By Blake Jackson
The Global Teach Ag Network (GTAN) at Penn State has been honored with the Bringing the World to Pennsylvania: K-16 Collaboration Award from the Pennsylvania Council for International Education. This prestigious award recognizes GTAN’s role in integrating global perspectives into Pennsylvania’s educational system through innovative partnerships between K-12 schools and higher education.
Founded in 2014, GTAN is a part of Ag Sciences Global within the College of Agricultural Sciences. Its mission is to empower educators by providing research-based professional development in the areas of global agriculture and food insecurity. GTAN aims to equip educators with the tools and knowledge to incorporate global perspectives into their teaching, ultimately fostering informed, engaged, and empathetic students who are prepared for global citizenship.
GTAN has built a robust network of over 25 partner organizations from academia, the private sector, and NGOs, creating a dynamic exchange of resources and best practices to support educators worldwide. The network has offered numerous professional development opportunities for current K-12 educators, including the Fulbright-Hays programs, which offer educators international immersion experiences in countries such as Korea, Malaysia, and Uganda.
For future educators, GTAN provides a range of programs that enhance global understanding, including a food security-focused program with international immersion and a residency experience. Other initiatives include an embedded course on indigenous knowledge and agricultural education with travel to Belize, alongside internship opportunities with GTAN.
“By equipping both current and future educators with the skills and knowledge to integrate global perspectives into their teaching,” said GTAN co-founder Melanie Miller Foster. “GTAN hopes to foster generational impact that will empower students to become informed, engaged and empathetic members of the global community.”
“Educator professional development is one of the most powerful ways to scale up youth impact for both immediate and sustained, generational change,” said GTAN co-founder Daniel Foster, associate professor of agricultural and extension education. “Looking ahead, we envision GTAN continuing to serve as a hub for innovative collaboration, inspiring educators to embrace global perspectives and preparing the next generation to address the complex challenges of our interconnected world.”
For more information, visit the GTAN website.
Photo Credit: penn-state-college-of-ag-sciences
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