Holly Loranger | July 16, 2019
For nearly 10 days this June, a delegation of eleven educators and school administrators from across North Carolina traveled to Moldova on a World View Global Study Visit. The study visit program goals included increasing educator’s knowledge and understanding about Moldova’s history and culture
, increasing educators’ knowledge and understanding of Moldova’s educational system, developing their global competencies as they investigate global issues, recognizing perspectives and communicating across cultures and increasing their knowledge and understanding of the relationship between North Carolina and Moldova.
This study visit proved to be transformative, impactful and inspirational. The study visit to Moldova was supported by the NC-Moldova Bilateral Partnership and hosted by the Academy for Innovation and Change through Education in Chisinau, Moldova. The delegation included educators representing Bertie County Schools, Duplin County Schools, Greene County Schools, Hertford County Public Schools, Hoke County Schools, Lee County Schools, Perquimans County Schools and Onslow County Schools.
As part of the study visit, the NC educators participated in professional development trainings, led presentations, visited K-12 schools participating in the NC-Moldova School Partnership Project in Chisinau, Orhei, Cantemir and Soroca and engaged in discussions and exchanges of best practices with Moldovan educators. They also met with US Ambassador to Moldova Derek Hogan, toured the Parliament of Moldova, visited with Moldova’s Secretary of Education, the Mayor of Cantemir, local government officials, the English Teaching Resource Center (ETRC), “Ion Creanga” State Pedagogical University, and the Moldova State Library “B.P.Hasdeu”. The delegation was delighted to discover a special “North Carolina Collection” of books in each school and library they visited. The students and teachers in Moldova treasure these English textbooks and teaching materials donated by North Carolina. Special thanks to the NC – Moldova Partnership volunteers and partners who made this donation possible. The study visit delegation is excited to grow the relationships established with educators in Moldova. They are currently working on their study visit reflections and deliverables which will enable them to transfer their experience in Moldova back to their classrooms and schools. The group will reconvene in September on the campus of UNC Chapel Hill for a follow-up workshop.
The State of North Carolina has a bilateral partnership with the Republic of Moldova. The official North Carolina-Moldova Bilateral Partnership was formalized in 1999 and has since evolved into a partnership that includes the efforts of many individuals and organizations, including private firms, civic clubs and non-profit entities. This unique relationship between North Carolina and Moldova was built upon cultural, academic and scientific exchanges, as well as governmental cooperation and humanitarian efforts. The North Carolina Secretary of State’s Office encourages North Carolina educators to learn more about these relationships with Moldova. For additional information and a copy of the recently signed 2019 Agreement between NC and Moldova, please click here: https://www.sosnc.gov/divisions/moldova_partnership/about.
Many Moldovan teachers would like to connect with North Carolina teachers to engage in collaborative classroom projects. To connect your classroom to a Moldovan classroom, contact Lora Sinigur, the NC/Moldova Partnership Liaison, North Carolina Secretary of State Department. Lora can be reached at esinigur@sosnc.gov.