Fulbright TEA participants and MSU staff members gather for a group picture in Yellowstone National Park
Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement 2021 Spring Cohort gather with MSU staff members at Yellowstone National Park

Biographies

Spring Program 2021

 

 

Georges, one of the Fulbright TEA participants of the Spring 2021 program

Honye Georges Alexandra Kapeu

Côte d'Ivoire

KAPEU Honye Georges Alexandre is a teacher of English. He teaches at CPME Bimbresso, a  vocational school run by the government. The school he teaches in, trains students to become  craftworkers in some specific fields such as mechanics and electricity. It also prepares  them to score successfully for the professional skilled workers certificate. KAPEU Honye Georges  Alexandre has been teaching English for 19 years after obtaining his Bachelor's degree at the University of Cocody and his TEFL Certificate at the Teacher Training College of Abidjan. He is  interested in using New Technologies and Social Media to teach English to young learners and  adults. His hobbies are football and basketball. He is the husband of a caring woman and  the father of two adorable children, the first of whom, a boy, is now 17 years old and the last, a  girl, is 10. His objective for participating in the Fulbright TEA Program is to learn new methods  and trends related to the English language teaching and acquire new knowledge to be cascaded to his colleagues in his home country.

Ankomah, a participant of the Fulbright TEA Program in the Spring of 2021

Johnson Kwadwo Ankomah

Ghana

Mr. Ankomah is a professional Mathematics teacher who holds a Teaching Certificate and  Bachelor of Education in Mathematics awarded to him by the University of Cape Coast, Ghana  in 2006 and 2013 respectively. He is permanently employed and is currently assigned to 12 grade  level at Nkoranza Senior High/Technical School since September 1st, 2013. His students range in  age from 14 to 18 years old. He is a general Mathematics teacher who covers topics in Algebra,  Geometry, Statistics, Calculus and Trigonometry. Mr. Ankomah already has eight(8) years  teaching experience in Mathematics at high school level and he is ranged as Assistant Director (II) in Ghana Education Service (GES). He is a very hardworking and committed teacher with  good classroom management skills, instructional methodology, technology and leadership skills.  He works forty (40) hours every week and forty-two weeks every school year (September to  July). On the average there are 250 students in his class. Mr. Ankomah supervises the activities  of mathematics club in his school. He is 3A1 form master who liaises between the students, parents and staff. His duties as a form master also includes marking of students register,  attendance and others. He is also a member of national Mathematics and Science Quiz team  where he guides members in carrying out the groups? mission. His hobbies include doing  mathematical calculations, traveling, and listening to music. His primary objective for  participating in the Fulbright TEA Program is to focus on gender equality in science Technology  Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) . He wants to see more female pursuing STEM related courses at the collegiate level. 

Ainur, one of the Spring 2021 Fulbright TEA participants

Ainur Umirzakova

Kazakhstan
Ainur has been teaching for 11 years. During these years she attended several kinds of training courses and participated in  international conferences of  Kaztea, which were held in Aktobe city in 2018 and Povladar in 2019. Now she is a member of the TEK (Teachers of English Kyzylorda) association of our city and took part on the seminars of  association. This year she won the state grant for Master's degree at Korkyt Ata university.
Nargiza, a FTEA participant from the Spring 2021 program

Nargiza Ryskulova

Kyrgyzstan

Nargiza is an English teacher at Joomart Bokonbaev school N36 in Kerben town. This year she started  teaching the Access Microscholarship Program which is provided by U.S  Embassy. Nargiza is the Coordinator of KG TESOL association in Aksy region. She is alumni of  Techaim project and also leads many workshops about Children's rights as a UNICEF volunteer for school children and parents. At the moment she is actively taking part in STEM  project in Kyrgyz Republic. Nargiza received a bachelor's degree in Foreign languages faculty at  Jalal -Abad State University. Her hobbies inlcude travelling, doing yoga, watching movies and reading  motivational books. She has 5 kids and a lovely husband. Her main objectives of participating in the Fulbright TEA Program are to learn new methods, approaches and ways of teaching  with other colleagues in the world, and to share the acquired knowledge with her local community. 

Zhyldyz, FTEA participant from Spring 2021

Zhyldyz Adylbekova

Kyrgyzstan

Zhyldyz Adylbekova has been teaching English at a secondary school for the past 16 years. Her students range in age from 9 to 16 years old. Zhyldyz is an active member not only of her  school’s teacher committee but also of the social life in her village. Zhyldyz received a Master’s  degree in Philology from Tynystanov State University in 2018. Zhyldyz’s hobbies are reading  books and cooking. Her primary objective for participating in the Fulbright TEA program is to  explore new methodologies for engaging students in active classroom setting and to gain more  knowledge about educational strategies and education leaders, especially among girls.

