Global Wisconsin

Welcome to Global Wisconsin!

I cannot imagine a better way to showcase the many excellent international education programs in Wisconsin's schools than to tell their stories. That is what Global Wisconsin does: It tells nine different stories, ranging from year-long student exchange programs to a powerful one-week speakers' festival, from connecting elementary students in Wisconsin and Cuba through art and nature to a well-designed K-12 world language program and infusing cultural learning in the elementary curriculum. These are programs led by dedicated teachers and supported by strong administrators and school board members. The benefits for their students are documented in Global Wisconsin, and the joy of learning about the world with people from different cultural backgrounds is visible and contagious.

Many other schools in Wisconsin offer similar programs, and we understand that each story in Global Wisconsin stands for them. We will find ways to showcase as many of those programs as possible because we strongly believe in the power of good and positive examples. These stories are meant to encourage others who are interested in creating similar programs and to offer their students global learning opportunities. Global education builds the skills and knowledge necessary to compete in a globally competitive job market, and it ultimately leads to a more peaceful and interesting world.

Invited contributors will post discussions of various aspects of global education at regular intervals. Discussions will range from infusing global content into the curriculum to student exchange programs, from getting students, teachers, administrators, and community members involved in building global education programs in all schools to building strong world language programs from kindergarten to high school and college.

Please join this conversation by following this blog, posting frequent comments, and by sharing your insights with everyone in your community. Watch the inspiring videos in Global Wisconsin and don't hesitate to get in touch with the contacts listed for each program.

Again, welcome to Global Wisconsin!