story by Claire Miller
Md Motasim Billah joined the teaching profession five years ago and since then, he has worked to create a positive learning environment for his students.
Billah currently teaches English at Khailkur Badshah Miah Agroni High School and College in Gazipur, Bangladesh, and spent six weeks at Georgia State University this spring as part of the university's Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program.
The program is a U.S. Department of State-sponsored, highly selective initiative that brings teachers from other countries to a host university for professional development. He joined 19 teachers from 18 different countries for the Fulbright experience, which included attending classes with university faculty.
“I was truly amazed by Georgia State University. The academic environment, faculty and resources provided an enriching learning experience,” he said. “Dr. Chantee Earl’s class gave me valuable insights into the social aspects of education, helping me understand how societal factors influence teaching and learning. From Dr. Sue Kasun’s class, I gained a deeper understanding of the U.S. education system and broader educational principles that I can reflect on in my own teaching practice.”
Fulbright participants also had the opportunity to visit local cultural sites – including the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola and an Atlanta Hawks game – and teach classes in local schools.
Billah spent time co-teaching an American literature and International Baccalaureate (IB) language class at North Atlanta High School, where he learned more about interactive learning strategies and how literature is taught in IB classrooms.
He also enjoyed volunteering at the Atlanta Community Food Bank alongside his fellow Fulbright teachers.
“It was a deeply meaningful experience,” he said. “Contributing to the community and witnessing the collective effort to support those in need reinforced the importance of social responsibility. It was inspiring to see how small acts of service can make a significant impact.”
Billah is grateful for the academic conversations he had among university faculty, his co-teacher at North Atlanta High School and his peers in the Fulbright program. But he also appreciated the opportunity to get to know educators from several other countries.
“It was inspiring to exchange ideas on student engagement, technology integration and interactive learning. These insights will help me make my teaching in Bangladesh more dynamic and student-centered,” he said. “Beyond academics, the cultural exchange and friendships we built made this journey even more meaningful. This program has been a life-changing experience.”