Globalize Your Classroom with the Pulitzer Center

Dear Educators --

As a former teacher who saw firsthand how powerful journalism can be as a way to draw young people into discussions on the critical global issues of our time -- from maternal health to sustainable development to food security and climate change -- it's my pleasure to reach out to you now as education director of the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting.

The Pulitzer Center is a journalism organization that supports independent international reporting. With over 300 projects completed and new work underway, we have a deep pool of multimedia reporting that teachers can use to bring complex concepts vividly to life for their students.

This is the first time we've released a newsletter specifically for an audience of educators. You're a unique group and I think it makes sense to speak to you directly, but only when we have useful news or opportunities for you. And you can unsubscribe easily at any time.

I hope you won't, of course. We are only as strong as the community we build, so I encourage you to pass this along to colleagues and friends in the education community whom you think might be interested as well. They can sign up for our newsletter by visiting our education homepage and entering their e-mail address in the box at the top of the page.

CONNECT WITH US
Some of you have engaged with our journalists in the past at various levels -- from class visits to student reporting contests to summer media workshops. And some of you might be new to our educational model.

Whether you are interested in adding a global piece to a unit you've already developed or are looking to create something new based entirely on a global theme, such as water and sanitation, resource extraction, or population issues, we have a flexible educational program that we can tailor to fit your needs. And unit maps and lesson plans are available on our website for you to use right away.

New web tools, which are free to use and include a user-friendly search and a personalized bookmarking system, will help you find what you need -- a slideshow on China's disappearing glaciers or a video on the pervasive problem of child marriage -- and save it for easy future reference. Make the most of our resources by logging in with Facebook or creating your own account today.

A signature of our approach is working with teachers and students to explore the ways the issues they face in their local communities connect to the global picture. One example of this is a year-long examination of water quality in a Washington D.C. waterway conducted by area high school students, who, with Pulitzer Center support, were able to view this in a global context.

This fall we will offer periodic online Q&As with our journalists, beginning with a session hosted by Paul Salopek, a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter who is about to undertake an unprecedented multi-year walk around the world. He will link contemporary issues to the history of human migration, engaging with students and teachers online through a portal on the Pulitzer Center website as he makes his way out of Africa, across Asia, and down through the Americas. Watch the trailer.

In the six years we've worked with teachers and students we've seen the impact that a committed engagement with our resources can have. The deeper you are able to dive, the more rewarding the outcomes. I urge you to explore the links above, and to reach out to us to communicate your specific needs.

Let's make a plan together. I look forward to hearing from you.

Mark Schulte
Education Director