Genesis Rosales and Kevin Cournoyer, outstanding Spanish teachers in Baltimore City Public Schools, were recently honored with the prestigious Fulbright Distinguished Teaching Award. As part of the honor, both teachers will embark on journeys this summer spanning continents and cultures as part of their shared commitment to excellence in teaching and fostering global awareness within their communities.
Genesis Rosales: Embracing Afro-Brazilian Heritage
Ms. Genesis Rosales, a Spanish teacher at Baltimore Design School since 2019, has been recognized for her passion for exploring Afro-diasporic cultures. As an Afro-Latina from Honduras, Genesis's interest in understanding the history and culture of Afro-descendant communities led her to pursue the Fulbright Program in Brazil. Inspired by the opportunity to immerse herself in Brazilian culture while studying Portuguese, Genesis seized the chance to participate in a Group Project Abroad (GPA) with the University of Detroit Mercy.
"Applying for the Fulbright Distinguished Teaching Award was an exciting and enlightening journey. I first learned about Fulbright opportunities during a MFLA session, where I discovered their graduate opportunities for teachers,” said Genesis when reflecting on the award. “With my colleague Regina O'Neal's experience in South America as inspiration, I decided to embark on the application process."
In Brazil, Genesis and her team will delve into various facets of Afro-Brazilian diaspora, examining themes such as ethnic and racial affirmation, representation struggles, and cultural intersections. Through intensive study and travel experiences in Bahia and Minas Gerais, they aim to gain insights into the rich tapestry of Afro-Brazilian heritage, from the religious practices of Candomblé to the poetic roots of samba.
Genesis plans to leverage her experience as a secondary school Spanish teacher from Baltimore by embracing cultural diversity and linguistic immersion. She intends to integrate her newfound knowledge into her curriculum, offering students a deeper understanding of Afro-Latino and Afro-Brazilian heritage. Moreover, upon her return, Genesis envisions organizing cultural events and activities to foster cross-cultural understanding within her school community.
Kevin Cournoyer: Enriching Language Education in Mexico
Kevin Cournoyer, a veteran Spanish teacher with Baltimore City Public Schools for 16 years, began his Fulbright journey to Mexico with a great desire to enhance language education. His project focuses on supporting the design and development of a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) teacher training program at the Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo (UAEH) in Pachuca.
"My wife and I taught abroad in Prague, Czech Republic in 2017-2018 and we had an amazing experience teaching and working in a different country,” said Kevin when reflecting on his motivation. “We grew professionally and personally, and I wanted to replicate that on a smaller scale. The Fulbright Program is amazing for this because they have multiple short-term projects in lots of exciting countries."
With his background as a secondary Spanish teacher and a curriculum developer, Kevin brings valuable expertise to the project. Drawing from his experiences in leadership roles and curriculum development at Green Street Academy, Kevin aims to develop innovative approaches to meet the evolving needs of English language learners. He plans to collaborate with educators at UAEH to evaluate and update curricula, incorporating effective teaching methods and assessments.
Upon his return to the United States, Kevin intends to incorporate his learnings from Mexico into his teaching practice, enriching his Spanish curriculum with insights from TEFL methodologies. By sharing his experiences and new methodologies with his school community, Kevin hopes to expand cultural horizons and inspire his students to embrace global perspectives.
"Many of my students do not receive the exposure to other countries and cultures... The wider I can expand my horizon, the more I can share with my students,” said Kevin.
Through their Fulbright experiences, both Genesis Rosales and Kevin Cournoyer are not only enriching their own professional learning, but are also shaping the future of education in their communities and beyond.