Didier returns from D.C. & prepares for international field experience in India
WHS Spanish Instructor among 76 nation-wide chosen for year-long focus on global education in U.S. State Department's TGC program
Launch the media gallery 1 playerUPDATE (From Mrs. Didier's blog, Feb. 19, 2017): I've recently returned from a quick trip to D.C. where I was able to meet all of the Teachers for Global Classrooms (TGC) fellows. Very inspiring! Still pinching myself that I get to be part of this amazing program.
We focused a lot on stories, storytelling, the dangers of a single story, and our own single stories.
When I travel to India I'll be representing the United States, but I'll also be reppin' so much more: Nebraska!, women, teachers, etc. It's my story. It can be a lot of pressure to carry and it is definitely a privilege. Feeling overwhelmingly grateful.
Humans are stories, not statistics.
"Think of the good we can create knowing our stories"
Listen.
My story includes all of you: my family, friends, coworkers and students. So in a way you're all coming to India too 😊
You've made an impact on my life and contributed to this ongoing story I call life. And it's been a pretty sweet life! Thank you! ❤
I was also able to meet the 12 fellows whom I'll get to travel with this summer. We are from all over: California, North Carolina, Maryland, Georgia, Louisiana, Hawaii, Illinois and more! I was introduced to the term "Delhi Belly", yes, I'm ready, and I was reminded just how big India is: a 70 hour train ride from the southern to the northern tip.
I'm thankful my acting administrator, Abbie, was able to join me and am hoping more Wahoo and/or Nebraska teachers join this program soon. Global education IS 21st education. Our students need to be globally competent in this ever increasingly interconnected world. We need more Nebraskans on board. After just two days I'm certain Abbie agrees with this sentiment.
A Global citizen is a friend to the entire human race.
Speaking of Nebraskan teachers, never have I been more proud of our state and our public schools as I was this weekend. There is a lot of terrible, unfortunate legislation out there that seems to be doing nothing but killing the passion and respect for our professions. Several fellows had to pay for their substitutes and take vacation time to attend this weekend. Some states are no longer compensating teachers for furthering their education. Salaries have been capped at $51,000 (after 25 years of experience)
"Forced" choice schools are becoming more relevant with little accountability and little opportunity for inclusion.
But here in the good life, quality education remains a priority. Thank you, Nebraska, for holding education and educators in high regard. Let's keep it that way. ❤
--------------------------------------------------
Didier departs for D.C. to prepare for international field experience in India
February 15, 2017
UPDATE (see original article below): As a member of the 2017 Teachers for Global Classrooms (TGC) program, sponsored by the United States Department of State, WHS Spanish Instructor Cass Didier has just completed an eight-week, graduate-level online course on globalizing classrooms and curriculum. Tomorrow (Thursday, Feb. 16), Didier departs for Washington, D.C. for a three-day global symposium, where TGC Fellows gather to build networks, collaborate, and develop strategies to enhance world learning.
During this symposium, Didier will meet her classmates, and prepare for her three-week international field experience, where TGC Fellows travel to numerous different countries to experience different cultures and educational systems. Didier's destination will be the urban and rural areas of India, where she will travel from July 2-23. Other Fellows will explore Brazil, Colombia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Philippines, Republic of Georgia, Russian Federation, Senegal, and Ukraine.
After her return from India this summer, Didier and other TGC Fellows will complete a capstone project, which consists of creating a Global Education Guide that will serve as a resource for their local communities to build global awareness and understanding.
Back in June, Didier learned that she has been selected for the 2016-2017 TGC program. According to the TGC website, “The TGC Program is a year-long professional development opportunity for U. S. elementary, middle, and high school teachers to become leaders in global education. Global education is integral to building 21st century skills, and teachers are the greatest resource to empower students as global citizens. TGC equips teachers to bring an international perspective to their schools through targeted training, experience abroad, and global collaboration.”
Over 400 teachers applied from 47 U.S. states and the District of Columbia for the 2016-2017 TGC, and Didier is among 76 chosen to join this year’s cohort!
