Parent Teacher Magazine Union County Public Schools November 2014 | Page 4

Five UCPS teachers recognized for global education

Five Union County Public Schools teachers earned recognition Monday,
Sept. 15, 2014, for their efforts in bringing globalization into their
classrooms.
The teachers, all in the fourth cohort of Union County Global
Teacher Leaders, were recognized during the Global Education Recognition
Ceremony held at Central Academy of Technology and the Arts. They were
selected through an application and portfolio process.
In order to be selected, teachers had to meet criteria and were judged
in a point system, which reflected their dedication to global education and
how they incorporated global themes within their classrooms and schools.
Portfolios were judged by the school system’s Globalization Committee
comprised of teachers and administrators from around the county.
The teachers are Amy Jackson (East Elementary), Gabriel Oprea
(South Providence), Jennifer Mao (Walter Bickett Education Center),
Jennifer Whitley (Forest Hills High) and Meredith Sizemore (Porter Ridge
Elementary).
“Thank you for being a living example of global education,” said UCPS
Superintendent Dr. Mary Ellis. “That starts in the classroom and teaching
Five UCPS teachers were recognized during the Global
them an appreciation for others who don’t always look like them. They see
Education Recognition Ceremony. From left, Amy Jackson
it modeled in your classrooms. You make a difference in so many ways.”
(East Elementary), Jennifer Mao (Walter Bickett Education
This is the fourth year that UCPS has recognized global education. The
Center), Meredith Sizemore (Porter Ridge Elementary), UCPS
recognitions result from the Global Schools Program designed to encourage
Superintendent Dr. Mary Ellis, Jennifer Whitley (Forest Hills
educators to bring global education to the classroom.
High) and Gabriel Oprea (South Providence).
The Global Education Recognition Ceremony opened with a video
presentation produced by Thomas Kohlbrenner, the film production teacher at Cuthbertson High School. It celebrated the global education
being taught across the UCPS system.
Leslie Craven, the CATA band director,