Incorporating the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into a school curriculum offers substantial value, especially in the holistic development of children. Here’s how integrating these goals can enrich education and foster comprehensive growth:

Educators must immerse themselves in the local culture, traditions, and social norms. This understanding helps in delivering lessons that are relevant and respectful of the students' background. Avoid Imposing Values: Instead of imposing their own cultural values, teachers should appreciate and integrate the local values into their teaching methods.

Colonialism often sought to suppress and marginalize indigenous cultures and literature, replacing them with those of the colonizers. By emphasizing the rich literary history of these nations, educators can help reclaim and celebrate the unique cultural identities that were threatened. This process of rediscovery and reaffirmation aids in preserving languages, traditions, and stories that form the bedrock of a society’s heritage.

It's great that you work with rich kids at a rich school in a former colonial country. We just want us all to talk about the fact that 99% of the students in that country will never know about your fancy, expensive curriculum, testing, and certificates...

The international EdTech industry is replete with mission statements promising to make the world a better place through education. Yet, the reality often starkly contrasts with these lofty ideals. The industry predominantly serves the wealthiest 1% of schools, driven by profit motives that neglect the vast majority of students, particularly those in the Global South. At Urban Green Education (UGE), we believe it is time for a paradigm shift. By investing in local teachers and providing them with the necessary tools, we can create a more equitable and effective global education system. This article explores how UGE, in partnership with Lincoln Learning Solutions and Agilix Labs, is leading this change and how the EdTech industry can realign its actions with its mission to serve all students.

In the heart of Jakarta's sprawling urban slum, Sari attended a modest local school that lacked even the most basic resources. Textbooks were shared and tattered, and classrooms were overcrowded and underfunded. Despite these conditions, Sari’s curiosity was boundless. Her parents, though struggling financially, encouraged her thirst for knowledge, telling her stories of educated individuals who transformed their lives through learning.

Imagine a student named Sari, a bright girl living in an urban slum in Jakarta, Indonesia. Sari has recently gained access to world-class digital educational materials, transforming not only her academic life but also having profound ripple effects on her family, community, and potentially, her country…

Giving wealthy students at wealthy international schools even more modern advantages does little to serve the common good of the world. Instead, it perpetuates and expands a market that primarily enriches education and #EdTech companies in the West. This market-driven approach to education often prioritizes profit over genuine learning and equity, creating a cycle where resources are continuously funneled towards those who already have access to ample educational opportunities.

Imagine incorporating a course titled "The Power of Taking Care and Giving Care" into the curriculum could indeed foster a profound impact on students' understanding and practice of care in various dimensions—personal, social, and environmental. Here’s a detailed outline of how such a class could be structured and what it might encompass:

Imagine a world where every child in the urban slums of the globe learned to read. The transformative power of literacy could unlock unprecedented opportunities and drive substantial socio-economic progress. Here’s an exploration of the profound impacts this could have:

As AI continues to shape our world, the human skills of reading and speaking, honed through a liberal arts education, will become even more critical. For young students in the Global South, embracing liberal arts education can open up unprecedented opportunities, driving personal, social, and economic transformation. It is time to recognize and invest in the potential of liberal arts to create a brighter, more equitable future for all.

By fostering critical thinking, empathy, creativity, and global awareness, liberal arts education equips students with the tools they need to navigate the complexities of the modern world and make meaningful contributions to their communities. In doing so, it not only transforms individual lives but also empowers entire communities, fostering a cycle of positive change and sustainable development. Let us champion the value of liberal arts education and ensure that every student, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to realize their full potential.

Opening the door to blended learning in a high school in the Global South, especially in one lacking textbooks and other educational materials, can profoundly impact students' lives by enhancing access, engagement, and learning outcomes in critical subjects like algebra, calculus, biology, physics, and chemistry. Here's how this approach can make a significant difference:

Simply put - a large majority of schools in the Global South lack sufficient textbooks, which represents a critical challenge but also a tremendous opportunity for transformative change through blended learning. Implementing this model can effectively bridge the gap between the scarcity of physical educational resources and the growing availability of digital solutions. Here’s how this could be achieved:

The concept of stewardship, as discussed by Peter Block in his work on organizational leadership and community, emphasizes service over self-interest and collective decision-making over top-down authority. Applying these principles to serve teachers in a school setting can lead to a more empowered and engaged faculty. Here are several strategies based on the stewardship approach that can help serve teachers effectively…

In the landscape of global education, standardized testing has often been heralded as the benchmark for excellence. Yet, this metric, especially prevalent in the educational systems of the Global South, is increasingly criticized for its limitations and commercial exploitation. Rather than equating high test scores with genuine learning, there's a growing realization that this approach might actually detract from educational quality. This article delves into the profound issues associated with standardized testing, critiques the involvement of big educational companies, and offers hopeful solutions to reshape the future of international education.

Introducing high school students to the concepts and vision of servant leadership and stewardship can have a profound impact on their personal development and their approach to sustainability. The principles outlined in Peter Block's book "Stewardship: Choosing Service Over Self-Interest" can serve as a valuable framework for this educational effort.

Love empowers children to believe that they can make a positive difference. When children feel loved and supported, they are more likely to feel confident in their ability to effect change. Teaching sustainability with an emphasis on love can empower children to become active participants in creating a better future.

As artificial intelligence continues to integrate into educational settings, tools like ChatGPT present innovative opportunities to enhance teaching and learning. While these AI models can generate content instantly, their integration into academic environments is not without significant risks, particularly when compared to structured and vetted resources such as the Lincoln Content Bank.

A foundation of sustainability supports a curriculum designed to help students become global citizens in several key ways. It equips students with the awareness, skills, and values necessary to contribute to a more sustainable and just world, fostering a sense of global responsibility and interconnectedness.

In every great school lies the heart and soul of its success—the teachers. These educators are not mere conveyors of knowledge but artists in their own right, who sculpt the future with every lesson they deliver. But do we truly value their artistry? Do we place them, unequivocally, at the center of our educational ecosystem?

Just as an artist transforms a blank canvas into a masterpiece, so too can a teacher transform a classroom. With the right tools, their creativity knows no bounds; with limited resources, their ingenuity still shines. The question we must ask ourselves is not whether our teachers can create magic with two colors of paint, but what could they achieve with a thousand?