“I’m very much looking forward to being surrounded by and learning from like-minded peers. We have all worked hard this past fall learning about global education and how to best bring global education to our communities," Didier commented. “My students think it is pretty cool that I am able to go on many trips ‘for free.’ I love to use this time to encourage the students to apply for any opportunity that comes your way in life. Put yourself out there—it just may pay off!"
Interested in following Mrs. Didier's TGC journey? Click HERE or the photo below to access her blog, where she will document her experiences.
WHS Spanish Instructor sits on a spot overlooking Ollantaytambo, an ancient Incan site in Peru.
The below article was posted July 31, 2016
WMS/WHS Spanish Instructor Cass Didier poses in the United Nations during her trip to the 2016 UN Youth Assembly in February.
Didier has now been selected to participate in the 2016-2017 Teachers for Global Classrooms program, sponsored by the U. S. Department of State.
Mrs. Didier selected for U.S. Dept. of State's 2016-2017 Teachers for Global Classrooms program!
WMS/WHS Spanish Instructor among 76 nation-wide chosen for year-long focus on global education
July 31,2016
If learning were confined within the four walls of her classroom, WMS/WHS Spanish Instructor Cass Didier would not be happy!
In February, Didier and WHS students Tyler Timm and Ryan Volin were selected to attend the 2016 United Nations Youth Assembly in New York, as Nebraska’s only representatives. In June, she traveled with Mrs. Dinsmore-Talbott and four students to Machu Picchu and other parts of Peru. She has been instrumental in encouraging students to pursue educational opportunities in other states and countries, and her students consider her a mentor.
These are just a few examples of how Didier takes education to a global level, well beyond her classroom walls, and her efforts have not gone unnoticed. Apparently the Federal Government is as impressed as the students and teachers who have the privilege of working with her!
Back in June, Didier learned that she has been selected for the 2016-2017 Teachers for Global Classrooms (TGC) program, sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the United States Department of State.
According to the TGC website, “The TGC Program is a year-long professional development opportunity for U. S. elementary, middle, and high school teachers to become leaders in global education. Global education is integral to building 21st century skills, and teachers are the greatest resource to empower students as global citizens. TGC equips teachers to bring an international perspective to their schools through targeted training, experience abroad, and global collaboration.”
Over 400 teachers applied from 47 U.S. states and the District of Columbia for the 2016-2017 TGC, and Didier is among 76 chosen to join this year’s cohort!
This rigorous opportunity will provide Didier, along with other K-12 teachers, with the platform to explore the themes and applications for global education in the U. S. classroom. Didier will participate in a ten-week online professional development course this fall. Once successfully completed, Didier will travel to Washington, D. C. in February 2017 for a Global Education Symposium, and then a two or three week field experience abroad in one of the participating TGC countries. The exact location will be announced at a later date.
Didier’s international field experience travel will be with a group of other U. S. teachers, and they will enjoy opportunities to meet and work with teachers and educational leaders in those countries.
“Past participants tell us the program is life-changing,” stated Jennifer Gibson, Teacher Exchange Branch Chief for the U. S. Department of State. “They note making new friends and expanding networks of like-minded peers, developing new lesson plans and curricula, expanding the use of technology, and engaging their students in exchanges with peers overseas.”
Funding for this program is provided by the U. S. Congress.
“I’m thrilled and honored to be a participant in such a prestigious program whose mission aligns so perfectly with my passions of global education and collaboration!” Didier commented.
Didier will become one of over 450 U. S. teachers who have completed the TGC program since its inception in 2011. Many of these alumni continue to engage with globalizing U. S. education at the school, district, state, and/or national levels. No doubt Griffin will continue to actively support that mission!
“A passion for working with and teaching youth is something that is remarkably innate, something deep down in the soul of teachers like Cass Didier,” stated WPS Director of Learning Sue Heine. “This passion is not something that can be taught in college classrooms, but something they possess and which compels them to seek out opportunities for their students as well as continue to grow as an educator through their own sought after opportunities. My personal congratulations to Cass Didier and all the teachers like her!”
Congratulations Mrs. Didier on this very impressive honor, and thank you for everything you do to inspire our students to thrive!