Fulbright teachers from Ukraine warmly received in DeKalb, Ill. (11/24/96)

Fulbright teachers from Ukraine warmly received in DeKalb, Ill.

DE KALB, Ill. - Natalia Karpenko from Kirovohrad, and Marianna Sulkina from Kherson, two Fulbright teachers from Ukraine, recently began their year of teaching in the public school system of DeKalb, Illinois.

Mrs. Karpenko is team-teaching with Lesia Kuropas at the Lincoln School. She arrived with her husband, Ihor, and her two sons: Stanislav, who is attending the local high school, and Rostislav, who attends the middle school.

Miss Sulkina team-teaches American history at the high school with John Nakonechny in the morning. During the afternoon she teaches English literature.

The two teachers are in DeKalb largely as a result of the efforts of Rostyk Chomiak, formerly of the United States Information Agency, who informed Dr. Myron and Mrs. Kuropas of the two teachers' availability. DeKalb School District No. 428 formally accepted them as part of the teaching staff last May, and they began their teaching duties in August. A reception welcoming them was held at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Kuropas soon after their arrival. They will live in DeKalb for the remainder of the school year.

"I never thought I would have an opportunity to be working in DeKalb alongside a teacher from Ukraine," noted Mrs. Kuropas. "Both of us are learning a lot about each other's school systems, and our school children are benefitting. This would never happen if Ukraine was still confined to the Soviet yoke."

The American Fulbright exchange program recently celebrated its 50th year of existence.