Continental Airlines, GFT and DOE Create an International Solidarity Exchange

The Guam Federation of Teachers (GFT") in association with Continental airlines and the Guams Department of Education are excited to announce an international solidarity exchange between teachers from the Marianas and teachers from Hiroshima. Continental Micronesia, a wholly owned subsidiary of Continental Airlines, is Micronesias hometown carrier serving the beautiful Micronesian islands scattered over more than three million square miles of the Pacific Ocean from its hub on Guam. GFT is looking forward to a long a term relationship with Continental to foster educational opportunities for the greater good of the Guam and the Northern Marianas.

(PRWEB) April 23, 2005 -- GFT President Matt Rector stated after finalizing the teacher selection for the trip, "Guam and the CNMI receive over a million tourists per year from Japan, they are the lifeblood of our tourism economy, and this effort will not only serve to bolster education, but to enhance our efforts to improve our tourism market. I have traveled the world over and I've found that once you get past cultural and language differences all teachers face similar challenges. It is our belief that exchanges of techniques and strategies between the teachers of Hiroshima and the Marianas will help both deal with the challenges present in the 21st century classroom."

GFT, Continental, and DOEs first major trip will depart this Thursday April 20th for Hiroshima, Japan. A group of teachers from Marianas will participate in an educational exchange that will include visits with Japanese educators and local historical sites. Continental has really rolled out the red carpet for this group with a heavily subsidized trip including free airfare for a group of 14. GFT appreciates the efforts of both Wally Dias and Lou Sanchez at Continental, who really went out of their way working with the local government in Hiroshima to insure the maximum educational benefit for the group.

Upon their return all of the teachers will conduct workshops which will be open to all of the Marianas educators. President Rector stated, "Through GFT's Educational Research and Dissemination program we will develop a presentation for our teachers about the various techniques that we think might be helpful in educating our children."

Thank You Continental for making this a great 40th anniversary year for the membership of GFT and the people of the Guam and the Northern Marianas.

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