The project is funded by the Longview Foundation for internationalizing teacher education.
PROVIDENCE and KINGSTON, R.I. – Jan. 28, 2022 – The University of Rhode Island and Providence College have begun a collaborative project, Preparing Globally Competent Teachers – Rhode Island and Beyond, aimed at building a consortium among teacher education institutions and local K-12 community partners, to bring systematic focus to the global initiatives that inform teacher practices.
The project has begun recruiting and will kick-off in March 2022. It is funded by the Longview Foundation for international teacher education, with a grant award of $24,959.
Rabia Hos, associate professor of TESOL/Bilingual-Dual Language Education at URI; Laura Hauerwas, professor of elementary/special education at PC; and Nuria Alonso-Garcia, professor of global studies at PC, are the leaders of the grant and the collaborative.
“We, as educators in teacher preparation at Providence College and the University of Rhode, intend to lead the conversation about globalizing education in Rhode Island and are committed to reframing global engagement through a local lens,” said the collaborators in a joint statement.
Hos added: “This is a great opportunity to collectively embrace our shared responsibility and accountability for actions that impact both local and global education communities, engage in ‘glocalized’ (reflecting both local and global considerations) dialogue, and take action to implement sustainable and socially just education futures for all.”
Alonzo-Garcia said: “We work toward an education system that disrupts inequities and prepares students to be global citizens who take action for the common good in local and international communities. This transformation requires a change of mindset and pedagogy, which must start with intentional and sustained professional development for faculty, education leaders in our underserved communities and Rhode Island Department of Education professionals.”
The intent of the project is three-fold: 1) to advance practices that account for and reflect the cultural wealth and expertise of our local communities; 2) to foster reciprocal school-community partnerships; and 3) create a consortium among K-16 educators that bridges the silos across disciplines and provides opportunities for mentoring and growth.
“We envision infusing professional learning on teaching for local competence in education preparation communities at PC and URI, hosting an inaugural summit in July in a hybrid format for K-16 educators and community members, and integrating learning into our mentoring of clinical educators and beginning teachers,” said Hauerwas.
The Longview Foundation seeks to build a more peaceful, just, and sustainable world by equipping youth with a global perspective and understanding of political, social, and environmental issues worldwide, by supporting teacher preparation, state initiatives and coalitions, and innovative programs focused on internationalizing education in the United States. Founded by William L. Breese, the Longview Foundation has been helping young people in the United States learn about world regions and global issues since 1966.
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