About Global Educational Community (GEC)
Who is GEC?
Formed in 2015 as a U.S.- based 501c3, The Global Educational Community (GEC) came together with one goal in mind: to transform education so all students acquire the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in a global community. Our leadership is comprised of internationally recognized scholars, educators, and organizations at the forefront of changing the conversation about what it means to be educated today.
Want to learn more? Visit our History of GEC page.
The Heart of the GEC Global, Innovative, Strategic, Transformative (GIST) School: An Engaged Ecosystem
In ALL schools, every member of the school ecosystem has the possibility to become the initiator, implementer, and receiver of knowledge and skills. All members of the School Education Community work together to provide an equitable learning ecosystem, both in and outside of school.
Once an engaged ecosystem has been nurtured, Authentic Learning and Leading Schools (3.0 Future School) may expect the following outcomes:
• High-level competencies balanced with social emotional confidence among students
• Trusted, deep, and respectful relationships among teachers, students, and community stakeholders
• Authentic learning driven by students’ interests, goals, and community contexts
• Individualized instruction, after-school programming, and additional services
• Opportunities for continued innovation and collaboration
Our Values
As an organization that helps young people to develop a global perspective of equity and inspire a shared responsibility for building a sustainable future for the well-being of all living things, GEC adopted the sixteen principles and values of the Earth Charter. Developed in 1997, Earth Charter was developed through a decade long, worldwide, cross-cultural conversation about common goals and shared values. The process involved the most open and participatory consultation process ever conducted in connection with an international document with participation by thousands of individuals and hundreds of organizations from all regions of the world, different cultures, and diverse sectors of society. It is a vision of hope and a call to action.
The Earth Charter
Who is GEC?
Formed in 2015 as a U.S.- based 501c3, The Global Educational Community (GEC) came together with one goal in mind: to transform education so all students acquire the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in a global community. Our leadership is comprised of internationally recognized scholars, educators, and organizations at the forefront of changing the conversation about what it means to be educated today.
Want to learn more? Visit our History of GEC page.
The Heart of the GEC Global, Innovative, Strategic, Transformative (GIST) School: An Engaged Ecosystem
In ALL schools, every member of the school ecosystem has the possibility to become the initiator, implementer, and receiver of knowledge and skills. All members of the School Education Community work together to provide an equitable learning ecosystem, both in and outside of school.
Once an engaged ecosystem has been nurtured, Authentic Learning and Leading Schools (3.0 Future School) may expect the following outcomes:
• High-level competencies balanced with social emotional confidence among students
• Trusted, deep, and respectful relationships among teachers, students, and community stakeholders
• Authentic learning driven by students’ interests, goals, and community contexts
• Individualized instruction, after-school programming, and additional services
• Opportunities for continued innovation and collaboration
Our Values
As an organization that helps young people to develop a global perspective of equity and inspire a shared responsibility for building a sustainable future for the well-being of all living things, GEC adopted the sixteen principles and values of the Earth Charter. Developed in 1997, Earth Charter was developed through a decade long, worldwide, cross-cultural conversation about common goals and shared values. The process involved the most open and participatory consultation process ever conducted in connection with an international document with participation by thousands of individuals and hundreds of organizations from all regions of the world, different cultures, and diverse sectors of society. It is a vision of hope and a call to action.
The Earth Charter
Our Team
Faye Snodgress
Chief Executive Officer
Ms. Snodgress is the former Executive Director of Kappa Delta Pi, International Honor Society in Education for 13 years. She served 4 years as an Expert Advisor and Chair of the Expert Committee of the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Institute for Education for Sustainable Development. She continues to serve on various other committees for organizations and is the Altrusa International Representation to the United Nations Department of Global Communications (DGC), Civil Society Unit/NGO.
Steve Zipkes
VP of School Development
Mr. Zipkes is the Founding Principal of Cedars International Next Generation High School in Austin, Texas. His design of a 100% project-based learning public high school, which focuses on integrated, cross-curricula STEM content and 21st century essential skills, has been recognized globally. Previously, as Principal at Manor New Tech High School, he was visited by President Obama in recognition of his successful project-based learning integrated STEM practices and the positive impact on student achievement. In 2014, Mr. Zipkes was awarded the National STEM Visionary Award by the International Association for STEM Leaders.
Jessica Yu
Director of Business Development
Jessica Yu founded the Chinese Education Connection in 2010. Her passion allowed development of educational programs to build and nurture genuine relationships between people from the United States and China. As a gateway for cross-cultural and educational interaction, CEC facilitates an effective learning environment for all. Professional development opportunities are offered to teacher and administrator exchanges in both countries.Jessica uses her deep knowledge of business coupled with dedication for all to create her vision.
Linda Lawrence
Senior Consultant
As a career public school educator Linda spent 44 years dedicating herself to children, parents and communities. She taught special education and was in administration as both a Principal and Assistant Principal for twenty-eight years of her career. As a Principal, she led a full school International Baccalaureate Program. Globalization of schools with children understanding the difference they make in this world has always been a key part of her work as an educator. Equity and education for all is the most important aspect of her educational life. Linda has presented nationally and internationally on a variety of topics.
Caterina Blitzer
International Education Consultant
A native of Trieste, Italy, Cathy is a graduate of Indiana University with a B.A. Honors in French, Italian and German and an M.A. from the University of Wisconsin in Comparative Literature and Linguistics. Throughout her career in Indiana she applied multilingual skills and global competencies in public service, international business and community-based non-profit leadership. In 1989, she authored the ‘Point of Departure: Status of International Service Organizations’ briefing paper that informed the convening of the International Issues Task Force and resulted in the establishment of the Forest Glen language immersion program and the International School of Indiana. Organizations served beginning in 1973 include the International Trade Division, Indiana Department of Commerce; Corporation for Indiana’s International Future; Campbell Communications International; City of Indianapolis; International Center of Indianapolis; International School of Indiana and Indiana Department of Education. Cathy was awarded the 2016 Simon Award from the Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages in recognition of her leadership in world language learning and served on the Indiana Language Roadmap Project Statewide Advisory Board. Previous recognitions include the Sagamore of the Wabash, the Torchbearer Award of the Indiana Commission for Women and the Indiana Pacer’s “Indiana Heroes” Award.
Board Members
Guoli Liang, Ed.D.
Co-Founder & Board President
In collaboration with Dr. Ann Lieberman of Stanford University, Dr. Liang is the Co-Founder of the Global Educational Community. He is the initial advocator and practitioner of the GEC approach. Since 2012, he has been the Chief Designer of GEC Schools, which includes responsibilities for architectural design, technology for school administration, teaching, learning, assessments, and community development. Dr. Liang retired from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater as a professor of pedagogy.
Dr. Paolo Pirjanian
Paolo Pirjanian is the former CTO of iRobot and early leader in the field of consumer robotics with 16+ years of experience developing and commercializing cutting-edge home robots. He worked at NASA JPL and led world-class teams and companies at iRobot®, Evolution Robotics®, and others. In 2016, Paolo founded Embodied, Inc. with the vision to build socially and emotionally intelligent digital companions that improve care and wellness and support people in living better lives every day.
Dr. Gwendolyn Battle-Lavert
Dr. Lavert has extensivehands-on educational experience, including as a classroom teacher, principal, teacher preparation faculty member, literacy specialist and international literacy consultant. She works to create a meaningful difference through improved educational operations, enhanced academic standards, and new initiatives. Dr. Lavert has a Ph. D in leadership and administration and a Masters in Literacy.
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