Local Adviser Guidelines
Welcome, local advisers!
A local adviser serves as a mentor to new teachers and shares their own experiences on how to be a successful exchange visitor teacher and cultural ambassador of their country. The local adviser helps new teachers to transition into the new community and shares experiences and cultural opportunities.
Local advisers serve in an advisory capacity and are compensated by Participate Learning. Any serious questions or concerns a teacher may have should immediately be brought to the attention of the Teacher Resources department. Below are ways a local adviser may assist new teachers.
Thanks again for your interest and help in providing assistance to new Participate Learning teachers. We have put together the following information as a reference and guidance for your work. Please review the information and contact us if you have any questions.
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Checklist | Checkpoints and Reports | Compensation | Contact Information
Checklist
Prior to arriving in the U.S.
- Send an introductory email to advisees.
- Follow up with community of practice resources and address any additional questions.
- Check-in with advisees as they search for housing.
During advisees’ Arrival Orientation
- Contact advisees at the hotel, and assess their housing status.
- Ensure advisees have temporary or permanent housing arrangements.
- Create and share the first-week schedule with advisees.
- Remind advisees to work on connecting utilities.
Upon advisees’ arrival in their school districts
- Meet advisees at the district office.
- Ensure advisees understand how to use their Uber voucher for transportation.
- Implement the first-week schedule.
- Ensure all advisees have a safe place to stay.
During advisees’ first week in their school districts
- Maintain regular contact with advisees.
- Accompany advisees to the Social Security Administration office.
- Accompany advisees to designated medical providers for TB testing/health assessments.
Throughout advisees’ first term
- Submit monthly status reports in a timely fashion.
- Maintain regular contact, and report concerns to Participate Learning Teacher Resources.
- Organize a social event for advisees to attend.
Local Adviser Checkpoints and Reports
When should you call your advisees?
Checking in with your advisees and sending reports to Participate Learning about their transition and adjustment are key parts of the Local Adviser Program. As a local adviser for new Participate Learning teachers, you play an important role in making the transition that is much easier for your colleagues. Thank you for your help and support!
Before arrival
Before they arrive in the U.S., you should email your advisee(s) at least one time to introduce yourself. We have prepared a template to help you create this message.
After arrival
Once your advisees arrive in the U.S., your communications should be by phone.
- From your advisee’s arrival through the end of February: call your advisee twice a month
- February: check in with each advisee one final time and submit the final status report for each advisee by February 28th
Social event
Organize a social celebration during the first semester of the school year to reconnect with your advisees in person and celebrate their adjustment to living and teaching in the U.S. Remind advisees that Participate Learning support is always available to them throughout their participation in our program.
Your reports
How
Reports are submitted from the Local Adviser Information Center. You will have access to the Information Center as soon as you have a new Ambassador Teacher assigned to you as an advisee.
Monthly Advisee Status Reports
In this monthly report, you will be asked to comment on advisees’ overall emotional state and adjustment. You should complete this report once per month through the end of February. You may submit an additional report any given month if there is new information you would like to add regarding an Ambassador Teacher’s adjustment or well-being.
When documenting issues or concerns in these reports, tell us what happened—describe behaviors observed and reported by advisees. You should also indicate the advisee’s interpretation of what happened in addition to any advice or insights you can provide based on your own experience.
Why
Teacher Support staff will review your reports to identify any teachers who need additional support from Participate Learning staff and to evaluate overall progress in their adjustment to life in the U.S. We also love to hear about how well new teachers are doing thanks to their adviser’s wonderful support during their adjustment period.
Compensation
Payment per advisee: $600 per advisee, before taxes.
Timeline
The local adviser payment will be disbursed in two installments. The November installment will be 60% of the total payment. The remaining 40%, will be paid in March. Both installments will be electronically deposited to the bank account we have on file for you.
From the $600 payment, you will be expected to allot $20 per advisee for a social activity that you host during the first semester.
What we need from you:
- Advisee reports submitted per instructions in the Check Points and Reports section
- Your correct bank account information
When to contact Participate Learning Teacher Resources
- Advisee questions about their school, teaching, curriculum, classroom management, etc.
- Advisee questions about visas, spouse work permits, Social Security numbers, health and dental insurance, travel, certification/ licensure, change of address
Teacher Resources is available to respond to non-emergencies during our regular office hours, 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. In emergency situations, we will respond as soon as possible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.