Teachers On Tour

We are the first mobile professional development program aimed to empower K-12 teachers to extend and share their knowledge in the areas of student engagement strategies, coupled with a focus in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Teachers on Tour will convey that “great” teaching makes a profound difference in the classroom! The best curriculum in “unskilled” hands will not get us the results we’re after. We believe the focus must be in building teachers’ repertoire of strategies to actively engage students at a high level in meaningful and stimulating learning tasks.

Teachers on Tour believes that effective questioning strategies that help students develop divergent thinking skills are critical. Higher-level thinking skills of analysis and synthesis, along with teaching from multiple cultural perspectives, are key in increasing student engagement. Nurturing environments where teachers facilitate student- directed learning, and where healthy discussion and discourse are commonplace should be paramount in today’s classroom.

Increasing teachers’ skills in using formative assessment to inform instruction, constant monitoring of student learning, and adjustment of instruction accordingly, is of paramount importance. Using data to frequently regroup and “reteach” is critical in assuring students are at the correct instructional level. The underpinning message of all of this, of course, is building strong, positive relationships with students. Remember, students don’t only care what you know, but need to know that you care!

Mission

The mission of Teachers on Tour is to provide K-12 teachers an educational, staff development leadership travel experience utilizing research, best practice and service learning as the vehicle to educate and inspire teachers and students in urban school districts in the United States.

Faculty will visit schools in each city on the Teachers on Tour schedule, implementing best educational practice coupled with strategies that will help close the achievement gap in urban schools across the nation.

Vision

The vision for Teachers on Tour is to offer urban school districts across the country a unique Staff Development opportunity for their staff that has the potential to improve their classroom instruction, thus helping in the national concern of closing the achievement gap.

Teachers on Tour has the potential to impact thousands of teachers and students nationally. Teachers on Tour will bring attention to a new process of developing teachers professionally that will create a direct impact in today’s classrooms.

Goals and priorities

There may be no social commodity more in demand and less understood than the issue of Educational Leadership. As educators of the 21st century, it is imperative that we decide how we are going to lead both individually and collectively, as we prepare our Teachers for the peaks and valleys of the classroom. Part of this leadership preparation includes Teachers on Tour’s STEM emphasis. Teachers will also be working with schools on engagement teaching strategies as we look to close the achievement gap nationally.

Teachers on Tour Faculty

There will be10-12 faculty fellows ready and willing to be a classroom catalyst for new and emerging ideas, educational innovations and willing to join classrooms nationally in examining effective instruction on the quest to close the educational achievement gap.

Teachers on Tour Program Benefits

Teachers on Tour will differentiate itself from other educational leadership programs, through its unique combination of program components – excellent teaching staff development opportunities, travel, unmatched cultural immersion, mentoring program, and professional development – as well as becoming change agents in the field of education.

Regional Travel

During the 2-1/2 month program, faculty fellows will travel in teams of 10-12 people to cities on a regional tour, experiencing the educational systems, cultural sights, sounds and tastes of each community. As educators of the world, participants discover what makes each region unique, gaining a better understanding of its educational systems, history, culture, geography, environmental issues, religions and economics. The experience changes the hearts and minds of participants, preparing them to embrace their roles and responsibilities as global citizens.

The mission of Teachers on Tour is to provide an educational leadership travel experience for teachers utilizing STEM education as the vehicle to educate and inspire, combined with an emphasis on effective engagement strategies.

Participants will visit schools and classrooms implementing practitioner-based lessons that will have a focus area and theme of Closing the Achievement Gap through the training of effective STEM initiatives.

Throughout the duration of the tour, participants will be expected to design a comprehensive program that will address an area of concern in their respective schools/districts.

Members of Teachers on Tour will receive a tuition stipend/ scholarship from the National Association for Beginning Teachers that will cover travel and food expenses. It will be the responsibility of the Teachers on Tour Fellows to cover their personal expenses. Fellows will be able to gain credit for the experience in curriculum and instruction.

How We Will Travel

Fellows will travel in a custom motor coach that will be Wi- Fi capable. Tour and orientation will begin in Florida. Travel details will be made available to Fellows upon acceptance into the program.

