My First Solo Adventure: A Test of the TEA Fulbright Program
My first big trip across the ocean for the TEA Fulbright program started with a surprise. When I landed in Atlanta, the weather was wild with a snowstorm, the airport was huge and packed, and my next flight was canceled. This meant I immediately had to use my problem-solving skills to figure out how to get to where I needed to be that night. Luckily, I used the airline's app and was able to rebook for 10 PM. My bags didn't even arrive until midnight! It was an exciting beginning that really showed me how much I could adapt and handle tough situations.
Florida's Surprises: Weather and People
Before I left, I packed carefully and planned my meals. But when I got to Florida, it was only 8 degrees Celsius! That was a big surprise, as I thought it would be warm like Phuket. Even though it was a bit cold, I had fun getting used to it.
Florida was a great place to be. I could easily walk 15 minutes to the supermarket. After the first few days of strange weather, it became nice and sunny with clean air. Best of all, the people there were much friendlier than I thought they'd be. This trip not only helped me get used to a new place, but it also showed me how diverse and kind people can be, which I'll always remember.
A Broader Perspective, A Wider Heart
Living among diverse people, adapting to different cultures, and navigating various English accents truly expanded my heart. I'd always considered myself open-minded, but this experience deepened my understanding of diverse people and cultures. The world is indeed much wider than I ever imagined.
Teaching at Estero High School
I was so impressed by my teaching experience at Estero High School. The atmosphere was incredibly earnest and responsible, with everyone dedicated to their duties. I was assigned to teach two lessons: one for 9th-grade biology students and another for 10th-grade AICE Marine students. Each lesson had to combine culture with a science topic. This teaching experience was the peak of my trip. Getting to use my knowledge and skills in a real classroom was a crucial part of the program that allowed me to grow and share what I learned with fellow teachers from the U.S. and 20 other countries around the world.
The Challenge of Lesson Design
Adjusting to the students and designing lessons that met the scholarship's goals while being useful and relevant to their lives wasn't easy. I spent a long time thinking, and finally came up with two lessons:
- 9th-grade students: "Thai Food, Eating Culture, and Pollinators: How Food and Pollinators are Related?"
- 10th-grade students: "Ocean Connections – Thai Marine Life, Manatees vs. Dugongs, and Coral Bleaching"
As a science teacher, creating a lesson on culture was a significant challenge. However, by integrating food culture into the lessons, I found a way to make the teaching interesting and accessible for the students.
A Dynamic Classroom
When it was time to teach, I felt so excited. The moment the bell rang to start class, I was ready to go! The results were even better than I expected. The students were all eager to participate, sharing opinions, competing to answer questions, and enthusiastically presenting their group work. They even passed secret notes with answers—it reminded me of my own students back home! Of course, I had to keep changing the activities to keep them on their toes. Both lessons were so well-received, proving that when a teacher can connect with the heart of learning, the classroom becomes truly dynamic. This experience absolutely reaffirmed my confidence in my role as a teacher.
A Broader Personal View
This scholarship offered an amazing chance to see diverse education landscapes through my fellow scholars. I learned each place has unique contexts and challenges, yet all teachers share a common goal: fostering student growth in knowledge, experience, and character.
Learning and working with teachers from various backgrounds deepened my understanding of human learning. Despite differences, our basic needs for learning and life are universal. Sharing experiences, collaborating with international peers, and presenting my insights broadened my perspective immensely, opening my heart. This experience truly expanded my understanding of diverse people and cultures, showing me the world is much vaster than I ever imagined.
Impact on My Work and Application
Since returning, I've gained a much broader perspective on education. This experience lets me apply new knowledge and insights when sharing educational experiences with schools across Thailand. I can now connect and understand differences better, especially grasping the unique limitations of each area, appreciating diverse teacher backgrounds, and adapting global education trends to suit the Thai context.
The knowledge I gained from Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) professors was all familiar, topics I'd studied for years developing our high school curriculum. Learning and discussing these during the program reinforced my confidence that our current knowledge aligns with Thammasat Secondary School's curriculum.
Even more, teaching at Estero High School greatly boosted my confidence as a teacher. I was affirmed in my strong ability to connect with students and design lessons relevant to their real lives, brilliantly linking global situations to the classroom. No matter the subject or audience, I could deeply understand each student's needs to create lessons that not only impart knowledge but also resonate meaningfully and reach their hearts. These newfound confidence and skills are invaluable assets I'll use to further develop education in Thailand.
Three words for Fulbright Thailand
Beautiful, Confidence, Connection
Siriwan Boonanunt (Si)
2025 TEA in Environmental Education (Spring Cohort)
from Thammasat Secondary School to Florida Gulf Coast University
