Interested in
Toronto for Teachers, May 9 - 19, 2011?
These students are ready to answer your questions ...



Name:  Hannah Evans
Email:  hlevans@eiu.edu

"I thoroughly enjoyed my participation in the Toronto for Teachers trip.  The children I worked with and the people I met provided unique and valuable encounters. Furthermore, exploring the city and seeing Niagara Falls, among other things, were amazing experiences.  I strongly suggest the Toronto trip to all education majors."

Hannah is accepted into the COST (Consortium for Overseas Student Teaching) program.



Name:  Maggie Belpedio
Email: mrbelpedio@eiu.edu

"Going to Toronto was a rewarding and life changing experience. I went on this trip not knowing one person and I flew home with a large group of new friends. This trip not only allows you to see diversity in the classroom but it also teaches a few lessons about yourself. Toronto provided me with a whole different view of the way we do things every day in the classroom. How is it so easy for another country just north of us to be able to accept diversity but we struggle every day. It can all start with just one teacher. Toronto gives you ideas on how you might be the one teacher to start the trend of accepting diversity within the United States."




Name:  Kristen Debnar
Email: kmdebnar@eiu.edu

"I think the Toronto for Teachers trip is a great opportunity because you cannot normally just walk into schools in another country and have the chance to interact with students and teach a class."

Kristen has participated in all three CEPS trips: Toronto, Bahamas, and El Paso, and can share the advantages of each.

Name:  Nick Lewis
Email:  njlewis@eiu.edu

"Toronto for Teachers does not sell as well as say going to Hong Kong or London but it offers a lot.  All teachers should participate in a study abroad program and Toronto for Teachers is a great choice.  It affords the traveler the opportunity to examine a totally different educational system while enjoying some of the sights and foods.  There's no excuse, its affordable and in the beginning of summer!"
Nick and Mike went shopping. They are sharing durian fruit with a dubious group...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durian

Nick is student teaching in Quito, Ecuador, Fall, 2010.


Name:  Big Mike Wilson
Email:  mlwilson2@eiu.edu

Name: Leslie Finley
Email: lafinley@eiu.edu    leslieann89@gmail.com

"I thought the Toronto for Teachers program was an awesome experience. Any education student who has the opportunity to go should definitely take it! The diversity I experienced in the Canadian schools was nothing like what I have seen in the United States school systems. I think that the overall investment for the trip was worth it. Overall, it was a great trip!"


Name: Sarah Deters
Email: sjdeters@eiu.edu

"The Toronto for Teachers trip definitely helped me to grow as a teacher and in my attitude and ideas toward diversity. I was amazed and inspired by the people and overall
atmosphere of Toronto. I flew on an airplane for the first time, rode on a streetcar and subway, made new friends, attended presentations, observed in a diverse school, and even met an author from Pakistan. Each day in Toronto was truly filled with fun, educational, and unique experiences."

Name: Jeania Snodgrass
Email: Jeania68@netzero.com

Jeania has participated in all three CEPS trips: Toronto, Bahamas, and El Paso and can share the advantages of each.
Name:  Laura Behrends
Email:  labehrends@eiu.edu

"Being able to interact with people from a variety of ethnic backgrounds so diverse from myself really helped me to grow and to gain a better understanding of diversity and multiculturalism. This experience really opened my eyes to all the other possibilities that are available outside of Illinois."

Enjoy Laura's slide show of Toronto experiences here
Laura has participated in the Toronto and Bahamas programs.  Fall, 2010, she is student teaching in Sneem, Ireland.
Follow Laura on her blog: http://laurasadventureinireland.blogspot.com/