American Professional Partnership for Lithuanian Education

November 2005                                                                                                                                                            Karl Janowitz, President

Education for Sustainable Development: Creating a Civil Society

CALL FOR PROPOSALS

Summer 2006

A.P.P.L.E., in partnership with the Lithuanian Ministry of Education and Science, is planning the sixteenth summer of in-service programs for Lithuanian educators, school social workers, administrators, and other school personnel. We invite you to consider joining us in this challenging and rewarding endeavor in sharing educational ideas with our Lithuanian colleagues. While A.P.P.L.E. originally helped revitalize the post-Soviet Lithuanian educational system, we are currently focusing on the educational content and instructional methods necessary for a 21^st century democratic society.

If you would like more information about A.P.P.L.E. and its goals, please visit our web page at www.applequest.org. You may also telephone our Vice President for Human Resources, Mrs. Shirley Sabo, at 203/758-4600 for a person-to-person discussion.

 

What types of programs does A.P.P.L.E. offer?

1.     Summer Seminars, consisting of a two-week session, are designed for teachers, administrators, librarians, social workers, and other educational personnel (July 3–July 14). This year, the seminar will take place in Vilnius, the capital city of Lithuania.

2.     Special Education Workshops, comprising the Dr. Algirdas Grigonis Program, are organized for special education personnel around the country by the Kaunas Region Special Educators’ and Parents’ Association (July 3– July 14 OR July 3– July 21).

3.     Camp Viltis, offered in conjunction with the Viltis (Hope) organization, serves students with disabilities and their families, teachers, social workers, and therapists (July 3–July 14).

4.     Regional Programs, hosted by local Teachers’ Centers or Educational Boards, present topics for educators and school personnel around the country in three, one-week sessions (July 3–July 21).

 

Who should apply to teach a seminar?

Most lecturers are preschool, elementary, and secondary teachers holding the equivalent of a master’s degree; all have demonstrated excellence in education, and a number of our lecturers are university professors. We also welcome a wide variety of specialists, including social workers, psychologists, counselors, health care professionals, librarians, computer specialists, and others. We are also seeking teachers and other professionals who can share research and expertise related to this summer’s theme: Education for Sustainable Development: Creating a Civil Society.

A.P.P.L.E. traditionally provides in-service training in a variety of areas. These have included:

 

Which topics are of particular interest?

Each year A.P.P.L.E. focuses on a specific topic related to education. Cooperative learning, moral development, critical thinking, integrated curriculum, action research, assessment, brain research, services for at-risk students, and the social context of education—all have been presented in past years.

The theme for the summer of 2006 is Educational for Sustainable Development: Creating a Civil Society. This is a continuation of last year’s theme. It was decided to continue exploring this topic with a focus on Creating a Civil Society to build on the groundwork begun in the 2005 lectures. We are particularly looking for presenters who are familiar with current research and can discuss the concept of sustainable development and its implications as a goal for teaching, in terms of both methodology and content. However, not everyone is familiar with the term—we will all be learners.

Since its beginnings in the 1980s, the idea of sustainable development has gained in clarity. There is broad agreement that the sustainable development of countries is built on “three interdependent and mutually reinforcing pillars: economic development, social development, and environmental protection.” Lithuania, as a country in transition from a Soviet model to that of a Western democracy, is making rapid choices that will have many far-reaching consequences. Teachers in Lithuania are asked to take account of Education for Sustainable Development in their classroom work. In Vilnius, the general sessions, the bedrock of the program, will focus on this topic.  

An Agenda 21 for Education in the Baltic Sea Region—Baltic 21E, which includes Lithuania, gives insight into this initiative. It stresses that education for sustainable development should be based on an integrated approach to societal, economic, and environmental development. The international UNESCO Conference in 1997 stated that a curriculum reoriented toward sustainability would place citizenship among its primary objectives. Education for sustainable development must also take into account national, regional, and local characteristics.

But what does this really mean in terms of teaching. It actually broadens the scope of many curricular areas. Critical thinking, cooperative learning, character development are all involved. Envision how you might build on this theme.

Not all proposals need to be directly related to this topic. Some subjects are included each year because of the expressed need for training in these areas. Priority is given to programs that reflect the theme, but creative and unusual proposals relevant to current conditions are always welcome.

How much time must I commit?

