Thank You, Teachers!

October 5th marks World Teacher’s Day, a global celebration of how teachers transform education, improve the lives of their students, and impact our shared futures. Every day teachers change the world in both big and small ways.

UNESCO and Education International declared the 2023 theme, "The teachers we need for the education we want: The global imperative to reverse the teacher shortage". This year’s celebration aims to prioritize stopping the decline and increasing the number of teachers worldwide. To achieve this goal, the event promotes ways to better motivate, support and appreciate educators who play an important role in forming the hearts and minds of learners.

On this day especially, we at IVECA wish to extend our gratitude to our dedicated teachers around the world for their immeasurable value and undeniable contribution to our local and global societies.

Dearest teachers from around the world,

It is with the greatest respect and admiration that our team here at IVECA writes this letter. Truly, without your participation, your collaboration and your dedication, our mission would not be possible.

It is thanks to your hard work and your efforts, that we can reach classrooms in every corner of the world and the hearts of the students within them.

Over the years, we have had the privilege to work with teachers from over 25 countries in Asia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, North and South America, and Oceania.

Despite the differences in our cultures and languages, we have been able to come together and achieve the shared goal of helping young learners around the world become compassionate global citizens.

In classrooms on every continent, IVECA teachers have started a chain reaction. Beginning with your decision to participate in our program, that reaction will continue to not only change the way your students interact with others in their communities, but also change the way they interact with the rest of the world for the rest of their lives.

For that, we cannot thank you enough. We look forward to the privilege of working with you all for many years to come.

#IVECA #InternationalVirtualSchooling #InterculturalCompetence #GlobalCitizenship #GlobalEducation #WorldTeachersDay #TeacherAppreciation #TeachersDay

IVECA Supports Teachers in Cultivating Global Citizens

As IVECA Fall semester begins, new teachers from South Korea, the United States and Sri Lanka came together this week for teacher professional development sessions to start preparing for a semester full of fun, meaningful intercultural activities with IVECA. While they were introduced to IVECA’s mission towards enriching students' lives as global citizens, the teachers shared greater enthusiasm and commitment to a successful semester.

Through the teacher professional development sessions, educators learn more about one another and IVECA. This session allowed teachers to understand the goals of the program while expressing their dedication and eagerness in helping their students become compassionate global citizens. One Korean teacher put it, “I hope that students will gain a deeper understanding of different cultures, perspectives, and global issues through interactions with students and teachers from around the world.”

Teachers also learned about guiding their students through cross-cultural communication with their global partners, broaching a wide range of topics such as artificial intelligence, natural resources, philosophy and more. Using the IVECA platform, students and teachers can share their experiences and views on such topics through multimedia posts and presentations.

Setting the tone for the rest of the semester, teachers shared engaging posts introducing themselves to each other, just as their students will in the coming days. One teacher expressed their excitement in “equipping students with essential digital skills and tools” to communicate effectively with their partners. Meanwhile, a veteran teacher from the United States shared her gratitude that the IVECA program provides her students in rural Virginia the opportunity to become global citizens despite their remote location.

With educators united in purpose and passion, this new semester promises to bridge divides and cultivate a generation of global citizens who truly understand and appreciate the cultural dynamics of our global community.

#IVECA #InternationalVirtualSchooling #InterculturalCompetence #GlobalCitizenship #GlobalEducation #21stCenturySkills #TeacherProfessionalDevelopment #TPD #FallSemester

The Start of a New Cross-Cultural Journey

As the Fall semester has now arrived, the IVECA Team is delighted to extend a warm welcome to educators and students from around the world. Embarking on another cross-cultural journey through our virtual exchange activities, we are thrilled to have returning and new students and teachers back for another semester filled with intercultural learning and global collaboration.

At IVECA, we remain steadfast in our mission to facilitate the exchange of diverse ideas, fostering an environment where the next generation can cultivate essential 21st-century skills such as creativity, intercultural communication, and critical thinking. Our ultimate aspiration is to nurture interculturally competent global citizens who are not only willing but eager to work together towards making a brighter global future for everyone. This semester, students from primary and secondary schools across the United States, China, Korea, Tunisia, and Sri Lanka join us in this pursuit.

Our commitment to foster global citizenships reaches beyond our younger learners. IVECA’s university program, Greening Education Partnership, continues to flourish this semester accompanying esteemed university partners from the United States , India and South Korea. In keeping with the UN SDG Summit's emphasis on amplifying global efforts to meet sustainable development goals, these youth changemakers will present their tangible solutions and recommendations for sustainable environments at the United Nations. This event will involve diverse stakeholders including UN representatives, private and public sector leaders, and members from NGOs and civil society.

As the new semester begins, we look forward to embracing the diversity of voices and ideas shared through the virtual exchange classroom. It is in these interactions that we can build connections, broaden our horizons, and cultivate a deep appreciation and respect for humanity.

#IVECA #InternationalVirtualSchooling #InterculturalCompetence #GlobalCitizenship #GlobalEducation #21stCenturySkills #VirtualClassroom #FallSemester