Photo caption: DPS teachers take in the sights on study tour of Turkey. (L-R) Catrina Jackson (Valerie PreK-6), Cynthia Jones (Belle Haven PreK-8), Lawrence Jurosic (Belmont High School), and Sally Roof and Patricia Nies (Kiser PreK-8).

Dayton Public Schools teachers Cynthia Jones (Belle Haven PreK-8), Catrina Jackson (Valerie PreK-6), Lawrence Jurosic (Belmont HS), and Patricia Nies and Sally Roof (Kiser PreK-8), were among 48 middle and high school social science teachers who traveled to Turkey this summer. They participated in a teacher study tour, organized and sponsored by the Turkish Cultural Foundation (TCF).

The teachers visited Istanbul, Gelibolu (Gallipoli) and Troy, Canakkale, Bursa, Kusadasi, Pamukkale, Konya and Catalhoyuk, Cappadocia and Ankara. Throughout the tour, the group learned about world-famous cultural, archeological, architectural and natural sites of Turkey and met with experts, educators and representatives of Turkish civil society. Since 2007, 479 teachers from across the United States have visited Turkey under this program.

The study tours are the second tier of Spotlight on Turkey, a nationwide educational program organized by TCF, the World Affairs Councils of America and its local chapters and funded by a major TCF grant. The year-round program includes a Teacher Workshop on Turkey, the TCF Teacher Study Tours and various cultural programs for students and the general public. Through this program, TCF and WACA aim to increase knowledge about Turkey in local communities, and enhance international learning opportunities for American educators and, in turn, students.