Fox Lane’s Paul Frisch Receives Fulbright Award

Bedford Central School District secondary science and technology coordinator Paul Frisch has just been awarded a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Frisch received a Fulbright U.S. Distinguished Teaching Award and will be traveling to Vietnam this summer to share innovative techniques for teaching science curricula with a Vietnamese school.

Frisch is one of 14 educators from across the U.S. who will travel to six different countries for the Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Short-Term Program. According to a press release from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, “the program sends expert U.S. K–12 educators to participating countries to support projects in schools, teacher training colleges, government ministries, or educational nongovernmental organizations, as identified by U.S. Embassies and Fulbright Commissions.”

To apply, Frisch had to detail his credentials, qualifications and work experiences and share ideas for the future of science education.

“It required letters of reference, district permission, medical clearance, and several personal essays outlining my vision to build and leverage relationships with an international community in Vietnam and beyond to the benefit of our students,” Frisch said. “I am simultaneously excited for the incredible opportunity, inspired by the work ahead of me, and apprehensive about leaving my family for so long. So far my kids have taken the news ok.”

Superintendent Dr. Joel Adelberg, who was a Fulbrighter himself, noted what a transformative experience Frisch is about to embark on.

“Paul is in for an amazing experience and it is an incredible honor,” Dr. Adelberg said. “My Fulbright experience was one of the defining experiences of my professional and personal life. Paul is an amazing teacher, a learner and a leader. I am not surprised that he was selected to lead learning across the world. The opportunities for Paul, for those he will meet in Vietnam, and for Fox Lane when he returns are immense.”

Like Dr. Adelberg, Fox Lane High School principal Dr. Brett Miller was also excited about what this opportunity means for both Frisch and the Fox Lane community.

“Paul Frisch is among the finest educators I have worked with in all of my years,” Dr. Miller said. “He is an amazing teacher, leader and colleague. His unwavering passion and commitment to Fox Lane High School, our students and science education is an inspiration to so many. The Fulbright to Vietnam will not only benefit Paul, but in the end, will enrich the learning experience for so many at Fox Lane.”

Frisch is looking forward to the experience for many of the same reasons Dr. Adelberg and Dr. Miller mentioned.

“I’m most looking forward to building new relationships and engaging in the creative process of science education — the very two things that inspire my work at BCSD,” he said. “For me there is nothing more complicated, nuanced, and worthwhile than teaching and learning. Imagining a better, more inclusive, and healthy future for these kids and working with teachers to chart the course is my professional inspiration. I’m excited — and a little nervous — to engage in this work with a new team in Vietnam.”

Frisch also noted that the support of the BCSD community has made a big impact on his career.

“I’m proud to represent BCSD as part of the Fulbright program,” he said. “I would not be the teacher I am today without a community that supports the work of its teachers. We feel you and it matters. I’d also like to give a special shout out to my incredible science and technology department. All of our best ideas and greatest successes with students come from the collaborative and cohesive efforts of this incredible team. We are so much better together.”