Christy J. Hall | World View

Susan O'Rourke | May 9, 2024

Through the UNC World View Teacher-Student Initiative, I have been able to bring the Galápagos Islands into the study of chemical reactions, specifically bioluminescence. I have also been able to bring South Africa into the study of biomolecules, nutrition, and increasing awareness and innovative problem-solving to address world hunger. These new approaches have afforded me the ability to not only educate my students about science, but also relate it to what is happening globally. Both my students and myself have grown tremendously from this journey.

This month we are excited to feature Christy J. Hall in our Global Educator Spotlight. Christy is a science instructor for Alexander County Schools. She teaches biology honors and chemistry honors at Alexander Early College (AEC) located in Taylorsville, NC and has been an integral part of AEC since its inception in 2016.

Christy has been a part of the UNC World View Teacher-Student Initiative (TSI) for the past two years and shares that the TSI sparked her interest in global education. Christy explains that, when she first learned of the program, she realized it was an opportunity to “open her students’ eyes and hearts to the world outside of their own hometown and to learn about other cultures, traditions, and environments.” By learning from a UNC faculty member through the TSI, Christy knew that she would be supported as she “brought the world into her classroom.”

Christy explained that the TSI program provided content and coaching needed to bring global perspectives to her community:

In our small rural area, many of our students have not had [such a unique] opportunity to immerse themselves into the lives of others and really learn about the world and what is happening outside of their own homes and lives, but UNC World View has given me the support, resources, and encouragement to do just that.

Christy reflected on how participating in the Teacher-Student Initiative for two years enriched her lesson plans. During the 2022-2023 Teacher-Student Initiative program, Christy and other TSI educators learned about Ecuador’s rich culture and the biodiversity of the Galápagos. She attended sessions with Prof. Diego Riveros-Iregui, the former Director of the Center for Galápagos Studies at UNC-Chapel Hill. Through Prof. Riveros-Iregui’s presentations, Christy learned about research on ecosystem ecology and human-water-environment interactions and integrated that content into her classroom. As a member of the 2023-2024 Teacher-Student Initiative program, Christy transitioned to studying South Africa through presentations with Dr. Gina Chowa of the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Social Work. Through both of these programs, Christy was able to connect UNC faculty directly with her students through virtual presentations during UNC World View Students Days. During each session, students were able to listen to the professors present their research and ask questions to further unpack the topics they were learning about in their classrooms. Christie reflected on the programs:

Through the UNC World View program, I have been able to bring the Galápagos Islands into the study of chemical reactions, specifically bioluminescence. I have also been able to bring South Africa into the study of biomolecules, nutrition, and increasing awareness and innovative problem-solving to address world hunger. These new approaches have afforded me the ability to not only educate my students about science, but also relate it to what is happening globally. Both my students and myself have grown tremendously from this journey.

Christy further encourages other educators, especially those in STEM, to bring global perspectives into their lessons and to seek out a community of likeminded educators to support that journey.

My advice is to join UNC World View and learn how to bring the outside world into the classroom. It is one of the best professional programs that I have joined in my career. I have learned so much from the leaders and other teachers, and I am now truly a better informed, more well-rounded, and globally aware person, just like my students. I can’t wait to learn more!