Education professor to return to Oman to conduct workshops

Associate professor Spencer Salas will spend most of December in Oman to continue professional development efforts with that country’s K-12 teachers.

During a three-week period, Salas, a faculty member in the College of Education’s Department of Middle, Secondary and K-12 Education, will travel to nine of Oman’s governorates to engage some 600 Omani public school teachers of English in hands-on applications with whole language literacy instruction for K-12 learners. Salas’ visit is part of a sustained partnership that began in December 2011 and is sponsored by the Omani Ministry of Education and the U.S. State Department.

Richard Schmierer, U.S. ambassador to Oman, in writing about Salas’ participation in the State Department’s English Language Specialist Program, stated, “The Ministry of Education in Oman devotes considerable effort and resources to professionally develop its teachers and administrators. With programs by dedicated and talented academics like you, the United States is able to show support for the Ministry’s endeavor and deepen the friendship and partnership between the United States and the Sultanate of Oman.”

“It’s been an honor to collaborate with my Omani counterparts these last three years and to represent UNC Charlotte in this dynamic and high-impact international partnership,” stated Salas.

Photo: Salas with first-graders at Shumoo’a Almarifa Elementary School in Ibri, Oman