Toyota Provides Environmental Learning Experience in Costa Rica for 26 U.S. Educators

Twenty-six U.S. teachers are going to Costa Rica through the Toyota International Teacher Program from November 19 – December 3, 2011. This teacher program allows the teachers to travel from across the country to Costa Rica, Galapagos, Japan and South Africa to complete a two-week study tour during which they learn about the environmental challenges each country faces.

The program to Costa Rica, a country dedicated to protecting its natural resources, will allow to explore environmental and cultural preservation, biodiversity and sustainability. This includes site visits, discussions, lectures and hands-on activities (meet with local experts, visit schools, museums and the rainforest).

They will travel to San Jose, Guácimo, Sarapiquí and La Fortuna, to highlight the relationship between Costa Rican history, culture and the environment. They will visit sustainable agriculture projects at Earth University and engage in service projects at La Selva Biological Station, one of the most studied tropical rain forests in the world.

“Toyota congratulates the 26 teachers selected for this professional development experience in Costa Rica. Like their predecessors, they are excellent representatives of their profession. We are honored to support them through this study program that explores the importance of environmental stewardship both at home and abroad.” – Michael Rouse, vice president of philanthropy, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

“We are honored to continue working with Toyota to promote global awareness and environmental stewardship in U.S. schools. The Toyota International Teacher Program provides unique opportunities for educators to strengthen the education they provide to their students. The program allows students to travel and interact with other cultures through their teachers’ experiences, fostering new learning opportunities for thousands of students.” – Dr. Allan E. Goodman, IIE President and CEO

The 26 participating educators for the 2011 trip to Costa Rica are:

· Loris Chen; Fair Lawn, New Jersey

· Sandra Childs; Portland, Oregon

· Margaret Collier: Orlando, Florida

· Emily Dietzschold: Lincoln, Nebraska

· Timothy Dobbins; Spring Valley, California

· John Elfrank-Dana; New York, New York

· Kelly Foss; Rehoboth, Massachusetts

· Robert Hanchett; Houston, Texas

· Angela Hemingway, Meridian, Idaho

· Katie Hook; Portsmouth, Rhode Island

· Tammy Hyder; Newnan, Georgia