Tamara Scott / photo by Tim Hacker
Tamara Scott, an American Sign Language teacher at Mountain View High School, received a Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching Short Term Program (DAST) grant from the U.S. Department of State.
Recipients of the grant are selected on the basis of leadership potential, and academic and professional achievement. She is one of 13 K-12 teachers who will travel abroad as part of Cycle II of the Fulbright DAST program in 2019.
The program gives educators the opportunity to share their knowledge and expertise with educators in another country. Tamara will travel to Kuwait to conduct workshops on the effective techniques used to teach American Sign Language and English as a Foreign Language (EFL) to deaf and hard of hearing students in Kuwaiti public schools.
“This grant gives me an opportunity to simultaneously incorporate my knowledge of American Sign Language and deaf culture with my love of adventure and international cultures,” said Tamara. “I am eager to experience the Kuwaiti culture while collaborating with global colleagues to design effective pedagogical techniques that will support deaf and hard of hearing students.”
Tamara said she is not only excited at the prospect of what she will learn during this experience, but also enthusiastic about the opportunity to share what she has learned with students and colleagues upon her return.
“I feel blessed that I have been chosen to represent my school, district and state with this transformative opportunity,” she said. “I know I will come back into the classroom with experiences that will broaden my teaching and leadership abilities.”
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