On request, a few lecturers may be assigned to two different sites for a total of three weeks of actual teaching, but most will be asked to make a two-week commitment. A one-week commitment to a single regional site is possible, but not preferred.

The traditional two-week Seminar, Special Education Program, and Camp are scheduled for two weeks each, from July 3-14, 2006. Lecturers in these programs should arrive in Lithuania by June 30, although it would be advisable to arrive on Thursday, June 29, to get over “jet lag.”

Regional Seminars begin July 3 and conclude July 21 (Week 1: July 3–July 7; Week II: July 10–July 14; and Week III: July 17–July 21). Lecturers should arrive on June 30.

What are a faculty member’s responsibilities?

Before the seminar, faculty members should keep in touch with their assigned strand coordinators to develop teaching schedules, lecture content, educational methods, and choice lecture topics.

Strand is the A.P.P.L.E. term for a subject area such as elementary education, social work, or school administration. Lecturers generally spend 6 hours per day engaged in teaching activities related to the strand proposals they have submitted. For those lecturers who will be teaching in English, actual teaching time is substantially shorter because of the time required for translation. Lecturers also lead formal and informal discussion groups; present elective lectures or workshops on topics of educational and general interest; mingle with Lithuanian colleagues; and assist with evening activities.

A.P.P.L.E. emphasizes cooperative teamwork in the educational experience, so faculty meetings and planning sessions occur regularly, and all lecturers and translators are expected to attend. Many evenings and weekends are free or optional, although there will be some evening events in which you will be expected to participate such as Theme Night and a Lithuanian-style ethnographic performance. American participants are required to reside in the accommodations provided to our team by our Lithuanian partners—usually these are comfortable but modest dormitory rooms.  

How much should I expect to spend?

1. All applicants chosen to become presenters are required to become members of the A.P.P.L.E. organization. Annual basic membership dues are $25.

2. Generally, airfare has ranged upward from $1,000. Many lecturers have secured grants to help finance the trip and some have obtained assistance from their employers.

3. Lecturers who arrive more than two days earlier or depart more than two days later than the dates of their teaching assignments are responsible for costs of rooms and meals for the additional time.

4. Lecturers must provide their own teaching materials.

5. Lecturers are encouraged to bring inexpensive gifts and souvenirs for local hosts and interpreters.

6. Traveling, seeing the sights, and touring the country during a weekend or free day are highly recommended—but individuals must pay for any costs incurred.

NOTE:  We recommend that you consult your tax advisor as your out-of-pocket expenses may be tax-deductible.

A.P.P.L.E. provides interpreters, limited translation of handouts, office supplies, and duplication of materials while in Lithuania, as well as audio-visual equipment. The Lithuanian Ministry of Education and  Science, local city councils, school boards, and A.P.P.L.E. subsidize in-country travel, room, and board. This includes most meals, dormitory-style rooms during the seminar in Vilnius, transportation to and from the airport and within the country, and some tours—mostly day trips and walking tours. Although lecturers are usually assigned to single rooms at the Professional Development Center, some may spend a few days doubled up with a colleague while in transit or during orientation periods.

When are the deadlines?

Proposals must be received by Monday, January 10, 2006. This is an absolute deadline. A slate of nominations will be presented to the Lithuanian Ministry of Education and Science around February 10; and final selections—involving 50 lecturers—will be announced in late February. Acceptance packets will be mailed in mid-March. Standardized course descriptions must be submitted by April 14.

Where can I get additional information?

The A.P.P.L.E. web site, http://www.applequest.org, describes the organization, provides a glossary of terms, and offers photographs and descriptions of seminars in previous years. In addition, the following officers will be delighted to provide more information about this program:

How do I apply?

Your application packet consists of the following documents:

1. A signed application form (2 pages)

2. A current résumé or curriculum vitae

3. A one-page proposal that describes program content; presents goals for the seminar; lists teaching methods; summarizes lesson plans; and reviews educational activities

4. A letter of professional recommendation (first-time applicants only)

By January 10, 2006, send one copy of your completed application packet to each of the following:

Or click here to apply on-line. The only thing that you must send by regular mail is the letter of professional recommendation to each of the three adresses above (if you are a first-timer).

We look forward to hearing from you! We will notify you when we receive your completed materials, and you will know by mid-March whether your proposal has been accepted. At that time, you will receive an information packet with additional details about the 2006 program