Ten West Virginia Teachers Chosen for Toyota-Sponsored Study Trip to Japan
7 June 1999
Ten West Virginia Teachers Chosen for Toyota-Sponsored Study Trip to Japan
TORRANCE, Calif., June 7 -- Ten West Virginia 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 West Virginia 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.
WEST VIRGINIA TEACHERS
1999 TOYOTA INTERNATIONAL TEACHER PROGRAM
Name Home City School
John Armstrong St. Marys St. Marys High School
Hilda Giffin Charleston DuPont High School
Barbara Heckert Ripley Ripley High School
Jason Hughes St. Marys St. Marys High School
Susan Marcus Charleston Sherman High School
Theresa McAbee Weston Lewis County High School
Gail McClure Charleston Riverside High School
Jacob Seitz Morgantown Morgantown High School
James Sharpolisky Buckhannon Buckhannon-Upshur High School
Michele Todd Mount Clare Bridgeport High School