What
People Have To Say About
Global Source Programs and Projects
Young
teachers start out idealistic, ready to bring the world
to their classrooms and then what happens? Maybe they
give in to routine and boredom, lose interest in the
world, and forget their love for students. But that's
not the only scenario. Maybe they join Global Source
and meet stimulating colleagues who haven't given up.
At Global Source, they will study faraway places and
human rights in their own community; furthermore, they
will learn how to bring those ideas alive for their
students. Join and pretty soon you'll be sharing your
ideas and presenting workshops. Global Source could
help keep your teaching torch burning.
—Teacher, Spectrum Community School
Participating
in Global Source workshops, professional dialogues,
and teaching collaborative has enabled me to interact
with an extraordinary cohort of fellow educators on
an intellectual level not afforded to most teachers
during regular school hours. I always leave their functions
feeling professionally and personally rejuvenated, nourished,
and supported. The immense support and encouragement
I have received from this intensely professional group
of educators has enabled me to find the courage needed
to continue my most important work as a teacher: encouraging
participatory democratic citizens to find new ways of
living with one another in a global age.
—Social Studies Teacher, Kamiak High School
"This
Institute superceded my expectations. I anticipated
a stimulating experience but somehow I feel the actual
experience of the Institute was a transformative one.
I wish to praise Global Source for the superb organization
of materials, speakers, events, etc. More importantly,
beyond the educational value of the composite experience,
was a feeling, an essence of fellow-feeling that seeped
into each day and the total 5 day experienceÉAt a time
of personal review of my commitment to effective education
(i.e. education that is engaging and passionate), this
program fills me with a deep sense of a renewed commitment
to an engaged teaching style."
—5th Grade Teacher, Commack Elementary
"I
was impressed with the consistent attention to balancing
opinions and exploring the topic from a variety of perspectives."
—10th Grade Teacher, Jackson High School
"I
was probably looking forward to this class more than
any other class IÕve taken; often, when your expectations
are very high, you are easily disappointed. I was never
disappointed during this program. There was such a wealth
of knowledge imparted from so many sources —anyone,
regardless of their teaching assignment, would benefit
from this program. I feel fortunate that I was able
to be here. I also feel motivated to learn more and
teach more, and somewhat obligated not to waste this
opportunity."
—8th Grade Teacher, Evergreen School
"This
was an amazing professional development experience!
I have taken numerous graduate classes and workshops
in my eleven years of teaching this was one of the best,
if not the best! Jon, Tashi, Thinley, and Larry were
very welcoming and knowledgeable. We were introduced
to an incredible array of resources on the Tibetan issue,
as well as many teaching ideas and materials. I also
appreciated the opportunity to share with other educators
and to reflect on my own teaching practice."
—Education Magnet Program Director, Edison High School
"The
workshop was by far the most interesting, inspiring,
and elucidating event that I have ever attended. So
thank you for your efforts —I am filled with admiration
and appreciation for the work that you have chosen to
pursue. The collection of materials and the bibliography
that you have developed are just amazing, and your enthusiasm
for teaching and your broad view of social issues are
really most inspiring."
—Librarian, Hood River County
"I felt this was my ideal institute. With 8 years of
professional development and teaching, this was the
ideal blend of content, curriculum, authentic voices,
and sharing. It was very well organized with an incredibly
complex agenda and several venues. The staff made themselves
readily available to the participants who came from
all over the US. The institute reinforced my belief
that teachers and students need a variety of mediums
and doors of entry to be engaged in a subject. That
authentic stories and materials provide the learner
with room to develop their own feelings about a situation,
yet have a powerful resonance that second-hand material
just doesn't have." —Manager Museum Teaching and Learning, American Museum
of Natural History, New York, NY
"You
have so much great information and resources to pass
on. All opportunities for teachers to access these would
be great."
—Teacher, Woodward Middle School
"Hi
Jon, I just wanted to let you know that a colleague
of mine took your Heritage course and has wonderful
things to say about it! She said that she would like
more high quality professional development like your
course. She felt that it was extremely interesting and
beneficial. Afterwards she incorporated some of your
materials into the high school reading courses that
she was teaching. The feedback that she received from
the students at the end of the year indicated that their
experiences with that material were some of their most
memorable. You are positively impacting kids! Well done!" —ESL Teacher, Bellevue School District
"This
week's program was of the highest quality. Every single
speaker was an articulate expert who opened doors to
further study of the overall topic. The leaders clearly
know the field and resources and desire to enlarge the
circle of educators who are involved in helping students
work on the real world today. The leaders brought out
the members of the group in a process parallel to an
exciting classroom. More teachers must be alerted to
this amazing opportunity."
