Ep 76 | Can Global Education Create Local Unity?

SPEAKER_01 0:00

This is what social studies and geography and civics do for children. They learn about their own uniqueness by learning about others, other cultures and other, you know, unique cultures. So they learn more about their language by learning another language.

SPEAKER_00 0:27

Welcome to the Voices United in Education podcast. Each week we showcase the teachers, administrators, and community members who go the extra mile to contribute to the success of every student in Escambia County. You'll meet the real people behind the titles and learn about the amazing resources to support every student's success. In between grocery shopping, work, and PTA meetings, we all wonder how we can make the world a better place. Okay, just kidding. But we do complain about the state of the world and hope that someone will make it better and that our kids will carry the torch. My next guest is Doing More Than Hoping. She's the executive director of an organization working towards more kumbaya and less division. Global Corner brings teacher-developed curriculum to classrooms in Escambia County, offering dynamic social studies programs. Today she's going to share how bringing the whole world to the classroom can bring skills and solutions to our hometown, sparking curiosity, facilitating connection, the passionate, the multilingual Vanessa Mays. Thanks for being here. Thank you, Meredith. It's a pleasure to be here with you today. I'm glad you're here. You're not supposed to laugh at your own interest. Just tough a responsibility. Well, you're doing a great job. And it's just such a cool, cool program. And I get excited talking about it with you, not just because you're so enthusiastic, but I just love the mission of it so much. Now, it's been a minute since a lot of our listeners have been in school. You know, not me, of course. I just graduated last year. So, but they may not know that social studies isn't offered in every school. Can you explain why it's missing?

SPEAKER_01 2:16

Well, I think that there was a real focus on STEM and STEAM because they were also subjects that perhaps were getting neglected a little bit. And so there was a push towards that. And so we have to make room. And unfortunately, social studies and geography got pushed back. I'm I'm no expert, but I think we were trying to balance things out a little bit. And why social studies? Why is it important? Well, I'm gonna I'm going to first start, I think, Meredith, with the definition of social studies. And the National Council for Social Studies defines geography as the promotion of civic competence, the ability to actively participate in society. And we are lacking greatly on teaching children these essential skills so they can gain the independence and success that they need in school and at work. What we found is that now more than ever, we are more interconnected and interdependent globally. And so what we're finding is that despite of that, we are putting social studies and geography and civics learning on the back burner. So this is a problem. We're trying to counter that. We've been doing that for the last 15 years because we understand how important it is to have our children learn about other cultures so they can be more not only aware about the world globally, but also self-aware. And we're also hoping to continue to develop children in a more comprehensive social, emotional skills. Those are the the development, we need to develop those skills in children. And we're not doing that. Well, what does that mean? What does that leave us with? Right? Where it's gonna leave us with a lack of human connection, a lack of empathy, a lack of understanding. And so when I say, and I always like to mention Mandela, Nelson Mandela, and he said that the most powerful tool or the most powerful weapon that we can use to change the world is education. And it is so true. So at the Global Corner, just we believe that it's essential and critical that children learn about world affairs, geography, and world languages so that they're able to understand and eventually appreciate, right?

SPEAKER_00 4:54

And I think every parent wants that for their kids. All the things that you just listened, like, you know, you mentioned the civic sense of responsibility, social connection, empathy. Those are all things that every parent hopes that their kid takes into the world. And so global competition, I think, for us to up our up our game.

SPEAKER_01 5:16

Look, I'm gonna share something with you because I thought these are some statistics that are really just mind-blowing. So in 2017, in the US, the American Council for International Education surveyed all the students that in the United States in 2017. And basically they just sought out to go state by state to find out how many children in the United States were learning a language a language other than their own English. And they found out that one out of every five students in the United States were actually learning another language other than their their own. And in at least two states, less than 10% of students were learning about world languages and world cultures in the United States.

SPEAKER_00 6:07

Wow.

SPEAKER_01 6:08

So this is alarming. I mean, to me, this is alarming. I mean, again, so what ends up happening in 2019, the World Language Advancement Reddit uh was enacted in the US. And that was basically to reduce basically the nation's deficit, right? In language capabilities. And so they chose to increase uh the number of um what they call biliterate young Americans.

SPEAKER_00 6:35

And because they believe that it's crucial to our nation's defense and also to our economic prosperity, which I don't think that's uh something that people think of when we think of like, let's increase our global awareness, let's increase our cultural connectivity. People don't think of, you know, the the US government's agendas when we think about connectivity and cultural kumbaya, right? And I think some might even argue, I want to get into what your program entails in just a second, but some may even push back so far to say, you know, why would we take time out to make room for social studies and learning about global cultures when we could be learning more about our American culture? And isn't it more American, if you will, to dive into more of English and more of, you know, this country than other countries? How would you respond to that sort of pushback?

