BOONE—Appalachian State University, Watauga High School and Hardin Park Elementary School have been selected to host Ismail Al-Akras, a Jordanian school administrator who is participating in a Fulbright Administrator Exchange Program.  Al-Akras will be in Boone Nov. 7-18.

Appalachian is one of 10 institutions across the United States selected to host Jordanian administrators.  According to Jesse Lutabingwa, associate vice chancellor for international education and development at Appalachian, Al-Akras is interested in interacting with school staff and students to learn about teaching and administration in U.S. schools at all levels.

Al-Akras’s travel to the United States is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State through Graduate School USDA.

The visit continues efforts by the Office of International Education and Development to engage Appalachian in international development and short-term training and exchange activities in the regions of the world where the university previously has not been involved, and to expand international opportunities within the area’s public schools.

“This is an incredible opportunity for our students and faculty to share their educational experiences and learn about education in another part of the world,” said Mary Smalling, principal at Hardin Park Elementary School. “It gives us the chance to break down some barriers as we share what is alike and different about our two countries.  We are looking forward to the experience and a new friendship being formed.”

Al-Akra’s visit comes just a few months after a group of Pakistani educators spent time honing their teaching and technology skills in area schools, including Watauga High School. “I am excited about the opportunity to share my experiences and learn about education in Jordan,” said Angela Quick, principal at Watauga High School. “I hope that this will be a professional contact that we can foster.”

During his visit, Al-Akra will also spend time with Appalachian students who are planning careers in school administration. “We are looking forward to having an international school administrator in our midst. We anticipate our graduate students in school administration, especially, will have a wonderful opportunity for a comparative view of the Jordanian school system versus the American one,” said Charles R. Duke, dean of the Reich College of Education.

Al-Kras will be hosted by a local family in Boone.  “The fact that our Jordanian visitor will be hosted by a family in Boone gives us an opportunity to reach out not only to area schools but also local community members,” Lutabingwa said.

Linda McCalister, director of the Public School Partnership in the Reich College of Education, will serve as the primary host for the program.  She will be assisted by Sarah Bergstedt, director of international outreach in the Office of International Education and Development.

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