Mary Austin, District Coordinator of the International Baccalaureate Programme continuum for Anne Arundel County Public Schools, is one of 20 educators from across the United States to be selected to take part in the Fulbright Leaders for Global Schools program during the 2025-26 school year.
The program – through which Austin will travel to Finland to engage in discussions, workshops and briefings on the Finnish and U.S. education systems in an effort to enhance student learning experiences and outcomes – is a partnership between the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. Austin is one of approximately 400 master teachers and administrators who participate in Fulbright educator exchanges each year.
Austin has served in her current capacity since 2009. She has been a member of the AACPS family since 2006 and served as the IB program Academic Specialist for two years before assuming her current position. During her tenure, Austin has led the growth of the IB program in AACPS from two highs schools to 19 elementary, middle and high schools offering the full IB continuum to approximately 12,000 students.
“I am honored to receive my second Fulbright award through the Leaders for Global Schools program,” she said. “This recognition reflects my commitment to advancing academic excellence while preparing students to succeed in a globally connected world.”
The Fulbright Program has provided more than 400,000 talented and accomplished students, scholars, teachers, artists, and professionals of all backgrounds with the opportunity to study, teach, and conduct research abroad since 1946. Fulbright is a program of the U.S. Department of State, with funding provided by the U.S. Government. For more information about the Fulbright Program, visit https://fulbrightprogram.org.