Georgia Teachers of Tomorrow (TOT) Program

The Georgia Teachers of Tomorrow (TOT) Program, funded by the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi and implemented by PH International, is an 18-month initiative aiming to strengthen teacher pre-service programs in Georgian universities through a U.S. exchange visit, series of webinars by U.S. experts, small grants to Georgia partner universities and in- person workshops led by U.S. experts to their Georgian counterparts. TOT is implemented in partnership with three Georgia-based universities: Ilia State University, Batumi State University, and Caucasus University.

Key objectives include:

• Enhancing the professional capacity of teacher educators in Georgia and providing them with practical strategies to accommodate change in their teaching practices and the content of the teacher pre-service programs.
• Refining pre-service practicum training at top Georgian universities to better prepare future
• Fostering collaboration and networking among teacher educators to develop joint efforts and collectively solve

The TOT program encompasses the following components:

1. Needs Assessment: A comprehensive analysis conducted by the TOT staff in collaboration with three Georgian partner universities and other stakeholders to identify specific educational needs. This foundational step will inform the program's focus for the subsequent 18 months, ensuring that the initiatives undertaken are tailored to the genuine requirements of teacher education in Georgia.
2. S. Study Tour: This component involves a carefully planned visit to the United States for selected education faculty/school members representing Georgian universities. During their stay in Boston, Vermont, and New York, participants will attend seminars, engage in discussions with faculty, meet practicum coordinators, mentor teachers, and observe classroom teaching practices.
3. Webinars by U.S. Experts: S. experts will conduct a series of webinars following the study tour. These webinars will cover a wide range of topics identified during the needs assessment phase. They are designed to provide ongoing support and education to Georgian teacher education programs' faculty and academic staff, including but not limited to curriculum development, instructional leadership, and innovative teaching methods.
4. Small Grants to Partner Universities: To facilitate the implementation of best practices learned from the study tour and webinars, three Georgian partner universities will receive financial These grants will help introduce innovative approaches in their teacher preparation programs, such as creating teacher associations, learning labs, or events for sharing best practices, contributing to the sustainability and enhancement of the quality of teacher education.
5. Remote Support of Partner Universities: Experts from the S. will remotely collaborate with the three Georgian partner universities to aid in the refinement or creation of new teacher education curricula. This assistance is expected to be particularly impactful following the insights gained from the study tour and webinars, with the American experts providing guidance based on the articulated needs of the Georgian institutions.
6. Piloting New and Strengthened Pre-Service Teacher Curricula: The three partner universities in Georgia will begin to implement and pilot the new or adjusted curricula developed with the support of U.S. experts. This step is crucial in testing and refining the curricula to ensure they are effective and meet the needs of students and the educational community.
7. S. Pre-Service Teacher Program Curricula Experts Visit to Georgia: The final stage involves U.S. experts traveling to Georgia to observe the implemented changes in the three partner universities. They will provide feedback and further improvement guidance, ensuring the new curricula are effectively integrated. These visits also present opportunities for broader engagement with the Georgian academic community through workshops and seminars for education faculty/school academic personnel and other university partners.

Through these components, the TOT Program seeks to create a robust and sustainable improvement in teacher education in Georgia, leveraging expertise and best practices from the U.S. educational system.