Global Ambassadors
A worldwide network of innovative educators
Are you an innovative educator? Do you want to connect with other amazing teachers from around the world? Apply to become a PenPal Schools Global Ambassador!
As a Global Ambassador you will:
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Connect
Access ambassador-only forums and events to learn new skills and grow your professional network. |
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Lead
Introduce PenPal Schools to colleagues in your school, online, and at conferences. |
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Shine
Showcase your global classroom on our blog and in the news! Watch an ambassador on the news! |
Apply to become a Global Ambassador today, or learn more about the perks and responsibilities.
MEET OUR GLOBAL AMBASSADORS
Keep scrolling, or check out this map to see our ambassadors around the world!
ASIA
OCEANIA
EUROPE
Diana Molenschot The Netherlands Skills Lab and IT Teacher Ages 4-12 |
Özgü Öztürk Turkey English Teacher High School |
Natalia Tkachenko Ukraine English Teacher Ages 12-17 |
NORTH AMERICA
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Michelle Anderson, Iowa, USA
Global education is necessary for our future children to understand, empathize and help others around the world. We are all interconnected so it is imperative to understand one another's culture, situations and perspectives. |
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Kathryn Andries, Kansas, USA
I think now more than ever it is important for kids to gain a more global perspective of the world. Students become more compassionate when they learn how other people may be suffering throughout the world. When students learn about different cultures, their awareness grows. They not only see how different their lives are compared to others, but they also see the similarities that link people from across the continent together. |
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Ian Bates, Ontario, Canada
Every year our world becomes increasingly smaller and more interconnected. Through the use of technology we can teach common values and bridge the gaps that divide us. It's important for students to be exposed to other cultures to learn from each other's perspectives and recognize how similar we all are. |
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Stephen Blan, Texas, USA
Thanks to technology global education is possible to the masses. Typically, American students are globally ignorant. To solve problems the world is and will be facing will require us to work with people of other cultures. From an early age, students need to be exposed to other perspectives and learn to appreciate those perspectives. I personally was not exposed to other cultures until college when I was able to travel abroad. I met amazing people who thought differently than me. I want to help my students have similar experiences at a much younger age. PenPal Schools helps me do that. |
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Colleen Breen, Pennsylvania, USA
I have been teaching World Geography for over 10 years and I love opening up my students eyes to the world we live in. I want them to understand that they are not just citizens of the US but global citizens. |
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Leticia Citizen, California, USA
@citizensowls Global Education has become a passion of mine within the past four years. It started with Mystery Skyping/Hangouts with my students. I was blown away with how connected my students felt and the excitement behind them meeting and learning with students across the US and the world. It opened their hearts and minds to someone other than themselves. I strongly believe in learning and connecting #beyondthe4walls of our classroom. In addition, meeting others around the world has helped my students grow in empathy and understanding about experiences of others while widening their perspective on real-world situations. |
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Merinda Davis, Utah, USA
I have been teaching for eight years and have a Masters degree in Global Studies in Education. In that time I have had some incredible opportunities for myself and for my students. After discovering the world of international professional development I have been able to travel around the world learning about international education systems, cultures, and setting up international exchanges for my students. My goal is to help my students become active global citizens who are citizens who are empowered to make a positive impact on the world. |
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Erica DeRosa, New Jersey, USA
As a teacher and as a mom, I believe that one of the best gifts we can give to our children is twenty-first century knowledge, skills, and understanding of world cultures, global issues, and international current events. These lessons will help our kids navigate a complex and ever changing world with open minds and hearts to support world-wide environmental, economic, and political sustainability, encourage deeper understanding and respect for all people, realize that our similarities far outweigh our differences, and promote peace and unity to improve life in our world. |
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SJ Drummond, Virginia, USA
@DrummondSj Because education is not limited to the 4 walls of the classroom, the campus, the town--or even the country--in which you live. The best way to learn about something is to do it if you can, but connecting with others around the globe can be the next best thing. Global education is an excellent way to gain 2nd hand knowledge in a 1st hand way! Many students may have never had the opportunity to travel beyond their city or county, global education changes that. It allows children to access a world that may be unlike anything they've ever experienced--or they may find it surprisingly familiar. Either way they are expanding their knowledge base and, at the same time, gaining valuable perspectives on the world around them. |
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Samantha Dutton, North Carolina, USA
I am passionate because I think it is important for kids to recognize the world and the cultures that are around them. |
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Sarah Enger, Illinois, USA
@MrsSarahEnger I am passionate about global education because it promotes student growth, for the whole-student, which enhances a positive behavioral mindset change. The students are collaboratively learning key topics, sharing and commenting thoughts, ideas and questions through research and communication from their PenPals. Global education is making a transformation not only in the technology field, but it allows students to discover what is beyond their front steps; while building relationships and perspectives globally. It teaches students that each and everyone matters and is important. Connections are the "building blocks" of a learner, and global education is a new way of creating the "building blocks" of tomorrow. Most importantly, global education is authentic learning, where students are not only having interactions within the walls of their own community with others and responses, but globally. |
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Shelley Emslie, Montana, USA
