Sauk Trail Elementary School fourth-grade teacher Angie Bakula will soon begin a prestigious 10-month teaching fellowship in India for the 2025-26 school year.
Bakula was selected for the English Language Fellow Program, a U.S. Department of State initiative through Georgetown University’s Center for Intercultural Education and Development. Starting in August, she will work at a women’s college in Tirupati, India, to support English language instruction, professional development for educators, and cross-cultural exchange.
“I’m honored to represent my community abroad,” Bakula said. “This felt like a meaningful opportunity to collaborate with educators in India, learn from their perspectives, and grow both personally and professionally.”
To accommodate her time overseas, Bakula is taking a one-year leave from her position at Sauk Trail. While temporarily stepping away from her school community and friends in Middleton is bittersweet, Bakula said she’s grateful for the flexibility and support from her Sauk Trail colleagues and District leadership.
“The District’s willingness to approve a leave for this fellowship speaks to its commitment to global learning and educator growth,” Bakula said. “Knowing I have this support has made this transition much easier and means a lot to me.”
When Bakula returns to Sauk Trail for the 2026-27 school year, she’ll bring new perspectives and strategies on teaching and learning within a global context.
“I hope to deepen our curriculum by weaving in more real-world, globally minded lessons,” Bakula said. “I want students to feel inspired to ask questions, explore different perspectives, and take thoughtful risks.”
Join us in wishing Ms. Bakula the best of luck during her fellowship! We are excited for her to take on this adventure, and we look forward to her return.