Arlington Teacher Receives Prestigious Fulbright Award

ARLINGTON, VA — A French teacher at Swanson Middle School in Arlington has received a Fulbright Teacher Exchange Award for the 2026-27 academic year, giving her an opportunity to collaborate with international educators and bring new teaching practices back to her classroom.

Leigh Rauseo, a National Board-Certified teacher with Arlington Public Schools, was selected for the Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms program, which is administered by the U.S. Department of State.

Rauseo is among approximately 2,500 U.S. citizens selected to participate in the broader Fulbright Program during the 2026-27 academic year, according to a news release from Arlington Public Schools.

Bringing Global Perspectives To Arlington Classrooms

As a French teacher at Swanson Middle School, Rauseo focuses on helping students develop language skills, cultural understanding and an awareness of the world beyond their community.

Through the Fulbright program, she will have opportunities to learn from international educators, exchange instructional ideas and explore approaches to global education that she can incorporate into her teaching.

"I'm honored to represent Swanson Middle School and Arlington Public Schools through the Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms program," Rauseo said in a statement. "As a world language teacher, I love finding new ways to bring French culture into my classroom. I'm especially excited for the opportunity to become a student again, learn from educators around the world and exchange ideas. I look forward to bringing new perspectives and inspiration back to my students and colleagues."

APS Superintendent Francisco Durán said Rauseo's selection recognizes her commitment to helping students understand different cultures and perspectives.

"Leigh's selection for the Fulbright Program reflects her dedication to creating meaningful learning experiences and helping students develop a deeper understanding of the world," Durán said. "Opportunities like this strengthen our schools by bringing new ideas, perspectives and experiences into our classrooms. We are proud to have Leigh represent APS and look forward to the impact of her experience on our students and school community."

Fulbright Program Celebrates 80 Years

Established in 1946, the Fulbright Program is celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2026. The international educational exchange program promotes collaboration and cross-cultural understanding among participants from the United States and other countries.

The Fulbright Teacher Exchanges program provides K-12 educators with opportunities to develop their teaching skills, collaborate with international colleagues and introduce new perspectives into their schools.

According to APS, Rauseo will also have opportunities to share what she learns with other teachers in the school division, potentially expanding the program's impact beyond her own classroom.

The school division said her participation could contribute to professional development and world language education throughout APS.

More information about the program is available at Fulbright Teacher Exchanges.