We literally have two stoplights in our town. I try to get my students to see outside the four walls and two stoplights. I grew up traveling, so I see the value in exposing kids to different places. Our town is very grounded and has many roots, but I want to give my students exposure to the world beyond it. |
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Bill Ewing, Pennsylvania, USA
Reaching beyond the classroom walls to make global connections allows for a broadening of perspectives and a deeper understanding and appreciation for other peoples and cultures. This also allows for a richer and deeper sense of connection in life. |
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Tasia Fields, Chicago, Illinois, USA
@greatmindsteach As an educator, it is important that I try to provide my students with the most equitable learning opportunities possible. This is impossible to do without having a global learning opportunity. Technology and PenPals are helping to make that possible for students everywhere. |
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Sarah Fox, North Dakota, USA
@MrsFoxs3rdgrade Many of my students will never leave the city or state they currently live in. PenPal Schools allows them to visit the world outside without leaving the classroom. |
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Susan Hellard, Kentucky, USA
@MrsHellardFCPS I am passionate about finding a way for my students to share their voices outside of our community. I want them to know that what they have to say is important. I also want them to learn to value the opinion of others as they grow and change their own thinking on larger topics. |
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Marisol Hood, California, USA
@teachpatience Our schools are an amalgamation of different cultures; it is only fitting that our educational system is constructed the same way. |
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Deanna Horsens, Montana, USA
@TechnovatorEDU Global education brings awareness to worldwide political, economic, and social issues, that may not be directly affecting our secluded community or homogenous population. Many of our students never travel outside of Montana yet they grow up in a world that is so closely connected by technology. It is vital for them to see where they fit into the big picture and how they can influence the future of the human race and the entire planet. |
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Melissa Jankowski, Massachusetts, USA
@murphski7 I want my sixth graders to be able to improve both their critical thinking skills and their problem solving skills. They need to be exposed to global issues and become active learners in order to gain understanding of our globally connected world. |
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Natzyelly Keane Gonzalez Garcia, Mexico
Global education is the key for success in our students. It has been a big part of my teaching, because it provides our students with the opportunity to share their culture and learn from others as well. They can be in touch with people from all over the world regardless the distances. |
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Gary Kolenbrander, Texas, USA
@mrkteacher Global education provides a foundation for global citizenship, which in our increasingly connected yet culturally fractured world should be a centerpiece of social-emotional growth - to outgrow the concept of "the other" and see all fellow human beings as related and connected on a continuum of experience, so as to foster improved understanding and relations among nations and people. |
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Cleva Garner, South Carolina, USA
We live on one planet connected through all systems. The connections we make on a global level brings awareness that we need and depend on each other through our likes and differences to make our home (the planet Earth) safe for all. |
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Karen Hall, North Carolina, USA
Understanding point of view and embracing diversity are key tools needed for students today to become leaders tomorrow. |
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Missy Halcott, Pennsylvania, USA
@halcottmstech I used PenPal Schools last year with my 3rd grade class and I love that they got exposure to kids all over the world. Getting those perspectives was powerful for them. I liked that it helped them expand their communication skills. |
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Kaleigh Henrikson, Canada
I believe that global collaboration is the way education is going, and find it very valuable for students learning. This is not something students can find or read about in a textbook. Global collaboration offers for real world, rich and engaging learning that will make students more aware of what is in the world around them. |
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Kate Ippensen Mississippi, USA
I am so excited about global education because it gives my kids a view of the world outside of their small town. For my kids, their world is largely consumed with gangs and violence. Many have never been outside of their county, much less Mississippi. This gives them perspective and helps them to dream of being more than their town's expectations. |
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Aprilanne Lynch, Illinois, USA
@lynchified_422 I am passionate about global education because our current students (and even former students!) are now living in a very global, competitive world. With the advancement of technology in our society, students of all ages are now more aware of academic and social issues that are happening around the world and they need to as soon as they can begin to learn and understand that their own needs and issues are a part of the world too. In addition, if students are doing programs such as Pen Pal Schools, then this allows them to participate as a world citizen and this can lead to more leaders in the future that can help solve many of our global problems and issues. |
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Kristin McWhorter, Arizona, USA
When we connect with people in other parts of the world, we are opening ourselves and our students up to opportunity to not only share cultural and social differences but to find the commonalities that remind us how we are all alike, connected and valuable to our world. |
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Jessica Medlin, Texas, USA
Our students "worlds" are smaller than they were when we were their age. Technology has been a huge cause of this. Due to "smaller worlds", our students have much greater opportunities. It is my job to expose students to all these opportunities. If I don't, I have failed them. The first step that must be taken in order for them to take advantage of these opportunities later in life is to educate our students about their world in an authentic way. Students must gain knowledge about other cultures and develop a respect and appreciation for them. This generation desires authentic and real connections. I am passionate about providing that for them. I had teachers that provided that for me throughout my education. It changed my life and made me who I am today. I want to pass that treasure on. |
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Amy Mosley, North Dakota, USA
