LEHIGHTON -- Inside Cristi Marchetti's ninth grade English class there's a lot of learning that goes on. There are also a lot of laughs.
"She makes everyone feel comfortable in our class. She's definitely one of my favorite teachers. She makes me feel myself when I'm in her classroom," Justice Schlier said.
In Marchetti's 14 years in the classroom, she has taught hundreds of students, but this year will be one to remember.
After months of waiting, Marchetti recently learned that she is a recipient of the 2016-2017 Fulbright Distinguished Award in teaching. The prestigious award recognizes teachers on the basis of academic and professional achievement. Recipients are also recognized for demonstrated leadership potential.
The award was established in 1946 under legislation introduced by the late U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright. The program has given 360,000 students, teachers, and scholars the opportunity to student teach and conduct research internationally.
Marchetti is one of 45 U.S. citizens who will travel abroad next school year.
The award is funded by the United States Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.
"A lot of times when you see something like this and it's so distinguished you kind of think, 'well, that's for other people to do.' Cristi is really setting out and saying, 'no, it's something for us,'" Dan Williams, vice president of Lehighton Area Education Association said.
Marchetti's award will allow her to travel to Belfast, Northern Ireland with her 7-year-old daughter.
While in Belfast she will be at Queens University where she plans to research full service extended school.
"The school is the hub of the community. So how do we get people of all ages and places in life to come into the school and consider it their own? It's really using the building and the facility to serve the community. The ultimate goal with it is the idea of lifelong learning and full community engagement," Marchetti said.
Marchetti's students and colleagues say they are proud of her accomplishment. They are excited to see what teaching tools she will be able to bring back to the district.
"I want this to be the best high school for our students. I want this to be a top rated school district in the state. Having our staff go out and do these things and bring these things back to us gives us the opportunities and those learning moments that I'm really excited for," high school principal Craig Reichel said.
Marchetti will take a sabbatical to travel abroad. She will be in Belfast from February 1 to May 31.
School officials say her job will be waiting for her once she gets back.
