The Visiting International Faculty Program has named Helen Crompton, an Elon master of education student, the 2009 International Educator of the Year.
Crompton, who is visiting from the United Kingdom, will receive her M.Ed. degree from Elon in August. Currently, she is a fifth-grade teacher at Carrboro Elementary School in Orange County, N.C.
Crompton tops the list of 16 visiting international faculty members who were recognized as part of the 2009 International Educator of the Year awards program. They were selected from more than 70 nominees in six states and recognized for creating opportunities for their students to explore other cultures and countries, master new languages, and study and suggest solutions to global challenges.
During her three-year exchange visit, Crompton has served as a team leader for her grade level at Carrboro Elementary, created memorable cultural events for her students and brought new technology to her classroom. Recently, students in her history class used Skype™ to hold a video conference with a war veteran. Occasionally, Crompton dressed as Queen Elizabeth I for class lessons.
In addition, Crompton has written an article for a national education magazine about integrating technology into the math curriculum and has made presentations at multiple conferences, all while earning her master’s degree at Elon.
Based in Chapel Hill, N.C., the Visiting International Faculty Program is the largest international exchange program linking schools in the United States with teachers worldwide.
The VIF Program selects, sponsors and supports international K-12 educators who work as full-time teachers in U.S. schools for up to three years. VIF teachers return home to contribute to education in their nations and serve as goodwill ambassadors for the U.S.
VIF was founded in 1987 by former Elon President J. Fred Young.
By Emily Eng