Fayette's

international teachers inspired by school system's hospitality

Three teachers

of exceptional children have come from different parts of the world to

the Fayette County School System with one common goal: to make a difference

in the lives of students.

Johanna Hughes

of Scotland, Karen Kline of Australia, and Cathleen Jensen of South Africa

chose to leave their homes, families and friends to come and teach in

a country whose education philosophies and methods are revered the world

over.

Although each

teacher came prepared to learn valuable education techniques and strategies,

they say their experiences of friendship, generosity and hospitality have

far exceeded their expectations.

Hughes is in

her sixth year of teaching at Greenview Primary School in Glasgow, Scotland.

She and fellow Fullbright Scholar Marviesta Jordan of East Fayette Elementary

swapped schools at the beginning of the year to gain exposure to teaching

in different countries. Hughes was especially excited to come to America

because her school system is beginning to adopt an inclusive approach

to teaching exceptional children. Currently, exceptional students in Scotland

attend a special school instead of being integrated into regular classrooms

like in the United States.

"I wanted

to come to America because the United Kingdom takes a lot from it,"

said Hughes. "The inclusive environment interested me because my

country is moving in that direction. When I return home I hope to be able

to assist my school system with the change."

With the exception

of inclusion, Hughes says the American and United Kingdom school systems

are, for the most part, on a par with each other. Both have access to

televisions and computers in the classroom and both enjoy support from

school administrators.

However, one

major difference across the board is the way in which teachers are viewed

in the two countries. Hughes says that in Scotland the child is seen as

always being right, so it is the teacher's fault when he or she does not

excel. In contrast, she has noticed that in the U.S. there is a strong

link between parents, the school and students.

"Here

everyone works together to ensure the success of the child," she

said. "This type of situation is essential to education. It has been

lovely to come here and not be the bad guy."

When Hughes

first arrived in Fayette, she did not have a car. She says fellow teachers

at East Fayette helped her become acclimated by showing her around the

county and inviting her to their homes for dinner.

"The people

here are great. I had heard about Southern hospitality but I have been

showered with more generosity than I had ever expected. I would definitely

consider coming