Global Education

The NAIS Global Initiative's Objective, as part of NAIS's larger sustainability initiative, is to assist independent schools in their efforts to nurture the skills and perspectives that help students become global citizens and global leaders, and to assist schools and their students in making contributions across borders.

To assist NAIS member schools in their quest for a more global future for their students, NAIS will nurture partnerships and provide resources within an international framework. - NAIS Global Initiatives Mission Statement

NAIS GLOBAL EDUCATION INITIATIVES Principles of Good Practice for Global Education This PGP was published in 2006. Challenge 20/20 Challenge 20/20 provides an opportunity for schools to develop international partnerships and to work toward real solutions to global problems.  The China Connection The China Connection program was developed in cooperation with HANBAN, a Chinese organization funded by the Chinese government. The goals of the program are to advance the teaching of the Mandarin Chinese language in schools in the United States and to provide schools with resources that will assist them in becoming more globally sustainable. Looking back: The 2004 Tsunami Relief Efforts  NAIS member schools in 2004 raised more than $2.7 million for tsunami relief efforts in southern Asia working with UNICEF and the American Red Cross.  Relief Organizations for Natural Disasters At this time, given the uncertainties of relief efforts in two of the three cases listed below, there are no plans for an NAIS-led drive to assist victims. But we wanted to provide up to date information on organizations your school can contact.

GLOBAL EDUCATION PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS NAIS Annual Conference Chicago 2009 (coming soon) The NAIS Annual Conference is the largest gathering of independent school leaders, administrators, and teachers. The conference provides for attendees opportunities for invaluable personal and professional networking, and for the attainment of practical skills and tools. In addition, it strives to be an event that spurs forward-thinking dialogue about the future that faces independent schools.  To read about past events, click here. Institute for Student Leaders (ISL) ISL Santa Ana (Costa Rica), June 22 - 27, 2008  The Institute for Students Leaders is a forum for developing global leadership.Student leaders come together to learn the skills they need in order to lead successfully in a global society. To read about past events, click here. Global Education Summit (GES) Chicago 2009 (coming soon) Leaders of independent schools around the world are invited to attend to share in the discussion at the NAIS Global Education Summit. To read about past events, click here or visit the Global Education Summit (GES) Homepage.

GLOBAL EDUCATION RESOURCES 101 Ways to Go Global and Green:  This resource provides tips and ideas for schools on how to become more globally and environmentally sustainable. Articles on Global Education:  This is a collection of articles on global and environmental sustainability. Global Education Resources: Independent School Models: Independent School Profiles: NAIS member schools that have integrated global elements into their programs provide excellent resources for other independent schools seeking to implement or enhance similar programs in their own institutions. This page leads to an ever growing collection of such school programs.    Organizations as Global Education Resources In this section, you will find a clearinghouse of organizations offering global education programs, resources, or services.  Global Education Presentations The following is a listing of presentations created by NAIS staff:  Educating 21st Century Citizens Global Citizenship Imperatives and Initiatives Independent Schools and Global Education World Class Math from the World's Math Classes This is a document that came out of the three hour workshop presented at the NAIS Annual Conference in New York on February 27, 2008.  An international working group of leading math teachers spent several months exploring whether there are common best practices suitable for use in independent schools.  The group reported its findings at this workshop.  Members of the group include:  Maarten Dolk, Freudenthal Institute (Netherlands); Stephen Evans (England), Maria Koziebrodzka, Sidwell Friends School (Washington, DC, USA); Xiao Enli, Fudan University (Shanghai, China). To view Stephen Evan's PowerPoint Presentation, click here. To view a document on Improving Teaching and Learning, click here. Global Education Listserve  This listserve provides a forum for independent school staff and faculty to exchange ideas and resources for global education. If you would like to sign up for the listserve, please select the Global Education Listserve on this page. If you have not already logged in to the NAIS website, you will need to do so first. For further assistance, please contact Ioana Suciu at suciu@nais.org. CONTACT Ioana Suciu, NAIS Associate Director of Global Initiatives at suciu@nais.org.