Greenheart celebrates 40 years of cultural exchange in 2025! Since 1985, Greenheart International has been a catalyst for global transformation through the facilitation of cultural exchange programs. Greenheart representatives recently attended the School Superintendents Association (AASA) National Conference on Education (NCE) that took place in early March 2025. In the next few lines, Lindsay Marsh-Coleman, Associate Director, Career Advancement Program, Greenheart Exchange, shares her reflections on our active participation in the conference, our engagement with the information sessions and attendees, and updates from the Department of State.
Greenheart International was thrilled to participate in the AASA NCE 2025! It was held in the vibrant city of New Orleans on March 6-8. This premier event brought together school superintendents and administrators from across the country. It offered unparalleled opportunities for professional development and networking. Greenheart proudly showcased three of its cultural exchange programs. These were the High School Program, Teach USA and the Intern and Trainee Program that is also known as Career Advancement Program (CAP).
The Significant Role of NCE as an Education Hub for Educators and School Administrators
The NCE is a hub of innovation, dialogue, and collaboration in the education sector. This year’s themes are future-driven learning strategies to creating positive and inclusive school environments. These themes align closely with Greenheart’s mission to foster global connections and promote cross-cultural understanding. The event provided the perfect platform to connect with education leaders. We demonstrated how Greenheart’s programs can enhance efforts of schools’ internationalization.
Highlighting Three of Greenheart’s Exchange Programs at the NCE
Teach USA Program:
Our TeachUSA Program places highly qualified international educators in U.S. classrooms. This enriches the learning environments with diverse perspectives and innovative teaching methods. The key benefits of the program shared with conference attendees:
- Cultural enrichment: Teach USA teachers bring unique cultural insights, fostering global awareness among students.
- Qualified Educators: Participants are experienced professionals with expertise in their fields, meeting the specific needs of U.S. schools.
- Professional Development: Teach USA participants grow professionally by immersing themselves in the U.S. education system. They also share best practices from their home countries.
Many superintendents expressed interest in how the program supports their goals of promoting inclusivity and cultural competency in their districts.
High School Program:
Our booth and conversations also highlighted the variety of options included in our High School Programs. High School Exchange Program offers the opportunity for exchange students to attend school in one of many locations across the U.S. while living with a welcoming, volunteer American host family for a full 10-month academic year, or a 5-month semester. Families who host international high school students often tell us about the joy of experiencing another culture while sharing the American way of life. Cultural exchange experiences can be life-changing for the high schooler AND for the host family. The Conference attendees were briefed about the value of Greenheart’s High School Program:
- A unique experience: the international and American high school students and the host families engage in a meaningful cultural exchange. It also enriches the high school curriculum.
- Global connections: exchange students improve their English, make new friends, and volunteer in their local communities.
- Empowering future leaders: Cultural exchange students gain leadership skills and serve as an ambassador for their home countries while experiencing American culture and having a life-changing school year or semester.
Intern and Trainee Program:
Finally, Greenheart spotlighted its Intern and Trainee Program, designed to connect international professionals with meaningful training opportunities in the United States. This program aligns with the host organizations’ efforts to prepare students and staff for a globalized future, by fostering professional and cultural exchange. There is a plethora of benefits for both Host Organizations and Interns/Trainees, but below are the key ones shared at the Conference:
- Practical Experience: Participants gain hands-on experience while sharing their unique perspectives and skills.
- Cultural Enrichment: Hosting international interns or trainees enhances organizational diversity and encourages cross-cultural learning.
- Global Connection: Schools and organizations involved in CAP build lasting international partnerships. It helps build professional bridges
Looking Ahead
Greenheart is excited to continue building relationships with education leaders inspired by the conversations at AASA NCE 2025. We remain committed to fostering global connections that create meaningful learning opportunities for students, educators, and professionals worldwide. We thank our booth visitors for stopping by and sharing their vision. That would help establish a more connected and inclusive education system. Greenheart looks forward to seeing the impact of these collaborations in the future!
Is your school ready to host highly qualified international educators to contribute to the learning experience of your students and communities? Visit HostGreenheartTeachers.org to apply to host today.
Did you know? If your school participates in one or more of Greenheart’s cultural exchange programs, your school will be eligible for up to $4,000 in grants as a Greenheart School. Details at GreenheartSchools.org.