Each year, the U.S. Department of State invites opinion makers from around the world to participate in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). Gulf Coast Diplomacy is one of the fewer than 90 organizations trusted to craft IVLP experiences at the community level, and we are always pleased to introduce the region to a new group.
In 2019, one of the in-person IVLP groups we met consisted of nine educators from Egypt and Uzbekistan. They attended a TESOL education conference elsewhere in the country and spent a few days in Pensacola to supplement their American experience.
While in town, they met a variety of professionals including Dr. Jocelyn Evans of the University of West Florida (UWF) who provided a federalism briefing, City Council Executive Don Kraher who welcomed the group to Pensacola City Hall for an orientation, and Dr. Shim Lew, assistant professor and teacher of education and education leadership at UWF, who discussed her subject of expertise along with her own experiences teaching English in non-English speaking countries.
An education project is never complete without interaction with students, and although public schools were closed for spring break, the visitors observed two classrooms. At UWF, they met Joe Heilmann, an intensive English program instructor. They discussed issues and expectations in classrooms for adults and then observed a class to provide context. Then, at Pensacola Catholic High School, the group met Guidance Director & Advisor Mary Kyte and examined how that school promotes civic engagement and volunteerism. Students shared information on their community service graduation requirements and invited the group into a classroom for a question & discussion session.
IVLP projects also include hospitality measures & cultural activities. To round out their professional agenda, the itinerary for this group included time in downtown Pensacola and a hospitality stop at Visit Pensacola where Joyce Black presented them with souvenirs.
IVLP projects are successful only to the extent that local communities support the networking opportunities provided by the exchange. Fortunately for Gulf Coast Diplomacy, our team extends beyond the office to enthusiastic professionals and hospitable supporters. It was a pleasure introducing this TESOL group to the part of America we call home & we thank everyone who helped make it a success.
