British Columbia Global Education Symposium

Presented by the UBC Educational Leadership and Management Program and EF Educational Tours

Please join us on this free one-day professional learning opportunity where you and members of your team will hear from speakers, participate in workshops and network with other educators who share a common goal: helping to engage and prepare students to become successful citizens of the world.

Our keynote speaker for this event is Dr. Arne Kislenko, Associate Professor of History at Ryerson University and Adjunct Professor in the International Relations Program at Trinity College and the Munk School for International Studies at the University of Toronto. Dr. Kislenko has won numerous teaching awards, including the 3M National Teaching Fellowship.

Sessions will include topics such as: how to build global education into your school and district, strategies for incorporating global competency into the curriculum, and safety and risk management as it relates to international educational experiences.

Registration - 8:00 - 8:30 (light refreshments)

Global Education Symposium: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Catered Lunch

Cocktail and Networking Reception: 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Session Outlines:

Sessions – 11:00 – 11:50

1. 1. Making An Impact on the Map - Linking Classroom Service Learning to your local community and beyond

• Learn how Free the Children’s WE Schools program makes it easy for educators to inspire young people to lead change in their communities around issues students are passionate about. You’ll learn how to guide your students through a number of tangible activities and campaigns that help students take action both locally and globally. Students will be empowered to become global change makers as they identify genuine community needs and understand the positive impact young people can make both at home and abroad.
• Jeff Hainbuch, Head, Educational Partnerships, We Schools
• Catherine McCauley, Director of Curriculum and Resources, We Schools
• Susan Egan, Teacher, Vernon Secondary School

1. 2. Learning on the Edge: International STEM, Global Business and Student Exchanges

• In Abbotsford, we view our secondary schools as R & D Centres focusing on intentional innovations which respond, quite simply, to one question: “what is school for?” Our collective response is one that makes clear that we are focused on a system-wide transformation that is challenging old boundaries between school and community, between academic subjects and real-world problems, between theory and action, between thinking and doing. You will hear of the work that two of our schools have done to this point, where we are going in terms of developing innovative global mindsets in our students and the organizational alignment within SD34 that makes all of this possible.
• Gino Bondi, Assistant Superintendent, Abbotsford School District
• Jinder Sarowa, Principal, Robert Bateman Secondary
• David deWit, Principal, Rick Hansen School of Science and Business

1. 3. Developing a Travel Program in your School – A Workshop for Teachers Considering Educational Travel
   

• Join an award winning educator and EF representatives in this informative workshop designed to help you get your first tour off the ground. This session will focus on best practices for developing a sustainable travel program that meets your unique goals and helps to inspire students and parents.
• Janet Ruest, Teacher, Chemainus Secondary School.
• David Hargrave-Pawson, Regional Sales Director, EF

Sessions – 1:10 – 2:00

1. 4. Connecting Language and Culture for the Global Citizen

• Let’s prepare our students to be global citizens of the world! This interactive workshop examines ways to develop global competencies in our students through language. What does Intercultural Understanding look like and sound like in a French and International Languages classroom? Learn how culture can be shared effectively through language and how culturally responsive instructional strategies enable us to better understand our learners
• Lorraine Richard, Educational Curriculum Consultant, French and International Languages

1. 5. Global Citizens – Powered by STEAM

• Young global citizens ask intriguing questions and answer them through investigation; they identify real-world problems and develop innovative solutions – imagine what they will do after high school. See how inquiry and problem/project-based approaches are transforming STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) curricula, engaging and empowering students to change their world.
• Reni Barlow, Former Executive Director, Youth Science Canada

1. 6. Change and Continuity: Teaching History in a Global Context

• Cynics doubtful that historical inquiry can ever produce objective truths often quote Napoléon Bonaparte, who famously said that “History is a set of lies agreed upon.” But for the professional historian the reality is quite different. The task, often monumental in scope, is to account for multiple historical narratives: not just relevant to the period they are studying, but indeed as they change over time. Recognizing different – often competing - histories can be extremely difficult, but it is essential: not just to the craft of the historian but in developing a truly international education. This discussion will focus on the teaching of history at home, via essential field experiences and how we can better educate, engage, and empower our diverse classrooms in the spirit of nurturing a global citizenry.
• Laura Palma, Director of Educational Programming, EF

Sessions – 2:10 – 3:00

1. 7. Developing sustainable, safe, and educational travel policies and programs

• Join us for an interactive session to examine the current state of international experiential travel from the perspective of risk professionals, administrators, and teachers. Learn from Dave Eberwein, Deputy Superintendent of West Vancouver School, on how he and his team have integrated a holistic travel framework into their District. Participants will walk away with a deeper understanding of school administrators’ role in partnering with teachers to create a sustainable, safe, and educational travel program while still balancing the policy and programmatic needs of the 21st century learner and their families.
• Dave Eberwein, Deputy Superintendent, West Vancouver School District
• Janice Sousa, Director of Sales, Ontario, EF

1. 8. Using Student Narratives to Transform and Account for Cultural Understanding

• In an age of digital profiles, photo stories, and constant status updates, young people are accustomed to thinking about identity and sharing pieces of their life stories with the world . This workshop will ways to channel this tendency with a unique approach to immersive travel that supports students in crafting their own personal narratives while at the same time connecting these transformative experiences to the curriculum. We will experiment with weShare, EF’s online personalized learning platform as well as engage in an Action Research exercise that helps students identify the way they will discover the new culture they plan on exploring.
• George Stewart, Director of Curriculum and Program Development, EF