‘Going Global: A Symposium on Educational Strategies for International Learning in Nebraska’ set for Thursday

Dr. Dallas Kenny
director, UNK Office of International Education

UNK- Educators from public and private colleges and universities across the state will gather at the Museum of Nebraska Art on Thursday, July 16, for a daylong symposium on educational strategies for international learning.

Titled “Going Global: A Symposium on Educational Strategies for International Learning in Nebraska,” the event is sponsored jointly by the University of Nebraska at Kearney Office of International Education and the Malaika Foundation. UNK Chancellor Doug Kristensen will give a welcome at 9 a.m.

The first session, “Teacher Education for a Global Age,” will begin at 9:15 a.m. with Dr. Merry Merryfield from the School of Teaching and Learning at The Ohio State University. Dr. Merryfield is one of two keynote presenters. The second is Dr. Margo Glew, coordinator of International Initiatives in the Michigan State University Department of Teacher Education. Dr. Glew will speak at 12:45 p.m. Her topic will be “Preparing Global Education for the 21st Century Classroom: Internationalizing Teacher Preparation at the Michigan State University.” Dr. Thomas Farrell, associate vice president for International Affairs for the University of Nebraska, will chair the second session.

“The symposium will feature how schools of education can help future teachers know and teach global perspectives through curriculum innovation, education abroad and new technologies,” said Dr. Natalie Hahn, president and CEO of the Malaika Foundation. “Experiences will be shared on the success of different states in the USA in launching global education and its relevancy for Nebraska.”

The symposium schedule, provided by the Malaika Foundation, follows:  

                      Going Global: A Symposium on Educational Strategies for International Learning in Nebraska
                                            Museum of Nebraska Art, Kearney, Nebraska, July 16, 2009  
                                                                                 
                       9:00 A.M.  Opening and Introduction: Dr. David Kline, Chairman, Malaika Foundation Board of Directors
                              Welcome: Dr. Douglas A. Kristensen, Chancellor, University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK)

                        9:15 A.M.                            Teacher Education for a Global Age
                                                       Dr. Merry Merryfield, Social Studies and Global Education,
                                                    School of Teaching and Learning, The Ohio State University
                                                Chair:  Dr. Deb Mullen, Associate Dean of Co-curricular Activities and
      Coordinator of International Initiatives, College of Education and Human Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
 
                     10:15-11:45 A.M.   How Can The Nebraska Educational System Be More Global?
                              Group discussions to share experiences and determine opportunities for Nebraska Educators
                              Chair: Dr. Douglas Christensen, Emeritus Commissioner, Nebraska Department of Education
                                                    & Member of the Board of Directors, The Malaika Foundation                                                                                    
                                        Introduction: Dr. Ed Scantling, Dean of the UNK College of Education

                                                                 Discussant Leads
                             Dr. Allyson Backstrom – Professor of Chemistry and Associate Dean of the College
                                             Mr. Michael Morsches, President, Opportunity Education
                                    Ms. Sharon Bishop, Heartland Community Schools, Henderson/Bradshaw
                    Dr. Dallas Kennedy, Director, Office of International Education, University of Nebraska at Kearney
                                         Dr. Ron Bork, Dean, College of Education, Concordia University, Seward
                                                Ms. Eugenie Solt, Executive Director,  The Malaika Foundation
                                          Ms. Victoria Valentines, Teacher Education, Hastings College
                          Dr. Susan Wunder, College of Education and Human Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln

                  11:45 A.M.  Response by Dr. Merry Merryfield to Nebraska Challenges for Global Education

                                               12:00 Buffet Luncheon- A Salute to Kenneth Morrison
                                             Nebraska Agriculturalist Supporting Global Education

                 12:45 P.M.  Preparing Global Education for the 21st Century Classroom: Internationalizing
                                                    Teacher Preparation at the Michigan State University
    Dr. Margo Glew, Coordinator of International Initiatives, Department of Teacher Education, Michigan State University
                                     Chair: Dr. Thomas A. Farrell. Associate Vice President, University of Nebraska

               1:30P. M.  Opportunities and Obligations: Internationalizing Oklahoma’s Colleges and Universities
                  Dr. Erin Taylor, Coordinator for Academic Affairs, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
                                     Chair:  Ms. Margaret Sibbitt, Board Member-Nebraska Educational Television,
                                                 International Consultant and Nebraska Rancher, Hyannis

              2:15 P.M.     A Changing Demographic- The Challenges and Opportunities for New Nebraskans
                                                                and the Nebraska Educational System  
                                     Dr. Lourdes Gouveia, Director, Office of Latino/Latin American Studies, UNO
 Dr. Gigi Brignoni, Assistant Professor, Bilingual Education, ESL and Literacy,Department of Teacher Education, UNO    
                 Dr. Edmund (Ted) Hamann and Dr. Jenelle R. Reeves, Department of Teaching, Learning and
                                      Teacher Education, College of Education and Human Sciences, UNL
                                                 Chair: Dr. Nancy Becker, Principal, North Star School, Lincoln

                      3:00 P.M.             Going Global: Bringing the World to Your Classroom
                                 Larry Starr, Director, Social Studies Education, Nebraska Department of Education
                                 Vicki Scow, Director, World Language Education, Nebraska Department of Education
                            Rosemary Cervantes, English as a Second Language, Educational Service Unit #10, Kearney
                                   Chair: Judi gaiashkibos, Executive Director, Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs
             
                                     3:30 P.M.     Fund for Teachers and The Nebraska Partnership
                                             Ms. Karen Kovach Webb, Executive Director, Fund for Teachers
                                                     Chair:  Mr. Keith Neth, Millard North High School

                            4:00  P.M.    Closing and Next Steps for Nebraska Educators in Going Global                                                                
                                        Dr. Natalie D. Hahn, President and CEO, The Malaika Foundation

                                                                  4:15  Celebration Reception