Manchester Teacher Headed To Russia
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Michael Schlitt, Manchester High School teacher and Warsaw native, is one of 12 educators nationwide chosen to travel to Russia on a 12-day study tour.
The group will visit the Russian Ministry of Education, schools and businesses in hopes of observing and promoting free market economics.
Schlitt, an economics, world history and government teacher, is excited to embark upon the tour, which will put him in direct contact with his Russian counterparts.
"We're going to see what they're doing, tell them what we are doing, hold panel discussions and give presentations," Schlitt said. "We'll educate each other."
This trip, conducted by the National Council on Economic Education, is one of several to former Soviet states since the Iron Curtain fell. Trip funding comes from the U.S. Department of Education and The U.S. Department of State.
Recent NCEE travels include visits to Ukraine, Lithuania and Belarus.
Schlitt has traveled on similar trips to China (1993) and to South Africa (2000), but has never before visited the former Soviet Union.
"My wife spent a January semester in college in Russia," Schlitt said. "She's told me about it and it's somewhere I've wanted to go for 20 years."
Though it has been a 20-year dream for Schlitt, current world events and Russian-American relations may darken the trip for his family.
"My wife and kids are edgy," Schlitt admitted. With reports of Russian arms sales to Iraq, they wonder if travel in the country is entirely safe.
Schlitt is not worried about the social or political situation. He notes that often anti-American protests are directed at government, not individual people, and he believes he would be in greater danger if he were "driving in Chicago."
Also, the NCEE and the government agencies that are funding the trip are closely monitoring the security situation in Russia, Schlitt said.
"The U.S. Embassy and consul will know where we are at all times," he said.
Before embarking on this educational mission, Schlitt will undergo a two-day orientation in Washington, D.C.
Then, on April 20 he will arrive in St. Petersburg, where the work begins.
For Schlitt, the next 12 days will be a whirlwind, taking him to schools all over St. Petersburg and Moscow, where he will give presentations, facilitate discussions and enjoy about an hour of designated "free time" per day.
Upon returning home, the group will be guests at a luncheon in Washington, D.C., where they will brief Congress on their findings.
Despite the busy schedule, Schlitt is looking forward to the trip.
"I love exploring other cultures," Schlitt said. "To me, there's nothing better." [[In-content Ad]]
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Michael Schlitt, Manchester High School teacher and Warsaw native, is one of 12 educators nationwide chosen to travel to Russia on a 12-day study tour.
The group will visit the Russian Ministry of Education, schools and businesses in hopes of observing and promoting free market economics.
Schlitt, an economics, world history and government teacher, is excited to embark upon the tour, which will put him in direct contact with his Russian counterparts.
"We're going to see what they're doing, tell them what we are doing, hold panel discussions and give presentations," Schlitt said. "We'll educate each other."
This trip, conducted by the National Council on Economic Education, is one of several to former Soviet states since the Iron Curtain fell. Trip funding comes from the U.S. Department of Education and The U.S. Department of State.
Recent NCEE travels include visits to Ukraine, Lithuania and Belarus.
Schlitt has traveled on similar trips to China (1993) and to South Africa (2000), but has never before visited the former Soviet Union.
"My wife spent a January semester in college in Russia," Schlitt said. "She's told me about it and it's somewhere I've wanted to go for 20 years."
Though it has been a 20-year dream for Schlitt, current world events and Russian-American relations may darken the trip for his family.
"My wife and kids are edgy," Schlitt admitted. With reports of Russian arms sales to Iraq, they wonder if travel in the country is entirely safe.
Schlitt is not worried about the social or political situation. He notes that often anti-American protests are directed at government, not individual people, and he believes he would be in greater danger if he were "driving in Chicago."
Also, the NCEE and the government agencies that are funding the trip are closely monitoring the security situation in Russia, Schlitt said.
"The U.S. Embassy and consul will know where we are at all times," he said.
Before embarking on this educational mission, Schlitt will undergo a two-day orientation in Washington, D.C.
Then, on April 20 he will arrive in St. Petersburg, where the work begins.
For Schlitt, the next 12 days will be a whirlwind, taking him to schools all over St. Petersburg and Moscow, where he will give presentations, facilitate discussions and enjoy about an hour of designated "free time" per day.
Upon returning home, the group will be guests at a luncheon in Washington, D.C., where they will brief Congress on their findings.
Despite the busy schedule, Schlitt is looking forward to the trip.
"I love exploring other cultures," Schlitt said. "To me, there's nothing better." [[In-content Ad]]