the big day

After months and months of planning and anticipation, Nathalie and I met in the most anti-climatic way. We were both in a computer lab at "Fulbright Central," and, seeing my name tag, she approached me and said, "So, you must be Jennifer!" I guess I had expected Fulbright would have organized some sort of event where all 100+ U.S. teachers would meet their exchange partners, but I can see how that would have been a monumental task. So together, we navigated our new e-mail accounts and

After nearly 7 months of e-mails where we exchanged all sorts of information and shared how we were feeling about our pairing, it was hard to find something to say! I know this surprises those of you who know me...rare is the moment I'm found speechless.

So we would have an opportunity to spend time with our partners, Fulbright organized a bus tour of Washington, D.C. Jimmy, our combination driver/tour guide, made the fare worth it in the first 10 minutes. He kept us entertained and gave us pop quizzes on D.C. history. I'll always remember that John Adams was the first president to stay in the White House. We visited the new World War II memorial, which was teeming with new cadets from the U.S. Naval Academy. I am convinced one of my Classen students was there somewhere, as he's beginning his first year there. I searched for him everywhere, but in those white uniforms, they all looked alike! While we were stuck in traffic, we saw the presidential motorcade - quite an event for everyone, especially those who were spending their first day ever in the United States.

Through the course of the day, we met all of the teachers involved in the exchange with France. There are 9 from the U.S. going to France with Fulbright this year. Such a small number - I've heard there were so many teachers on the French side who weren't matched because so few quality U.S. teachers apply. It's a shame, really, because already it's such an amazing opportunity. I know that quite a few teachers encountered obstacles with their school districts; I think it's simply because they are afraid of change and do not appreciate the enormous opportunity this is for everyone involved. Some district officials fear that they will be penalized for not complying with No Child Left Behind, but Fulbright exchanges are part of the U.S. Department of State, grantees are approved by a Presidential-appointed committee, and since the visiting teachers are not paid by U.S. school districts, they are exempt from NCLB's "highly qualified teacher" requirements. (Teachers, Desa Dawson at the Oklahoma State Department of Education has a letter you can show your district).

The "French Group" really clicked in D.C. On the U.S. side, there are 2 teachers from Spokane, Washington; 1 from St. Louis; 1 from Kansas City, MO; 1 from Boston; 1 from Portland, Oregon; 1 from Portland, Maine; 1 from Colorado Springs; and me, from Oklahoma City. We're a range of ages - from around 30 to close to retirement age. Several families are going, which amazes me. Spouses either took a leave of absence from work or quit altogether... what an incredible way to show support for the person you love! Doug & Katie from Colorado (pictured at right, impressing us with their dance moves) are an incredible couple. Katie has been teaching long time, and plans to retire next year. Doug speaks no French, and has never been to France, yet he's so excited about this opportunity. He plans to go fishing a lot, and is looking in to taking some French courses at the university in Perpignan.

From France, we have teachers from the following areas: St. Malo in Brittany, Perpignan and Montpelier in the south, Paris, St-Germain-en-Laye, near Besançon, Poix-de-Picardie (where I'll be) and one teacher from France's overseas department of Guadeloupe, in the Caribbean.