To make a long story short....

About a year ago, I submitted an online application for the U.S. Department of State's Teachers for Global Classrooms (TGC) program, a professional development opportunity for middle and high school teachers aimed at globalizing teaching and learning in the classroom. I recognized the value in this immediately, and I bought into their mission wholeheartedly.

After a few months, I received a congratulatory email notifying me that I had been selected for the program.  I remembered applying for the fellowship, but unlike previous grants that I had applied for in the past, I forgot almost all the details.  The letter informed me that as part of TGC, I would participate in an online professional development course, attend two Global Education Symposia in Washington, DC, and travel on an international fellowship for a two or three week in-country visit.  It all seemed a little overwhelming, but I was in.

So here I am nearly ten months after receiving that initial email. I completed the rigorous yet rewarding eight-week course last fall.  I have attended one of the two Global Education Symposia in Washington, DC, with my principal, Mr. Trevor Jones, and next week I leave for...Ukraine.  I know.  It wasn't exactly my first choice, but that doesn't matter.  Over the years I have found myself in certain auspicious situations that have allowed me travel to one or two places.  Many times I've heard people comment with disbelief (and sometimes disgust) that they had never considered going to Country X.  Often I have responded with something like, "Then maybe you should."

Likewise, I had never considered Ukraine before, but how fortunate I am to be able to do so now.  I leave next week.  I will do my best to post comments and photographs and to interact with my students and with anyone else who has never considered Ukraine until now.  Won't you join me?