State Superintendent Glenda Ritz, left, speaks with event organizer Caterina Blitzer.
(Photos provided)
Yesterday afternoon business and community leaders, educators and school officials from across the state visited Grace College’s Manahan Orthopedic Capital Center to attend the Indiana Department of Education’s free Global Learning Workshop.
The event, which was hosted for Hoosier educators, featured numerous speeches from state officials, business leaders and school officials. Among those who spoke were Indiana State Superintendent Glenda Ritz; US Department of Commerce International Trade Specialist Jonathan Ruder; and Event Organizer Caterina Blitzer, of the Indiana Department of Education.
Panels informed participants about partnerships, resources and programs to advance global learning in Indiana schools.
“Connecting educators with global business leaders and education experts is essential to providing a high quality, global education to all Hoosier students,” stated Ritz in a release prior to the event, “It is imperative that Indiana’s students graduate from high school with global understanding that are valued by business and industry leaders, so that they can be successful in their future careers. The Global Learning Workshop will provide our educators with an opportunity to learn and discuss new, innovative approaches to teaching global learning programs throughout Indiana.”
DePuy Synthes, OrthoWorx, Region 8 ESC, Warsaw Community Schools and Global Education Exhibitors were partners to the event.
According to Blitzer, the event had attendance of educators from across the state. An estimated 60 percent of those in attendance were educators hailing both locally and from areas such as Gary and Indianapolis.
Ruder noted the importance of ensuring a global minded workforce in today’s economy. “We try to help Indiana companies export and succeed internationally,” explained Ruder. “We are attempting to keep jobs and finances in Indiana… Our economy is dynamic and changing and that creates uncertainty in the future. It does appear the economy will continue to be internationally focused.”
Warsaw Community School Corporation Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert noted the event acted two-fold for the school in allowing for the furthering of knowledge in Global Learning as well as giving an outlet to showcase WCS’s partnerships and current successes.