Education is the key to success. Everyone should be entitled to the best education available. By sharing knowledge with people across the world allows everyone the opportunity to learn more. |
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Holly Pazos, Texas, USA
@MrsPazos Global education is important to me because I believe that my job as an educator is to help students develop an awareness of cultural diversity. Teaching students global empathy and seeing different perspectives for other cultures is the best part of my job as a teacher. |
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Anabelle Pena, Dominican Republic
I believe in collaborating. Global education opens my students minds, their brains, to different cultures. |
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Wendi Pillars, North Carolina, USA
Learning always seems to boil down to the human element, to relationships. And it just makes sense to extend that beyond the classroom walls. Learning with others helps adults and students alike make sense of a world that is at once huge and increasingly smaller, dispel myths, and diffuse stereotypes. I believe deeply in the power of one--one person, one comment, one idea, and one interaction--to shift a perspective.To me, that is magic. Whether we travel physically or virtually, the benefits of seeing through another's eyes, languages, experiences, and terrain, are unparalleled. |
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Steven Quinlivan, North Dakota, USA
Global education is extremely important especially in my classroom. Geography and Area Studies are two of the classes that I teach and my students learning about the globe and the people that live in certain areas is important. We live in a global society in which all of our products are affected by the rest of the world. We must protect the rest of the world in order to protect ourselves. We must learn about the rest of the world in order to become better humans. |
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Erika Paulina Villicaña Rodriguez, Mexico
I am passionate about global education because always its very rewarding to contribute with teachers and learners around the world. We can enrich our knowledge and support each others. |
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Gina Ruffcorn, Iowa, USA
@gruffcorn13 and @MsRsFunkyFives Our similarities bring us closer, our differences allow us to learn! By sharing our knowledge and experiences the world becomes a better place for all of us! |
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Mike Saltz, Washington, USA
I lived and taught abroad for 6 years. I bring that background into the classroom and believe strongly that if we're to survive and thrive as a species, we need global education. |
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Cynthia Sandler, New York, USA
@cynthiasandler We are in such a global world. We have so many resources and reasons why we should connect. How can you not? That's kind of the point, to break down barriers, work together, and be human together. |
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Joy Silva, California, USA
@joysilva17 Our students are global citizens. They need to know different perspectives so they can improve the world. By communicating with students from other parts of the world, they are able to understand how different events shape our world. |
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Paul Solarz, Illinois, USA
@PaulSolarz and @MrSolarz I try to support and promote as many great web tools as I can that I use in class and that my students enjoy. PenPal Schools was one that my students enjoyed earlier in the year and I look forward to using again to end the year and further promote strong global perspectives within my students |
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Stacey Spears, Kentucky, USA
@Stacey__Spears I believe we all can learn a lot from each other. It's important to understand other cultures, beliefs, and perspectives. Global education allows students to make important, relevant connections to others and deepen our understanding of global citizenship. Students get the opportunity to learn that the world is vast and made up of numerous different and unique groups of people. |
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Erin Vanacore, New York, USA
I am passionate about global education because learning about the world around us is one of the best ways to grow. In fact, that is what inspired me when I was a student. When I was in elementary school, I always loved looking at maps and studying geography. In middle school, I fell in love with studying foreign languages, which has continued through to present day. By the time I was in high school, college, and beyond, I was eager to take advantage of any cultural exchange overseas. Stepping outside of my comfort zone, meeting people from other parts of the world, experiencing different ways of life, and traveling have all expanded my horizons. Now, I work with students from all over the world since I teach English as a New Language (ESOL). I learn from them every day and I love it! |
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Sandy Wisneski, Wisconsin, USA
@stampcat2 Students from my community need to have the opportunity to expand their vision of the world since this is a small rural community of 7000. Global collaboration opens the doors to a diverse population with a variety of cultures and views. |
SOUTH AMERICA |
Greg Zugrave, Florida, USA
@coachzu Global learning is at the crux of education. All of my students will be affected by changes taking place in far flung places and come into contact with people from different places, cultures and lifestyles. I feel it is my duty to educate them about the world and its happenings. |
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Paula Aracena, Chile
I have experience sharing my culture through English Language with teachers from Russia,Turkey and Denmark. We have done snail penpals and skype web conferences. I´m really interested in show my students other realities and cultures, because they have difficult backgrounds and social danger families. |
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Jeidy Carolina Diaz Jaimes, Colombia
I love teaching and discovering with my students new and amazing cultures. |
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Michela Luiza Melo, Brazil
I think the experience of global education could bring us global cultural knowledge. |
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Flavia Nuñez, Uruguay
@alimavin As a teacher of English as a foreign language, I am constantly exploring new areas and techniques in the hopes of clarifying important issues in the classroom. Global education makes sense to me as a means to help students become better human beings, committed with the world, anxious about learning, and respecting other cultures. |
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Stella Maris Berdaxagar, Argentina
@smberdaxagar Global education is a way to decode the world in its diversity and be able to become globally aware of 21st century skills in action! |
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Miguel Perez, Venezuela
@maperezramos Global education brings us all together, just like it has to be. Through global education our students broaden their perspectives about culture, and they become more open-minded. Global education can definitely help us shape the citizens of the future. |
