Editor’s note: Every Monday, the Muscatine Journal profiles a local figure who responds to questions provided by one of our reporters.

MUSCATINE, Iowa — Muscatine High School teacher Holly Hanna is in the midst of seeing one of her fondest wishes become a reality.

Earlier this month, officials from two groups, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and The International Research and Exchanges Board, announced that Hanna has been selected for the Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program. Hanna will travel to Argentina for two weeks in April 2010 with the Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program to work with a teacher there and learn more about that country’s education system.

— Cynthia Beaudette

of the Muscatine Journal

Personal

Who: Holly Hanna

Age: None given

Family: Husband, Josh; daughter, Isabella, 7, and sons, Jonah, 12, Porter, 21 months, and Hayden, 2 months.

Hometown: Muscatine

Profession: English teacher at Muscatine High School

Education: Bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Iowa; currently enrolled in the Western Illinois University graduate program.

Q&A

When did you know you wanted to be a teacher?

I went to the University of Iowa with the intent of becoming a lawyer. I had my ticket for the law entrance exam and I just felt I had this sense of creativity that I wasn’t fulfilling. My mother, Chris Clark, was a teacher and she had this close connection with her students and had creative things going on in her classroom and I thought this was something I would like to do. I went through a phenomenal education program at the University Of Iowa and I knew right away that this was where I was supposed to be.

How did you learn about the Teaching Excellence and Education Program?

Jill Goldesberry, program officer for the Stanley Foundation, sent me a link to the Web site for this program. She encouraged me to apply.

Why did you want to participate in this program?

I have a professional interest in and love for different cultures and when I learned how this puts teachers together from different nations throughout the world, I thought this would be wonderful.

How will this program enhance your teaching?

The entire world is so globally connected and it’s important that I can teach my students about other cultures. It’s a benefit to know how to interact with people. That’s going to be key to success in my students’ future careers.

How is the program conducted?

A group of international teachers came to the United States six weeks ago and visited universities throughout the United States. Then they came back to Purdue University where they met the 40 teachers from the United States. There was an instant bond. Now the 40 of us will go to the respective countries we’ve been assigned to and spend two weeks there. In June, all the U.S. teachers will be flown to Washington D.C. to discuss what we learned during our exchange.

What have you enjoyed most about the program so far?

Out of the 40 teachers from the United States, there’s a group of 20 of us who will probably be lifelong friends. They were some of the most magical, motivated people I have ever met. They all had this vibrant sense of adventure and we exchanged the most amazing ideas.

Who has been a major influence in your life?

One of my high school  English teachers, Cathy Trent, is one person who inspired me to go into English education.

Your husband, Josh Hanna, teaches science at Muscatine High School. What is it like to live in a household with two teachers?

Being married to a teacher is ideal. We exchange ideas daily. Josh is in a graduate program right now and so am I.  We’re lifelong learners and he really understand when I have a lot of homework.