos and complete story > TIES II students from Mexico volunteered at the Feria Latina de Salud as a service learning experience in October 2007. See photos and complete story >

The TIES initiative, funded by USAID, allows universities in the United States and Mexico to form educational partnerships for the purpose of creating and enhancing economic and social growth in Mexico.

The program provides scholarships and exchange opportunities for Mexican graduate students to study development issues at American universities, as well as providing continuing education opportunities for teachers and educational administrators. Areas of study include education, agriculture, communications technology, health and nutrition, and workforce and business development.

2008 TIES II News • TIES II students led lessons in folk dancing at the UGA Dance Department. • TIES II students visited Atlanta-area international farmers' markets as part of their study in international science education. • TIES II students were honored at the April 2008 International Student Achievement Reception hosted by IPSO. • Seven TIES Phase II students attended the 11th Annual Conference on the Americas at Georgia Perimeter College in February 2008, providing a unique opportunity to present thesis research.

2007 TIES II News • TIES II students from Mexico volunteered at the Feria Latina de Salud as a service learning experience in October 2007. • TIES graduate students acted as translators with the Clarke County School District as parents attended Pre-K orientation in August 2007. • Seven TIES scholarship candidates have submitted their applications to UGA. In March 2007, Dr. Glenn Ames visited and interviewed the candidates. • The February 2007 visit of professors from Veracruz was part of TIES Phase II to strengthen teacher preparation programs for primary and secondary education in the state of Veracruz.

TIES educational partnerships are mutually beneficial to both Mexico and the United States. U.S. faculty and students develop a better understanding of global issues through educational partnerships and collaboration with Mexican institutions of higher education, contributing to global stability, while Mexican educators benefit from the experience gained in agriculture, environmental management, micro enterprise development, public education, and teacher preparation through faculty exchanges, collaborative research, and internships. Meanwhile, government funding for TIES is matched dollar for dollar by participating universities and private sector partners (Source: USAID, "United States and Mexico: University Partnerships for Prosperity").

SEE ALSO
	• Project Abstract (PDF)

History

The TIES (Training Internships, Exchanges, and Scholarships) program was created in 2001 between the US and Mexico. President Bush and Mexican President Vicente Fox issued a joint statement announcing a new scholarship program, predicting that the initiative would "harness the power of free markets to boost the social and economic well-being of citizens, particularly in regions where economic growth has lagged and fueled migration." (USAID, "United States and Mexico: University Partnerships for Prosperity"). Fifty-five higher education partnerships between universities in Mexico and the United States had been developed through the TIES initiative as of 2006, with a goal of establishing more partnerships by the initiative's end. The partnerships are funded by USAID, with additional support from participating universities, foundations, and the private sector.

The UGA TIES project is a response to the concern of Mexico's former President Vicente Fox. He noted the distinct role of teachers in Mexico, stating that, "In the hands of our teachers is the formation of our children; in the hands of our teachers is the construction of a free, just, and democratic Mexico, which we want for our children" (Essays sobre docencias, 2002, p.17). A major push is required to prepare the next generation of teacher trainers in Mexico because of the need for more faculty with postgraduate degrees and the anticipated high rate of retirement for teacher trainers.

As part of a TIES educational partnership between the University of Georgia and Universidad Veracruzana, UGA faculty traveled to Veracruz, Mexico, to study the benefits of agricultural diversification and education in small farming communities. Pictured, UGA professors discuss community problems and diversification strategies with coffee farmers in Ocotal Chico.

The team visited local schools in targeted Agricultural Diversification Communities to examine problems in rural education, including dropout rate, teacher/student absenteeism, and a need to strengthen teacher training.

The TIES Phase II Project at UGA

USAID Development Category
Economic Development and Competitiveness: Teacher Training and Human Capital Development in Mexico's Public Education System

Through this project, the University of Georgia (UGA) will partner with the Universidad Pedagógica Veracruzana (UPV) and Benemérita Escuela Normal Veracruzana (BENV) to strengthen teacher preparation programs for primary and secondary education in the state of Veracruz and improve the socioeconomic situation of Mexican rural communities by:

• Improving UPV's and BENV's curriculum and pedagogy in the areas of math, science, and English for speakers of other languages (ESOL); and
• Better equipping UPV and BENV faculty with new skills and pedagogical techniques to train teachers for a competitive educational system in a global society.

Below is an outline of the specific activities through which the project will accomplish its goals and objectives.

Objective 1 Objective 2 Objective 3 Providing Master's degree training at UGA for seven Mexican faculty from UPV and BENV in the areas of primary and secondary education with an emphasis on math, science, and English language. Conducting assessment and training programs with UPV and BENV faculty and administrators in key curriculum areas. Conducting joint UGA-UPV-BENV training programs and workshops for at least 50 practicing teachers from Veracruz rural communities.

The collaborative relationship between UGA and institutions of higher education in Veracruz spans 15 years and includes numerous exchanges of students, faculty, and professionals from Georgia and Veracruz State. This project has been designed to enhance this relationship as an investment in human and institutional capital to ensure sustainability.

The project's expected outcomes include:

UPV and BENV UGA Development of a cadre of promising young Mexican teacher education professionals with knowledge of and practical experience in math, science, and ESOL Enhanced teaching and research programs in the fields of primary and secondary education in math, science, and ESOL Improved faculty expertise and academic curricula at UPV and BENV in the areas of teacher preparation Collaborative research and joint seminars and workshops that contribute to the international scholarly discourse in the fields of primary and secondary education Strengthened curricula at UPV and BENV in the areas of math, science, ESOL On the part of faculty and students, improved knowledge of the long-term implications of NAFTA from a global perspective and how the globalization of the North American economic sphere impacts social development and education in rural Mexico. Enhanced institutional capacity at UPV and BENV to provide appropriate training workshops for teachers in low income, rural communities in Veracruz Through successful completion of Master's program by Mexican students, increased numbers of Mexican students who choose to pursue further graduate training at UGA. Increased participation in faculty and student exchange agreements between UGA and Veracruz

The co-principal investigators of this project are Dr. Martha Allexsaht-Snider, Associate Professor, Elementary and Social Studies Education, marthaas@uga.edu; Dr. David A. Knauft, Michael A. Dirr Professor of Horticulture, dknauft@uga.edu; and Dr. Glenn C.W. Ames, Director of International Public Service and Outreach, glenn.ames.uga@gmail.com. The Mexican partnership directors are Dr. Marco Wilfredo Salas Martinez, Rector, UPV; and Profra. Marcela Edna Acosta Hernández, Director, BENV.

This website is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Higher Education for Development (HED) office. The contents are the responsibility of Glenn C.W. Ames, TIES Partnership Co-Director at the University of Georgia, and do not necessarily reflect the views of HED, USAID or the United States Government.