Global experience expands views of education for future teachers

From left, a Dignity for Children teacher, Dr. Tracy Ward, Mikayla Valenzuela, Chelsea Azevedo, Anahi Gonzalez, Mackenzie Alvarado, Sedona Gallardo, Kimberly Barajas and Dr. Robin Duncan

Riverside, Calif. (July 23, 2024) – A group from the Dr. Bonnie G. Metcalf School of Education traveled to Southeast Asia for 10 days as part of their comparative and diverse global education coursework.

The six students and two administrators visited secular, Christian and refugee schools, studying various American, Chinese and British curricula. They also visited cultural and religious sites while engaging with local and expatriate educational partners.

The purpose of the trip was for the students to expand their thinking about what education looks like elsewhere. The School of Education encourages students to embark on short, mid- or long-term opportunities abroad, said Dr. Robin Duncan, dean of the School of Education, who was part of the group.

“Short-term experiences like this help open students’ eyes so they begin to see education in a global context,” she said. “We want them to be inquisitive and ask questions about why we do what we do in the U.S. educational system. Where does our field stand comparatively to these other systems? What are our strengths and opportunities for growth, and what can we learn from our global colleagues? It lets them build a global vision.”

An example of mid-term experiences is when students fulfill a portion of their student teaching requirement internationally.  Long-term opportunities include alumni pursuing teaching abroad as a career.

“International education is a fabulous career, and there's a huge teacher shortage internationally,” Duncan said. “I'd love to see more people being open to God's calling globally. This is a product of being a Great Commission University”

Dr. Tracy Ward, associate provost for administration and part of the group, said when considering which global practicums to offer, faculty consider potential engagement with academic content, culture and faith.

“It was fun for me to see the students wrestle with each of those questions in terms of what education looks like and how faith is lived out in the culture,” Ward said.

Mikayla Valenzuela, an elementary education junior, found the time eye-opening, from both the education experience and the impact of religion in a country where the majority are Muslim.

“There was so much cultural diversity there (in the classroom), even more than here,” Valenzuela said. “Everyone deserves an opportunity to have an education, and we should all advocate for that.”

Chelsea Azevedo, an elementary education junior, observed prejudices based on ethnicity and cultural backgrounds. Yet teachers used various strategies to ensure that every student was included.

“Their classrooms create an environment that helps students understand each other better. This allowed students to feel comfortable in their classroom, which helped create a better learning environment,” Azevedo said.

Duncan said that the global experience also helps students who become teachers in Riverside.

“They will have students from all over the world,” she said. “For our students who have had this global experience, they will have empathy and a greater understanding of what the students experience in moving among different cultures.”

One thing Azevedo will take from the experience is that learning little bits about a person's background, culture and language can go a long way to making a person feel more comfortable.

“When we would try to apply something from their culture, trying to speak their language or sharing in their interests in our interactions, we would see students light up,” she said. “The small act of learning to greet a student in their first language can make them feel seen and appreciated. This is something I want to carry into my classroom.”

Duncan said they are looking at sending more groups to other countries next year. Valenzuela would encourage students to go.

“I think that everyone should go for it, that everyone should do something outside their comfort zone,” Valenzuela said. “I definitely see international teaching as an option now.”