Liberty administrator chosen to participate in Japan Fulbright program

Michael Schuelke, who is currently serving as the assistant principal at Liberty Elementary School, has been chosen to participate in the prestigious Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund program in November 2006. Schuelke is one of just two individuals from Illinois and one of 100 from across the country to be selected to travel to Japan this year.

Schuelke's application to participate in the program included a set of essays, in which he explained how his inclusion in the program would benefit his school community, among other topics.

Schuelke will meet the rest of his group on November 12 in San Francisco, where the participants will take in a brief orientation before leaving for Tokyo the next day. For three days, they will attend lectures that overview Japan's culture and education system and take in a variety of local arts. Each individual will also be able to undertake a one-day "exploration" session in Japan.

From November 19-28, the group will split into groups of 20 and travel to rural areas, where they will view schools and talk to parents and teachers. On November 29, the large group will reconvene and give group presentations and make follow-up plans to take back to their school communities.

When he returns home, Schuelke plans on giving presentations at a variety of schools within the district.

The Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund aims to increase the level of understanding between Japan and the United States, provide teachers and administrators with significant professional development opportunities, and strengthen curricula in U.S. schools by improving Americans' understanding of Japan.

Liberty, one of 14 elementary schools in Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202, is located at 1401 Essington Road in Plainfield.

For more information, contact Schuelke at (815) 609-3037.