Celebrating the Women in our Lives
Since 1987, the U.S. has dedicated the month of March to honor the many contributions of women to history, culture, and society. Women's History Month provides us the opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the women in our lives, in our communities, and from the past who have struggled to be heard and to be seen in classrooms, courtrooms, labs, offices, studios, hospitals, newsrooms, boardrooms, businesses, organizations, and homes. Women in the U.S. and around the world continue to encounter challenges and continue to fight for their personal and political rights. During this month and throughout the year, educators can teach about issues related to gender equality while helping students to recognize and value the many contributions of women locally and globally. As we work together to address the UN Sustainable Development Goals, consider spending some time this month shining a spotlight on SDG 5 to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
STEAM Symposium
Exploring Kumeyaay Culture
Teachers from Oak Park Elementary (San Diego Unified) spent the day at the Barona Cultural Center & Museum on Feb. 20 to expand their learning and curriculum development. Working with CGEP under the Magnet School Assistance Program to magnify media arts in their classrooms, teachers explored Kumeyaay culture and history through museum exhibits, artifacts, art, film, storytelling, and native plants.
Lessons in Global Education
Global educators gathered at the University of San Diego on March 1st to develop instructional units for California Educators Together, an online platform created by the State for teachers to access free, standards-based, high-quality lessons that support ELD and UDL. CGEP is working on a Global Education guidebook for the website and will highlight global educators, their lessons, and resources.
Poetry, Anyone?
March 21 is World Poetry Day. Founded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1999, this is a day to encourage the reading, writing, and sharing of poems. This year's theme is "Poetry for Peace and Unity," which highlights poetry's role in fostering harmony, bridging cultures, and expressing deep human emotions.
We All Need Water
Drawing attention to SDG 6 and the importance of fresh water access, World Water Day will be celebrated on March 22 with the theme "Glacier Preservation." On March 21 at the UN Headquarters, global leaders will gather to highlight the role of glaciers in the climate system and water cycle, discuss strategies for their protection, and share best practices to address their rapid melting.
Waste Not, Want Not
March 30 is International Day of Zero Waste. This day draws attention to the billions of tons in waste generated each year by people around the world and the need for responsible consumption and production. This year’s theme,Towards zero waste in fashion and textiles, focuses on the urgent need to take action to reduce the waste impact from the fashion and textile sector and promote sustainability and circularity.
Environmental Literacy for Middle School
Environmental Literacy through Children's Literature is a workshop presented by the Glenn County Office of Education on Saturday, April 12, to middle school teachers in Glenn County. Teachers will explore how environmental themes, Environmental Justice, and California’s Environmental Principles and Concepts connect to all subjects—English, math, social studies, and more—through engaging literature. This workshop provides high-quality texts, model lessons, and guided time to create classroom-ready instructional plans. If you are interested, please contact Anna Lane at alane@glenncoe.org for registration information.
2025 NEA Foundation Global Learning EdCamp
On April 5, 2025, the NEA Foundation Global Learning Edcamp returns for its third year, bringing together educators from around the world for a free, virtual, and interactive professional learning experience. This event is hosted by the NEA Foundation. Register here. 1:00 - 4:30 pm EDT
Global Educators Community of Practice
Join us for this year's final one-hour Community of Practice (CoP) virtual session. This CoP provides space for global educators who want to connect, share, inquire, and learn more about global education. Register online (tinyurl.com/CoPglobal) to receive the Zoom link for this session. CoP participants will have opportunities for follow-up one-on-one coaching to support globally competent teaching and learning.
Compassionate Action Conference
The Compassionate Action: Transforming the World Together virtual conference, hosted and organized by the Charter for Compassion, is a groundbreaking event designed to unite diverse sectors, including the Arts, Business, Education, Environment, Gender Partnerships, Health, Peace, Restorative Justice, Interfaith Spirituality, Science and Research, Social Justice, and Social Services. The virtual event will take place May 14 and 15. The call for proposals is open through April 15.
New & Beginning Teacher Institute
New and beginning teachers in the Los Angeles/Orange County region are invited to participate in this year's New & Beginning Teacher Institute June 18-20, 2025. Teaching is a Work of Heart: Integrating a Global Lens is a free 3-day institute to support K-12 educators in their first to fifth year of teaching. Beginning at the LA Plaza Museum in downtown LA, participants will raise their awareness about the role of community in co-creating with students learning environments that recognize students' funds of knowledge and lived experiences; all of which impact the classroom. The remaining 2 days will provide participants with the knowledge, skills, and tools to intentionally focus on global competence development as a way to support the academic, social, and emotional growth of all students. Contact Program Director Barbara Vallejo Doten at bdoten@sandiego.edu for more information. Register at tinyurl.com/NewTchr2025 by June 6.
Global Book Talk
Attention global readers! Thank you to the educators who came together on Jan. 23 to discuss the first Global Book Club selection Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How it Can Transform Your Life by Dacher Keltner (UC Berkeley). We are now excited to move to our second selection for the year, Adam Grant's book Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know (2021). This book illuminates the importance of rethinking your stance, embracing the unknown, and finding joy in being wrong. Join us on June 24, 2025, 3:00 PM online. Register here: tinyurl.com/CGEPbooktalk
Wonder World Book Cafe
Wonder World Book Cafe offers "bite-size" podcast episodes for middle grade teachers and their students who want a taste of recommended books -- most with global themes and tools for developing global competence. CGEP Fellow Susan Taylor combines her passion for reading, teaching, and sharing with her new-found talent as a podcaster who inspires readers at all ages. Check it out!
SDG Student Resources
The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals Student Resources page offers engaging tools for both youth and adults to learn about sustainable development. These resources provide a fun, interactive way to explore the SDGs and take action to help address the targets. Download materials, share them with students and colleagues, and integrate into your instructional practice to contribute to a sustainable future today.
March Global Book Calendar
The March Global Book Calendar is available, featuring children's picture books and young adult literature titles aligned to global themes. This collection of recommended reading aligns national and international days of recognition with global competence and helps you connect classroom learning to local and global issues. Dive in and spark meaningful discussions with your students.
Generation Global Virtual Exchange
Ready to spark intercultural dialogue among your students? Book them into Generation Global’s video conferences to connect with peers from around the world. 🌟 There are already students registering from India, Indonesia, Mexico, Rwanda, Armenia, Uzbekistan, and many others. Generation Global video conferences are live and facilitated 60-minute sessions for young people to interact, connect, and dialogue with global peers on SDG-related issues.
What’s in it for your students?
🗣️ Dialogue Skills: Improve global communication, critical thinking, and active listening, questioning, and reflection.
🌐 Global Perspectives: Students gain global exposure by dialoguing about SDG-linked topics with peers from 40+ countries.
⏰ Flexible Timing: Available on weekdays at various times to suit your students’ schedules.
Local Education is Global Education
Check out CGEP Fellow and TK educator Krista Croteau's article on the Ten Strand's website describing how her TK students explore the world with curiosity during their "Forest Fridays" in Fortuna. You don't need a redwood forest nearby to engage students in outdoor learning, environmental literacy, and global education.
New Member Drawing!
Congratulations to the following new CGEP Members who will receive a copy of Think Again by Adam Grant -- our Global Book Club selection for June's Global Book Talk.
- Kristina Watkins, 8th Grade Science Teacher, Lemon Grove School District
- Jordona Elderts, Teacher, Otis Elementary, Alameda Unified
- Amanda Jackson, 1st Grade Teacher, Woodrow Wilson Elementary, Gridley Unified
