BGSU education professor earns second Fulbright honor

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BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - A Bowling Green State University education professor has been selected for their second Fulbright assignment in the Czech Republic, where they are leading the development of practical instructional strategies for teachers there to strengthen classroom instruction.

Angela Falter Thomas, Ph.D., associate professor in the BGSU College of Education and Human Development, is currently lending her expertise to the University of West Bohemia in Plzeň. It comes after her first Fulbright experience in the country from 2018-2019, where she taught 90 education majors in five courses to improve effectiveness in primary education at Palacky University in Olomouc.

Her experience led to lasting, continuing relationships throughout the country - including with her former students who are now teachers working in the field - and a sterling reputation for developing future educators that has led to additional recognition.

"My first Fulbright truly changed my life," Falter Thomas said. "It's such a meaningful opportunity that built relationships I've sustained for years, so it really became about long-term collaboration and not a one-time opportunity."

In addition to molding the next generation of teachers in Bowling Green, Falter Thomas said the relationships she built in the Czech Republic have been among the most rewarding things she has experienced as a professor.

"I've returned many times at my own expense to see my former students who are now teachers, and when you get in their classrooms and see them utilize strategies and techniques that you taught them, it's amazing," she said. "That has really given me great global perspective."

BGSU has been regularly recognized for offering one of the top teacher-prep programs in the Midwest, and for Falter Thomas, developing future educators has not been limited to the U.S.

"I am honored to represent BGSU through this global work," Falter Thomas said. "Collaborating with educators around the world strengthens our teacher preparation programs and brings new perspectives back to BGSU so our future teachers can better serve the children in their classrooms."

International collaboration has been a hallmark for Falter Thomas, who has traveled to 61 countries and been a steward of BGSU all over the globe.

In addition to her first Fulbright trip to the Czech Republic, she spent a semester at Keele University in England, gave professional development sessions to teachers in Peru and led student study abroad trips to the United Kingdom and Costa Rica during her time at the University.

Falter Thomas said it was "very flattering" that word of her expertise traveled throughout the Czech Republic, leading to an invitation from a university on the other side of the country from her first visit.

Like her first visit, the collaboration is mutually beneficial, she said.

"They liked how I interacted with students and was able to engage students in large class sizes, and I always bring their perspectives back to my students at BGSU," she said. "I think this new project will let me build upon that foundation, but partner with a new university on the opposite side of the Czech Republic."

On her current visit, Falter Thomas is co-teaching five class sessions, giving a presentation and hosting a question-and-answer session for university faculty, presenting a lecture to the U.S. Embassy, guest speaking at the American Center in Plzeň and conducting a workshop for local teachers, which will focus on practical literacy and instructional strategies that teachers can use to strengthen reading and writing instruction in their classrooms.

Recognized with another Fulbright honor, Falter Thomas said she hopes to continue the spirit of collaboration that made her first visit so memorable.

"The Fulbright isn't just about traveling abroad, it's about building relationships," Falter Thomas said. "Collaborations like these strengthen teachers on both sides of the ocean. I learn so much from them, and when we prepare better teachers anywhere, we're preparing stronger futures for everyone."