by Beth Mckinney

Created on: December 06, 2009

The Teachers Without Borders Teacher Network provides training courses, global education resources and support to teachers throughout the world.

Teachers who have reliable access to the Internet can find free professional development, global studies curriculum and international recognition by joining the Teachers Without Borders Teacher Network. Teachers in regions experiencing emergencies, conflict or poverty can also benefit from Teachers Without Borders through the foundation's Community Teaching and Learning Centers. These CTLC's provide training, mentoring and other important educational and community health resources. By allowing both kinds of teachers to connect, Teachers Without Borders provides hope, inspiration and meaning everyone who has felt that powerful and inexorable tug to do great things for children, in the words of its founder, Dr. Fred Mednick.

Teacher Training Courses and a Global Studies Curriculum

Teachers Without Borders offers The Certificate of Teaching Mastery, a free teacher professional development program. Its five courses offer experienced K-12 teachers a global perspective that helps students succeed. The first course introduces educational theories and practical approaches to learning along with individual assessment. Other courses include Effective Management and Methods, which presents theme-based and cooperative learning; Assessment Practices, which offers practical help in curriculum development including student portfolios, problem-based learning, and rubrics; and Multicultural Practices, which focuses on cultural competency and discusses ways to create and sustain connections with classrooms worldwide. Teachers who complete the courses develop E-Portfolios, which serve as a tangible incentive for job advancement.

Teachers who would like to supplement their curriculum with materials from around the world can also find many resources at the TWB website. Several online groups, such as the Global Learning Portal or the Giraffe Heroes Project, provide websites, files and other resources that members can use to develop lesson plans, inspire research or share with colleagues. These resources will encourage students to become more aware of issues facing students in other countries and lead to a more global perspective.

Teacher Support Network

These groups also help teachers connect with other teachers throughout the world. Experience teachers can provide support to new teachers, and inspired teachers can refresh teachers who may be burning out. These connections may be among teachers facing similar issues, or they may occur between teachers whose classrooms differ geographically, politically and economically.

Since teachers often learn best from each other, TWB supports many local conferences and subject-matter or topic workshops. These conferences can be especially helpful to teachers in regions of conflict. The goal of these workshops is to give teachers dignity, respect and a sense of self-reliance, no matter where they practice their profession.

Teachers Without Borders exists so that teachers can to teach and nurture each other, whether they are emerging as teacher leaders or have already earned recognition. The organization has given teachers tools to gather wisdom and to become local heroes. Teachers throughout the world have profited from TWB's training, education and global resources, and many will benefit from its continued mission.

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