SPEAKER_01 7:35

I think I can't think of anything more American and more patriotic than embracing other cultures and other languages. We are a, I want to say, not I I wouldn't say a melting pot necessarily. I I see it more like a salad. And we are all tossed together and we're different, but we can all exist and mixed up together. And so I can think of anything more American than to want to learn about all the people that make up our community. Because as you know, we're evolving and we're changing and we don't look the same and we don't sound the same as we did before. Yeah, that's true. And why wouldn't we want to give our children the opportunities to actually engage, you know, uh we are living in a global society right now? It's a globalized world. And if we don't give our children the skills that they need to compete in the world we're living now, then how can we say that we've done everything that we can to help our children succeed and be happy? You know, the overall welfare of a child's health depends on their socio-emotional development. Well, this is what social studies and geography and civics do for children. They learn about their own uniqueness by learning about others, other cultures and other, you know, unique cultures. So they learn more about their language by learning another language. And you know, the thing is the science is there backing all of this up, study after study and show, you know, they they show the benefits of language learning and social studies and civics and children. So why aren't we valuing that subject or those subjects just as we do math and science and all the other subjects? I'm not sure what the answer is, but I feel like we're leveling out a little bit. The Department of Defense here recognized that it's crucial and essential for our defense and our global prosperity, economic prosperity, to bring about programs that help children embrace languages and other cultures because they, our leaders, understand the importance and how crucial that is. So we've been doing it for 15 years. We understand the importance, and not only for children, but for adults. So we're committed. You know, we're committed to promote global competency and literacy. And we do this through our passport program. I mean, you're probably gonna ask me about how do we go about, you know, impacting our children. And unless you want me to go ahead and tell you a little bit about that.

SPEAKER_00 10:28

I think you might have to Yeah, I do want to jump into the passport program because that was the first glance into Global Corner that I got that just captivated me because I was able to be there when um it was the presentation was all set up and I got to see all those dozens of little eyeballs looking back at me and looking at all of the displays because it's very interactive. So I do want to talk about that. But the Department of Defense thing is so interesting to me because that's even where one of your grants comes from. And I thought that was so impressive. And additionally, talk to me about the origin of Global Corner. It came from, was it a Navy officer?

