Rotary Inter-Country Teacher Exchange

RITE serves Rotary's purpose of "building good will and better friendships" across national borders by providing English instruction. It also gives the delegates a cross-cultural immersion experience by having them walk in someone else's shoes for several weeks.

When I retired from classroom teaching several years ago I was interested in a cross-cultural teaching experience and sought out the Rotary Club. I represented Lewisville Morning in Mexico in 2004 and have been active in the program since then. The sponsoring clubs in our district pay for the airline tickets and related expenses. The host clubs in Mexico provide arrangements for the classes and furnish accommodations and hospitality for the delegates. 2009 delegates, destinations, and sponsoring clubs are as follows.

Anita Thurmond, Richardson, went to Cancun and was sponsored by Lewisville Morning. She was joined by Jill DeWitt, Lewisville, sponsored by Lewisville Noon. Tina Waldrop of Cleburne was sponsored by her local club and taught in Cozumel. HEB club sponsored Pat Fluker, Bedford, who went to Puerto Escondido. Izamal hosted James Moore of Lewisville who was sponsored by Flower Mound. Ana Roquemore of Lewisville returned to Escarcega for a second year with sponsorship provided by Arlington Sunrise. Molly Maddux of Euless made her fourth RITE trip. Her sponsor was Colleyville and she taught in Salina Cruz.

Potential delegates or sponsoring clubs are invited to get more information by contacting gordonroe@verizon.net.

Gordon Roe is a member of Lewisville Morning Rotary Club. Gordon is RITE chair 2009-2010. He can be reached by e-mail at: gordonroe@verizon.net