American Professional Partnership for Lithuanian Education

December, 2007                                                                                                               Barbara Henriques, President

Best Practices in Literacy for the Twenty-first Century

CALL FOR PROPOSALS

Summer 2008

A.P.P.L.E., in partnership with the Lithuanian Ministry of Education and Science, is planning the seventeenth 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. Please feel free to telephone our Vice President for Human Resources, Shirley Sabo, at 203/758-4600 with any questions or concerns.

 

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

1.     Summer Seminars, consisting of a two, one-week sessions, are designed for teachers, administrators, librarians, social workers, and other educational personnel (July 7-11 and July 14 –July 18).  Each week-long Summer Seminar is repeated in the second week for a new group of participants.  At the request of the Ministry of Education and Science, this new format replaces the two-week-long Seminars.  This year, the Summer Seminars will again take place in Vilnius, the capital city of Lithuania. 

Note:  King Mindaugas Day, Lithuania’s National Holiday, is on July 6^th, Sunday.  At this point, we do not know if the Lithuanian Parliament will declare the date of July 7^th a holiday given that the 6^th falls on a Sunday.  We will begin on the 7^th unless this day is a declared a holiday.  If it is declare a holiday, we may be able to take part in some of the festivities and will then add some time to each day and add a half day session in Vilnius on the first Saturday.  The second week will be a normal week.

2.     Dr. Algirdas Grigonis Program (Special Education Workshops) consists of workshops organized for special education personnel around the country by the Kaunas Region Special Educators’ and Parents’ Association (July 7– July 18 OR July 7– July 25).

3.     Camp Viltis, offered in conjunction with the Viltis (Hope) organization, serves students with disabilities and their families, teachers, social workers, and therapists (July 7–July 18).

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 7–July 25).

 

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: Best Practices in Literacy for the Twenty-first Century.

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.  Previous themes have included cooperative learning, moral development, critical thinking, integrated curriculum, action research, assessment, brain research, services for at-risk students, the social context of education, and education for sustainable development.

The theme for the summer of 2008 is Best Practices in Literacy for the Twenty-first Century.  2008 has been designated “The Year of the Book” in Lithuania.  Many events are taking place throughout the year to commemorate this event.  A.P.P.L.E. decided to focus our seminars for 2008 on Literacy and to focus on all forms of Literacy.  We hope to attract lecturers who can address literacy in various forms:  print, medial, science, mathematics, and computer.  Learners in the 21^st Century must be able to read and communicate using these methods of communication.  

We are engaged in a global society more than at any other time in our history.  Educators are exploring ways to engage their students in methods of communication that enhance their abilities to actively participate in our global society.  As educated members of our global society, all students need to be able to discuss and reason using information they acquire and learn to evaluate, be it through their use of print materials, computers, science, mathematics, or others forms of media. We are especially interested in highlighting the role of partnerships in education, including team teaching, parental involvement, public-private partnerships.  We are looking for presenters who are familiar with current research and can discuss various “best practice” techniques in literacy and their implications, in terms of both methodology and results.

We are especially interested in identifying lecturers who can address the summer theme for educators interested in the following topics: Administration; the Arts; Early Childhood Education; Elementary Education; EFL/ESL; History; Language Arts; Library Science; Mathematics; Sciences; Special Education; etc.

In Vilnius, the general sessions - the keynote lectures of the program will focus on Best Practices in Literacy for the Twenty-first Century.  It is also desirable for lecturers in A.P.P.L.E. programs outside of Vilnius to consider how this theme can be integrated into their presentations.  

Not all proposals need to be directly related to the theme. 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 innovative proposals relevant to current conditions are always welcome.

How much time must I commit?

All APPLE lecturers are generally expected to make a two-week commitment.  If you are interested in making a three-week commitment, please indicate that on your application.  If you are interested in a three-week commitment, we will work with the Ministry of Education and Science to arrange a Regional Program for your third week.

 Participants in the Summer Seminars in Vilnius and Camp Viltis must make the two-week commitment.  Lecturers in the Dr. Algirdas Grigonis Program (Special Education Program) may choose to participate for two or three weeks for that program.

For programs beginning July 7, we encourage lecturers to arrive in Lithuania by July 4 to get over “jet lag.”  If you are able to arrive a day earlier (Thursday, July 3), you will be able to enjoy the festivities of King Mindaugas Day, Lithuania’s National Holiday, on July 6th.   Refer to the Application Form to review the time commitments for each program.

What are a faculty member’s responsibilities?

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 during the summer sessions.   All lecturers and translators are expected to attend these meetings. 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 very 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.

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.

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

When are the deadlines?

Proposals must be received by Monday, January 28, 2008.  A list of recommended presenters and topics will be presented to the Lithuanian Ministry of Education and Science around February 18, and final selection of 40-50 lecturers will be announced in late February.  Acceptance packets will be mailed in mid-March. Standardized course descriptions must be submitted by early April 2008.

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)

Send one copy of your completed application packet to each of the following, postmarked no later than January 28^th, 2008:

Or click here to apply on-line no later than January 28, 2008.  The only thing that you must send by regular mail is the letter of professional recommendation (if you are a first-timer).

Click here to download a printer-friendly .pdf document of this page and a printaable copy of the application form.

We look forward to hearing from you! We will notify you when we receive your completed materials, and you will know by April, 2008 whether your proposal has been accepted. At that time, you will receive an information packet with additional details about the 2008 program.