ABERDEEN, S.D. – Aberdeen Central Social Studies Teacher Nicole Siebrasse has been selected for the Fulbright Teacher for Global Classrooms program.
Siebrasse was one of 66 candidates chosen out of this year’s 4,000 applicants—and she’s the third teacher from South Dakota to receive this honor since the inception of the Fulbright program in 1946.
Fulbright is the most widely recognized and prestigious international exchange program in the world. Its Teachers for Global Classrooms program is hosted by the U.S. Department of State, Congress and IREX.
As part of this program, Siebrasse has been appointed a U.S. Diplomat and Ambassador to Uruguay. She will teach in Uruguay this summer as a Fulbright global educator, impacting 75,000 kids in the next few years and ultimately 1 million throughout her lifetime tenure as a Fulbright teacher in the US Department of State.
“Throughout my career, I’ve developed a passion for teaching students about the world, exposing our younger generations to diverse cultures, and enhancing mutual understanding amongst peoples, nations, and cultures,” she said. “Through global education, we can foster a greater awareness and appreciation for multiculturalism and strive to cultivate connections between nations. Through geographic education, we can unify diverse cultures while empowering students to explore the world and be the difference makers in the future.”
While in Uruguay, Siebrasse is tasked with empowering students to collectively address global issues identified by the United Nations and teach students how to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.
Siebrasse, who is the Girls Tennis Assistant Varsity Coach at CHS, will also coach soccer to young female athletes in Uruguay to bridge the gaps in gender disparities and empower young women to achieve their dreams.
Finally, Siebrasse will also work in the field of fresh water sustainability, ensuring that local communities have accessibility to water resources.
“Most of all, teaching global competence and multiculturalism is of paramount importance as I engage students in building a more just, peaceful, sustainable, and inclusive world,” she said.
Along her Fulbright journey, Siebrasse has learned some valuable life lessons.
“While it has been and will be an honor to represent South Dakota as a lifelong Fulbright teacher, it has been an incredibly demanding journey throughout the academic year. In the fall, while teaching and coaching full-time, I studied an average of 60 hours a week on international doctoral coursework,” she said. “Although the pace has been extremely rigorous this entire year, my journey illustrates that if you follow your passions, dreams can be achieved by developing resiliency in the face of adversity and maintaining an unshakeable belief in yourself. In the foreseeable future, particularly during deployment, it will be important to maintain an iron will while working tirelessly to achieve success. There will be many challenges ahead, yet it will be rewarding to meet my students in Uruguay while executing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Most of all, I’ve learned we should pursue opportunities where we can pay it forward, by being a part of something bigger than ourselves while striving to make our world a better place.”
About the Aberdeen Public School District
The Aberdeen Public School District provides a comprehensive educational program to approximately 4,200 students in grades K-12, with a mission of empowering all students to succeed in a changing world. Our students receive the knowledge and skills necessary to reach their potential in a global community through high expectations of academic achievement; diverse educational opportunities; and community involvement in a safe, supportive environment. Learn more at aberdeen.k12.sd.us.