Each summer, International Programs (IP), in partnership with the Stanley Foundation, offers a professional development workshop for Iowa's K-12 teachers focusing on international topics and issues of critical importance. Over the years, institute themes have included Fragile Economies; Understanding Nigeria; Understanding the Middle East; The US/Mexico Border and Immigration Policies; and Terrorism and Mass Media.
In 2011 and 2012, inspired by the introduction of the new Iowa Core Curriculum and its focus on global literacy concepts and 21st century skills, the institute turned its attention to global education, with a goal of preparing teachers from across the state to infuse global perspectives into their classrooms.
The summer institute is a professional development opportunity. The director of the Summer Institute for Teachers is Dr. Greg Hamot, a professor in the UI College of Education and the director of the UI Center for Human Rights.