SPEAKER_01 11:08

She was first, one of the first women naval commanders. And she in 2007, she recognized that there was a lack of knowledge about the world. And so she decided to bring, to bring and to open up that, I guess, that line of of communication and brilliant. Well, basically, she understood that we had an that the community, the the adults in our community were not well aware or culturally aware. And and so from there, she realized that, you know, we needed to do something about it. And she created this incredibly, I mean, comprehensive, tactile, fun learning program. And it's called the Passport Program. We've been, we've been, we've taken children 90, over 90,000 children in Escambia counties through, you know, through virtual adventures. And so a lot of these children that we that we teach, you know, may never leave their neighborhoods. And so we recognize that we needed to bring the world to them. And that's how we do it. We're a team of six traveling teachers that get invited to schools and we do a half day program. You know, it's this is a K through fifth grade program. And the children are just so excited to explore. We start with a very basic introduction and overview of the country, all of the children together. We do really heavy on geography there on the overview, and we talk a little bit about what they're about to go through and what they're about to learn. And once we do that for 20 minutes, the introduction to that country, which this year is Mexico, which we're just having such a great time with, they break out into groups and start rotating. But and in each of the classrooms they rotate in will be one of our teachers is there set up with their trifolds and all of the chat keys and goodies that the kids can look at. And sometimes they can taste and touch. I'm not sorry, taste, smell and touch. We can't taste anymore. It's cool. So, and then they rotate. And so they're learning, for example, the first lesson they may go to would be the music and dance of Mexico. So they're learning about the different instruments being used, the different sounds. They learn how to dance, for example. They don't really have a national dance, but the hat dance is considered the national dance of Mexico. So they learn how to do the hat dance. They'll go to the arts and festival lesson next. And as they're rotating, they are getting their passport stamps. So at the end of their program, they will go home with a passport, and it has all the words that they've learned in that in the target language and stamps, obviously, to each of the lessons. And they take, they take the those homes. And teachers tell me that those kids carry those passports around all year long. Well, and they get to share it with their siblings and parents. So anyhow, so um art and festivals, how can you not? I mean, you can learn so much about a country, about a about a culture through its music, its art, it's dance, it's festivals. So children learn about, for example, the day of the child in Mexico, el día del niño. And so when we're teaching them about these festivals, you know, it's so fun to see these kids go, well, wait a second, I'm a kid. Why don't we celebrate it here? Right. So it's very important in Mexico that day as people actually take off work and they spend time and engage with their children. And so it's just fun to see kids reacting to and because they're making that connection with their own culture and their own way of life. Then they also go through. So that I I asked, I talked about music and dance, arts, um festivals. We talk about the indigenous peoples of Mexico, the tales and sites of Mexico. Because as you know, that what a great way to learn about the exciting history, right, of Mexico through the their indigenous peoples. And so also they, you know, like for example, I just we go in and we start talking to them about this invention, chocolate, chocolate. And they've never heard where did chocolate come from. They have no idea that it was, you know, I guess in a way invented by, you know, in Mes during in Mesoamerican, by the Mexica. But also some people say that the Olmec actually, the mother culture, were the ones that actually invented it. But of course, then the Mayans and the Aztecs, you know, took it to a whole different level. So anyway, they love learning about that. Never and you know, never make those connections before. And then, of course, the the beauty that comes from the lesson of a day in the life of a child. We we this year, we are presenting three children from three different parts of Mexico. One is from the northern part of Chihuahua, one is in the central Mexico City, and then of course the other child is from the Pen Yucatán Peninsula. And that is, I think, really a lot of the magic happens there because they really can start relating to children their age. And what they come out with is they recognize that they're that they have a lot more similarities than they do have differences with these children. And that I think is so powerful. You know, even though the whole point of this to me is letting a kid know that just because something may look differently or may sound differently, it doesn't mean that it's weird or bad. And I think that our program is able to really, really push that point through with the kids and really open their eyes and broaden their horizons, open their minds, really, and their hearts. And you start, and teachers will tell us they can see a difference in kids after we've come through the their schools. That's why they keep inviting us back, because they can see children working in a different way with each other, communicating in a perhaps kinder way. They understand more. They're not fearful because, as you know, fear really comes from a lack of of knowledge. Fear is the fear of the unknown. So, what we do is we come in and we say, no more fear. Let's look at the let's let's learn about the beauty of of this culture, this this year being Mexico. And they are sponges and they're and they're so open and excited and curious. And I'm just saying, let's capitalize on that curiosity. You know, let's capitalize on that. Because at the end of the day, children, we always say, Oh, children are the future. Well, then let's invest in children because they are hope. They are the only hope for our future. So let's invest in them. If we know that these areas of study are so important for the development of children and the progress and success of a country, of our country, not only socially but economically as well, then why aren't we valuing, you know, why aren't we valuing this type of education? So I'm hoping, and I know that we've I know that someone hurt us because we're so excited to be able to not offer the passport program to children, but we're also offering after school programs like the Let's Visit Japan program, which is a six-week intensive immersion in the in the language and the culture of that country. The kids have loved it. And I will share, I will share some numbers with you because it's quite striking and to see the the interest, the level of interest in these kids to, you know, their thirst to want to learn more about other cultures and languages.

SPEAKER_00 18:49

I had no idea there was an after-program, after-school program as well. The in-school program to me is just so captivating. You you said it perfectly. We're going on a virtual adventure. And I love the idea of seeing difference and nuance in their classmates and in their classmates' lives as adventure and not something to be afraid of. And so when we think of the words social studies, most of us will think of, oh, yeah, that was a map quiz I had in sixth grade. But really, it's if we think about it as connection studies, it has such a more weighted value because, as you said, we want our kids to not just be good students, but to be good future members of society that are contributing and being, you know, pillars, people that lead in our community and and hopefully contribute in a way that's that's meaningful. And how can you do that without the social aspect? Because in in real life, that is something that you have to have. So what a blessing it is for the teachers as well to for you to come in and do these immersions. How, how many is this like a whole day or is this a half day?

SPEAKER_01 20:06

The after school immersion program is a six-week program, and we go into one school for six weeks, an hour a week, and we work with those with children for an hour. And we've got six lessons that's broken down to. And so basically you're teaching them about origami and calligraphy and cultural and all the cultural aspects of of of Japan that are so important and food. They learn how uh how to eat with chopsticks, they learn the language of of of the country. And so, you know, it's so they love it, that it's so important too. And um, I have something to share with you. I was talking with my after-school teacher, because I also do want to let you all know that all of our teachers are just amazing and they're dedicated and they're knowledgeable, and they most of them have over 20 years of experience in the classroom. So I'm so grateful for them because you know, they're the face of the program and um they're loved. And so anyway, I shout out to the Global Corner team. So I'm sorry, I totally lost track as I just I think, oh yes, so the after school program.

SPEAKER_00 21:17

I yeah, how many hours is the in-school program?

