Background
Premise
Educators are members of a global profession educating the world's children, but
this reality is neither recognized nor acted upon by the majority of educators and
educational policy makers. As a result, educators are less effective and students
poorly prepared for life in an interdependent world.
One strategy, to assure educational policy and practice is changed so students are
better prepared for their future, is to cause educators and education policy makers
to interact with peers and colleagues in other societies. Through these interactions
participants recognize that teaching and teacher education are global professions
through understanding the:
- Worldwide commonality of educational issues and proposed solutions,
- Value of learning from colleagues in all cultural contexts to inform practice, and
- Necessity to act on the profession's obligation to ensure all children have access
to educational opportunity.
EducatorsAbroad Ltd.
EducatorsAbroad (EA) provides an infrastructure through which interaction among
educators in different cultural settings is nurtured so that a global perspective
is integrated into educational policy and practice.
EA faculty (a global network of professional educators)
work together to foster cross-cultural understanding and develop the professional
abilities of educators. They achieve this goal through close working relationships
with accredited universities and host schools worldwide and active participation
in international education organizations such as the
International Society for Teacher Education (ISTE) and International Council on Education for Teaching (ICET).
EA faculty started by directing the Moorhead State University, Minnesota Student
Teaching Abroad (STA) program (1987-1988) and in 1989 began the Pacific Region Student
Teaching (PRST) program that became Global Student Teaching (GST) of the University
of Minnesota, Morris Office of Continuing Education (UMM). In 2005 UMM transferred
responsibility for management and operation of GST to EA and in 2008 chose to again
direct the GST program in-house.
Throughout this time, and now as an independent provider of worldwide teaching internships
and educational programs, EA faculty have served 2874 participants from 133 colleges
and universities through placements in 872 schools in 66 countries. Currently we build
on our 20+ year experience to serve participants through a continually expanding
global network of professional educators and updated policies and procedures.
It is as a result of the commitment of exceptional educators who live and work in
many countries that EA programs are globally respected and effective in fostering
the personal and professional development of educators and in stimulating action
that improves education at local, regional, and international levels.
Invitation
We invite you to join us as we continue to improve current offerings and develop
new initiatives through which pre and in-service educators can increase their understanding
of our global profession and help ensure all young people have opportunity for an
enriching education.