—6th Grade Teacher, The Overlake School
"It was a wonderful introduction and more to the
issues surrounding globalization and its application
to my class. I was very impressed with the number and
variety of topics and speakers. Wow!!"
—7th Grade Teacher, Washington Middle School
"To
be part of this program was like accepting an invitation
to dinner and then being ushered in a feast of unimagined
richness. Just when we thought we had sampled it all,
another course would arrive. Then we're sent off with
the world's most impressive doggie bag (in the form
of extensive resources) It was really a gift & privilege
to be part of this experience."
—English as a Second Language Teacher, Field School
"I'm still flying high after the institute. It was
wonderful!"
—6th Grade Teacher, Cabot School
"This was far beyond my expectations. I had no idea
that so many experts would talk to us and that Tibetans
from all over the world would be able to come talk to
our group. History came alive. This is the best course
I have ever taken in my 21 years of schooling. Thank
you."
—Principal, Edison High School
"Thanks
so much for your commitment and hard work. It certainly
paid off. I wish the best for Global Source. Your energy
and thoroughness are extraordinary and the program showed
it. This work is impressive and deserves to continue
with support."
—Deputy Director, Smithsonian Center for Folklife Programs
and Cultural Studies
"I am still on a high from the workshop! It was phenomenal.
I have already had about 10 phone calls and comments
that it was the best workshop people have ever been
to."
—Teacher Instructional Services Coordinator, Minneapolis
Public Schools
"I would like to take the time to thank you for the
excellent presentation you did on Approaching Buddhist
Studies in K-12 Education at the February workshop.
I found the opportunity to share ideas with other educators
to be very worthwhile. I also enjoyed the excellent
materials you provided us for our classroom use. Thank
you for the wonderful opportunities this conference
provided us."
—Teacher, Meridian Junior High
"I
attended the workshop on studying Buddhism in the classroom
and found it immensely interesting and useful to me
as a classroom teacher. The students were particularly
interested in the mandalas and in the article about
the [11th Panchen Lama] youngest political prisoner.
Thanks again for an informative day."
—Teacher, Chinook Middle School
"Through
my conversations and meetings with Jon I feel that he
has been able to provide our children with those areas
of global education that I have wanted emphasized during
this [Religious Diversity] unit of study. His knowledge,
resources, and ideas have been invaluable to us. I hope
other schools and districts understand how important
it is to provide children at a young with experiences
that allow them to understand the beauty and richness
of diversity. Jon Garfunkel is certainly doing a wonderful
job in helping to provide services and curriculum which
will help teachers organize a global awareness program
in their schools."
—Second-Third Grade Teacher, The Evergreen School
"Thanks
for all of your help with my unit of Buddhism. I am
amazed at how much we accomplished in just two weeks.
You said we could do it, and we did. Our time together
was extremely productive —and lots of fun. My students
enjoyed your classes, tremendously...You inspired me
with your materials, your knowledge and your excitement."
—High School Teacher, The Bush School
"I was truly impressed with the richness of both
the content and the pedagogy of your institute...Your
notebook [Tibet Institute Course Handbook] has to be
the best resource for teaching about Tibet in existence!"
—Senior Program Director, Primary Source
"The overall package [Presenting Tibet: A Slide Package
for Educators] looks wonderful
—glad we bought it for
the department." —Teacher, Delone High School
"Thank you very, very much. I have downloaded the curriculum...
including your wonderful 2 week debate and the simulation
on the WTO and China. I teach 9th, 11th and 12th grade...and
will be using some of the curriculum this Spring. Keep
up the wonderful work."
—Teacher, Thomas Jefferson High School
"This
journey for the past week has given me a glimpse (snapshot)
of the land, culture, and people. Through this short
time, I have experienced a thoroughfare of emotions:
happiness, sadness, pain. This experience has not only
educated me on the specifics but has also brought me
as a fellow human being closer to the spirit of those
who have lived to tell history. The organization and
thoughtful planning were apparent and allowed the group
to see and experience many things. As an educator with
'easy-to-use' curriculum, it is easy to grab worksheets
and texts and do the work. From this experience, I have
not only gained materials, but I have been encouraged
to teach from the heart."
—English Language Learner Teacher, Edison High School
