Montville Township High School -

Language immersion, a broader world view, and an exploration of the world that fosters independence. These are only three of the dozens of benefits to global travel. During July 2024, three educators from the Montville Township Public Schools [MTPS] are Program Leaders for three unique, 3-week, “Global Navigator - High School Summer Abroad” programs. Hosted by CIEE [Council on International Educational Exchange], the MTPS teachers are each leading a different specialty program that focuses on specific student interests. All three programs connect students from across the United States with international professionals in each subject area. CIEE offers programs in more than 30 subject areas. Becoming a CIEE Program Leader is a competitive endeavor.

“These MTPS staff members went through a thorough interview process,” explained Dr. Tamar Spitzer, the MTPS Supervisor of World Languages and ESL. “They were hand-selected for these exciting programs.”

Third Grade teacher Alyson Coppola, of Woodmont Elementary School, is leading a group of high school students through Lisbon, Portugal. The Lisbon program is focused on Aquatic Ecosystems and Sustainability. Through history, and current initiatives which have been implemented in Lisbon and other Portugal port cities, students are working alongside biologists and other sustainability researchers to observe and participate in programs that identify, and strive to eradicate, threats to marine ecosystems. Additionally, students are studying the impact of environmental threats to the local and global economies.

Naomi McCloskey, a Montville Township High School [MTHS] Counselor, and Anthony Sia, an MTHS Business and Marketing teacher, are each leading a group of high school students on international trips that focus on the exploration of Global Entrepreneurship. McCloskey’s students are exploring the different markets, and exciting business cultures of Dublin, Copenhagen, and Berlin, while Sia’s students are based in the fast-growing scene of Berlin’s thriving business start-up economy. During the Entrepreneurship trips, students are developing new business ideas and pitching them to a panel of international business professionals.

In addition to the focus of each program, students also travel within each country to learn more about the history, current pastimes, and education of the entire country and local community.

“We have just spent a week in Dublin, Ireland,” McCloskey said recently in an email. The MTHS School Counselor sent photos and a few notes from the trip as she and the students were in transit to Copenhagen. “In Dublin we heard from entrepreneurs, including a presentation and treat by the owner from ‘The Rolling Donut.’  We also learned about the culture of Ireland, including Gaelic games.  Students tried that along with other sports.” 

“[Gaelic games teams] are not professional teams. Nor are they traded,” McCloskey added. “The best hurling player in Ireland is actually a biology teacher.”

As they studied the ecosystem of the Portugal maritime cities, Coppola and her students were also introduced to the engineering of the “Order of the Templars,” a sweet confection known as Pasteis de Belém -- which has a carefully guarded recipe -- and the “Monument to the Discoveries,” which was erected in 1960 to commemorate the 500 years of innovative navigation that contributed to Portugal’s Age of Discoveries.

Sia also sent photos midway through the July 2024 adventure.

“We toured Leipzig,” Sia noted. “Leipzig is where Bach composed many of his famous cantatas, including his iconic masterpieces like the Brandenburg Concertos.”

Sia and his students also toured the Leipzig University (Universität Leipzig), which boasts a rich educational history dating back to 1409.

“Leipzig University is one of the oldest universities in the world and the second-oldest in Germany,” Sia wrote. “The university is well-respected in Germany, ranking within the top 30 nationally according to the 2024 QS World University Rankings. [QS rankings are compiled annually by Quacquarelli Symonds, a higher education analytics firm.] The average cost per student per year is 1,100 Euros for German citizens.” 

Since 1947 CIEE has been dedicated to promoting peaceful coexistence and respect between nations through student and teacher exchange programs. A non-profit organization, the CIEE website, ciee.org, states that the organization is “committed to making global education and international exchange programs accessible to as many students as possible. CIEE manages the largest study abroad scholarship fund available for U.S. high school students.”

The website also notes that, “all tuition fees are reinvested into our programming to support more participants and continue making our programs even more incredible every year.” 

In addition to High School Summer Abroad programs, CIEE offers High School Semester Abroad, Gap Year Abroad, and First Year Abroad programs for high school students and freshmen college students.

With regard to the teachers who lead the CIEE summer “Global Navigator” programs, the following information can be found under the “Program Leaders” tab on the CIEE website: “CIEE Program Leaders play a critical role in our Global Navigator high school summer abroad programs. Highly energetic and passionate about the language or topic of their program, these teachers are more than just chaperones. They are educators who connect classroom learning to the real world, ensuring summer abroad becomes an unforgettable learning adventure.”

Near the end of July, MTPS teachers Coppola, McCloskey, and Sia will return to the United States with their CIEE students.

At the end of August, and throughout the school year, Coppola, McCloskey, and Sia will share their knowledge and experiences with their colleagues in the seven Montville Township Public Schools.

All MTPS students, in grades Pre-K to Grade 12, will begin the 2024-2025 school year on Tuesday, September 3, 2024. The teaching staff will return earlier.