SPEAKER_01 21:20

The in school is two and a half hours. Okay. Um, so it's a half-day program. But we just, you know, we go in, we could be in a school for two weeks. So it's large school, you know, we'll do all kindergarten Monday and Tuesday, and then first grade, second grade, third grade, and secondary. And you said it's K through five. K through five. And we have two separate programs, we know age appropriate and developmentally appropriate, right? A K through second and a third through fifth. So yeah, and the after school program is just a little bit different because the kids are there for an hour with Silky, who is our teacher who takes care of the afterschool program and she teaches it and she's amazing. But she came to me, we were talking, and I said, you know. Silky, every time she does the after-school program, we come together and we have so many. We share stories because there's so many great stories that come out of working with young people, as you know. And there's so many. So if we're like, today I had the best interaction with this young boy. And I said, Well, tell me about it. And she says, Well, we were talking about Japan and the idea of personal space and how, you know, in some cultures, it's okay to stand close to each other. Others' cultures don't necessarily prefer to stand back a little bit and just talking about how they greet each other. And, you know, and she was explaining that in the US, some of us or in other cultures might find the Japanese way rude or cold. But that's not the, that's that's just the cultural way. And so the children were just going through and they were doing exercises on the different types of greetings or or cultural or personal space issues, right? So for, for example, I don't know, you know, like myself or comes from a Caribbean country or a South American country, we don't have a notion of personal space. It doesn't exist, right? So anyway, we were going through that with the kids, and and then Silky says, and all of a sudden, this child's eyes just pop up, and she's and he says to me, Ah, okay. So I have this friend in my classroom, and every time he comes to talk to me, he gets really close to me. And he says, and I just thought that that was weird and strange. But now I understand that he's not being weird or strange, he's just being who he is. And this child was, you know, he came from he he came from another country and and another culture. And so he figured it out. He figured it out. He gave that child the space. He understood, now I understand, I accept you for who you are. I embrace you fully. That's me. So yeah, I just thought those are little, little things. So when I'm always asked, well, what problems are you solving? I'm saying, okay, well, you know, it's kind of hard to understand the whole value proposition because we're dealing with elementary school children, and most people just think, oh, it's just a fun program. But it's just so much more than that, you know?

SPEAKER_00 24:21

And so you have to see kids give them a little bit more credit. That, you know, that's the first thing. Thing one, give kids a little bit more credit. And when you realize that they have the capability, the capacity to absorb and apply these cultural lessons, then the value, I think, becomes a little bit more obvious because what you just described to me in that story was an anti-bullying story.

SPEAKER_01 24:45

Exactly.

SPEAKER_00 24:46

And what more does a parent want than for their student to be in a safe place? What more does their parent want than their student to not become the bully, right? How horrifying is that? And so this is so wonderful that this program is able to offer that. I know you had we're wrapping up pretty soon, but you had a few more things you wanted to share.

SPEAKER_01 25:05

So we surveyed, so the Scambia County surveyed these kids that were, you know, that are part of this after-school program, the Let's Visit Japan program. And we've got the results back. And it out of the 403 young participants, these were third through fifth graders, 82.6% of them agreed that the global corner program at their school made them feel more interested in languages and cultures than they were before. Wow. And we're talking about a program that's two and a half hours once a year, and an after-school program that's one hour a week for six weeks. So the other, the other number I wanted to share was that, you know, 56.8% said that they were very interested in learning about new cultures and languages after our programs. So the children, our future, have spoken.

SPEAKER_00 26:02

I love that. Now, a parent listening to this may really just be all in on the value that you've communicated. And maybe this is something that is close to their heart and they want to pass it on to their kids, but in between all the things that I mentioned in the intro, the grocery shopping and the, you know, adulting, it's a little, sometimes it can be a big, a big question mark, right? How can a parent advocate to get this program in their kids' school if it isn't already there?

SPEAKER_01 26:31

It's a great question because I don't even think it's a not only a parent's concern, also teachers are concerned, right? Because they want to be able to teach these things, but they don't have the time or the flexibility to. So that's where we come in and fill in the gap, right? So to parents, I would say, because I know that parents want the best for their children. They want them to be well-rounded, they wanted to have all the skills necessary to be successful. So they just need to ask their principal. You know, go to your principal's office or your vice principal and just ask, have we invited the global corner in this year? And if the answer is no, then you just need to call Vanessa at 850-332-6404, and we'll get you on the schedule. That's really easy. We do all the work, you know, all we ask the tea the schools to do is give us the space so that we can in turn create a beautiful space for their children to learn and to grow, you know, and ask the questions that a lot of them don't know how to ask because they're scared to.

SPEAKER_00 27:40

I love that. Thank you so much for sharing this. This is awesome. Thank you. Thanks for listening. Be sure to subscribe and share. Voices United in Education is a production of Scambia County Public Schools.