Future teachers from Oaxaca gain global teaching experience at OSU
Thursday, August 28, 2025
Media Contact: Hailey Rose Viars | Communications Specialist | 405-744-5496 | hviars@okstate.edu
Oklahoma State University recently celebrated the successful closing of the Primavera Oaxaqueña program, a four-week initiative that brought pre-service teachers from Oaxaca, Mexico, to Stillwater to strengthen their skills in teaching English as a Second Language.
Hosted by OSU Global and facilitated by the English Language and Intercultural Center, the program combined academic training, hands-on workshops and cultural exchange.
Participants explored strategies for engaging young learners, incorporating drama and play in the classroom, and using gamification and digital tools to enhance lessons. The final week emphasized lesson integration and reflection, with participants presenting microteaching demonstrations and compiling their work into professional teaching portfolios.
The closing ceremony, held Aug. 22, honored the cohort's accomplishments and marked the conclusion of their academic and cultural experience in Stillwater. Special guests included Edurne Pineda, general consul from the Mexican Consulate in Oklahoma City; Hazel Blackmore, executive director of COMEXUS (the commission on bilateral education between the U.S. and Mexico); and Paola Iza, program coordinator at COMEXUS.
They joined Dr. Randy Kluver, associate provost and dean of OSU Global; Dr. Jeffrey Simpson, assistant dean and director of global partnerships; Dr. Emily Boersma, director of ELIC; and other OSU Global staff in celebrating the students.
As the students received their certificates of completion, Boersma praised their dedication and growth.
“Over these past four weeks, we have had the absolute joy of seeing each of you grow not just as teachers, but as leaders and innovators in the classroom,” she said. “Your future students in Oaxaca are incredibly lucky: they will have teachers who not only understand the importance of a strong command of the English language but also know how to make learning engaging, meaningful and fun. By bringing these skills home, you will not only teach English — you will empower a new generation of learners to explore, create and thrive.”
Funded by the Government of Oaxaca, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico and supported by COMEXUS, the Primavera Oaxaqueña program reflects a growing commitment to expanding international opportunities for students and educators.
These exchanges allow OSU to nurture global engagement and inspire future educators to leave a lasting mark: living out the Cowboy spirit wherever they go. After all, as Simpson shared in his closing remarks, “Once a Cowboy, always a Cowboy.”
Kluver also reflected on the importance of initiatives like Primavera Oaxaqueña in OSU’s broader global mission.
“This program not only equips future teachers with practical tools but also strengthens educational and cultural ties between Mexico and the United States,” Kluver said. “The impact of these experiences extends far beyond the classroom. Programs like this not only benefit the participants but also enrich our university community.”