Melissa Li-A-Young is a high school English teacher in Nickerie, Suriname. In addition to her full-time role, Melissa has also taught English at various educational institutes, including middle school, evening high school, technical secondary school, and civil servant training courses.  

IVLP Impact Award Project: Professional Development for English Teachers 

The project enhances the professional development of middle school English teachers and English teachers-in-training in Nickerie by providing a comprehensive professional development program. The program consists of five workshops focusing on teaching English proficiency skills and enhancing teaching capabilities to address obstacles related to the new curriculum. Twenty teachers and 20 teachers-in-training will have the opportunity to participate in a six-to-eight week program and learn about 21st century teaching strategies and teaching tools and network and collaborate with peers and experts.  

The first registration period for Professional Development Training attracted 31 teachers, with 17 in Group A and 14 in Group B, indicating strong interest in professional growth among English teachers in the region. The first four training sessions featured interactive workshops led by local trainers and IVLP alumni, fostering an enthusiastic atmosphere where teachers actively engaged, shared experiences, and expressed eagerness to implement new strategies in their classrooms. Melissa is discussing with fellow IVLP alumni from Colombia and Argentina about hosting virtual workshops, highlighting a commitment to continued professional development and networking opportunities for participating teachers.

“With this project I hope to contribute to the professional development of my colleagues, and I would like to create a network for English teachers in my hometown where they can come together to discuss or collaborate with their peers and experts in the same industry. I want to encourage people, not only teachers, to continue their professional development no matter what their expertise is.” – Melissa Li-A-Young 

IVLP Exchange Experience 

Melissa participated in the IVLP Project American Language and Multicultural Diversity organized by the U.S. Department of State and Meridian International Center, in partnership with Global Ties Iowa, Global Ties Miami, World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth and World Affairs Council of Western Massachusetts, Inc., WorldBoston and WorldOregon.  

Melissa’s exchange experience led to the development of her IVLP Impact Award project: “During my visits at the schools and institutes in Springfield and the TESOL Conference in Portland, I was introduced to a new world where use of digital tools and modern 21st century teaching strategies are used in the classroom to increase students' engagement.” 

“This experience has awakened my curiosity to learn more about using digital tools and 21st century teaching strategies and I am inspired to use them in my classroom.” – Melissa Li-A-Young 

U.S. Communities Visited   

Washington, DC; Miami, FL; Iowa City, IA; Springfield, IL; Boston, MA; Charleston; NC; Portland, OR; Dallas, TX 

Country: Suriname 

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