Margarita Adame is a learning strategist at the Clark County School District in Las Vegas, Nevada. She has decades of teaching experience as an elementary school teacher in various school districts across the United States. She speaks to her passion for conflict resolution as a tool in and outside of the classroom. As an undergraduate at Chapman University in Peace Studies, she jumped at an opportunity to study abroad in Jerusalem. Her experience was a powerful one and solidified her mindset as a global citizen. She emphasizes the need for us to not insulate and isolate ourselves. Enjoy our conversation!

Lydia Musliu is the Elementary School Principal at Kosovo Leadership Academy. She is a dedicated teacher and school leader who is fostering the next generation of leaders in Kosovo. Her educator journey was largely influenced by her mother who used creativity to spark interest in all subjects. Lydia started teaching since she was in the 7th grade, and has built on her skills to serve teachers and help them reach their full potential. With Lydia’s current role at the Kosovo Leadership Academy, she is excited to see what the next decade will bring in terms of social and educational benefits for Kosovo as a young country. Check out what Lydia has to say about the intersections between leadership and global citizenship! 

Joe Aleardi is the Executive Director at Horizons Bridgeport, a non-profit created to serve the local youth in Bridgeport, Connecticut with academic and enrichment programs. His early career was spent as a lawyer and then a private wealth manager. With a strong desire to connect with people and extend his impact, he pivoted to teaching where he became an elementary teacher for Teach For America. With a rekindled passion for serving young people within educational spaces, Joe helped to create a non-profit in his community. He believes that global citizens require a multitude of skills to set themselves up to succeed as active and compassionate people within society. Enjoy our conversation! 

Byron Jon Aho is a cyber security specialist, project manager, and educator. His background is in construction and he incorporates much of his trade knowledge and skill into his leadership and business development for cyberspace security. He believes in creating a strong foundation to anchor oneself amidst an ever changing world. There are several values that he brings into the discussion like humility and perseverance that speak to his views on global citizenship. Enjoy the conversation!

Gayl Porter-Laurel is the Chief Technical Policy Officer of the Second Congressional Commission on Education who is based in the Philippines. She started off her educator journey as an early childhood teacher who genuinely loved teaching, playing, and learning with her students. Her passion for teaching young people led her down new uncharted paths. From curriculum design to policy reform to system-wide educational programs, her impact has expanded well beyond the classroom. She believes that quality education is a fundamental right and a pathway to societal transformation. With her anchor in global citizenship, Gayl emphasizes the need to be genuinely curious and translate awareness into action. Enjoy the conversation! 

Marijke Conklin is an elementary school teacher and instructional coach for the Oakland Unified School District. Her international perspective began in childhood where she spent her formative elementary school years living in Saudi Arabia. With a major change to return to the United States at the age of ten, she had to learn to navigate differences while building her sense of identity. Marijke has spent her career making an impact on young learners with an emphasis on social justice. She instills values of global citizenship in her classroom environment, curriculum, and attitude as a teacher. Enjoy the conversation! 

Benjamin Gulla is an experienced educator whose journey has taken him all over the world to places like South Africa and Colombia. His drive to learn more about the world around him through travel, books, and people speaks to his solid sense of being a global citizen. From designing classroom curricula to reimagining study abroad experiences, he is passionate about bringing students into new learning environments that will challenge them to think and grow about their impact. Benjamin is an educator who seeks to reveal the interconnectedness of our world through his earnest engagement with the humanities. Enjoy what Benjamin has to say about global citizenship!

Lauren Jensen is a High School English teacher with over 20 years of teaching experience. Her journey as a teacher is about deepening her connection and impact with students. She is happiest in the classroom where she engages students to explore their identity and voice through writing. With the help of past mentor figures and current students, she is committed to highlighting the interconnectedness of people and bridging gaps of differences through empathy and curiosity. Lauren embodies the ideal of life long learning and inspires her students to be global citizens through her own actions. Enjoy the conversation! 

Robb Meade is a transition assistance program manager. He spent nearly a decade working in the US Navy. With a diverse skill set and adaptable mindset to try new and challenging things, Robb thrived in chaotic situations. His training came from being a pastry chef, and even extends back to his childhood years spent doing meal prep with his father in the kitchen. Robb has a unique journey of navigating many different job roles and responsibilities. Now, he is well suited to provide guidance and resources to military service members and their families who are transitioning to civilian life. He is a veteran and wants to make a larger impact on fellow veterans in their next chapter of life. Enjoy listening to his views on global citizenship! 

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Lauren Ebersol shares her journey as an educator and mother, detailing her transition from teaching in traditional classrooms to homeschooling her children. She discusses the challenges and joys of parenting, the importance of adaptability in education, and her experiences in a homeschool co-op. Within the homeschool co-op, she served on the Board of Directors and played a pivotal role during the Covid-19 pandemic to maintain the school rhythm for their community. Her determination to offer praise and care for her children and those students in the co-opt have left a deep mark on how teaching and learning should be collaborative. Listen to what Lauren has to say about being a global citizen, or as her children as, a world changer.