Compiled from information provided by VCMS Social Studies Teacher Courtney Ferrari

On Nov. 18, Courtney received the K-12 Global Educator of the Year award from the World Affairs Council at a benefit for their Global Classroom Program. This was the first time the Council has given the award, and Ms. Ferrari was honored to be chosen. The Council has provided invaluable resources and support that have assisted her in bringing world cultures to the classroom.

The fundraising event, World Quest for Grownups, was held at Oaks Park in Portland. The annual event centers on costume-clad teams of sponsors competing in areas of global trivia. It was emceed by Oregon District 47 Representative (and Portland mayoral candidate) Jefferson Smith. The event is modeled after the high school World Quest Global Knowledge competition.

At the event, Ms. Ferrari was asked to speak to guests about how the Council’s program has benefited students at Valley. Focusing on Turkey, she showed how the Council’s Culture Boxes give Valley’s students hands-on experiences with foreign cultures, and then described how her students’ regular attendance at Teach the World conferences extends that knowledge. Finally, she shared her experience in Turkey, a trip sponsored by the World Affairs Council, which gave her the original impetus to introduce that country into the seventh grade curriculum. Keeping with the tone of the evening, she included trivia questions about Turkey as she shared the benefits enjoyed by our students.

On Dec. 9, Ms. Ferrari will take nine middle school students to attend the Teach East conference. See more information about Teach East here. This will be the third Teach the World conference to which Ms. Ferrari has taken students. Prior conferences were Teach Africa and Teach the Middle East.

Congratulations to Ms. Ferrari, whose hard work, dedication, and extraordinary effectiveness in the classroom deserve such recognition.

Posted by Danielle Tomich in VCMS News & Events, VCS Home Page