Toyota Sponsors Short-Study Program in Japan for 50 Teachers

30 November 1998
Toyota Sponsors Short-Study Program in Japan for 50 Teachers
    TORRANCE, Calif., Nov. 30 -- Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
(TMS) today announced that it will sponsor a 12-day cultural/educational study
program in Japan for secondary school teachers in mid-June 1999.  All direct
program costs, including travel, lodging and meals will be paid by TMS.
    A total of 50 teachers will be selected through a competitive, merit-based
process, administered by the Institute of International Education, to
participate in this new professional development opportunity -- the Toyota
International Teacher Program.  The program is being offered to all secondary
teachers in four states where major Toyota facilities are located --
California, Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia.
    "In today's global community, we believe teachers will welcome an
opportunity to enhance their high school curriculum through international
study," said Yale Gieszl, TMS executive vice president.  "We're excited to
expand Toyota's support of education to include a program that provides direct
experiences to build global skills and perspectives."
    In addition to visiting schools in Japan to meet with other educators, the
50 teachers will be introduced to the automobile industry, as well as other
industries to explore global issues such as technology and the environment.
Cultural and historical tours will be arranged in Tokyo, Nagoya, Toyota City,
and Kyoto, the ancient capitol of Japan.
    The Toyota International Teacher Program has been developed to strengthen
Toyota's on-going commitment to education.  To date, TMS has funded
$3.5 million in grants to kindergarten through 12th grade math and science
teachers for innovative projects in the classroom through TIME (Toyota's
Investment in Mathematics Excellence) and Toyota TAPESTRY.  Toyota also
supports scholarships for high school and college students, family literacy
centers, and technical training programs.
    Applications for the Toyota International Teacher Program need to be
submitted by January 25, 1999, and may be obtained by calling toll free,
1-877-TEACHJP.
    To administer the program, Toyota has partnered with the Institute of
International Education (IIE) -- the largest nonprofit education exchange
organization in the United States.  Headquartered in New York, IIE has 19
offices around the world including its Washington, D.C. office that is
administering the Toyota International Teacher Program.
    Allan Goodman, IIE president noted, "IIE is honored to partner with Toyota
Motor Sales, USA, in launching this innovative new program.  We see it as an
investment in American educators that will pay dividends internationally and
domestically for years to come."
    Selection criteria for program participants include the applicants'
professional qualifications, leadership skills, motivation for participating
in the program, and potential long-term impact of the program experience.