A Global Learning Network
Bill Powell, a friend and mentor, often used to pose a question: What are we going to learn today? The past few months have been complex and challenging for educators, students and families worldwide; and we are learning a lot. I have appreciated the conversations that have supported colleagues worldwide and the leadership that has sustained international school communities. We recognize the seriousness of this shared global health situation and the challenges many schools are facing; we also witness the strength, empathy and creativity of international educators in the WIDA network.
As WHO Director Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus observed: “Let hope be the antidote to fear. Let solidarity be the antidote to blame. Let our shared humanity be the antidote to our shared threat.” As we try to navigate the current media cycle it is important to recognize the difference between facts and fears. And when we encounter bias or nationalist rhetoric, we need to be mindful, courageous and honest in our own responses. We are all in this together.
In this newsletter, you’ll find resources to serve the global education community. We offer online learning opportunities to help teachers continue to build capacity to serve their students, and to connect with other teachers virtually. We share some principles of effective learning to keep in mind when working with multilingual learners. As we know, teaching and learning in a virtual environment is very different from face-to-face and requires extra care for educators to recognize and scaffold the assets that multilingual learners bring to the online classroom. I wish you well over the next month; stay informed and stay connected.
Kolay gelsin*,
Jon Nordmeyer, Director
*Turkish: May things come easily to you
