One year ago Saudi Aramco hosted a group of educators from the Houston area for a nine-day tour of the Kingdom which included visits to Dhahran, Dammam, Al Khobar, Riyadh and Jeddah. Participants returned to Houston not only more enriched by their experience but eager to share their deeper understanding of Saudi Arabia with fellow educators and faculty, students, friends and family.
Marcia Looper
Photograph by Aramco ExPats
"Since my return to Houston, I have co-facilitated a PowerPoint presentation of our trip with Donna Reichel and Donna Sparks at the Friends Of Geography (FOG) Conference. I have also given the same presentation to teachers at my school. The PowerPoint gives a well-rounded presentation of the Saudi Arabia that Aramco introduced us to. I have had opportunities to speak to our District Social Studies Committee members on several occasions, encouraging my peers to take a new look at Saudi. Our group of travelers have become fast friends and we have met regularly for dinner and conversation. We always marvel at the experience that was afforded us. Truly it was an experience of a lifetime!"
Donna Sparks
Photograph by Aramco ExPats
"I made presentations to the other 25 elementary librarians in our district, to my faculty of about 75 people, to some of my library classes and at the Friends of Geography Conference along with Donna Reichel and Marcia Looper.
I also interviewed with the Katy Times (our local newspaper) along with John Nance and Michelle Tillery last summer on our return. They did a very nice article for our community and a lot of parents asked me about my trip on return to school.
I also interviewed with the Houston Chronicle along with Michelle Tillery and they did a very nice article too that was distributed in the local area. Again it brought a lot of attention to me from students and parents who again asked about my trip."
Peggy Tennyson
Photograph by Aramco ExPats
"1. I co-lead a discussion on Saudi Arabia with a retired Aramcon at my church.
2. I've expanded the Saudi trunk with items I acquired on the trip.
3. I've done teacher in-services on the trunk program and teacher workshops.
4. I'll be doing a Saudi Arabia teacher workshop this summer.
5. I engage people in conversation about Saudi Arabia all the time.
7. and of course, I wrote a proposal to contract IIE with Aramco to formalize the program."
Linda Edwards
Photograph by Aramco ExPats
"I personally and publicly thanked the Saudi Foreign Officer who visited Houston from Washington, His Excellency Mr. Juberi, as a guest of the Houston World Affairs Council in July, 2004.
I hosted Nimah Nawwab to tea with some friends in July 2004, and through this secured an invitation for her to tour Houston schools and colleges reading her poetry and presenting Saudia Arabia. I wrote a lesson plan for her website. She toured my school and was very well recieved. I shared my articfacts with the staff and students. I have placed a crystal bowl of Shabah sand near my door so people who come in can "get the feel of Shaybah." I have integrated my abayas into my wardrobe. I read Arab News and forward articles to friends."
John NancePhotograph by Aramco ExPats
"I will be taking back many newspaper articles and first hand experiences that reflect our observations and discussions on Saudi social and cultural progress since our visit for the other 12 members of the first team to compare and hopefully employ as teachers and leaders in their community." (Following his trip to Arabia, John Nance applied and secured a teaching position with Aramco schools in Ras Tanura.)
Elizabeth Battle
Photograph by Aramco ExPats
"I have presented workshops for teachers in the Dallas area for the Metroplex Geographic Alliance as well as the Texas Alliance for Geography Conference in San Antonio. Some of the teachers who attended have signed up for subscriptions to the Aramco World Magazine. I really attempt to break stereotypes whenever possible."