"To travel is to live."
--Hans Christian Anderson
--Hans Christian Anderson
My name is Jessica Parra! I have had an adventurous spirit since a very young age, and as I grew up I found and made opportunities for myself to see the world. I have taught in two urban areas in my tenure as a teacher-- the Bronx and DC. I have always taught first or second grade. Currently, and for the past 5 years, I have taught first grade writing, science, and social studies. As I honed my craft, I started to notice that my students had a hard time imagining any world outside the block they live on. That fact created in me a need to open up the kids' eyes and minds through my classroom and teachings.
Since then, I have always tried to include facets of Global Education in my plans and curricula, and recently that effort became a little more formal. I was accepted into a fellowship with the US State Department called Teachers for Global Classrooms. Through this program, I formally learned what Global Education is all about, how to implement it in my classrooms, and even got to go to Senegal to study, learn, and collaborate with teachers from their educational system. More than ever, I truly believe it is important to teach kids how to think critically, have empathy, show respect, be knowledgable, and act proactively in both local and global arenas.
I am always happy to share thoughts or advice for people starting or continuing their Global Education journey! Feel free to send comments or contact me through my website here:
Since then, I have always tried to include facets of Global Education in my plans and curricula, and recently that effort became a little more formal. I was accepted into a fellowship with the US State Department called Teachers for Global Classrooms. Through this program, I formally learned what Global Education is all about, how to implement it in my classrooms, and even got to go to Senegal to study, learn, and collaborate with teachers from their educational system. More than ever, I truly believe it is important to teach kids how to think critically, have empathy, show respect, be knowledgable, and act proactively in both local and global arenas.
I am always happy to share thoughts or advice for people starting or continuing their Global Education journey! Feel free to send comments or contact me through my website here: