GLOBAL SPEAKER SERIES | 2017-18
GLOBAL SPEAKER SERIES B R I N G T H E WO R L D I N T O YO U R C L A S S R O O M
GLOBAL ISSUES At Dragons we see exceptional beauty in diversity. And we believe that the experience of connecting with unfamiliar cultures has something to teach everyone. We are dedicated to cross-cultural learning because we know that future leaders will be required to think beyond borders. Part of our work in this world is to bring what we've learned abroad back home to share. GUEST TEACHERS + ENGAGING FACILITATION With this mission in mind, each year we send our best teachers—with years of international education experience—to schools across the United States to share their perspectives and insights with students ready to engage with critical and compelling global questions.
URBANIZATION IN CHINA AND THE BIGG
SYNOPSIS: Drawing on 11 years
research in Anthropology at Sta
history and economic transform
million and what it can tell us ab
Bonus Topic: For interested Chin
and discussing Chinese pop son
SPEAKER: Jody Segar B.A. East Asian Studies, Oberlin
University. Jody has been pulled back to China again an OCTOBER 2017 - MARCH 2018
CO, CT, MA, M
INTRODUCTION TO ISLAM
SYNOPSIS: There are over 1 bill
cultural and societal background
BOLD CONVERSATIONS We invite you to look at some of the conversations our staff are facilitating in classrooms around the country. Whether you are a teacher of Language Studies, Geography, Science, History, Social Studies, Religion, or Art, we hope to have a topic of interest to you. If one of the following class titles piques your curiosity, please get in touch. We’d be happy to coordinate a visit from one of our teachers to speak to your class on the subject. And if there’s a topic you would like to address that’s not on this list, let us know. It’s exactly this type of question-based collaboration with students, schools, and educators that inspires us. BOOKING A GLOBAL SPEAKER IS FREE The Global Speaker Series is sponsored by the Dragons Global Education Fund, in partnership with The Futurity Foundation 501(c)-3. Email info@wheretherebedragons.com or call 303.413.0822 for more information.
and a half have made it more im
understanding of and a forum to
her own observations and intera
conducting research in the Midd SPEAKER: Cara Lane-Toomey M.A. Middle East Studie
University of St. Thomas. Cara spent five years in the M DECEMBER 2017 - MARCH 2018
DC, MD, VA
STRUCTURAL VIOLENCE
SYNOPSIS: Students will be intr
understanding the differences b
iceberg model of violence pushe
understanding of the world arou
2017-2018 FEATURED TOPICS THE FORCES BEHIND MIGRATION FROM CENTRAL AMERICA SYNOPSIS: Migrants regularly risk their lives, and sometimes lose them, to reach the US from Central America. Rich will draw on over four years of community work with groups in Guatemala to explore the motivations that compel people to migrate, the dangers they face, and the social, economic, and historical factors that have led to recent waves of migration. Rich’s first-hand experiences in Central America can help provide much needed context to our national conversation on immigration.
people to connect their persona
be paired with a critical explorat
framework of how to find root c
SPEAKER: Sarah White Ph.D. Anthropology and Socia
(Candidate); M.A. Intercultural Service, Leadership and JANUARY - MARCH 2018
NORTHERN CALIFO
SEEDS OF CULTURE: FOOD SYSTEMS AS A AND HISTORY
SYNOPSIS: Approaching others
as well as creating healthy comm
national rhetoric, it’s increasingly
SPEAKER: Richard Brown B.A. Anthropology, Columbia University.
than antagonize. Ben will provid
Born in South Africa, Rich has traveled widely, spending extensive
can use to take violence out of t
amounts of time working with local communities in Appalachia,
encourage connection across diff
Virginia and Quetzaltenango, Guatemala.
CT, DC, PA, MD, NJ, NY, VA
SPEAKER: Ben Mitzner B.A. Environmental Studies and
for leading groups in the wilderness have taken him fro
JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2018 ENGLISH, SPANISH
JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2018
CA, OR, WA
PHOTOS Henry Hauser, Natasha Galperin, Elke Schmidt
GEST CITY YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF
DOWN RIVER: THE FLOW OF WATER AND WEALTH
s of life and work experience in China, doctoral
SYNOPSIS: From the Amazon to the Colorado River Basin, explore the relationship
nford University, and a passion for Chongqing's local
we have with water and how it has shaped our social and political climates. David
mation, Jody will introduce students to this city of 12
will relate the environmental impacts dams have had on local ecosystems with
bout migration and urbanization in China today.
the economic benefits that are essential to global economies. David will share his
nese language classrooms, Jody also enjoys performing
experiences interacting with local communities whose lifestyles are dependent on
ngs!
these meandering giants.
n College; M.A. Anthropology (Ph.D. ABD), Stanford
SPEAKER: David Haffeman B.A. International Business, Fort Lewis College; B.A. Spanish, Fort Lewis
nd again since his first visit in 1996.
College; Teacher Certification K-12 Spanish.
ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, VT
ENGLISH, MANDARIN
JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2018
COLORADO & SOUTHERN USA
ENGLISH, SPANISH
THE LIVING INCA: REFLECTIONS FROM LA NACION Q’EROS OF PERU
ion Muslims spread across the globe from all different
SYNOPSIS: What happened to the Inca? is a common question for anyone interested
ds. The socio-political events of the last decade
in the history behind Machu Picchu. The people of la Nacion Q’eros would simply
mportant than ever for Americans to have a basic
reply, “we’re still here.” Nacion Q’eros offers an informative glimpse into the living
o ask critical questions about Islam. Cara draws on
traditions of the Inca. And yet, they also represent a complex clash of cultures
actions based on her years volunteering, working, or
struggling with the pressures of globalization and development. Accompanied by
dle East and North Africa.
incredible images, Aaron shares stories from his time living with the communities of
s, American University in Cairo; B.A. Political Science,
Middle East and speaks multiple Arabic dialects.
Q’eros. SPEAKER: Aaron Slosberg M.A. History; B.A. Religion and History, UCLA. Aaron is the Director of Student Programming at Dragons and past field instructor in Latin America and Indonesia. ONGOING
roduced to a powerful conceptual framework for
between institutional, cultural, and direct violence. The
es students to see through a new lens, deepening their
und them. Student-centered, this seminar allows young
al experiences to broader processes. If desired, it can
tion of The American Dream, or a complementary
auses of contemporary social issues.
l Change, California Institute of Integral Studies Management, SIT Graduate Institute.
ORNIA
A LENS FOR UNDERSTANDING CULTURE
FLEXIBLE
ENGLISH, SPANISH
GOOD INTENTIONS WITH COMPLICATED OUTCOMES: HOW TO RESPONSIBLY VOLUNTEER SYNOPSIS: To volunteer time is often a wonderful and selfless gift to the world. However, sometimes an act of generosity is actually more harmful than helpful. Having spent years volunteering in different parts of the world and instructing groups in volunteer projects, Kristen has valuable experience in understanding the impacts of ‘voluntourism.’ In this lesson, students evaluate and reflect upon service learning while discussing the ways we can continue to give and serve responsibly in the world. SPEAKER: Kristen Gianaris M.A. Anthropology and Sociology of Development, The Graduate Institute in Geneva, Switzerland/The American University in Cairo, Egypt; B.A. Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies, Illinois State University. JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2018
CHICAGO, IL
WOVEN STORIES: TELLING STORIES THROUGH TEXTILES IN LATIN AMERICA
s with empathy is paramount to the Dragons philosophy,
SYNOPSIS: Storytelling in the Americas brings vibrant, culturally meaningful
munities. As isolationism and fear gain traction in our
connections of family and tradition to life, and these stories are literally woven into
y important to share strategies to de-escalate rather
the fabric of place in textiles. Textiles are embedded with myths, tradition, utility,
de simple, applicable tools that students and teachers
heroes, and values in their delicate threadwork. In this class, students identify
the debate, leave space for other opinions, and
patterns and symbols of textiles across Latin America, Guatemala, Peru, and Bolivia
fferences.
and engage in telling and hearing stories from the beginning of time.
d Political Economy, Lewis & Clark College. Ben’s love
SPEAKER: Sara Russell M.A. International Education, Endicott College; Graduate Certificate in Learning Design
m the Rockies to rural Alaska, Asia, and Latin America.
and Technology, Harvard Extension School; BS Biology/Minor in Environmental Studies, University of Minnesota. OCTOBER 2017 - FEBRUARY 2018
COLORADO AND OTHER LOCATIONS BY REQUEST
t, Dragons Archives, Dragons Archives, Daniel Schneider, Dragons Archives, Octavia Viragh, Britten Fergusen
TESTIMONIALS
“The exercises led to some very rich discussion about development aid as a form of patriarchy and the importance of developing service projects with an eye and ear bent toward the community's own interests.” – E R I K V I N C ENT, D IRECTO R O F GLO BAL STU DI ES Holy Innocents' Episcopal School
“The students really enjoyed the interactive lesson and were genuinely curious about the experiences and knowledge brought to the classroom.” – PETER ALBERT Hun School of Princeton
“A great job introducing the Mekong River Basin to my students that created an atmosphere where they were required to think and confront big, tough questions.” –A M Y WA L LNE R- D RAK E , S O C IAL STUD IE S TEACHER Bozeman High School
“...a big hit with both teachers and students in the AP Human Geography classes; the lesson on Development was a perfect fit.” –W I L L I A M SH OTWE LL Taft School
“She did the Theatre of The Oppressed exercises and did a great job and taught me a lot of new games and ideas for the classroom!” – J E N I F E R COTÉ, D IRE CTO R Sonoma Academy
“Engaging and informative. The students interacted well and it was a compelling presentation with great conversation topics.” – N A D I M B AWALSA, H IGH S C H O O L ARABIC TEACHER Friends Seminary
“Great program—what a fantastic gift to other schools.” – ARRINGTON McCOY, DEAN OF STUDENTS The Outdoor Academy
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