SCHOOLING WITH PURPOSE
Educating for a
Globalized World
T
he nearly 80 national flags waving across the King School campus reflect the many cultures in the community and serve as a visual reflection of the school’s commitment to global education. The standard-bearer of this commitment is the Global Education program, which, in its 13th year, is deeply integrated into the curriculum from the classroom to the sports fields. Founded by world languages teacher Dr. Gilles Chosson, global education and global perspectives are incorporated into the student experience across all divisions, and the program’s success is earning accolades as it grows.
“In the Lower School, culturally responsive teaching immerses students in purposeful learning experiences which connect to their own lives and their role in a community,” Bowe said. “In the Middle School, guiding questions around identity and perspectives prompt students to examine their place in the world. In the Upper School, faculty guide students’ exploration of the self and their relationship with others. Upper school students may also pursue a global studies distinction by engaging in an intensive interdisciplinary course of study.”
In May, three King teachers earned prestigious Global Expression and Thought (GET) Prizes for best practices in global education for K-12 schools. The Global Education Benchmark Group gives the award after considering the curriculum of more than 300 member schools representing 17 countries. “This recognition of King’s global curriculum honors the work of our colleagues and highlights the value our school places on global education,” said Laura Bowe, who was named Director of Global Education in 2022. Guiding questions with global themes are an important part of the curriculum within every division. Whether students are studying English, history, math, or science, they will explore global connections and perspectives in their lessons. 14 Quest 2023-24
Middle school students learning local cooking customs during a trip to Costa Rica.
