EDUCATORS
Educators are critical partners in empowering global citizens from around the world as lifelong leaders of positive change. We collaborate with schools to bolster their global education offerings and provide opportunities for professional development using the GCI Method.
The GCI Seminar
for Educators
The Seminar is a 6-day residential professional development program for secondary school educators and administrators. The Seminar's unique program not only exposes participants to an ethics-based leadership curriculum, but also to peers from around the globe. From 2018 to 2023, past participants included educators from Brazil, Egypt, Japan, Jordan, South Africa and United States, and more. During the program, participants also engaged with and observed secondary school students participating in the GCI Summit.
OBJECTIVES
Secondary school educators and administrators are exposed to Discussion-Based Learning, Design Thinking and Human Connectivity (the GCI Method©). This is an ethics-based leadership curriculum grounded on project and discussion-based methodologies, for educators who want to instill global competence in their students and:
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Explore powerful communication skills—active listening, critical thinking, self-reflection, respectful debate—through Discussion-Based Learning sessions facilitated by Harkness® experts
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Learn the basics of Design Thinking, the innovative problem-solving framework that focuses on better understanding and empathizing with the communities whose needs are meant to be addressed, resulting in more effective, appropriate solutions
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Hear from inspirational speakers on topics related to social entrepreneurship, leadership, ethics and global citizenship
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Share classroom experiences, best practices, challenges and insights while establishing meaningful relationships with other educators from around the globe
OUTLINE
The Seminar is an intensive program combining interactive workshops, observation of students in action at the Summit and periods of reflection to consider integration of various techniques in the classroom.
Educators:
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Observe students in action during a Discussion-Based Learning class (Harkness® Session)
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Participate directly in a Harkness® Session, Design Thinking Workshop and a leadership case study
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Join a collaborative session on ethics
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Engage with students as they present their "Glocal" Service Projects (GSPs)
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Explore the Scottish East Coast during a half-day excursion
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Develop a project proposal using the GCI Method©
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Connect with peers from around the globe, first as part of a small cohort, then as part of the larger GCI community
Harkness® is a registered trademark of Phillips Exeter Academy.
"As we educate the citizens of tomorrow, preparation for living in a global community, and for doing so in a positive, constructive way, is essential. Bravo to the Global Citizens Initiative for taking on these challenges."
Dr. Howard Gardner
Hobbs Professor of Cognition and Education
Harvard University
"My experience in Scotland was perhaps the best professional development I have had after 25 years of teaching in the US and abroad. The assembled presenters and facilitators were all top notch, encouraging me to deeply reflect on my own practice. I have returned to my classroom already applying and sharing what I have learned. The work GCI is doing—one student, one educator, one classroom at a time—is invaluable."
Robert Moeny
U.S. English Department Head, IB English Teacher
Casablanca American School