Global Matters
September 2025
From Summer Learning to Fall Makeover
We all learned something this summer, right? Whether you took a much-needed vacation, stayed home with a good book, took on a new project, followed the news, or attended a professional learning event, you learned a thing or two. The lessons might have been enlightening, inspiring, or even distressing. As you launch your new school year, don't leave your most impressionable lessons behind. Blend them into your classroom practices, projects, and/or instructional plans. For example, make room for creative play, foster curiosity, set aside time to rest and breathe (aka "reflection time"), facilitate relationship-building, encourage exploration within and outside of the classroom, discuss current events, nurture inquiry, change the pace, follow an interest or passion, get out and walk around, learn from interesting people. I am sure you can think of more ways to build summer lessons -- especially those life lessons -- into this new year for a Fall makeover. And have FUN doing so...
Note: Acknowledging that this has been a difficult summer for many, we have been encouraged to see so many educators acting on behalf of their immigrant families and providing support for students in unprecedented ways. These are the actions of globally competent educators!
Global Teacher Fellows Convene
CGEP Leadership Retreat
Making Art with SDUSD
Educators from Webster and Freese Elementary Schools (San Diego Unified School District) participated in a two-day summer workshop at the University of San Diego focused on integrating the arts. Partnering with CGEP and ArtReach San Diego for their Magnet Schools Assistance Program grant to Amplify the Arts, teachers learned how to integrate the arts into standards-based curriculum units.
Unearthing the Artist Within
Global Perspectives on Literacy
Global Education 101
Program Director Barbara Vallejo Doten explored CGEP's Global Competence Framework with educators in Vista Charter Public Schools to strengthen their foundational knowledge and skills in global education. This network of global schools will continue to develop their global perspectives and programs throughout the school year with CGEP-led Leadership Circles that started during the 2024 school year.
Teachers Travel to Taiwan
Educators participating in the Global Classroom Connect program travelled to Taiwan August 1-14 to study Taiwan's culture, including language and school programs, while deepening their understanding of global education. This professional learning program is one facet of the cultural exchange goals of Global Classroom Connect, hosted by the Humboldt County Office of Education in collaboration with CGEP.
Global Book Bags in Woodland
Program Director Stephanie Buttell-Maxin and Teacher Leader Kate Bowen engaged 4th and 5th grade teachers in Woodland Joint Unified School District in a full day of learning about CGEP's Global Book Bags program on August 6. Teachers selected books with global themes to integrate into their classrooms and development learning activities that promote global competence.
Foundations for Global Citizenship
Program Directors Stephanie Buttell-Maxin and Barbara Vallejo-Doten presented "Introduction to Global Education: Weaving Global Citizenship into the Classroom" with a focus on the California Global Competence Framework to teachers at Felicita Elementary School in Escondido Union School District on August 14. Educators are working together to elevate their school vision and mission anchored in global perspectives.
International Literacy Day
Since 1967, International Literacy Day has been celebrated on September 8th around the world to remind policy makers and the general public of the importance of literacy for the health of society.
International Day of Democracy
As September 15 marks the 18th International Day of Democracy, UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlights the importance of “the courage of people everywhere who are shaping their societies through dialogue, participation, and trust.”
International Day of Peace
September 21 is International Day of Peace designated by the United Nations to promote peace during a time of turbulance, tumult, and uncertainty. This year's theme is "Act Now for a Peaceful World."
2025 Charter for Compassion Youth Conference
Join the Charter for Compassion on October 28–30, 2025, for this inspiring virtual gathering that amplifies the voices of young changemakers worldwide. Over three days, participants will engage in youth-led sessions, interactive workshops, and global networking to explore how compassionate leadership can drive meaningful action and impact. The conference will conclude with special programming by KidsRights through their State of Youth initiative, spotlighting powerful youth-led advocacy from across the globe.
