The Full Story:
Formed in 2015 as a U.S.- based 501c3, The Global Educational Community (GEC) came together with one goal in mind: to transform education so all students acquire the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in a global community.
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Beginning in 2013, the educators and scholars, who were part of the Global Educational Community (GEC), understood the rich learning and benefits of practitioners from around the globe having an opportunity to collaborate. To facilitate the acquisition of knowledge and understanding about global, regional, national, and local issues and the interconnectedness and interdependency of different countries and populations, GEC developed an annual global project and conference. Educators and leaders from various countries, including Finland, Canada, Australia, China, and Israel, developed a project around a common theme and then met to reflect and share the different approaches used by each teacher in its classroom implementation. The annual projects included developing curriculum around a common theme to pairing individual teachers from different countries to co-create an instructional unit and teach in each other’s classrooms. The information gathered from the annual events was part of GEC’s ongoing examination of global research and evidence of effective teaching and learning, led by Dr. Ann Lieberman of Stanford University.
One step at a time, one teacher at a time, our global collaboration has never stopped! Our school, the school next door, the teacher next door, our children, and the child next door, regardless of the country, town, region, or country, we are continually learning together, developing together, and building a global school.
The Heart of the GEC Global, Innovative, Strategic, Transformative GIST School: An Engaged Ecosystem
In GIST schools, every member of the school ecosystem has the possibility to become the initiator, implementer, and receiver of knowledge and skills. All members of the School Education Community work together to provide an equitable learning ecosystem, both in and outside of school.
Once an engaged ecosystem has been nurtured, Global Innovative Strategic Transformative schools may expect the following outcomes:
• High-level competencies balanced with social emotional confidence among students
• Trusted, deep, and respectful relationships among teachers, students, and community stakeholders
• Authentic learning driven by students’ interests, goals, and community contexts
• Individualized instruction, after-school programming, and additional services
• Opportunities for continued innovation and collaboration
Meet the Team
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Chief Executive Officer
Ms. Snodgress is the former Executive Director of Kappa Delta Pi, International Honor Society in Education for 13 years. She served 4 years as an Expert Advisor and Chair of the Expert Committee of the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Institute for Education for Sustainable Development. She continues to serve on various other committees for organizations and is the Altrusa International Representation to the United Nations Department of Global Communications (DGC), Civil Society Unit/NGO.
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International Education Consultant
A native of Trieste, Italy, Cathy is a graduate of Indiana University with a B.A. Honors in French, Italian and German and an M.A. from the University of Wisconsin in Comparative Literature and Linguistics. Throughout her career in Indiana she applied multilingual skills and global competencies in public service, international business and community-based non-profit leadership. In 1989, she authored the ‘Point of Departure: Status of International Service Organizations’ briefing paper that informed the convening of the International Issues Task Force and resulted in the establishment of the Forest Glen language immersion program and the International School of Indiana. Organizations served include the International Trade Division, Indiana Department of Commerce; Corporation for Indiana’s International Future; Campbell Communications International; City of Indianapolis; International Center of Indianapolis; International School of Indiana and Indiana Department of Education. Cathy was awarded the 2016 Simon Award from the Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages in recognition of her leadership in world language learning and served on the Indiana Language Roadmap Project Statewide Advisory Board.
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Director of Business Development
Jessica Yu founded the Chinese Education Connection in 2010. Her passion allowed development of educational programs to build and nurture genuine relationships between people from the United States and China. As a gateway for cross-cultural and educational interaction, CEC facilitates an effective learning environment for all. Professional development opportunities are offered to teacher and administrator exchanges in both countries.Jessica uses her deep knowledge of business coupled with dedication for all to create her vision.
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Senior Consultant
As a career public school educator Linda spent 44 years dedicating herself to children, parents and communities. She taught special education and was in administration as both a Principal and Assistant Principal for twenty-eight years of her career. As a Principal, she led a full school International Baccalaureate Program. Globalization of schools with children understanding the difference they make in this world has always been a key part of her work as an educator. Equity and education for all is the most important aspect of her educational life. Linda has presented nationally and internationally on a variety of topics.
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Program Manager
Xinli Xu has program management experience, focusing on cultural exchange and education. She helps build global partnerships and strengthen cultural ties. Xinli organizes programs, ensures smooth teamwork, and tracks progress. Her work promotes understanding and cooperation through education, providing learning opportunities for people from different backgrounds.
Board Members
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Co-Founder & Board President
In collaboration with Dr. Ann Lieberman of Stanford University, Dr. Liang is the Co-Founder of the Global Educational Community. He is the initial advocator and practitioner of the GEC approach. Since 2012, he has been the Chief Designer of GEC Schools, which includes responsibilities for architectural design, technology for school administration, teaching, learning, assessments, and community development. Dr. Liang retired from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater as a professor of pedagogy.
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Dr. Lavert has extensivehands-on educational experience, including as a classroom teacher, principal, teacher preparation faculty member, literacy specialist and international literacy consultant. She works to create a meaningful difference through improved educational operations, enhanced academic standards, and new initiatives. Dr. Lavert has a Ph. D in leadership and administration and a Masters in Literacy.
View Bio
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Kubala Washatko Architects
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Paolo Pirjanian is the former CTO of iRobot and early leader in the field of consumer robotics with 16+ years of experience developing and commercializing cutting-edge home robots. He worked at NASA JPL and led world-class teams and companies at iRobot®, Evolution Robotics®, and others. In 2016, Paolo founded Embodied, Inc. with the vision to build socially and emotionally intelligent digital companions that improve care and wellness and support people in living better lives every day.
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Stanford Center for Assessment of Learning and Equity
Dr. Raymond Pecheone holds the Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut. He was the founder and executive director of the Stanford Center for Assessment Learning and Equity (SCALE), a center launched in 2009 that provides comprehensive supports for standards-based teaching and learning and is built around the development of interactive assessment and multimedia instructional tools to support college and career readiness. He was co-executive director of the Stanford School Redesign Network and the director of the Performance Assessment for California Teachers (PACT) program, a consortium of 18 California universities developing valid measures of teacher quality. He is the former Connecticut Bureau Chief for curriculum and teacher assessment and developed the first performance-based licensure and inductions system for teachers in the nation.
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Dean, College of Education
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
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Illinois Consortium for 21st Century Classroom and Partnership for 21st Century Schools
James A. Bellanca is nationally recognized as a practical innovator who thinks ahead of the curve and provides teachers and administrators with the "how-to" knowledge to make abstract ideas concrete and ready to go on the next school day. With his extensive experience as a classroom English and language arts teacher, alternative school director, professional developer, intermediate service center director, business owner, and not-for-profit executive, he has developed expertise for transforming new mandates into practical classroom tools that enrich instruction and engage students.
He was executive director of the Illinois Consortium for 21st Century Schools and lead trainer for Mind Quest: Project-Based Learning in the 21st Century Classroom. In addition, Jim is lead trainer of instructors for the New York State United Teachers Education Learning Trust program, The 21st Century Classroom. In the past year, he has designed three online graduate education courses and the innovative online workshop Projects from a Box.