Teachers without Borders

I need to say right away, this post is only partially about Teachers Without Borders, an international non-profit with the beautiful mission is to "connect teachers to information and each other to create local change on a global scale."  Their mission and work is closely aligned with the topic of this post, which is to teachers who move beyond the borders of their communities and nations into other countries both physically and digitally.  I have been interested in the ways people all across the world connect and am inspired by the notion that we as members of the human race are more similar than we are different.

A few of my friends have taught or are teaching abroad in South Korea.  Some came to teaching in S. Korea for different reasons including: using and making money with an English degree, paying off student loans, experiencing a new country/culture, effect some positive change in some students lives, and teach a few students a little bit about English.  Another friend who is still considering which program he would like to work for in SK wanted to get directly into teaching after two years with City Year Los Angeles (here is the link to the main site of City Year) based on his experience without working towards a teaching certificate right away.
Most countries which do not have English as their national language welcome English teachers from abroad who fluently speak English.  The opportunities for travel are numerous.  So this is one option for people interested in teaching, especially in teaching English, have an opportunity to break into the field.

Another opportunity to teach and learn abroad is the Fulbright Scholarship.  This scholarship or grant is for people who would like to study or teach abroad.  One of my English Literature professors at Michigan State University was a Fulbright Scholar who had taught in Germany during her tenure in the program.  There is a high level of prestige placed on this amazingly competitive honor.  Its goal is to connect people through education from across the globe.  When I first heard about the Fulbright Scholarship, I considered the possibility of studying abroad.  As I continue my way through life, I see there may yet be a possibility for me in this area, only under the auspiciousness of my career path I would be teaching abroad as oppose to studying.  Either way, I believe there is a future for me, at least for a few years, abroad.

The last way for teachers to have an international impact which I will mention here is through the internet.  Right now, my blog, and blogs far more important and influential, can be read not just in America, but across the world.  By utilizing twitter (here is my twitter @JacobBelknap) as a professional development network I can tap into a knowledge base comprised of the experience and research of teachers who have been in the field field anywhere from 0 to 40 years.  Not only can I see their 140 character snipits of insight, go to the websites and internet tools they make use of, and read their blogs, I can also interact with them.  There is still so much I need to learn about the reach and impact of the internet in terms of a learning apparatus, but so far I recognize its importance and will be open in the future to its new possibilities.

If anyone has additional thoughts teachers in their home country can have an effect outside their boundaries, please leave your insights and links as comments below.
talk about the possibility of working throughout the world