TEACHING EXCELLENCE AND ACHIEVEMENT

(TEA) PROGRAM
A program of the U.S. Department of States Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA),
implemented by IREX

PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT
The Teaching Excellence and Achievement (TEA) Program
provides international teachers with a unique opportunity to
develop greater expertise in their subject areas, enhance
their teaching skills, and increase their knowledge about the
United States. The TEA Program is a six-week non-degree,
non-credit customized academic program including seminars
on new teaching methodologies, curriculum development,
lesson planning, and instructional technology. Participants
also take part in a practicum in a U.S. secondary school near
their host university where they work closely with U.S.
teachers and teach, co-teach and present information about
their home countries to U.S. students. Cultural enrichment,
mentoring, and support are provided throughout the program. The international participants will travel to
the United States for one of two six-week professional development programs in either spring of 2018 or
fall of 2018.

After returning home, teachers who

successfully complete the program will be
eligible to compete for small grant awards
for essential teaching materials, training for
other teachers, collaborative projects
between participating American schools and
their home schools, and other activities that
build on the exchange experience.
The TEA fellowship is fully funded and provides:
J-1 visa support;
A pre-departure orientation held in the participants home
country
Round-trip airfare to and within the U.S;
A Welcome Program in Washington, D.C.;
Academic program fees;
Housing (generally shared with other program fellows) and
meals;
Accident and sickness medical insurance coverage;
Transportation to the teaching practicum school
(if necessary);
A daily allowance for meals and incidentals during the
academic program;
A baggage allowance;
A professional development allowance; and
The opportunity to apply for alumni small grants.

Application Deadline: April 15, 2017

To Apply: Submit your application online at http://oas.irex.org/tea
Contact: Duong Le, LeDT@state.gov or 04-38505000
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Current secondary school-level*, full-time teachers in an
institution serving primarily a local population;
A Bachelors degree or equivalent;
Five or more years of classroom experience as a teacher
of English, English as a Foreign Language (EFL),
Mathematics, Science, or Social Studies, including
special education teachers in those subject areas;
Citizens of and residents in Vietnam
Proficient in written and spoken English with a TOEFL
score of 450 on the paper based TOEFL or an equivalent
English language examination**;
Demonstrated commitment to continue teaching after
completion of the program; and
A complete application.
* Secondary-level teachers include both middle and high school
teachers working with students between approximately 12 and 18 years
of age. Teachers responsible for teaching additional grade levels must
teach middle or high school students more than 50% of their work time
in order to be eligible for the program.

**A limited number of participants with TOEFL scores between 425 and
450, or equivalent, will be accepted for the program in a special cohort
that will include additional English language training as part of the
professional development program.

The Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program promotes diversity in

the classroom and in learning. The TEA Program supports inclusion and
strongly encourages teachers with disabilities to apply.
 FY17 Teaching Excellence and Achievement (TEA) Program
Online Application Guide for Vietnamese Applicants

Vietnamese applicants are required to submit an online application at http://oas.irex.org/tea

1. Register as a new applicant.

You do not need to finish the application in one sitting. Remember your login information and you
may come back to the application at any time prior to your country specific deadline.
2 . The home page allows you to view all of the sections required to submit your application. Please keep
track of which of those are complete, in progress, or not yet started.

3. Go through each section of the application to enter information about yourself. Make sure to Save & Return
to the main application page when you are finished with each section.

If your country of citizenship is not accepting online applications, please follow the instructions on
screen to access the paper application if prompted.
4. Section XI. Essay Questions: Please note that there are multiple components of this section. The
Statement of Purpose is the most important part of your application.

5. Sections XII and XIII. Institutional Support and Reference Form and Leave Approval Form: In these
sections, please download and print the Institutional Support and Reference Form and Leave Approval
Form. These forms must be completed and hand-signed for your application to be considered. Your
supervisor must fill out the Institutional Support and Reference Form. The School Director at the school
where you are currently employed must fill out the Leave Approval Form. Once these forms are
completed, upload an electronic copy to the system. These sections are not complete until they are
uploaded.
6. Section XIV. Privacy Policy and Application Certification Statement: In this section, please download
and print the Privacy Policy and Application Certification Statement. Once you sign the form, upload an
electronic copy to the system.

7. Section XV. Supplemental Documents: If you would like to upload any other documents that you
feel strengthen your application, please do so here.
8. When you have completed all sections, click Download Application PDF to save a copy of your
application for your records. Finally click Submit Application. The screen will show a preview of your
application. Review the information. If you have no further changes, click Submit Application a second
time and your application will be submitted.

9. You will see a message on the screen verifying that you have submitted your application.

If you have difficulties with the online application, please email IREX at ilep@irex.org for the International
Leaders in Education Program (ILEP) or teaglobal@irex.org for the Teaching Excellence and Achievement
(TEA) Program.