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Global Matters

October 2024

GlobalMattersOctober 2024

California Global Education Project's monthly newsletter for PK-12 educators California Global Education Project's monthly newsletter for PK-12 educators

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Making Progress Together

This year's theme for the General Assembly of the United Nations is "Unity and diversity for advancing peace, sustainable development and human dignity, everywhere and for all." Your reasons for becoming and continuing to grow as a teacher probably align well with this theme. As the UNGA high-level meetings took place recently in New York, people around the world participated in many events, including Global Goals Week and Global Citizen Festival 2024, which featured celebrities, musicians, and political leaders drawing our attention to progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals as well as targets requiring intensified actions. When it comes to these pressing global issues, it takes more than a village. It takes the world. And that is why we are are proud to work with so many partners to bring global education resources and support to teachers in California.

As we inch closer to the year 2030 considering the local and global challenges to safe, healthy, productive, peaceful, and sustainable living, you are encouraged to exercise your agency as a global citizen and global educator to take actions and make progress toward these goals. All the while, you and your students should be mindful of the fact that you are not alone in making this world a better place. In making plans for instruction, projects, service learning, and civic engagement, turn to your partners -- students, school leaders, communities-based organizations, elected officials, parents and families, businesses, and colleagues -- to advance learning about and developing the skills for peace, equity, innovation, leadership, and sustainability.

Program Spotlights Program Spotlights

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Designing Global Lessons

Global educators gathered at the Yolo County Office of Education on Sept. 21 to develop high quality global education lessons for the California Educators Together platform. CGEP is pleased to collaborate with the Kern County Superintendent of Schools team to develop these instructional resources for California teachers. Look for a Global Education guidebook to come and join the Global Education Statewide Group to follow!
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Clean Energy Focus

CGEP and California Geographic Alliance (CGA) started a two-year curriculum development project on Sept. 24 at Hilltop High School in Chula Vista. The South Bay Clean Energy Education Program, led by SanDiego350, engages multidisciplinary teachers in Sweetwater Union High School District to create learning experiences that help students understand clean energy, energy efficiency, and resiliency.
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Global Classroom Connect Launch

Global Classroom Connect kicked off the 2024-2025 school year on September 10 with a virtual meeting connecting over 125 California teachers with partner teachers in Taiwan. This event launches a year-long cultural exchange program designed to develop friendships and global competence through collaborative international projects.
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Let's Play!

Global educators from across the state gathered at the University of San Diego on Sept. 28 to explore the power and potential of play in education. The workshop was facilitated by Harbingers of Joy (an LA-based group) and focused on the needs, abilities, and strategies for teachers to identify and develop their own playful practices before determining purposeful play in their classrooms.
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Global Teacher Fellowship

Are you interested in learning more about global education and developing your practices as a globally competent teacher? We are looking for PK-12 teachers to form the 2025 California Global Teacher Fellowship cohort. Educators are invited to submit an application before Dec. 4, 2024, and join a growing statewide cadre of inspiring, innovative, and incredible Global Education Leaders.

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Students Exploring the World

CGEP and CIEE have partnered for the past 5 years in support of CIEE’s Global Navigator High School Summer Study Abroad programs. These 3-4 week programs allow students to enhance language fluency, experience new cultures, and gain real-world skills in 35+ locations. Students can earn college credits and the Global Seal of Biliteracy. Programs include Climate Change in Ghana, Diplomacy in Estonia, and Spanish in Madrid. Scholarships may cover up to 100% of tuition. Application Deadline: January 15th. To learn more, watch this 2 minute video, check out our website here, view our FY25 HSSA Student flyer. Contact your local CIEE Rep Jessie Hill (SoCal) at jhill@ciee.org or Daniel Velasquez (NorCal) at dvelasquez@ciee.org.

World Connections World Connections

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World Teachers' Day

October 5 is World Teachers' Day to honor the vital role of teachers in shaping societies and future generations. This year's theme is "Valuing Teacher Voices: Towards a New Social Contract for Education," which prioritizes the importance of including educators in policy decisions and calls for a stronger commitment to building equitable education systems that truly value teachers' contributions.

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International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is observed on October 17 and highlights global efforts to end poverty in all of its forms and promote dignity for all. This day serves as a call to action for governments, organizations, and individuals to address the systemic issues that perpetuate inequality and social exclusion. Learn more about SDG #1: No poverty.

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World Space Week

World Space Week is October 4-10, celebrating the impact of space exploration on our lives and the future of humanity. The 2024 theme, "Space and Climate Change," focuses on how space technologies contribute to understanding and combating climate change. Last year's synchronized space events reached a new record of more than 16,000 events across 83 nations!

