August 20, 2024 -- Congratulations to Columbus Gifted Academy (CGA) teacher Sherry Daniel on being awarded the 2024-2025 Fulbright Teacher Exchange award! Daniel, an interdisciplinary studies teacher, received the prestigious honor from the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Award.
As one of only 400 U.S. citizens selected for this honor, Daniel will engage in a year-long program focused on global education. Daniel’s program, Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms, includes taking a specialized course, participating in a symposium in Washington, D.C., and embarking on a two to three week international exchange.
“I look forward to using this opportunity to help students at CGA develop a sense of themselves as global citizens, share what I'm learning with other educators, and promote peace through international cultural exchange,” said Daniel.
Fulbright recipients engage in cutting-edge research and expand their professional networks, often continuing research collaborations started abroad and laying the groundwork for forging future partnerships between institutions. Upon returning to their home countries, institutions, labs, and classrooms, they share their stories and often become active supporters of international exchange, inviting foreign scholars to campus and encouraging colleagues and students to go abroad.
The opportunity is perfect for Daniel who loves to travel domestically and internationally. Her program destinations are currently unknown but it only adds to her excitement of being immersed in the program for a year.
“Wherever I go, I will learn something more,” Daniel said. “It’s a big world and I want to see it all.
The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program. It is supported by the people of the U.S. and partner countries around the world. The Fulbright Program is funded through an annual appropriation made by the U.S. Congress to the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Participating governments and host institutions, corporations, and foundations around the world also provide direct and indirect support to the Program.
Notable Fulbright alumni include 62 Nobel Prize laureates, 89 Pulitzer Prize recipients, 78 MacArthur Fellows, and 41 who have served as a head of state or government. Since 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided more than 400,000 participants from over 160 countries - chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential.
Daniel’s selection was no surprise to Columbus Gifted Academy Director Amanda Reed, who noted her pride and Daniel’s perseverance in applying for the program.
“She has a genuine passion and appreciation for cultures beyond her own,” Reed said. “Ms. Daniel will not only be an invaluable asset to her classroom abroad, but her intercultural learning and enhanced interdisciplinary focus will undoubtedly also benefit her scholars and colleagues at CGA.”
For Daniel, she is grateful to CGA and the District for supporting her participation in such a distinguished program and relishes the opportunity to share all she has learned with her peers and students.
“I’m excited to just bring them the world and help them understand their place in it,” Daniel said.
Columbus City Schools is immensely proud of Sherry Daniel for earning this distinguished recognition.
For more information about the Fulbright Program, visit https://fulbrightprogram.org.
