A Mineola Elementary School teacher has been named the new local coordinator for International Cultural Exchange Services (ICES). 

Kayla Henton has taken on the task as the coordinator. “My husband and I moved to Mineola in August of 2021, but we have always lived in and loved East Texas. I am a big fan of world travel as I have traveled to Australia, will travel to Ireland this summer and will be in Greece in summer of 2023,” Henton said. “We also hosted an exchange student in the spring of 2022 to grow our interest in international travel. My hobbies include playing with my dogs, photography, being outdoors exploring and crafting. I’m excited to work with exchange students because I love learning about different cultures and being able to integrate the American way with my new experiences of their cultures.” 

Henton is excited for this new opportunity to work with international high school students and the local families that host them and feels that having exchange students in our local schools and communities increase mutual understanding and improves relationships between countries. She will be working with families and schools in Mineola and the surrounding area. 

Henton is looking for families that would like to host for the school year of 2022. Exchange students live as a member of the host family – not a guest or boarder. They participate in family activities, follow host family rules and help with chores. 

Students have their own medical insurance and spending money to cover all personal expenses. Host families provide room and board and loving parental guidance to the student. As the local coordinator, Henton is available to answer questions, give advice and provide general support to students and host families throughout the experience. 

For more information about hosting or working with ICES, contact Henton at khenton@icesusa.org.