Elon senior to teach in Taiwan through Fulbright award

​

Elizabeth Meynardie ’17 will spend a year teaching English in Taiwan as the recipient of a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship. 

An elementary education major, Meynardie is a Teaching Fellow who has been involved in the service sorority Epsilon Sigma Alpha, Parent’s Night Out and the Elon Academy during her time at the university, with study abroad experiences in Costa Rica and Malawi. Following her Fulbright assistantship, she plans to return to the United States to work in a Title 1 school. 

“Working with students through Elon courses in the Burlington community has allowed me to teach a wide variety of students,” said Meynardie, who is originally from Raleigh, N.C. “Through individual work with students in Title I schools, I know that I want to continue working in Title I schools after returning home from a year abroad.”

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, the Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government. Congress established the program in 1946 “to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.”

Recipients of Fulbright grants are selected on the basis of academic or professional achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership potential in their fields. It operates in over 160 countries worldwide.

Meynardie is looking forward to using her time teaching in Taiwan to better understand the challenges that students face as they learn a second language. Over the long term, she hopes to teach in a school with a high population of English language learners, and expects her experience in Taiwan to help bolster her skills in the classroom. 

“Not only do I think the experience will help me grow as an educator, I also know that living abroad will lead to new adventures,” Meynardie said. “Although I cannot predict exactly what the future has in store, I anticipate being pushed outside of my comfort zone and ultimately seeing my own culture and background in a new light.”

Julie Justice, assistant professor of education who served as a faculty mentor to Meynardie, said she is already a “highly skilled educator” who has a deep understanding of how students learn and develop. “I have rarely seen teacher candidates with the kind of gentle confidence and capability she has,” Justice said of Meynardie. “Her students respect her because she respects them, but also because her expertise and commitment to their success is apparent. When working with children, she is both pleasant and personable, but she takes learning seriously and has a responsible and professional approach to teaching and learning.’

Meynardie is a 2013 graduate of Broughton High School and is the daughter of Bob and Catherine Meynardie of Raleigh. 

Elon students and recent alums interested in the Fulbright program are encouraged to visit the National and International Fellowships Office in Powell building or by calling (336) 278-5749.