Being Open to Others: An Educator of Global Citizenship Reflects on Two Personal Experiences and Their Implications for Teaching Global Competencies

Abstract

The author discusses two experiences in early adulthood that influenced what and how he has taught for the past 40 years as a high school teacher, corporate trainer, and university professor. In particular, these experiences shaped how he thinks about the importance of being open to others’ lived experiences, inspiring his teaching to this day. He hopes that his reflections resonate with educators of global competencies and that the stories may be a source for their growth, whether by the recollections themselves or through exploring their own reasons for teaching what and how they do.