Carleston Elementary Teacher Completes Fund for Teachers Immersion Fellowship in Colombia

Adrienne Mapps, a dedicated teacher at Carleston Elementary, completed a transformative Fund for Teachers fellowship over the summer, thanks to a $5,000 grant. Mapps traveled to Medellin, Colombia, for an immersive experience designed to advance her linguistic skills and cultural understanding, which she will now bring back to the classroom.

The fellowship provided a unique opportunity for Mapps to cultivate personal growth that will directly benefit her students. By strengthening her Spanish language abilities and deepening her grasp of Colombian culture, she aims to create a more inclusive learning environment that empowers students to express their creativity without language barriers.

Mapps is one of 355 Pre-K through 12th-grade teachers from across the United States and one of 16 from the Greater Houston area to be selected for a Fund for Teachers grant this summer. These fellowships are a testament to their commitment to professional and personal development.

"This fellowship allowed me to not only deepen my Spanish language skills but also to truly immerse myself in a vibrant culture," Mapps said. "I am excited to bring these real-world experiences back to my classroom at Carleston, helping my students cultivate a global perspective and feel confident exploring their creativity, no matter their background." To learn more about Mapps’ journey and see some photos from her immersion experience.

About Fund for Teachers

Fund for Teachers enriches the lives of teachers and students by providing teachers with the resources to pursue self-designed professional learning experiences. Since 1998, the organization has invested over $42 million in more than 11,000 teachers, impacting the lives of more than 5 million students.