By Lorrie Ross
Staff Writer
“I was among North Carolina educational rock-stars. The ideas and excitement running through me is electric for the connections and the global leader in me to continue to provide all I can for students to be ready to go into this world.” That statement came from Hayesville Middle School teacher Ginger Scerri following a week at the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching in Ocracoke, North Carolina.
“I had the professional development of a lifetime,” the two-time Clay County Teacher of the Year smiled. Scerri, who is also Global Studies Gear UP Choice After-school Program Developer, explained the training where she joined 23 other North Carolina global teachers.
Growing Future Global Leaders want to develop a “Portrait of a Global Leader” and discover how to “Pay Attention, Feel Connected and Take Action” while working with others in reflecting how students can “Change the World” by changing where they are. Global leaders can spread enthusiasm for global education to other educators and engage their communities in “Uniting Our World.”
According to Scerri, global teacher leaders learn to develop networking opportunities with North Carolina’s global educators to increase global educator purpose and assist with addressing classroom issues. Other goals are building awareness of individual educator’s global competencies and supporting student achievement for North Carolina Portrait of a Graduate, along with ways to leverage development goals for student engagement and community involvement, and offering resources for global educators to improve global competencies and project skills. Five leadership standards for the teachers include: Teacher leaders demonstrate leadership, support an environment respectful of a diverse population of educators, incorporate adult learning strategies and effective teaching and learning practices as they implement change, facilitate growth and development of educators, and engage in and facilitate reflective practice.
Scerri was also a presenter for the training. North Carolina Center for Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) Director of Partnership Development, Freebird McKinney, introduced her, “Clay County is making strides in the right direction as a school district in many ways. But what I have today is what is being done in Clay County in the Western Carolina University mountains with the choice based after-school program Global Studies. It is incredible. Ginger and her co-director have 50 middle school students hungry for knowledge of where they fit into the world and what is in it. Half the battle of global education in schools is getting students interested and it is quite the opposite in Clay County. It’s a sight to see.”
Scerri drove several hours on Sunday, February 26, followed by a two and half hour ferry ride to Ocracoke Monday. Each day lasted from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. and the program ended late Thursday evening. She returned home Friday. “It was pretty incredible to catch the 6:30 a.m. ferry from Ocracoke to Swan Quarter and see the beautiful sunrise on the ocean,” she said. “Then drive straight through to the Western Carolina University mountains and hit home by 6:30 p.m. and see the sunset on my way home.”
It was her first trip to Ocracoke. “It is incredible to see the beauty and diversity of our state’s landscape. I had the opportunity by NCCAT and local educator, Alton Ballance, to see and tour inside Ocracoke lighthouse,” she said. “I also got to visit Ocracoke school, an extremely small K-12 school, which is almost done with reconstruction after the 2019 hurricane. The school principal walked us through natural disaster and post-related traumas of rebuilding after a disaster.”
Leaving her young daughters was hard, but Scerri hopes they will learn from it. “I hope one day they know the impact they can have in whatever field they choose, and their passion is worth investing in. I hope they see a mom and woman that puts them first in every situation but who also sees I have a calling and am not afraid to pursue it to the best of my ability for the most good I can do.”
Last summer, Scerri traveled to Australia as part of Go Global. In 2024, she will travel to Egypt on another Go Global trip. This summer, she will accompany arts students to France and Spain. She encourages all teachers to explore enrichment opportunities. “I want CCS teachers to go after every growth opportunity they can. NCCAT provides them,” she added. “There is no cost to the teacher, including lodging and all foods once you arrive. The only local money spent is substitutes and drive. Materials and resources are ones I can bring into my program this week. Over time, I will bring the others to my school and classroom.”
The programs of NCCAT offer a range of unique professional development for educators. “This connects directly with my Go Global program, my Global Studies GearUp program, and my leadership positions within my school and the district,” Scerri said. “NCCAT allowed me to help present pieces of my leadership in the schools, Global Education in my program, and my Go Global N.C. program experience in Australia to my colleagues from across the state. I gained a plethora of knowledge, resources, tools and connections that will grow me professionally.”
NCCAT attendee Alton Ballance shared, “Every single teacher deserves a true residential NCCAT professional development opportunity. NCCAT is committed to being the lighthouse for teachers. It serves a beacon and reminder that teachers will be invested in like all other professions and all they have to do is look for the light.”
Scerri added, “I encourage other teachers to attend an NCCAT session in Cullowhee or Ocracoke. I would love our community to know how to support advancements for teachers by supporting them having amazing opportunities with NCCAT.” Anyone interested may visit https://www.nccat.org/make-gift/ways-give.