Steve Chamness, principal of Hillcrest High School, was also honored for excellence in international education.

The awards were presented by the Visiting International Faculty Program, the United States� largest international-exchange program for U.S. schools and teachers worldwide. VIF is sponsoring 21 international teachers in Greenville County Schools and 169 in South Carolina this year, providing schools highly qualified teachers to give students a world-class education.

�These educators are dedicated to the highest ideals of international education,� said Ned Glascock, a VIF spokesman. �They understand that we must educate a new generation about the world so that our communities and nation can succeed in a global marketplace and in international affairs. They embody VIF�s mission of transforming lives through international exchange.�

Santiago Ruiz de Gopegui
Ruiz de Gopegui, a teacher on his second assignment with VIF, is being honored for his dedication to excellence in education through international cultural exchange. He teaches sixth, seventh, and eighth grade Spanish at the League Academy of Communication Arts in Greenville.

Believing that the true content of a foreign language course is not restricted to grammar and vocabulary, but also includes the cultures expressed through that language, Ruiz de Gopegui teaches his students to become skilled observers and analysts of other cultures, such as that of his native Spain. In addition to sharing Spanish foods, music and cultural icons, he incorporates his own passion for auto racing through a lesson called Un Deportista Famoso. He teaches students about the most popular sports in Spain, introduces them to Spain�s Formula 1 world champion driver and other famous Spanish sportsmen and sportswomen. He even showed them pictures of their teacher racing go-carts and invited them to cheer him on at a local race. He uses the lesson to explore how the different European and American ways of life are reflected in his favorite sport. He also teaches students about driving safety: Using Spanish vocabulary, he tells students that the most important part of the body to use when racing is la cabeza (the head).

�Santiago has many gifts, but his relationship with the students is one of his strongest,� said Merry L. Cox, principal of the League Academy of Communication Arts. �Another of his strengths is his knack for the art of teaching. His work is exceptional.�

Said Ruiz de Gopegui: �To be a VIF cultural ambassador motivates me to work daily in the classroom with my students to share with them worlds they do not know. Without a doubt, I have learned much during my two stays in the United States of America with VIF, and one of the best things of all is that I continue learning. My perspective on the students without a doubt has changed, and they are the best thing of my experience.�

Steve Chamness
Hillcrest High Principal Steve Chamness was honored for his dedication to excellence in education through international cultural exchange. Hillcrest High School currently hosts four VIF teachers. Chamness recently piloted a successful orientation program for international teachers in Greenville County Schools.

Recently, Chamness was honored as a VIF VIP (Very Important Principal) after being nominated for the award by three of his teachers. Said one, Maria Arias, a VIF teacher from Spain: �We are lucky that he is a well-traveled, open-minded person who got interested in bringing international teachers to his school. He has been there for us, from day one, for everything we needed.�

About VIF
Founded in 1987 to transform lives through international exchange, VIF is the United States� largest international-exchange program for U.S. schools and teachers worldwide. This school year, VIF is sponsoring more than 1,700 highly qualified teachers from 55 nations in more than 1,000 schools in 10 states. This year, more than 75,000 students are being taught by a VIF teacher.

(Image provided by Greenville County Schools.)

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