Dalvinder, FTEA participant of Spring 2021

Dalvinder Kaur Maan Guadhial Singh

Malaysia

Dalvinder Kaur Maan has been teaching English and MUET (Malaysian University English Test)  at a secondary school for the past 19 years. Her students range in age from 18 to 19 years old.  On average, there are 37 students in her class. Dalvinder is a dedicated educator who often conducts student workshops (such as writing and speaking workshops), which are designed and  tailored to meet students' specific needs to help them to hone their skills. She also designs  modules to help the weaker students to master the four language skills. Dalvinder received a  bachelor's degree in TESL from University of Exeter, UK in 2002 and a certificate in teaching  methods from the same university. Dalvinder's hobbies include fitness and exploring new places.  Her primary objective for participating in the Fulbright TEA Program is to learn how her school  can combine online and offline teaching and explore strategies and approaches for engaging online students.

Hassana from Mali, one of the FTEA participants of the Spring 2021 program

Hassana Dicko

Mali 

Hassana Dicko is currently teaching the English Language at a public secondary high school. He has been teaching there for the past five years. Before then he had been teaching the English  Language at a public fundamental school for the previous five years. His students at secondary high school range in age from 14 to 21 years old. On average, there are 40 students per class.  Hassana is an active English language facilitator for his school students' English club called  International Network of English Speakers (INES). Hassana obtained a Bachelor's degree in English from the University of Bamako in 2011 and later a certificate in teaching from ENSup  "secondary high school teachers training school". Hassana's hobbies are music, traveling, and  reading. His primary objective for participating in the Fulbright TEA Program is to meet other  experienced teachers from different areas of the world in order to share experience and explore  new teaching technologies for motivating students in a more interactive classroom setting.

Ludmila from Moldova

Ludmila Rosca

Moldova

 Ludmila Rosca is an English teacher in the lyceum "Dimitrie Cantemir", Singerei town, Moldova.  Her students range in age from 7 to 18. She has been teaching for 16 years in her native place.  Through her entire career she has been trying to do the work differently: introducing new elements, new methods and new ideas. She had participated in different programs where her students tried their best. (For Example, North Carolina-Republic of Moldova School Parnership and others). She has a husband, a daughter and a son. Her hobby is swimming. The main objective for participating in the Fullbright TEA Program is to discover new and modern ways of  teaching, to accumulate great practices in meeting new people with different views, positions and  cultures.

 

Otilio from Mozambique

Otilio Charles Americo

Mozambique

Otílio Charles Américo is a teacher at Marromeu Secondary School, in Marromeu district located  in the central area of Mozambique. In 2019, he obtained a bachelor's degree in English from  "Universidade Pedagógica"-Beira (The Pedagogical University of Beira). Otílio grew up listening  to people saying that his father was a good teacher, so it motivated him to pursue this career, and he is happy being a teacher, despite working with overcrowded classes (80-120 students per  class) ranging from 13-41 years old. He loves watching and playing soccer, writing lyrics, and  listening to music.  His district has had no training seminars for in-service teachers of English, so he believes that participating in the Fulbright TEA Program is the key to staying updated on new teaching methodologies and sharing experiences with other fellows. 

Malathy from Sri Lanka

Malathy Mangaleswaran

Sri Lanka

Malathy has been teaching English at a government school for girls for 12 years. Her students range is from 12 to 16 years old. On average, there are 35 students in one class. She is the Sectional Head and the Subject Coordinator of English at her school. She is very much interested in community activities, and her hobbies are preparing teaching  materials for her students and spending time with her daughters. She has obtained her BA in English and expecting to follow with her Master's in linguistics. She has two daughters and her husband is also a teacher of English. Malathy is very interested in participating in the Fulbright TEA program, as she can explore new methodologies for engaging students.

Kumaarr from Sri Lanka

Uthayakumaarr Ehaamparamm

Sri Lanka

Ehaamparamm Uthayakumaarr has been teaching the English language at a government 1AB school for boys for the past 20 years. His students range in age from 14 to 18 years old. On average, there are 30 students in his class. Uthayakumaarr is the teacher-in-charge of his  school's Light House Project where he has played a role in promoting effective involvement in student education. Uthayakumaarr received a bachelor's degree in Social Sciences from the Open University Sri Lanka in 2015 and a certificate in teacher training from the Teachers' College, Maharagama. Uthayakumaar's hobbies include singing and drawing. His primary objective for participating in the Fulbright TEA Program is to explore new methodologies for  engaging students in a more participatory and active classroom setting.

Husniya from Tajikistan

Husniya Mamadsafoeva

Tajikistan

Husniya Mamadsafove lives in Ishkashim district in Tajikistan. She is married and has two young children. Husniya has been teaching the English language at Secondary school N 21, named after Ibrohim Ismoilov, for more than 15 years now. She has been working with students from grades 3 to 11 in school and getting herself involved in different activities in school. She is a hard-working teacher and participates in all the school programs to upgrade her teaching skills. She is also striving to get herself involved in other activities beyond the district or country to get professional experience to improve her teaching. She believes that teaching equals ongoing learning. Therefore, she has been trying to get into the TEA program for many years and she did not give up until she was accepted.

