News

The Oregon Geographic Alliance, a program of Portland State’s Department of Geography dedicated to enhancing geographic education in grades K–12, has selected 12 Oregon teachers to attend the 2006 Global Literacy: Overseas Botswana Advanced Experience. The trip is funded by a $65,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education Fulbright-Hays Group Project Abroad program.

The 12 selected teachers are:
* Felice Atesoglu, da Vinci Arts Middle School, Portland;
* Matthew Campeau, Grant High School, Portland;
* Nicholas Clawson, Houck Middle School, Salem;
* Caryn Connolly, Coquille High School, Coquille;
* Debra Fauth, Yoshikai Elementary, Salem;
* Christopher Highfield, Luckiamute Valley Charter School, Monmouth;
* Sara House, Redmond High School, Redmond;
* John Kavanaugh, Lane Middle School, Portland;
* Shirley Lomax, Leslie Middle School, Salem;
* Judith Mar-Zaleski, retired, North Plains Elementary School, Hillsboro;
* Leslie Simmons, Willamette High School, Eugene;
* Becky Wandell, Earl Boyles Elementary, Portland.

During their month-long stay in Botswana from June 23–July 20, 2006, the 12 teachers, along with Teresa Bulman, professor of Geography at Portland State University and Gwenda Rice, professor of Education at Western Oregon University, will visit urban and rural schools, hear presentations from local experts and travel to different parts of the country, including the U.S. Embassy in Gaborone, Kutse Game Reserve, the Ghanzi area, Maun area, a diamond mine at Orapa and the Chobe National Park in Kasane.

The project gives the teachers an enhanced understanding of the environment and appreciation for resource use and conservation practices in Botswana through cultural immersion. Participants will be exposed to the cultural diversity of Botswana and the varied terrain of the country. The teachers will visit a variety of schools from urban primary schools to rural schools designed to serve nomadic families. Finally, they will engage in fieldwork at various sites to engage in educational, participatory activities. For more information visit www.geog.pdx.edu/oga.

For Immediate Release (#06-083)

Source: Carolyn Perry (503-725-5864)
Department of Geography