Greetings students, colleagues, friends and family! I will be keeping this blog to share my experiences as I travel to Russia with the Teachers for Global Classrooms program, TGC, sponsored by the US Department of State.
It was difficult to decide on a name for my blog. I wanted to use the word “global” , but it took me a while to find the right noun to go with it. At first, I was just trying to find something with a bit of alliteration to sound interesting with global. I tried out different words that started with a “g” and when the word, “gradients” popped into my head, it stuck. The more I thought about it, the more appropriate it seemed.
I looked up “gradient” in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. The simple definition said “a place where the ground slopes”. OK, I thought. That makes a nice metaphor. My learning, in regards to Global Education, has maintained a steep slope through the intensive on-line course and subsequent reading, research, and attempts at application. The full definition offered additional hints at an even more robust metaphor. Phrases like “Change in value per unit of distance” and “change in response with distance” inspired me to think beyond the mathematical implications. Related words included “ascent, climb, and rise”.
So, students, I hope to encourage your emerging global competencies. Colleagues, I hope to inspire collaboration and further support for global education in our school. And friends and family…..hey, come along for the ride!
It was difficult to decide on a name for my blog. I wanted to use the word “global” , but it took me a while to find the right noun to go with it. At first, I was just trying to find something with a bit of alliteration to sound interesting with global. I tried out different words that started with a “g” and when the word, “gradients” popped into my head, it stuck. The more I thought about it, the more appropriate it seemed.
I looked up “gradient” in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. The simple definition said “a place where the ground slopes”. OK, I thought. That makes a nice metaphor. My learning, in regards to Global Education, has maintained a steep slope through the intensive on-line course and subsequent reading, research, and attempts at application. The full definition offered additional hints at an even more robust metaphor. Phrases like “Change in value per unit of distance” and “change in response with distance” inspired me to think beyond the mathematical implications. Related words included “ascent, climb, and rise”.
So, students, I hope to encourage your emerging global competencies. Colleagues, I hope to inspire collaboration and further support for global education in our school. And friends and family…..hey, come along for the ride!