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Twenty California Teachers Chosen for Toyota-Sponsored Study Trip to Japan

7 June 1999

Twenty California Teachers Chosen for Toyota-Sponsored Study Trip to Japan

    TORRANCE, Calif., June 7 -- Twenty California high school
teachers have been chosen to visit Japan this month on a 12-day Toyota-
sponsored study program designed to give them an in-depth look at the country
 -- from its schools and factories to its palaces and sacred shrines.
    The California educators are among 50 teachers from four states who
successfully competed for the all-expense-paid educational and cultural trip
offered through the new $440,000 Toyota International Teacher Program.
    Sponsored by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (TMS) and administered by
the Institute of International Education, the nation's largest non-profit
educational exchange organization, the international teacher program was
established in November 1998.  In its first year, the program drew more than
500 applicants.  The merit-based competition is open to secondary school
teachers in four states where Toyota has major manufacturing plants --
California, Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia.
    "This is an opportunity for teachers to experience Japan from a unique
perspective," said Yale Gieszl, TMS executive vice president.  "We believe
they will bring back a deeper understanding of Japan and the global issues
facing both our countries.  We commend the teachers' plans to incorporate what
they learn abroad into their teaching at home."
    During the program, which will take place June 18 through June 30, the
teachers will tour factories, including a Toyota manufacturing plant in Toyota
City, and learn about the evolution of Japan's technology and industrial
development.  They will visit schools and discuss educational issues with
their counterparts, meet with a Japanese PTA group, dine in the homes of
Japanese families and visit a town that conserves water by recycling rain.
Their travels also will take them to cultural and historical sites in Tokyo,
Toyota City, Nagoya, and Kyoto, Japan's ancient capital.
    Allan Goodman, president of the Institute of International Education, said
the Toyota International Teacher Program drew a strong response in its first
year.
    "Japan and the United States are inextricably linked both economically and
politically," he said.  "This program plays a vital role in creating deep
understanding about the importance of our societies and reaches, through the
participating teachers, the developing generation of America's leaders."
    The Toyota International Teacher Program strengthens the corporation's
longstanding commitment to education.  Of the $109 million Toyota has
contributed to American philanthropic programs since 1991, nearly 60 percent
has gone to education.  Besides supporting a wide range of educational
organizations and causes, Toyota works with education partners to create its
own innovative programs, including grants for science and math teachers,
scholarships for students, technical training and family literacy programs.
    Toyota, the third largest auto company in the world, has been selling cars
in the United States since 1957.  The company began manufacturing vehicles
here in 1986 and currently is America's fourth largest automaker.

    CALIFORNIA TEACHERS

    1999 TOYOTA INTERNATIONAL TEACHER PROGRAM

    Name                  Home City            School
    Patricia Alto         Ukiah                Ukiah High School
    Lisa Bjorgum          Sacramento           Elk Grove High School
    Joseph Blackman       Sierra Madre         La Salle High School
    Kristine Hatanaka     Venice               Culver City High School
    David Hong            West Covina          Diamond Bar High School
    Hiroko Komori         Yucaipa              California School for
                                                the Deaf, Riverside
    Vicki Kurtz           Willow Creek         Hoopa Valley High School
    Margaret Lynn         Hanford              Lemoore High School
     Martindale
    James Myers           Manchester           Point Arena High School
    Leigh Ann Orr         Los Angeles          Manual Arts High School
    Dennis Perez          Corona               Santiago High School
    Steven Pinkston       San Jose             Bellarmine College
    Karen Reynolds        Redwood City         Carlmont High School
    Neil Rothschild       San Diego            San Diego School for
                                                Creative and Performing Arts
    Theodore Schmidt      Garden Valley        Golden Sierra High School
    Brad Shurmantine      Napa                 Vintage High School
    Edward Simmons        Groveland            Tioga High School
    Eric Smith            Santa Cruz           Aptos High School
    Patricia Sutton       Scotts Valley        Saratoga High School
    Peggy Walker          Newbury Park         Newbury Park High School