The FMF program allows distinguished

primary and secondary school teachers in the United States to travel to

Japan for three weeks in an effort to promote greater intercultural understanding

between the two nations. Only 600 teachers nationally are selected to

participate in the program each year.

"This is not just a recognition

for me, it's also for the school, community and county," said Warthen.

"When we have an understanding of culture, we contribute to universal

harmony. This experience will make me a well-rounded educator."

In preparation for Warthen's

trip, she and her students have been studying the Japanese language and

learning basic words and phrases.

Each day they tackle a different

word such as "konnichiwa" (hello) or "domo arigato"

(thank you). They have also created a bulletin board in the classroom

devoted to news and general information about Japan.

"I'm especially excited

about this trip because the students are really buying into it. It thrills

me that they are so enthusiastic and motivated to learn more about the

culture," said Warthen.

And learn they will. After

Warthen returns from her trip, she has a year's worth of lesson plans

geared toward expanding her students' knowledge of the Japanese culture.

During the course of the year, each student will create a giant storybook

outlining the top 10 things they learned about Japan as well as create

a Haiku poetry book.

Warthen has also arranged for

students to create Japanese masks and origami figures in art class as

well as hear guest lecturers from the Japanese Consultant during social

studies. In addition, for the school's community day, she is planning

to give the North Fayette community a taste of Japanese culture by arranging

for someone to write participant's names in Japanese characters.

"The experiences that

I gain from this trip will not only be incorporated into my lessons this

year but from now on just like I incorporate other cultures," explained

Warthen.

Warthen and the other FMF participants

will begin their visit in Tokyo where they will receive a practical orientation

on Japanese life and culture and meet with Japanese government officials

and educators. They then will travel in groups of 20 to states outside

of Tokyo where they will have direct contact with Japanese teachers and

students during visits to primary and secondary schools as well as a teachers

college.

They also will visit cultural

sites and local industries in addition to a home stay with a Japanese

family.

The FMF program is sponsored

of the United States government Fulbright Program that has enabled more

than 6,000 Japanese citizens to study in the United States on Fulbright

fellowships for graduate education and research.