Educators descended upon Washington, D.C. on a crisp fall weekend in October to sharpen their expertise around global learning. Over two days, 49 Global Learning Fellows from across the country kickstarted their year-long journey at an annual conference, which featured dynamic guest speakers, educator collaboration, and goal-setting for the year ahead. Experts in global learning addressed the fellows, emphasizing the importance of fellows telling their stories to ignite change. Experts also emphasized the impact of preparing students to be globally competent. Educators also learned about the education system in South Africa pre and post-Apartheid compared to the U.S. education system.
The fall Conference is an opportunity for fellows to meet the other educators in their cohort, learn from each other, and grow with each other!
“It was refreshing to have a conversation with others that shared the same goals and ideas, thoughts, morals, and drive to better themselves and their students,” said 2023 Fellow Nyssa Jimenez. “I have never talked so freely with a group of people in my entire life. I can sit with my husband and have these conversations but to be in a ROOM of people looking and working for change was empowering.”
The fall conference is the first of four main components of the Fellowship program. Fellows will also engage in a mentorship program and ultimately co-create a capstone project ready-made for educators to use in their own classrooms. Each fellow is placed in a mentor group based on their grade levels and subjects taught, the region where they teach, and individual interests and professional experiences. In 2023, fellows will develop their capstone projects that include activities and lesson for educators to use in their classrooms, schools, or communities to promote global competency.
The culmination of the Fellowship will take place in summer 2023 as the cohort completes a 10-day international field study in South Africa! While there, they’ll have the unique opportunity to learn about the education system and adopt skills and knowledge of the South African culture to bring back to their classrooms.
Get a head start on bringing global learning into your classroom by exploring the GLF 2022 Capstone Projects! If you’re interested in becoming a Global Learning Fellow, applications for the 2024 cohort are available now through April 1, 2022.
