August 12, 2024
K-State hosts English teachers from Brazil for professional development
Submitted by Ketty Reppert and Amanda Lickteig
Thirty-nine English teachers from Brazil spent six weeks at Kansas State University for a professional development experience coordinated by the English Language Program, or ELP, and the Global Education Outreach office.
PDPI, or the Programa de Desenvolvimento Profissional para Professores de Lingua Inglesa nos EUA in Portuguese, is a program through the Brazilian government to promote English skills and knowledge of U.S. culture to improve English teaching in Brazilian public schools. This was the fourth PDPI cohort hosted by K-State since 2018 and the first time that the project involved a collaboration between the Office of International Programs and the College of Education.
“It’s always a joy to welcome these enthusiastic educators to Manhattan,” said Ketty Reppert, interim director of the ELP. “We’re excited to provide a K-State experience for them and share a taste of life in Kansas so they can share this with their students.”
"We have been honored to work alongside these amazing teachers and have the opportunity to further the vision of the Global Education Outreach office – to grow, promote and create global programs and opportunities for international educators. Collaborating with the PDPI educators has been such a rewarding experience for us all,” said Amanda Lickteig, teaching associate professor in the College of Education’s Global Education Outreach office.
The group spent their days in classes to improve their English and teaching skills. Evenings and weekends were spent experiencing American culture so the teachers will be able to incorporate their first-hand knowledge into their classrooms in Brazil.
The teachers enjoyed visiting various Kansas historical sites, shopping in Kansas City, touring the Kansas State Capitol and Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site, participating in a service-learning project with the Konza Student Table and visiting local public schools.
Support from the K-State community included a welcome message from Provost Jesse Perez Mendez, a greeting from College of Education Dean Debbie Mercer, a tour of Hale Library and the Sunderland Foundation Innovation Lab coordinated by Jeff Sheldon, an immersive art teaching experience at the Marianne Kistler Beach Museum of Art, responsive service from Lafene Health Center, and exceptional care and hospitality from Karri Sanderson-Tobler and the Housing and Dining staff at Marlatt Hall and Kramer and Derby Dining Centers.