Julie Kinnaird | November 7, 2018
On October 17-18 almost 200 educators from across North Carolina came together to advance their knowledge of global education and to increase their toolkits for strategies and resources to bring global issues and regions of the world into their classrooms. We started off this year’s program with talks on the future of work in a global society and an important global issue, climate change. Educators enjoyed three interactive rounds of break-out sessions featuring global competencies, Asia Society’s Global CTE Toolkit, Holocaust resources, strategies for courageous conversations, using artifacts, music and the Middle East, and more. This year many sessions were aligned to the State’s new Digital Learning Competencies and educators were able to earn DLC renewal credit. We finished the first day with a powerful multi-media talk on Syria by UNC professor Charlie Kurzman.
Participants also met with colleagues from their school or district and reflected on the talks and sessions presented on the first day. Team discussions will help propel the knowledge shared at the symposium into action back in the participants’ schools and districts.
We continued learning about regions of the world and our own neighbors with important talks on day two of the symposium. UNC Professor Graeme Robertson led a talk on Russia and Putin and we screened two films, My Beautiful Nicaragua from BYkids followed by a discussion with executive director Holly Carter and This is My Home Now featuring Montagnard youth in North Carolina. The film was followed by an engaging panel of film producers and Montagnard youth.
Overall the program was a success and educators left feeling better equipped to integrate global themes in teaching. One participant said “as much work as it is to be out two days, World View is absolutely worth it. It has changed my perspective and allowed me to reach more of my students.” We thank all of the educators that joined us in Chapel Hill last month and wish you much success as you try out some of the new resources and strategies learned at the symposium.