Twelve Indiana Teachers Chosen for Toyota-Sponsored Study Trip to Japan
7 June 1999
Twelve Indiana Teachers Chosen for Toyota-Sponsored Study Trip to Japan
TORRANCE, Calif., June 7 -- Twelve Indiana 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 Indiana 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.
INDIANA TEACHERS
1999 TOYOTA INTERNATIONAL TEACHER PROGRAM
Name Home City School
Malik Abdur-Rahman Indianapolis The School of Knowledge
Cheryn Drake South Bend Penn High School
Vickie Emigh Indianapolis Arlington High School
Jill Erickson Valparaiso Portage High School
Maureen Grant Indianapolis North Central High School
Janis Hines Seymour Seymour High School
Kathleen Kaye Coatesville Pike High School
Ryan Sergeant Mishawaka Mishawaka High School
Jaime Stith Osceola Elkhart Area Career Center
Carole Williams Madison Shawe Memorial Junior High School
Richard Willis New Castle Newcastle Chrysler High School
Steven Woolard Muncie Muncie Southside High School