At the beginning of every school year, schools that host international teachers through Participate Learning welcome initial-term Ambassador Teachers to their new communities. These talented, experienced educators from around the globe start the year at a new school while also adjusting to living and working in the U.S. When schools provide welcoming support, cultural exchange teachers quickly settle into their roles and begin contributing their unique perspectives and expertise.
As a school leader, your support helps realize the full value of cultural exchange teachers: Students benefit from innovative teaching approaches, develop durable skills like flexibility and empathy, and become better prepared for the careers of tomorrow. In this guide, we’ll share practical international teacher support resources and ways to ensure your Ambassador Teachers become integral, long-term contributors to your school’s success.
Interested in hosting a Participate Learning Ambassador Teacher in your school or district? Learn more about partnering with us here.
Now that you’re a few months into the school year, this is a key moment to check in with your Ambassador Teacher(s) and assess how they are adjusting, both personally and professionally. Set aside time to review upcoming deadlines, clarify assessment expectations, and answer questions about school routines. These touchpoints ensure they feel equipped to navigate the semester confidently.
Encourage grade-level teams or department staff to join these conversations. Peer connection matters. What resources might your Ambassador Teacher(s) need? What routines still feel unfamiliar to them? Regular check-ins show that your school values their voice and growth, reinforcing a culture of shared leadership and embracing the full range of Ambassador Teacher benefits for your school community.
Remember that adjusting to a new culture is a long-term process. Ambassador Teachers may encounter phases of culture shock, and your empathy can make a powerful difference. A supportive school environment helps them not only persevere but also flourish. And when they flourish, students benefit from teaching that builds empathy, communication, and critical thinking, all foundational skills for future careers.
By this point in the school year, most Ambassador Teachers have established their classrooms and routines. Still, it’s worth checking in to see if they need additional resources to support student learning or essentials to make their new home more comfortable.
Because most cultural exchange teachers arrive with only what fits in a couple of suitcases, setting up a classroom and household takes time. Consider organizing a mid-year donation drive in collaboration with your PTA or staff. Many school communities find success by setting up drop-off stations for gently used supplies, household items, or classroom materials. You might even offer an open “shopping” window where teachers and their families can browse available items.
These small gestures go a long way in helping Ambassador Teachers feel supported and valued. And when teachers feel settled, they’re better positioned to focus on what matters most: fostering student engagement, strengthening global competencies, and modeling the resilience and adaptability students will carry into future careers.
As a school leader, supporting your Ambassador Teachers in sharing their cultural heritage is a powerful strategy for developing students’ career-ready skills. When you encourage and help facilitate cultural exchange activities, you’re helping students build empathy, adaptability, and cross-cultural communication, competencies increasingly valued in today’s global workforce.
Interactive presentations, classroom activities, and schoolwide displays that spotlight a teacher’s home culture introduce students to new perspectives, encourage curiosity, and help them build the confidence to collaborate across differences, skills they’ll need regardless of their career path.
By creating space and providing support for Ambassador Teachers to lead cultural learning projects, you signal that your school values global learning and student development. Consider offering time during schoolwide events, professional learning communities, or morning meetings for teachers to share traditions, stories, or language from their home countries. These simple yet meaningful actions help foster a welcoming environment for your international teacher while aligning with your existing goals.
By supporting Ambassador Teachers throughout their transition, you’re doing more than helping them feel welcome; you’re cultivating a school environment where students are prepared to lead, collaborate, and thrive wherever their career takes them.
When international teachers feel supported, they’re empowered to bring their full cultural perspectives and professional expertise into the classroom. The result? Students gain real-world skills like empathy, communication, and self-awareness, qualities that will serve them in any future career.
If you’re a Participate Learning partner school administrator, be sure to explore additional resources in the Partner Administrator Community of Practice. There, you’ll find tools like the Top 10 Ways to Welcome Your Ambassador Teacher, international teacher support resources, an overview of the Ambassador Teacher journey, and a space to connect with fellow leaders in our network. Together, we’re building strong support systems for global educators and preparing students to succeed in a rapidly changing world.
Want to see the power of having Ambassador Teachers in your school? Let’s connect. We’ll walk you through our rigorous screening process, the unmatched support we offer administrators, and how you too can open doors to global education and career readiness.
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