Upcoming Events Upcoming Events

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2024-25 Community of Practice for Global Educators

Interested in sharing ideas, practices, and questions about global education with other PK-12 educators in California schools? Join CGEP's new Community of Practice for Global Educators!

One-hour virtual sessions will be held on these dates at 4:00 p.m.:

  • Mon., Oct. 14, 2024
  • Thurs., Dec. 12, 2024
  • Sat., March 15, 2025 (3-hour forum)
  • Wed., April 30, 2025

Register Now to receive Zoom links.

Email CGEP@sandiego.edu for more information.

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Global Youth Conference

The inaugural Charter for Compassion Global Youth Conference, Youth for Compassionate Advocacy and Actions, invites young individuals to champion compassionate advocacy at this event on October 17-18. This dynamic virtual event brings together global youth leaders, activists, and experts in social emotional learning, trauma-informed care, and peace studies. Over two days, participants will engage in inspiring dialogue, attend empowering workshops, and network with peers worldwide. This conference offers a unique opportunity to gain valuable skills and tools for fostering compassionate actions and making a meaningful impact.

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Study Abroad and Professional Development through CIEE

Learn about CIEE’s Global Navigator High School Summer Study Abroad programs and Professional Development Opportunities for educators! Meet California's CIEE Global Education Advisors Jessie Hill and Daniel Velasquez!


CIEE awards more than $7 million in scholarships each year for high school students to participate in 3-4 week summer study abroad programs based in 35+ locations around the world. Students can focus on either world languages (French, Spanish, Italian, Arabic, German, Italian, Mandarin, Korean, Portuguese or Japanese) or various thematic programs (STEM, Arts, Business, or Social Change).


We look forward to having you attend this informational webinar on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)

Microsoft Teams: Join the meeting here

Meeting ID: 218 281 296 460

Passcode: yxjNp9

Contact Jessie Hill at jhill@ciee.org for more information.

Save the Dates Save the Dates

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Global Book Talk

Attention global readers! We are thrilled to launch CGEP's new bi-annual Global Book Talk, which invites you to read a selected book and then join us online for a discussion connecting the reading to global education. The first book selection is Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How it Can Transform Your Life by Dacher Keltner (UC Berkeley). This captivating book explores the many ways that awe transforms our lives and perspectives. Immerse yourself in this thought-provoking book and don’t miss your chance to connect with fellow readers and delve into the wonder (and research) of awe. Join us: Wednesday, Jan 15, 2025, 04:30 PM Online

Event Information

California Global Education Forum

Save the date to participate in our 4th annual California Global Education Forum at one of the host sites (Humboldt COE, Yolo COE, Columbia School District, Orange County Department of Education, Bay Area location TBD, San Diego County Office of Education) or join the statewide online group. We will meet in person from 9 am to noon to discuss ideas, issues, and what is working well in global education.

When?

Saturday, Mar 15, 2025, 09:00 AM

Where?

Host Site or Online

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Take Action Take Action

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Local Letters for Global Change: A Pulitzer Center Writing Contest (K-12)

Help your students' to develop and share their voices through letters written to a local elected representative that:

  • explains the global issue they want them to prioritize,
  • shows how it connects to their local community,
  • and proposes a solution.
Through this annual letter-writing contest, students can practice global citizenship, civic action, and persuasive writing, all while exploring the underreported issues that matter to them through Pulitzer Center news stories.

The Pulitzer Center wants to read and share your students' letters. Visit the Pulitzer Center website for contest details and guidelines. Entry deadline: November 15, 2024.

Global Education Resources Global Education Resources

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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.

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October Global Book Calendar

The October Global Book Calendar is here, packed with children's picture books and young adult literature titles featuring powerful 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.

Global Education Teaching Tip Global Education Teaching Tip

October Newsletter

Become a CGEP Member! Become a CGEP Member!

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New Member Drawing Winners! New Member Drawing Winners!

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Each month, we draw the names of a few new CGEP members to celebrate with a gift. This month's drawing winners will receive a copy of the book Becoming a Globally Competent Teacher. Congratulations, Members!


Nicole Dickinson, Multiple Subjects Teacher

Vinewood Elementary, Lodi Unified School District


Mercedes Hernandez, Teacher Librarian

Granger Jr. High, Sweetwater Union High School District


Jaime Wolf, Social Sciences Teacher

Hiram W. Johnson High School, Sacramento City Unified School District

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