Dr. Cara Djonko-Moore, assistant professor of educational studies at Rhodes College, is the recipient of a Fulbright Global Scholar Program Award to Finland and Canada, granted by the U.S. Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. She will conduct research at Cape Breton University in Nova Scotia, Canada, and at the University of Turku in Finland as part of a project to learn how teacher educators in international contexts address issues of diversity in their teacher education programs.
The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to forge lasting connections between the people of the United States and the people of other countries, counter misunderstandings, and help people and nations work together toward common goals. The Fulbright Global Scholar Award allows U.S. academics and professionals to engage in multi-country, trans-regional projects conducted within one academic year or spread over two consecutive years.
Djonko-Moore plans to use the award Spring 2022 (Canada) and Fall 2022 (Finland). Her research interests at Rhodes include culturally responsive teaching within early childhood contexts and the retention of teachers in schools that serve culturally and linguistically diverse children and children in poverty.
At Cape Breton University, Djonko-Moore hopes to learn how its faculty prepare teachers to work with indigenous students and communities. The university is distinguished for its collegiate program focused on the academic study, research, and teaching of the Mi’kmaq First Nation. Djonko-Moore also believes much can be learned from teacher educators at the University of Turku on how they prepare their candidates to be successful with all learners. Finland’s education system has consistently ranked among the highest in the world since being reformed in 1970s.
As a Fulbright Scholar, Djonko-Moore will share knowledge and foster meaningful connections across communities in the United States, Canada, and Finland.
Since its establishment in 1946, the Fulbright Program has enabled more than 390,000 dedicated and accomplished students, scholars, artists, teachers, and professionals of all backgrounds to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas, and find solutions to shared international concerns. The Fulbright Program is funded through an annual appropriation made by the U.S. Congress to the U.S. Department of State. Participating governments and host institutions, corporations, and foundations around the world also provide direct and indirect support to the Program, which operates in more than 160 countries worldwide.