Egyptian Fellows From USAID Teacher Excellence Initiative Complete Fall Semester At FSU

Tallahassee, Fla. -- Florida State University faculty and staff are in the midst of their work on the USAID Teacher Excellence Initiative in Egypt. The five-year, $49.5 million project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is supported by an international collaboration of six partners, including FSU's Learning Systems Institute (LSI) and Anne's College, including faculty from the School of Teacher Education. 

This past semester, FSU hosted four fellows from Egypt as part of its work on the Initiative. Eman Abodahab, Zainab Elsallamy, Shimaa Ghobashi, and Hadya Soliman spent three months in Tallahassee, delving into the academic environment at FSU, expanding their knowledge, and participating in graduate-level courses. 

The main objective of the USAID Teacher Excellence Initiative in Egypt is to enhance the quality of instruction in pre-service teacher education in Egypt. The Initiative aims to align teacher standards, curriculum, and instruction in mathematics, science, technology, and language arts (Arabic and English) with the goals of the New Education System in Egypt across all levels of education.

"The courses I have attended are intellectually stimulating, offering a depth of knowledge and critical insights that align with the university's high standard," said Elsallamy. "Attending such courses has enhanced my personal and professional growth. I was taught how courses are being designed, how to organize the learning materials and resources, how learning activities and assignments are designed and presented to students, and how faculty members engage with students and support them."

Among the skills the fellows developed and focused on were interactive teaching methods, research skills, technology in education, such as software for data analysis and AI to facilitate research, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL). 

"I was so impressed by the facilities FSU offers to enhance innovative teaching and research," said Ghobashi. "Every day I spent at FSU, I learned new things, building my capacities to teach pre-service teachers."

Beyond the professional opportunities provided through their time at FSU, the fellows were impacted by their experience with the FSU faculty and students from the services offered to the diversity they experienced each day.

"It is important to provide equal opportunities for students to learn effectively," said Soliman. "The services of psychological support are diverse and available to students easily. The diversity of cultures in classrooms can be a rich experience for students and instructors."

"The richness of diversity and multiculturalism inside the campus and in the community fosters an atmosphere where people from different backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs come together to share perspectives and learn from one another, was a pleasant surprise," said Elsallamy. "This environment promotes acceptance, understanding, and respect for individuality, encouraging open dialogue and discussion. The community's openness makes everyone feel valued and empowered to contribute their unique strengths and experiences."

The USAID Teacher Excellence Initiative in Egypt is focused on improving the quality and relevance of teacher preparation in Egyptian public universities, ensuring that teachers possess the necessary skills to support student learning in K-12 schools across the country. 

LSI has been at the forefront of developing innovative solutions that bridge theory and practice in education. For over 50 years, LSI has delivered systems that measurably improve the learning and performance of organizations and individuals in Florida and globally. To learn more about LSI, please visit LSI.FSU.edu.