On August 12-15, 2014, the U.S. Department of State and IIE welcomed a group of U.S. and international teachers to the Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program Orientation Workshop in Washington, DC. The orientation kicked off with welcome remarks and a round table discussion led by Meghann Curtis, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Academic Affairs at the U.S. Department of State and Maureen McLaughlin, the Senior Advisor to the Secretary and Director of International Affairs at the U.S. Department of Education. Throughout the week Fulbright Teachers, alumni and staff engaged in discussions about cross-cultural communication, developing global competence, and meeting the needs of underserved students. 

Workshop participants also had the opportunity to explore Washington, DC by taking part in a U.S. Capitol Tour and a DC monuments tour. The orientation closed with a celebratory dinner and 'culture night,' where U.S. and international Fulbright Teachers were encouraged to present their culture in a unique way. Finnish and Moroccan teachers provided the participants with treats and teas from their native countries. A teacher from Indian wowed the crowd with a traditional dance and U.S. teachers engaged the group in a game of 'The Price is Right!' It was a productive, fun and educational week with the teachers. 

Check out the #FulbrightDA Tag Board that includes tweets and posts from teachers throughout the orientation.  

The Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and administered by the Institute of International Education. 

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