Elevating Educator Impact Through the Global Citizenship Certificate
Katlyn Darling attributes her more critical approach to addressing standards to the professional development she has achieved through the Global Citizenship Certificate experience facilitated by Inspire Citizens.
Artificial Intelligence. Sustainable economic systems. Social justice. Climate anxiety. These are just a few of the rapidly evolving issues that keep international educators seeking innovative solutions to designing relevant educational experiences. The Global Citizenship Certificate (GCC), a professional development course offered through a partnership between Inspire Citizens and International School Services (ISS), addresses this need by equipping educators with tools, frameworks, and a vibrant community to create impactful, globally conscious learning environments. A recent meeting of creators, partners and participants reveals the unique value of the GCC in the landscape of professional learning options available now.
From Personal Growth to Professional Innovation
For Katlyn Darling, a participant-turned-professional development specialist at ISS, the GCC was transformative. "It changed the way I look at standards," she shares. "I now evaluate if a hidden curriculum exists and explore ways to disrupt or challenge it in simple, meaningful ways." Katlyn recounts an example from her middle school economics class, where she moved beyond traditional frameworks to introduce students to systems thinking. This shift empowered her students to critically examine societal forces like government spending and question the impact of their decisions at a grade-appropriate level.
Katlyn’s experience exemplifies how the GCC fosters educator growth while encouraging them to inspire systemic thinking in their classrooms. "It’s like a seed of knowledge," she adds, "that ripples out into broader learning and understanding over time."
Building Community in Education
A cornerstone of the GCC is its emphasis on community. Scott Jamieson, Inspire Citizens’ Global Collaborations Lead, highlights the program’s unintentional yet powerful creation of a support network. "The community that has formed is something special," he says. “Participants remain connected, sharing ideas and resources long after the course ends.”
Katlyn echoes this sentiment, explaining how her cohort connections continue to influence her career trajectory. "I created a shortlist of schools I’d work for based on the inspiring educators I met during the program," she notes. This sense of belonging and collaboration extends globally, reinforcing the GCC’s mission of creating a network of like-minded professionals dedicated to impactful education.
Maintaining Relevance Through Flexibility
A key feature of the GCC is its dynamic structure, which adapts to timely and relevant issues. "We intentionally select topics to address what matters now," says Mike Pierre, ISS’s virtual events producer and podcast host. From artificial intelligence to social media “detoxing”, the program ensures educators stay ahead of emerging trends and challenges.
The inner structure of a GCC participant’s thoughts are revealed through contemplation and reflection.
Practicality is also prioritized. "We focus on giving teachers actual resources they can use in their classrooms immediately," adds Mike. This approach ensures the GCC remains a high-value proposition for time-strapped educators.
A key element of the GCC's relevance lies in its design—it’s built by educators who deeply understand the challenges and opportunities faced by their peers. Sophie Peccaud, Partnerships Specialist at Inspire Citizens, underscores this unique advantage: "This program is created with teachers, by teachers. It’s not just about knowing what global citizenship education is—it’s about equipping educators with the tools and confidence to apply it meaningfully in their schools."
This co-creation model ensures the GCC resonates with the realities of the classroom, bridging the gap between theory and practice. It also fosters a sense of authenticity and trust, as participants know the program is shaped by individuals who have walked in their shoes. "When I reached out to check in with past participants," Sophie adds, "I was amazed at how many shared actionable lesson plans and service projects that came directly from their GCC experience. It’s clear this is learning with real-world impact."
ISS: A Strategic Ally in Education
As a global leader in connecting educators with resources, ISS’s collaboration with Inspire Citizens is a strategic match. Dana Watts, Director of Learning, Research and Outreach at ISS, underscores this alignment, describing ISS’s platform as a hub for both on-demand and timely professional learning opportunities. "We’ve built a catalog of courses to be like Netflix," she explains, "with on-demand content and exciting new releases like AI for ed-tech leaders."
This evolving platform enhances accessibility, with workshops translated into a staggering 232 languages to ensure inclusivity. As Dana puts it, "We want to empower students to do good in the world by supporting their teachers with high-quality learning opportunities."
Real-World Outcomes: The Power of Action
The GCC's focus on actionable outcomes sets it apart. Katlyn's story of integrating systems thinking into economics classes demonstrates its classroom impact, while Mike Pierre shares a powerful example of teaching marginalized students in Newark, New Jersey, to understand their agency through STEAM education. "We taught students how their decisions could challenge systemic inequalities like redlining," Mike explains. These real-world applications underscore the GCC’s potential to transform education into a force for equity and empowerment.
A Model for Today’s Progressive Educators
In a landscape teeming with professional development options, why does the GCC stand out? For Mike, it’s the program’s ability to be “noise cancelling” and provide targeted, actionable solutions. Katlyn likens it to planting seeds of knowledge that grow into lasting legacies. Sophie emphasizes its holistic impact: "It’s about feeling good by doing good, empowering educators to create meaningful change."
Scott sums up the GCC’s significance succinctly: "This work matters." He highlights how the program empowers educators to inspire students to take meaningful action in shaping a sustainable, equitable future.
As Katlyn aptly puts it, "It’s our job to prepare students for their world, not ours." The GCC provides the roadmap to make that vision a reality.
Empowering Educators to Inspire Change
Offering another educator’s perspective, Patrick Huewe, Departmental Chair of World Languages at Mary Institute and Saint Louis Country Day School (MICDS), highlights the profound impact of the Global Citizenship Certificate (GCC) on his teaching approach. “Inspire Citizens' global citizenship course made a profound impact on my teaching approach, especially in fostering empathy, compassion, and cultural appreciation among my students,” he explains. Patrick credits the course with enabling his students to connect their learning to critical global issues, particularly those aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “The course helped me empower my students to see themselves as active contributors to a better world,” he says, pointing to their successful participation in the #GoalsProject and other local initiatives in St. Louis, Missouri, as tangible outcomes. Reflecting on the experience, he adds, “I’m grateful for the opportunity to partner with Inspire Citizens. Their team of incredible mentors truly make a positive difference in our world.”
Preparing Students for Their World, Not Ours
The Global Citizenship Certificate is more than a professional development course—it’s a movement. By fostering innovation, building community, and delivering timely resources, the GCC empowers educators to lead the charge in transforming education for a better world. Whether through teaching economics that challenge conventional norms or designing programs that reconnect schools with their communities, GCC participants are living examples of its impact.
For educators seeking to make a difference, the GCC offers the tools, inspiration, and community to do so. As Katlyn aptly puts it, "It’s our job to prepare students for their world, not ours." The GCC provides the roadmap to make that vision a reality.
The next Global Citizenship Certificate cohort starts on March 8!