The Center for Teaching International Relations (CTIR) appreciates your support either through your contributions, volunteering, attendance at conferences or training programs, purchases of curriculums, or spreading the word about our mission and programs. CTIR is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization that works with schools, educators, the business community, and other non-profit organizations in order to instill a life-long appreciation of learning in young people. By definition, CTIR encourages young people to learn about the world – other countries and cultures – and world events. We have found that young people care about world events and they are increasingly the first to hear about events around the world because they use social media and instant communications. When young people learn about current events, their curiosity and will to learn grows. CTIR also works closely with teachers and school districts to help them get the training and resources to help young people understand the complexity of current events and the appreciation for finding creative solutions based upon mutual respect.
Please enjoy these quick updates from CTIR and please provide feedback, story ideas, and success stories. CTIR needs you now more than ever!
CTIR’s New Mission, Vision and Key Strategies
After CTIR became an independent nonprofit organization, the board of directors, led by the Program Committee, updated and modified the Mission, Vision and Key Strategies. While the world, technology, and innovations are changing rapidly in our modern world, the following is what the board of directors has approved. Like all CTIR programs and activities, we welcome your input and suggestions. New ideas and activities are always needed if we are going to do the best job possible for young people, so please take a moment to let us hear from you and we invite you to volunteer for any of our programs.
Purpose
To develop and foster a global perspective, cultivate awareness, understanding, knowledge and skills to enable effective international relationships.
Mission
To equip, mentor and encourage K-12 educators to incorporate global studies in their curriculum and improve international awareness among students and the community.
Vision
To be the recognized advocate and resource for global education in the United States.
Key Strategies
Leverage the World Affairs Challenges’ (WAC) reputation as the culmination event for teachers and a context for curriculum support.
- Develop specific curriculum, content and other resources for online consumption.
- Develop relationships with foundations and corporations to ensure support and long term funding capacity.
- Pursue becoming the secretariat for International Education to bring more recognition and national exposure.
- Leverage partnership with World Savvy, define licensing opportunities for WAC to expand reach beyond Colorado.
- Explore partner relationship with ISSN and re-engage ISSA activity.
- Develop partnerships with Universities to leverage student resources as a means to fulfill mentoring and curriculum objectives.
World Affairs Challenge
CTIR is pleased to announce that the 2013 World Affairs Challenge (WAC) will be on April 13, 2013 and hosted by Regis University. Professor Dan Wessner, CTIR board member and World Affairs Challenge Chair, is pleased to have his university serve as the 2013 WAC host. The theme will be Technology and Innovation in Global Development. For more information and to register your school, go to www.worldaffairschallenge.org. Also, you can use this web site to volunteer to help organize the WAC or to become a judge. Judging the WAC is like finding the Fountain of Youth because you will meet our next generation and experience their creativity and excitement for learning.
New CTIR Board Members
CTIR could not be successful without a dedicated and diverse board of directors (see below) and the organization is proud to welcome Artem Guralev and Maria Carrion-Kovak to the board of directors. Artem recently went back to school at the University of Colorado –Boulder to earn his MBA, but until then he was an executive with First Bank in Denver. He is originally from Russia but has lived in the Denver area for many years. Maria is an educator in Denver Public Schools, but she is a noted teacher who brought winning teams to the WAC from two different school districts – Rifle High School in Rifle, Colorado and Summit County High School in Frisco, Colorado. We welcome their business and educational experience and commitment to helping young people to become passionate about learning.
