The University of Toledo Center for International Studies and Programs will present the inaugural Global Educator Award Friday, Sept. 26, at the Faculty Club in the Radisson Hotel on Health Science Campus.

The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a dinner, and the program will follow around 7:15 p.m.

The Global Educator Award is presented by the UT Center for International Studies and Programs to recognize individuals, institutions and organizations that promote intercultural understanding and a respect for cultural diversity through education and educational exchanges.

A committee of UT faculty and staff selected two recipients for the inaugural award:

• Gayle Morgan Schaber, a global educator who was nominated by the UT Confucius Institute for her work in bringing Chinese language and culture classes to Toledo Public Schools (TPS).

Through Schaber’s efforts, the Confucius Institute was able to expand Chinese language and cultural programming to 14 elementary schools. The agreement provides for Chinese language teachers to come from China to teach in TPS elementary schools. Through this program, Toledo elementary school students will be exposed to Chinese language and culture at the earliest stages of their formal education and will be inspired to explore the world as they mature.

She became acquainted with the UT Confucius Institute through her position with TPS and is eager to see the expansion of the Confucius Classroom Initiative from two to 14 elementary schools take effect this school year. Schaber traveled to Beijing and Hefei, People’s Republic of China, as a member of the Hanban 2012 Chinese Bridge Delegation. She retired this week after almost 20 years of service to TPS.

• Toledo Sister Cities International, which is being recognized for its International Youth Academy.

The nonprofit organization’s International Youth Academy brings students from around the world to Toledo, where they study English, experience the reality of U.S. culture, live with local families, and develop lifelong friendships. This program also enriches Toledo, as students serve as ambassadors for their countries.

Toledo Sister Cities International is a member of Sister Cities International and is dedicated to enriching the community through the spirit of international cooperation. Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Reagan, Bush, Clinton, Bush and Obama have served as honorary chair of Sister Cities International.

The Global Educator Award was initiated by Dr. Minhua Wu, interim director of the UT Office of Global Initiatives and interim director of the UT Confucius Institute as part of the Global Confucius Institute Day to honor the individuals who have assisted the institute to promote the study and appreciation of Chinese language and culture over the past five years.

The idea was adopted by Dr. Sammy Spann, UT assistant provost for student engagement, and expanded to an award to recognize all community stakeholders involved in global education. Although still sponsored by the Confucius Institute, the award is presented by the Center for International Studies and Programs to represent UT’s strong commitment to global education and its desire to honor and encourage global educators.

For more information, contact Llewellyn Gibbons, UT professor of law and chair of the UT Confucius Institute Board of Directors, at 419.530.4175 or llew.gibbons2@utoledo.edu.

Tags: College of Law