Over the past year I have been thinking about the term "global education" in different contexts. Global education can mean traveling abroad, it can be learning a new language and understanding how the nuances of language impacts culture, it can also be honoring cultural, racial and ethnic diversity. In my school community where 30% of students are African American, 30% are Latino, 30% are Asian and 10% are caucasian, this last category of global education holds the most weight.
My school is building a culture of acceptance and inclusivity where students feel comfortable asking questions about diverse practices, are excited to learn about different languages and customs, and are open to new perspectives of the world. We believe that if 6th grade students start by learning about different cultures then accepting others based on their sexuality or learning needs will become natural.
In today's world where fear drives decisions and differences are viewed with suspicion rather than celebration it is important to promote global understanding in school communities. This guide provides my thoughts on global education and examples of how global education does not have to be an additional part of classroom instruction but a seamless part of classroom culture.
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