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StephensÕ brother,Ernie Rice,lives in Alden and she has been a history teacher in the Black River Public Schools in Holland,Mich.,for the past seven years. She also holds degrees from Michigan State and Grand Valley State Universities.

Stephens was selected from a national pool of over 2,300 applicants by a panel of educators to earn this honor.Ê This program allows distinguished primary and secondary school educators in the U.S. to travel to Japan for three weeks in an effort to promote greater intercultural understanding between the two nations.Ê She was among 200 educators visiting Japan in November.Ê

Stephens began her visit in Tokyo with practical orientations on Japanese life and culture and with meetings with Japanese government officials and educators. ÊThese meetings included members of the Japanese Diet House of Representatives; the President of the National Institute for Academic Degrees,Tsutomu Kimura; several professors from the International University of Japan; information on Special Education and Peace Education in Japan; womenÕs status in Japan and the arts of Japan (Kyogen and Kabuki). There were also new foods to try,some Japanese language to understand and customs to learn. Her group of 20,each teacher from a different state,Êtraveled to the Prefectorate (state) of Okinawa where they visited the University of the Ryukyus,toured campus and visited with professors and students.Ê They then flew to the island of Miyako where they had direct contact with Japanese teachers and students during visits to primary and secondary schools for a week.Ê This was the first time a group of teachers had visited this island.Ê The mayor and superintendent of schools met the group and assisted them throughout their stay.Ê The group was welcomed at each school with a special program by the entire school.Ê The schools gave teachers complete access to all parts of their facilities,and they were allowed to speak with any students,teachers and administrators they wished.Ê There were also meetings with teachers and parent organizations for observations and discussions relating to school structure and curriculum after school.Ê

Stephens was interviewed by the Japan Broadcasting System regarding her experiences in Japan and it was aired on national Japanese television along with a story about the JFMF program as the camera followed the group at the high school visit.Ê The local Miyakojima newspapers had articles and pictures of the group daily following the visits to schools.Ê She also visited cultural sites and local industries in addition to a brief home stay with a Japanese family in Miyakojima.Ê For instance,in Miyako they have an underground dam to collect and purify water for irrigation and city needs. The host families were welcoming to the teachers and helped them to experience Miyako and Japanese customs on a more personal level.

The group then traveled to the Prefectorate of Chiba where they experienced a ryokan,a traditional Japanese inn with food and lodging.Ê Upon return to Tokyo teachers presented in groups a synopsis of their experiences in each Prefectorate.Ê There was also a meeting with Hiroshima survivors and a chance for a class in art education in Japan.Ê Through the presentations all participants could see the similarities of their experiences and also appreciate the differences. The Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund,based in Tokyo,oversees all aspects of the program.Ê The program is sponsored by the Government of Japan and was launched in 1997 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the U.S. government Fulbright Program,which has enabled more than 6,000 Japanese citizens to study in the U.S. on Fulbright fellowships for graduate education and research.Ê The Institute of International Education acts as the agency for the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund to coordinate the recruitment and predeparture activities of the Teacher Program in the United States.Ê

Primary and secondary school educators throughout the United States can apply to take part in one of the two trips to Japan as guests of the Japanese Government.Ê Teachers of all disciplines,including art,physical education,English,ESL,history,geography,math,science,and special education,from every region of the United States,are encouraged to apply.Ê ,p. For information,visit online at http"//www.fulbright memorialfund.jp or contact 1-888-527-2636.Ê All applications must be completed online.