Culpeper, VA - A distinguished group of 12 educators from across Virginia, including Culpeper County Public School teacher Laura Butcher, were selected as recipients of the highly competitive Fulbright-Hays grant offered through Virginia Tech. This esteemed grant allowed the group of 12 Career and Technical Education educators and administrators, accompanied by two Virginia Tech professors, to embark on a journey to Livingstone, Zambia, where they engaged in a comprehensive study of Career and Technical Education (CTE) and its impact on the local and global economy. The educators spent an immersive month in Livingstone, collaborating with local educational institutions, industry leaders, and community members to gain invaluable insights into this vital field.
During their stay in Livingstone, the educators had the privilege of collaborating with prominent educational institutions in Zambia, including Victoria Falls University, Livingstone Institute of Business and Engineering Studies (LIBES), Mikuni Primary & Secondary Schools, and Hillcrest Secondary School. They engaged in a series of observations, interviews, lectures, and interactive sessions facilitated by experts in the field of education, CTE, and associated industries. Through these immersive experiences, the group had the opportunity to study best practices, innovative pedagogies, and successful models of CTE implementation that have positively impacted the local and global economies.
Furthermore, the educators had the opportunity to forge meaningful connections with industry leaders and professionals from various sectors. They explored the dynamic relationship between CTE and economic development, examining how technical skills training can create opportunities for sustainable growth, entrepreneurship, and job creation.
Following their return, the educators are implementing ways to share their newfound expertise and experiences with their colleagues and educational communities. They will develop innovative curricula, instructional materials, and professional development programs that reflect the best practices and lessons learned during their time in Zambia. Their insights will contribute to the enrichment of CTE programs within their school district/organization and inspire a new generation of students to pursue careers in technical fields that drive economic progress.
Eastern View teacher Laura Butcher reflected on her experiences: "during our month in Zambia, we were immersed in the community and culture of Zambia. We learned about the local history, experienced daily life, and observed both the education and business sectors. Livingstone prides itself in being the location of Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. With recent changes in their government, they are aiming to be a tourism capital. They are pushing to educate citizens in areas of hospitality and tourism which falls under my CTE area of focus, Family and Consumer Sciences. By visiting hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions, we gained first-hand knowledge on how businesses manage, their goals, training requirements, and their hiring practices. A lesson learned from the
Zambian people that I plan to incorporate into my classroom community is the concept of 'ubuntu.' This philosophy believes that 'I am, because we are.' Our group had to take on this philosophy as we came together, meeting for the first time in the airport, to travel, live, and learn over the month of June. Each person we interacted with had a story and a reason for their drive, in almost every case what pushed them to work and strive related back to their family or community. Teachers and business worked together to create a stronger unit together. Thinking of my own classroom, I want to encourage my students to follow the concept of 'ubuntu' as they learn, grow, and work together throughout the school year. I look forward to sharing my experiences with my colleagues, students, and community in an effort to appreciate a different culture and build from lessons learned." To relive the journey through Africa with Ms. Butcher, you are invited to explore her @cte2africa Instagram account which was used to document her experiences.
The Culpeper County Public Schools commends these exceptional educators, including CCPS Family and Consumer Sciences teacher Laura Butcher, for their remarkable achievement. This opportunity provided by the Fulbright-Hays grant and host school Virginia Tech to travel to Livingstone, Zambia, to study CTE initiatives, has enable the participants to explore diverse perspectives, gain cross-cultural understanding, and bring back invaluable knowledge to their classrooms.The impact of their study on CTE and the global economy promises to transcend the boundaries of their classrooms, empowering students to shape a brighter future.
For media inquiries or more information, please contact:
Laura Butcher
CCPS Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher
lbutcher@ccpsweb.org
(540) 435-6694
