•What Does Global
Competence Look
Like in a Teacher?
• Exemplary examples of knowledge, skills, and
dispositions that spell out global competence in
educators:
1. Understanding one's own cultural identity and its
influence on personal dispositions and classroom practice
2. Knowing and integrating global dimensions within the
disciplines one teaches
3. Engaging students in learning about the world and in
exploring their place in it
4. Using real-life global examples, materials, and
resources when considering local, national, and human
issues
5. Valuing the input of culturally and linguistically
diverse learners, families, and colleagues, and
modeling cultural sensitivity
6. Creating environments that encourage positive
cross-cultural interaction
7. Modeling social responsibility in local and global
contexts
8. Helping learners find appropriate actions to
improve local and global conditions
9 Assessing learners' global competence and
providing growth opportunities based on their levels
of development
10. Advocating for global education and social
responsibility
• "Global competence in
teachers is a set of essential
knowledge, critical
dispositions, and
performances that help
foster development of
learners' global competence
• A globally competent
teacher has knowledge of
the world, critical global
issues, their local impact,
and the cultural
backgrounds of learners;
• Manifests intercultural
sensitivity and acceptance of
difference; incorporates this
knowledge and sensitivity into
classroom practice; and,
develops the skills to foster these
dispositions, knowledge, and
performances in learners.
The teacher models
socially responsible action
and creates opportunities
for learners to engage in
socially responsible
action."
Global competence for teachers is no
longer for just an elite few, but rather
is an essential element of preparation
for all teachers. It is time to partner
more deeply with colleges of
education and alternative training
routes to emphasize this reality as they
prepare tomorrow's teachers.
The Global Teacher-classroom
teacher vs school teacher
C
A “classroom teacher” is someone that
focuses on their classroom and students
only. Although there can be a huge
benefit to their own students, this often
leads to weaker relationships with other
students. They often see other kids as
someone else’s issue and will avoid
dealing with them. They also keep their
practices to themselves and have their
classroom door closed, sometimes
literally, but most often figuratively.
The “school teacher“. Is he ideal teacher who is
connected with every student in their classroom, as
well as students and educators around the school.
They see supervision as an opportunity to connect
with others and build relationships with kids. They
share their practices openly with others because their
focus is always on “what is best for kids“. If they can
share something, and you can take it, remix it, and
use it for your students, they make everyone better.
They think of the school as a village and their
expertise and experience is shared exponentially not
to only help their kids, but all kids in their school.
The global teacher has the best elements of
the classroom and school teacher, but their focus is on “what
is best for kids”, no matter if is their own kids, kids in the
school across the street, or across the ocean. They got into
teaching because they love students and want to help every
single one of them, no matter their situation or location. They
care for the kids in their classroom, they share openly with
others in their school and connect with kids, but want to
make things better past their own situation. They inspire
change whether it is with one classroom in another school, or
thousands. They also tap into others and bring the best to
their students. The more we look at what others are doing,
the better we can become for the students closest to us.
Global teachers (should) care about
education as a whole, as well as their
school and their classroom. If the
person only looks at sharing and learning
globally, but cannot connect with those in
their classroom or school, they are not
considered as a “global teacher”. They
know what they share makes a difference
for others, as well as knowing what they
learn from others makes a difference for
their school and students.
Learning begins with
teaching, and
effective learning
requires great
teaching.
