The Global Education Institute for Teachers, co-organized by UI International Programs (IP) and the Stanley Center for Peace and Security, is an annual professional development workshop for Iowa's K-12 teachers of all disciplines that focuses on international topics and issues of critical importance. Additionally, participants earn one license renewal credit. The program is offered at no cost to teachers and those who live outside a 50-mile radius of Iowa City may also receive free housing on the UI campus.  

According to Russ Ganim, associate provost and dean of IP, the Global Education Institute for Teachers is a highly successful program that strengthens ties between the University of Iowa and our state’s K-12 teachers. “In partnership with the Stanley Center for Peace and Security, the institute has provided professional development opportunities to teachers in many areas of international education. The benefits to instructors and students in terms of course development, project work, and study abroad is enormous. This signature program has been a staple of IP’s outreach activities for several years and is truly global in its impact,” says Ganim. 

The institute’s 2022 theme was Global Perspectives on Social Justice, presented by the UI Stanley Museum of Art and the UI College of Education. The day-long in-person class took place on June 14, and several virtual sessions were offered during June. 

“We are excited to partner with the Stanley Museum of Art and the Global Education program at the Stanley Center for Peace and Security to offer the Summer Global Education Institute: Global Perspectives on Social Justice, for Iowa teachers,” says Will Coghill-Behrends, co-director of the Linda R. Baker Teacher Leader Center in the UI College of Education.  “We know from teachers across the state that there is an incredible need to support their professional development and critical reflection on their practice and pedagogical content knowledge as they seek to create learning opportunities that build the global competencies of Iowa’s K-12 population. It’s so important, now more than ever, that we help kids learn about the world beyond them, that we engage them in perspective taking and sharing, that we build their capacity to sit with difference, that they acknowledge injustice when they experience or see it, and that they learn the skills to take action. These skills and this knowledge base are under assault across the nation, and, sadly, teachers are often the targets. The institute hopes to build a teacher capacity and community in solidarity, with an emphasis on social justice, equity, and peace and stability for all.” 

Comments collected from the 2022 program evaluation: 

• SO many resources! It was a great chance to stretch my perspective and knowledge base. Such important topics!
• I think this was an extremely valuable class. It would be beneficial to all teachers in light of our current divisive society.
• I think this is (a) topic that has not been addressed in my building and I would like to increase teacher awareness of the need and the benefits of becoming globally competent teachers.
• Very valuable professional development that re-framed my teaching perspective.
• Great class. I enjoyed the virtual plus the in-person classes. Thank you for all the valuable resources and books to expand my classroom library. I have found a way to integrate them into my English language arts, science, and social studies curriculum.