4th Annual GLOW Conference
Step into the future of global education at the 2025 Global Learning for an Open World (GLOW) Conference. This immersive 24-hour virtual experience brings together visionary educators, innovative thinkers, and passionate changemakers from around the world. GLOW isn’t just an event—it’s a global movement dedicated to reimagining learning, fostering equity, and driving transformative education solutions. Join us to explore cutting-edge teaching strategies, connect across cultures, and tackle pressing global challenges through education. Whether you’re committed to shaping inclusive learning spaces, championing digital innovation, or empowering students as global citizens, GLOW provides the platform to learn, collaborate, and lead the future of education.
Reflecting on 250 Years of History, Geographically - A Call to Explore the Anza Expedition of 1775-76
We're coming up to a big milestone in the history of the United States, and I am sure you will be hearing a lot about that. Speaking to you from the 31st State of California, I want to encourage you to include reflection on how we fit in to the story of the US and to take care to appreciate our unique story and the amazing land for which we now take shared responsibility.
America’s origin story needs to include all of its territory and all of its people. California, Arizona, and all of the territories gained from Mexico in 1848 are part of that story. By studying the Anza Expedition of 1775-76, you and your students can gain a deeper understanding of our state and national territories as places of possibility that have been occupied and shaped by many different people. In detailed accounts of the journey and expedition members we get a window into first contact and see the blueprint for a diverse and dynamic population that continues to shape the future of the state, the nation, and the land. And through your own inquiry, you can reflect on how these places have been represented over time and refine the ways in which you express respect and care for these places.
You can start by exploring this StoryMap that will introduce you to the Anza Colonizing Expedition of 1775-76. Resources from the National Park Service will help you learn about the Anza Expedition and the widespread celebrations of Anza 250 that will be occurring throughout 2025 and 2026.
Then the learning expedition starts in October! Enroll in a series of online professional learning workshops held to mark the timing of the expedition 250 years ago. This program will connect with principles of Ethnic Studies as well as 5th and 8th grade H-SS standards.
Session 1 on October 22nd is titled "On the Frontier of New Spain: Empire, Culture, and the Making of an Expedition."
Understand the purpose of the expedition, learn about its leaders and the settlers who made the choice to start a new life, explore the route they took, and learn about contact they had with California’s indigenous peoples. Click here to learn more about the series and register.
Geographically Yours,
Dr. Tom Herman
Director, California Geographic Alliance
Seeds to Solutions
This new solutions-oriented curriculum for grades K–12 focuses on California environmental issues. Seeds to Solutions lessons empower students to address real-world environmental issues -- from food waste to water use to wildfire management. These instructional materials prepare students to be environmentally literate, engaged community members.
We Are California Model Curriculum
Presented by the California Department of Education, model curricula on Native American Studies, Cambodian American Studies, Hmong History and Cultural Studies, and Vietnamese American Experiences are now available for K-12 schools. Look for local professional learning to support your use of these new resources.
PZ Thinking Routines
Looking for strategies that will enhance collaboration, communication, and creativity in your classroom? Check out the Project Zero Thinking Routines Toolkit at Harvard University. This robust site provides lots of information, tools, and ideas for enhancing global education.
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants
As a botanist, Robin Wall Kimmerer asks questions of nature with the tools of science. As a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, she embraces the notion that plants and animals are our oldest teachers. The young adult version offers challenging questions and tasks for readers to consider.
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You
Ibram Kendi's remix of Stamped: From the Beginning engages Jason Reynold's skillful writing for adults and young readers to better understand anti-black racism and how to recognize, stamp out, and maintain hope in a world of racist policies and practices. The "for kids" version offers "Let's Pause" moments for reflection.
The Lemon Tree: An Arab, a Jew, and the Heart of the Middle East
Reporter Sandy Tolan presents the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at its most human level by sharing the story of a Palestinian refugee who travelled back to his childhood home in Israel after being forced to leave with his family 19 years earlier. This story demonstrates that there exist some stories of hope and transformation.