Pom from Thailand

Wipawanee Ponata

Thailand

Wipawanee has been teaching English at Khammuang School, a government secondary school in Kalasin province located in the northeastern part of Thailand. Besides teaching, she has had extra duties as head of student affairs and student council advisor. Her students range in age from 16-18 years old. On average, there are 35 students in her class.  Wipawanee received a master's degree in Applied Linguistics (Teaching English for Specific  Purpose) from Mahidol University in 2015. Wipawanee's hobbies include walking, practicing musical instruments, and watching movies. Her objective for participating in Fulbright TEA  Program is to learn new methodologies and teaching ideas. Moreover, she would like to gain more experience on useful school and classroom disciplines.

 

Puntree from Thailand

Puntree Seekao

Thailand

Puntree Seekao has been teaching English for 8 years for grades 10-12  at Sapphawitthayakhom school located in Maesot district, Tak province, Thailand. He is also the  head of International English program overseeing all students and foreign teachers in the  program. He graduated from KamphaengPhet Rajabhat University with a bachelor of Education, English major.
There are 7 people in his family. He really enjoys exercising. Moreover, Puntree is very interested in helping children gain English knowledge. He is planning to open a small English course for free for children in his  village and students in his school. He wants to get more teaching experience and knowledge  from participating in the Fulbright TEA in order to support his plan for children in his  community.

 

Lek from Thailand

Pornpan U-Pitak

Thailand

Pornpan U-Pitak is an English teacher at the most famous and largest public co-ed high school  in her province. She has been teaching English for 15 years. She has experience in teaching primary school and secondary school level as well. Apart from teaching, her position in the school is the head of Intensive English Program. She helps create students' activities, IEP curriculum, and everything about the IEP program. On average, there are 36-48 students per  class.  Pornpan received a master's degree in English from Srinakharinwirot University in 2011. Her objective for participating in the TEA program is to learn a new trend of English teaching and  techniques. Moreover, Pornpan is interested in how American schools arrange the activities in the school, especially English activities, and how to motivate students to learn a language. Moreover, she is interested in knowing about English assignments that developed countries are giving to the students. Pornpan is single. Her parents passed away many years ago. She lives alone in her own  house near her relatives' houses. She enjoys cooking, traveling and listening to music. She loves to learn new things.

Mariia from the Ukraine

Mariia Makodzeba

Ukraine
Mariia has worked in formal education and studying non-formal education in the world.  Mariia is a math teacher for children 8-17 years old in one of the better schools in Ukraine - Kyivo Pecherskiy Lyceum #171 «Leader»(www.ort.kiev.ua). She has worked as a deputy director for 3 years and also organizes the work of teachers. Through various scout and guide programs, she has learned a lot. And now she has the desire, inspiration and knowledge to improve  our education system. It is to improve, not to change. She has the experience of volunteering in  WAGGGS ( girl scout), organizing international seminars and camps. She is also interested in working on an international project and learning something new.
Akramjon from Uzbekistan

Akramjon Olimjonov

Uzbekistan
Akramjon Olimjonov has been teaching English language at a secondary school for boys and  girls for the past 17 years. His students range in age from 12 to 18 years old. On average, there  are 25 students in his class. Akramjon has played an active role in promoting effective parental  involvement in student education. Akramjon received a bachelor’s degree in English from Andijan State Pedagogical Institute of Languages in 2003 and a certificate in teaching methods from  the Plymouth Marjon University, the UK. Akramjon's hobbies include looking after honey bees and green housing. He has three children. His primary objective for participating in the Fulbright TEA Program is to explore new methodologies for engaging students in a more participatory  and active classroom setting.
Nodira, a Spring 2021 Fulbright TEA participant

Nodira Normuminova

Uzbekistan
Normuminova Nodira has been teaching English at the Academic Lyceum of UWED for the past  8 years. Her students range in age from 15 to 17 years old. On average , there are 15 students in  her class. Nodira graduated from World Languages University in 2010 and got a bachelor's  degree in English. Besides teaching English Nodira conducts fascinating extra classes: The Reader’s club, and the Use of English, which increases students' interests in learning English.  In the summer of 2018, she was recommended for AE-E-Teacher Program for the course 'Using Educational Technology in the English language classroom.' After successfully completing the course, she received a certificate. Nodira's hobbies are watching movies and travelling. The biggest aim of her participating in the Fulbright TEA Program is to have the dramatic opportunity  to enlarge her professional experience, skills of teaching, and reach a fresh approach in the  teaching process.
Israa, a TEA participant of the Spring 2021 program

Israa H.M. Hamad

West Bank
Israa Hamad has been teaching the English language at a private school for both girls and boys for the past 5 years. Her students range in age from 11 to 15 years old and on average, there are 20 students in her class. She is an active member of her school’s parent-teacher  committee where she has played a role in promoting effective parental involvement in student  education. She received a bachelor’s degree in English teaching skills from The University College of  Educational Science  in 2016. Her hobbies include reading books and painting. Her primary objective for participating in Fulbright TEA is to explore new methodologies for engaging  students in a more participatory and active classroom setting.