ESN Participants Win Fulbright TEA Program

The Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement (TEA) Program brings secondary-level teachers of English, English as a Foreign Language, math, science, and social studies, including special education teachers in those subjects, to the United States for a six-week program to take academic seminars for professional development at a host university and to observe and share their expertise with teachers and students at the host university and local secondary schools.

Currently, Khumora Muslimova, Nigora Karimova and Mashkhura Tursunova are in California State, studying at California State University in Chico for a 6-week intensive course. Here, they are learning new ideas, methods, and approaches to teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL). They are learning how to differentiate instructions and tasks, using Special Education strategies effectively, and incorporating IT and digital resources in our classes. They are developing both professionally and personally, enhancing their digital literacy. They are also gaining insights into the American educational system and practicing in American schools with partner teachers. Additionally, they have had great opportunities for cultural exchange with other participants from around the world. 

Khumora Muslimova, a Core Trainer from Fergana, had heard a lot about the Fulbright TEA program before, but she thought it was something she could never manage. "I didn't feel like I had enough knowledge or competence. However, through the ESN program organized by the American Council, I met many teachers who had been to the USA through this program. This experience made me realize that I am capable of doing it too; I could be one of those teachers", she says.

Participating in the ESN program she gained lots of skills, "The ESN program has had a significant impact on me. It helped me improve my self-confidence, build my leadership skills, and introduced me to other skilled teachers in Uzbekistan. Together, we built a large Teachers' Community where we share ideas and support each other. In one word, the ESN program was the first step towards all the success I have achieved since then", Khumora recalls.

She shares that one of the first things that surprised and impressed her was the support and kindness of the American people. "The people I've met, both on and off campus, have been friendly, welcoming, and eager to engage in meaningful discussions. The academic life is vibrant and dynamic, with a strong emphasis on critical thinking, creativity, and innovation. Here, I have met many new people and made friends. Comparing education and teaching English in different countries, I realized that Uzbekistan is quite developed, and I am proud of my country. I have been sharing my culture, traditions, cuisine, and history with pride with everyone here in America," she says.

During a session about professional development training for teachers, three of them discussed the ESN program and the opportunities it continuously provides for English teachers. Khumora believes that sharing her achievements and experiences could inspire more teachers and students to pursue similar opportunities. She highlights, "By sharing my journey, experiment, challenges, and successes, I hope to motivate others to work on themselves step out of their comfort zones, and explore new horizons in their professional and personal lives. My advice for my colleagues and peers would be to never underestimate your abilities and potential. Take every opportunity to learn and grow, whether it's through professional development programs, networking events, or collaborations with colleagues. Be open to new ideas and perspectives, and don't be afraid to take risks and try new things. Most importantly, always believe in yourself and your ability to make a positive impact in the lives of your students and community."

Nigora Karimova, a Core Trainer from Tashkent city, when first heard about the Fulbright TEA program it seemed to her an unachievable dream due to its competitive pace. Nigora says, "However, once you are sure to do something, everything seems going smoothly. As a Core Trainer, I have to admit that the knowledge I learned in the ESN: STT project helped me become a Fulbright finalist. The ESN Program has changed my teaching philosophy and has resulted in me being able to provide in-depth answers to the questions I encountered during my application process."

Currently, 19 English teachers from different countries are studying together at California State University, Chico. In her opinion, they are the luckiest participants because there are four of them from Uzbekistan, and three of them ESN participants. "Most of the Fulbright fellows expressed interest in our country when we talked about the policies implemented in our country for teaching English in recent years.

When it comes to my impressions of the US, I would like to highlight the following: all the people we met are very helpful and polite; the air of the area where we are is very clean and fresh; diverse people have been living harmoniously; education system is a huge topic to discuss. 

I would recommend to my colleagues in Uzbekistan that applying for the program may seem difficult, but it is worth trying. You will get tremendous impressions from the program, which can only be felt by participating in it," she highlights.

Mashhura Tursunova, a Regional Peer Mentor from Andijan, when saw the link for the application of the Fulbright TEA program on social media, she found it a very important step for her professional and personal development. She says, "I feel grateful to be chosen for this program and would like to share all insights of my experience with my community. The main challenge I faced during the application process was that I wanted to share my ideas in detail, however, word limits for each question made me write shortly and generally. My participation in the ESN program helped me a lot to be granted Fulbright TEA. Because the ESN program has significantly improved my teaching and leadership skills. Through this experience, I've gained a deeper appreciation for the true meaning of education, allowing me to approach my role with a more meaningful perspective. Among 19 Fulbrighters around the world, I feel lucky to have an opportunity to participate in such a professional development program in my country. When I told them about the ESN program and the benefits I got from the courses, they all were amazed and wanted to have such an opportunity in their country. Every time I mention this in different sessions, they all say: "We should definitely move to Uzbekistan"."