By Anne Gichohi, Greenheart teacher, in Missouri.
My journey to teach in the USA may have started earlier than one may think. I arrived in the U.S. in August of 2023, as an excited Business teacher. I’m hosted at Central Middle School, Riverview Gardens School District in St. Louis, Missouri.
The Beginning of my Teach USA Journey
I have more than 20 years teaching experience, including international curricula. In one of the Schools, Aga Khan Academy Nairobi, I really wanted to motivate my Diploma level Business Students. The year was 2010, the year The World Cup Football was played in South Africa. The then USA Vice President, and current U.S. President Mr. Joseph Biden was going to make a stop Over in Nairobi Kenya. If he was going to address an audience in Nairobi, my students would love to attend. I wrote to the U.S. Embassy and received a response back. We attended Mr. Joseph Biden’s speech at The Kenyatta International Conference Centre on June 9, 2010! In retrospect, that must have been where my journey to teach in the USA began.
The Remarkable Role of Greenheart in my Positive Teach USA Program Experience
I’m in the U.S. on Greenheart’s Teach USA (TUSA) Program. Greenheart is among the best sponsors for the U.S. Department of State BridgeUSA cultural exchange program. My interaction with Teach USA has been very positive. I received helpful guidance during the program application and J-1 non-immigrant visa interview process. They also provided useful tips to successfully prepare for the relocation to the USA. I knew what to expect in terms of the different culture, economy, and structure of the country. I believe my chances of getting into a cultural shock were minimized by this interaction.
Cross-cultural Activities
Greenheart’s Teach USA team conducts monthly check-ins teachers to ensure their security, welfare and wellbeing. We have guidance on doing successful international and local cross-cultural activities. For the international cross-cultural activity, students at the host school interact with those in international teacher’s home country. I am from Kenya and this particular part of my journey has been very interesting. To date, my students in the USA have interacted with their counterparts in Kenya. They discussed various cultural aspects in both communities. That included freedom, democracy, integrity, honesty, cheerleading and team spirit.
International Teachers as Cultural Ambassadors for their Countries
I volunteer to teach Swahili language to community members around St. Louis. This has been under the umbrella of a non-governmental organization called Vitendo for Africa (V4A). Upon knowing that I am a published author of the Illustrated Kiswahili English Dictionary, the community members requested copies.
Launching My Book in the USA
I launched my book at a Glitzy Gala Dinner. It was hosted by V4A at Orlando Gardens, Maryland Heights, in Missouri. The book has been received well among my community. I have also received invitations to talk about it at different forums. My Colleagues and students were excited for me.
The Best Part of Being an International Teacher
Sharing my Kenyan Culture with students, colleagues and community. I also get to observe and internalize the culture prevalent in the community. I invited the Vitendo for Africa Dance troupe to attend the Winter concert in 2023. They showed up and put up a fantastic dance display. My host Community, students and colleagues were enthralled by the talking drums from Africa! I have also showcased an Ancient Egyptian Princess during the Dress Down week.
I also get to debunk a lot of stereotypes that the community may have had about Africans. Students learn that not all Africans are poverty stricken or live in the dense, wild animal infested jungles! I have also learned that there is exaggeration regarding the different American communities and how they interrelate with each other. I have had a lot of fun with my American colleagues and other cultural exchange teachers from the Philippines. A lot of learning and formation of academic bonds and friendships have been very valuable to me.
The importance of Teach USA to schools and students
Students get a different perspective on life in other parts of the world. Some may never have travelled out of the USA. Now they get exposure other cultures. Their international teacher is a living proof of how dreams do come true. It’s a journey of faith and determination for a teacher to be part of the program. It requires patience, determination, moving out of one’s comfort zone. Then, completely immersing oneself in a new community which has high expectations of you even as they learn from you.
The exchange teachers are committed to their work. They are punctual and come with a wealth of experience. Chances of students taking education for granted when they are in the hands of such teachers are very low. This I believe improves the quality of learning and contributes to improving overall academic performance. The teachers also bring in fresh perspectives to their colleagues as they share in lesson planning, teaching and extracurricular activities.
Thank you, Anne, for sharing your insightful experience with Greenheart’s Teach USA Program! And many congratulations on the publishing of your book!
Is your school ready to host highly qualified international educators? Visit HostGreenheartTeachers.org to apply to host one of Greenheart’s extraordinary international teachers today.