Global Classroom

Global Classroom extends the World Affairs Council’s message of global engagement to K-12 classrooms by providing curricular resources, professional development programs for teachers, and leadership activities for high school students. Education in global affairs builds a globally competitive workforce while enriching the learning experience through the examination of current issues, cross-cultural exchange, and the dialogue of ideas shaping our future.

Enjoy a five minute glimpse into its work in bringing the world into Puget Sound-area classrooms. To find out what Global Classroom is up to – and what we’ve done over the last few months – check out our Global Classroom 2011-12 Fall Update!

Global Classroom gives teachers the tools they need to educate students on meaningful international issues through:

  • Professional Development Workshops: Each school year, Global Classroom organizes over ten teacher training programs on a variety of relevant international topics. Programs include guest speakers, panelists, hands-on activities, an up-to-date resource packet, dinner, and clock hours. Participants leave with greater understanding of global issues and stronger connections to their colleagues in both the Greater Seattle community and abroad. Resource packets are published following every event and posted free online, many with STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) specific content. See our calendar for upcoming Global Classroom workshops.
  • Teacher Resources: In the Teacher Resources section of this website, visitors will find numerous global issues resource packets, curricula designed to support K-16 teachers implementing the Washington State social studies Classroom-Based Assessments (CBAs), and additional curriculum materials.  These are also valuable to anyone teaching world politics, history, geography, or economics.
  • Additional Resources: Global Classroom releases at least twenty informative newsletters and communicates with local teachers throughout the year to notify them of relevant resources and opportunities in global education. To sign up for the Global Classroom bi-weekly newsletter, please click here.
  • Educator Tours: Global Classroom selects Puget Sound area teachers to travel to Turkey every summer through the Turkish Cultural Foundation. Global Classroom also provides teachers with information about other study tour opportunities.
  • The World Educator Award:  Global Classroom seeks to recognize, support, and recruit excellent, globally-conscious educators. Each year we present the World Educator Award to one outstanding global educator.
  • Classroom Speakers:  Global Classroom invites international speakers to participate in school visits and share their knowledge of countries, cultures, or international topics with students of all ages and educational backgrounds. Speakers may include international students, Fulbright scholars, returned Peace Corps volunteers, local business people, and international visitors in the U.S. through the International Visitor Program.

Global Classroom provides students the opportunity to participate in their growth as global citizens through:

  • The Global Youth Leadership Initiative: The Global Youth Leadership Initiative is a year-long program designed to encourage and assist high school students in learning about current global issues while developing leadership skills and raising global awareness among their peers. Participants create plans to raise awareness about global issues at their high schools and receive support implementing their plans throughout the school year.
  • Global Futures:  Global Futures and the Avatar Project is a collaborative effort between Global Classroom and Denny International Middle School designed to use online games and virtual worlds to support the teaching and learning of global issues and connect local youth with their counterparts around the world.  Local Seattle students interact in an online educational community that includes students from over ten countries, engaging in discussion and learning activities on topics ranging from teenage pregnancy to water shortages in East Africa.
  • Youth Exchange Programs: For those with a sense of adventure and the desire to experience another culture first hand, studying abroad or hosting an international student can be a rewarding experience. Global Classroom provides information about available youth leadership exchange programs.
  • World Citizen Essay Contest: Each year the World Affairs Council hosts the  World Citizen Essay Contest for 3rd to 12th graders, the goal of which is to discuss ways individuals can effect positive change in the global community.

For more information about Global Classroom, please contact Tese Neighbor, Senior Director of Professional Development, or Laura Adriance, Director of Youth Programming, by email, or call (206) 441-5910.