School of Education faculty recently published a research paper in the Midwest Journal of Education (Vol. 2, Issue. 2, 2025). The article, “Designing an Effective Global Citizenship Education Training for Elementary Teachers,” was written by Department of Educational Counseling and Leadership adjuncts, Wendy Morales, Ed.D., and Tracy Mulvaney, Ed.D., and assistant professor and director of the Educational Leadership and Ed.D. programs, William George, Ed.D.
In the article, the authors discuss the growing need for K-12 students to develop global competencies to thrive in today’s interconnected world. They argue that advancements in technology now require students to interpret and solve global problems that did not exist in previous generations.
To address this development, the authors conducted a qualitative case study examining professional development sessions on global citizenship education (GCE) for teachers of grades 3-5 in a New Jersey school district. Through interviews, the study analyzed the overall extent to which GCE knowledge increased as well as teachers’ perception of their ability to integrate global competencies into their instruction. Specific competencies included recognizing perspectives, investigating the world, communicating ideas, and acting.
Teachers who participated in this study reported successfully implementing GCE in their classrooms and noted that these initiatives “increased their students’ engagement, feelings of empowerment, and global competence.” The authors conclude that research and data derived from their case study “support the need for school districts to provide guidance and training for teachers that will better prepare them to infuse GCE in their classrooms.”