Teacher-Student Initiative

Click here to visit the 2022-2023 program page.

April 2022 Program

Water, Water Everywhere but Not a Drop to Drink: Tackling the Global Water Challenge

The Teacher-Student Initiative is a program designed for high school teachers in eastern North Carolina interested in globalizing their classrooms. As part of the Teacher-Student Initiative, teachers from diverse subject areas, from pre-calculus to fine arts, will work with a UNC faculty member to strengthen their understanding of a global theme. Participants will learn how to integrate global content into their individual classrooms and design a lesson plan that integrates their subject areas and the chosen global theme. World View Students Day will bring together teachers, their students, and a UNC professor, then at the end of the program, teacher participants will gather in Chapel Hill for a culminating “Collaboration Celebration.”

Thus, the Teacher-Student Initiative will create a community of teachers, students, and UNC faculty dedicated to tackling the global water challenge and keeping global perspectives flowing through their classrooms.

“The UNC World View Teachers Student Initiative provides teachers and students with a unique opportunity to connect classroom content to current global issues. Participating in the sessions with Dr. Aaron Salzberg gave our students new insights into the importance of water around the world and allowed them to engage in real-world problem-solving. The professional development and support services that World View provides have helped change mindsets in our school system. Duplin County Schools are incredibly grateful for this partnership.” – Austin Obasohan Duplin County School Superintendent

The Teacher-Student Initiative – World View Students Day

World View Students Day is designed to cultivate a collaborative classroom experience with high school students, in partnership with their teacher and UNC faculty. On World View Students Day, students will meet virtually with a UNC faculty member to discuss global challenges and will brainstorm deeper connections between their prior classroom knowledge and the current global theme. This year’s World View Students Day will focus on global water sustainability.

The presenter for the Spring 2022 World View Students Day is Dr. Aaron Salzberg. Dr. Salzberg is the Director of the Water Institute at the University of North Carolina. There, he works to build a more water-secure world through research, policy, and practice.  Dr. Salzberg served as State Department’s Special Coordinator for Water Resources in Washington D.C where he led the development and implementation of U.S. foreign policy on drinking water and sanitation, water resources management, and transboundary water and conflict.

PROGRAM GOALS

• To provide high school educators with professional development opportunities that expand their knowledge of global issues related to water sustainability by working virtually with UNC faculty experts
• To virtually connect high school students, in partnership with their teacher, with UNC faculty
• To enhance professional breadth for the teacher and greater global awareness for students as they become the world’s next generation of leaders.

PROGRAM BENEFITS

• Participants who complete all program requirements will be eligible for up to 2.0 CEUS or 20 PDCH for 20 hours of professional learning.
• Participants who complete all program requirements will earn a stipend of $500.
• Participants will receive professional development and resources related to the program, including coaching with the World View Assistant Director.
• Participants will visit UNC to collaborate and share feedback in reference to the Teacher-Student Initiative with other cohort members.

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY AND CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION

• Participants must be high school educators teaching in eastern North Carolina.
• Participants must have at least one, (1) full year of teaching experience.
• Participants are required to participate in the introductory virtual workshop on February 8, 2022, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., with UNC Professor Aaron Salzberg. Participants must have access to the internet, a webcam, and a microphone.
• Participants are required to host a World View Students Day in their classroom on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, at 9:00 a.m.
• Participants are required to submit lesson plans on or before March 31, 2022. (Additional information on lesson plans will be provided.)
• Participants are required to attend an in-person Collaboration Celebration on the UNC campus, April 29, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
• Participants are required to provide the name and contact information of a supportive leader within their building or district.

2021 – 2022 PROGRAM TIMELINE AND KEY DATES

PROGRAM APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

• Review the program goals, benefits, conditions of participation, and timeline/key dates.
• Complete the UNC World View Teacher Student Initiative Application Sections I, II, III, and IV.
• Click on the “submit” button at the end of this document to send the application to UNC World View.

For additional information please contact: worldview@unc.edu