Summary Points of Teachers on Tour

15 Participants
3-Month Tour
Master Degree Credit Available
Host Family Stay Opportunity
Research Opportunities
Online Teaching Opportunity
Learn Conversational Spanish
Create Teachers on Tour Documentary
Implement Best Practice Strategies

Cultural Immersion

By traveling, living, and learning with colleagues from around the country, participants learn how to work cooperatively while exploring the similarities and differences of people from other schools nationally.

The Teachers on Tour program also provides the opportunity for participants to live with and learn from host families in the communities they visit, gaining a sense of what day-to-day life is like in their corner of the world and sharing lifestyles and experiences. Living with community members in their homes offers an unparalleled level of cultural immersion and an opportunity to form lifelong friendships.

Service Learning and Community Impact

Social responsibility and dedication to educational service learning are core elements of the Teachers on Tour program and, as such, service projects are an integral part of the tour. In the implementation through service projects that are not only helpful but also educational, the staff will develop insight into how different school districts address social and political challenges. Teachers on Tour’s emphasis in S.T.E.M., and effective engagement strategies will inspire the children of the communities we visit. This will create new interests and opportunities for young learners, local educators, and, in turn, their communities. Projects are diverse and range from mentoring children and assisting with local substance-abuse programs to being part of a senior citizen project.

Compelling Leadership & Global Education

Each city Teachers on Tour visits becomes a classroom and learning laboratory. Staff members will visit regional points of interest and meet with political, corporate and social leaders from each city. The Teachers on Tour program offers truly unique access to opportunities to develop and refine leadership and teaching skills beneficial to any career or life path.

TECHNOLOGY IMPACT:

Each member will have access to a laptop computer communicating with their home districts via a personal blog.

Professional Development

Teachers on Tour provides a variety of professional development opportunities, allowing the staff to build on their professional skills and gain valuable experience in a classroom setting. Participants will be able to interact with local schools, educators, and community leaders in a variety of areas.

Learning Outcomes

Teachers on Tour is dedicated to its mission of developing good teachers into great teachers and global educators. In keeping with that mission, the organization has focused much effort on developing and delivering relevant and meaningful curriculum to its participants. Working with experts in the fields of leadership and education, Teachers on Tour has outlined the following learning outcomes for its program:

Tour Director – J. Victor McGuire

Dr. J. Victor McGuire is a 30-plus years veteran in the education field with experience teaching at the middle/high school and University levels. As an alumnus of the international Fulbright- Hayes Scholarship organization, he brings extensive global travel experience that will inspire and motivate the next generation of teachers. Dr. McGuire will provide a practical approach to the leadership to the tour. Recently, he founded the National Association for Beginning Teachers (beginningteachers.org), which offers service and support to pre-service and beginning teachers.

What other educators are saying about Dr. McGuire…

“Victor is one of the most impressive educators I have ever met-his passion for teaching and working with teachers is second to none.”.

“Victor is simply a great resource to spend a day, week or month or tour with…you will be amazed!”

“Dr. McGuire brings passion, enthusiasm, extensive knowledge and expertise to the professional development experience. His ability to relate theory to practical classroom application and mix it artfully with humor and fun makes he is a favorite with educators.”

Testimonials about Teachers on Tour:

Dr. McGuire has shared with me his ambitious Teachers on Tour project. My first response was “wow” what an excellent idea. Having been a Superintendent of Schools previously, I thought of all the applications that districts across the country would want to utilize this “experience” in their districts for teachers and students.
Dr: Shirley Miles Former Director Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA)

I have worked with Victor McGuire for many years, we have been involved in a wide range of exciting educational projects. I think Teachers on Tour may be the best ever. Teachers on Tour offers an exemplary model of professional development that blends 21st Century teaching strategies with traditional people to people contacts. It is a model of how effective teaching can be promoted, authentically, across borders and across boundaries stimulating the thought and the action needed to finally address the ever- increasing achievement gap that continues to haunt us even now. It provides fresh and clever thinking that can be a catalyst for positive and lasting change, change that will make a difference in educators, students, school districts, and communities and nations.
Thomas R. Giblin