International Educator of the Year The World Affairs Council seeks a Houston-Area teacher to be its International Educator of the Year. A global-minded educator who is dedicated to the promotion of international education. A teacher who regularly brings students to Council Young Leaders' Forums, Conversations with History, International Economics events, and other programs. A teacher who is dedicated to maintaining their knowledge of the world, and regularly attends the Council's Educators' Forums, Global Issues in Depth Saturday workshops, and other professional development opportunities. An educator whose commitment to international education and awareness serves as an outstanding example to their students, their profession, and the local community. Click here to nominate a teacher.  The Educator of the Year will receive $500 award in appreciation of their dedication to international education. Additionally, they will be guaranteed an opportunity to join a Council travel tour during the academic year. 2008 Kristen Davis Sharpstown High School The World Affairs Council of Houston is pleased to recognize Kristen Davis of Sharpstown High School as the 2008 Houston International Educator of the Year. She is a highly motivated educator who inspires her students to learn about international issues. Kristen currently teaches World History, World Geography, and Pre-AP World Geography. "This is Kristen’s second year at Sharpstown High School and in that time she has shown herself to be truly dedicated to the promotion of world affairs and international education…Kristen’s desire to bring international issues and awareness to her students make her an outstanding choice for Educator of the Year. I cannot think of a more deserving teacher." - Cynthia Fairbanks, Instructional Coach/Department Chair, Social Studies, Sharpstown High School At Sharpstown High School, Kristen sponsors numerous extracurricular activities including the Sharpstown World Affairs Club. Congratulations, Kristen! 2007 Anita Pilling The John Cooper School The World Affairs Council of Houston is pleased to recognize Anita Pilling of The John Cooper School as the 2007 Houston International Educator of the Year. She is a highly motivated educator who inspires her students to learn about international issues. Anita currently teaches World History, and has taught AP European History. Next year, she will be offering two intriguing courses - Reel History, a history through film course, and Chindia: The New Asian Tigers. "Anita has been a remarkably inspiring teacher of history at The John Cooper School for many years. She has fostered a life long love of the subject and a profound understanding of significant world events in the course of history. Her knowledge is extensive with regard to current events and she imparts this with such enthusiasm that her students become highly motivated and knowledgeable themselves." - David Timms, colleague, The John Cooper School At the John Cooper School, Anita sponsors numerous extracurricular activities including the International Club, Habitat for Humanity, and the Junior State of America chapter which is a student organization that debates current issues. 2006 Haley Clark DeBakey High School, Houston Independent School District Haley teaches Economics, U.S. Government, World History, World Geography, and AP U.S. History. He also sponsors the DeBakey Student Council, the Jewish Student Club, and the Muslim Student Union. Haley is a highly motivated educator who inspires his students to learn about international issues. He has organized his students to participate in the Model United Nations, the CloseUp Prgram in Washington, D.C., and serves as Chairman of the DeBakey High School International Festival. Haley has attended many teacher enrichment workshops focusing on international topics and traveled extensively over the course of his career. Through these experiences, he has attained a rich understanding of international issues that he has been able to share with his students. "Mr. Clark has been one the best World History teachers I've ever had. Not only does he help us to expand our knowledge about the world outside of our country, but he does it in a way that keeps the class on "our toes" at all times. His involvement with WACH has allowed me and other students to get involved, physically and mentally, with many different aspects of the world through programs such as the International Extravaganza and the Academic World Quest competition. -- Ashley Wade, student "Lots of students find their history classes as a boring task of memorizing facts and figures. This is because they have not experienced Mr. Clark's class. Sharing his own broad experiences and providing endless stories of knowledge, it is impossible to catch a dull moment in his class." -- James Guo, student "Mr. Clark makes history come alive for us in the classroom. In addition, he encourages his students to have the "hands-on" experience of social studies through participation in the World Affairs Council. Mr. Clark is genuinely committed to his students and the quality of their education." -- Denise Johnson, student 2005 Jeff Cherry Clear Creek High School Jeff is a highly motivated educator who inspires his students to learn about international issues. In the last seven years, Jeff has taken seven student groups overseas and in many cases gave students their first international experience. He is the founder and sponsor of the Creek International Affairs Club. The club is in its fourth year, and is very active in global affairs. The organization�s international work includes the collection of over $2,500 for Tsunami Relief in 2005. In 2004, Creek International Affairs Club students raised funds to be a part of the Children�s Friendship Project of Northern Ireland. This cross-cultural exchange brought one Catholic and one Protestant student to Houston for a once in a lifetime opportunity and were hosted in Houston by Jeff and his family. "I can thank no one more than Coach Cherry for opening my eyes to the world." - Justin Doyle, former student 2004 Susan Hollier The Woodlands High School Congratulations to Susan Hollier of The Woodlands High School on being named the Houston Area International Educator of the Year. Susan is an outstanding teacher who motivates not only her students, but other Houston educators. "A student touched by Susan is a student affected for life. Through infectious enthusiasm, she enriches their day. She opens their minds and fills it with knowledge and sensitivity to world cultures, people, and events. By every measure of excellence, Susan is regarded universally by national educators, peers, parents, and most of all, her students, as a supreme teacher." Susan teaches World Geography, honors and Pre-AP, and AP Human Geography at The Woodlands High School. In addition, she regularly consults for the College Board and has presented workshops on Human Geography all over the Southwest Region.

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Global Energy Initiative

Lectures, field trips, teacher workshops, resource materials, lesson plans, energy links, and more - everything you need to gain a balanced understanding of today's critical energy issues.

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