Vivian Allen Associate Director, Center for Effective School Practices | Rutgers Graduate School of Education
Clare Kelly, a Rutgers Graduate School of Education (GSE) alum and Fulbright Scholar, has embarked on a journey to become a global ambassador through her teaching experiences. Clare's interest in education began during her undergraduate studies when she recognized the importance of educating children and teenagers about government. Her involvement with the Eagleton Institute of Politics’ Darien Civic Engagement Project allowed her to engage high school students in civic activities.
“I started to look at education to help students become more aware of the history of our country,” Clare said.
At GSE, Clare pursued the Five-Year Program with Certification in Social Studies Education (K-12), which aligned with her passion for urban education and culturally responsive teaching. She appreciated how GSE integrated culturally relevant teaching into its curriculum.
“Once I entered the program, I saw how much the GSE goes beyond the general ideas of education to integrate culturally relevant teaching into the curriculum design of all classes and how students are treated,” Clare said.
Clare began student teaching in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic when schools shifted to remote learning. Despite these challenges, she valued her experience and felt supported by both GSE and her cooperating teacher.
Reflecting on this period, she noted, “I still think about those students I taught on Zoom... they appreciated me even though I was just beginning my career.”
After completing her degree in 2021, Clare applied for a Fulbright Program position to teach abroad in Taiwan. Her interest was sparked by Taiwan’s evolving democracy and educational system.
“I was interested in becoming a teacher in Taiwan because their democracy is new, and I wanted to see how the education systems adapted based on their changing government,” Clare said.
In 2022, she began teaching at an elementary school in Taiwan where she learned alongside her Taiwanese co-teacher while helping students practice English. This cross-cultural exchange offered insights into differences between Taiwanese and American classrooms regarding cultural influences.
“In Taiwan, there’s a big emphasis on collectivist culture and harmony in the classroom,” she observed. “American classrooms tend to focus on individual student strengths.”
The Fulbright program typically lasts one year; however, Clare extended her stay by taking up a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Advisor role within Taiwan’s Foundation for Scholarly Exchange. In this capacity, she supports other educators entering similar roles abroad.
“When I applied for the advisor position... Since I would be working with people entering positions I previously held... understand how they were adjusting," Clare explained.
As TEFL Advisor now creating collaborative environments through workshops/presentations—she acknowledges each situation presents learning curves but remains optimistic about future growth: "Since I'm currently first-year-new-position...by second semester won't just tread water—I will swim too."
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