Mr. Jeremy Kirby
Wilson County

“The rainy morning in Amsterdam did not stop the excitement for today’s school visit. Though our group assignments were shared, it was left a mystery what the name of our host schools would be until we arrived. Conversations of anticipation filled the hotel lobby as we looked forward to what learning exchanges may take place during the school visits. My group was assigned to a primary school, De Vijf Sterren, where we learned how they provide support to students in the surrounding neighborhood, including a large number of students who transfer from the newcomers school. It was exciting to see how the diversity of the surrounding community was reflected in the staff serving in the school. I learned that are many systems in place at De Vijf Sterren that we recognized as operable school practices in our North Carolina districts, such as school improvement teams and using data to allocate school funds appropriately to support student well being and achievement. We also shared methods for how students with learning or behavior disabilities in North Carolina are included in general education classrooms as much as possible. The passion for education was evident in the school building as we enthusiastically discussed education hurdles and opportunities for improvement. It also fueled us to witness the incredible learning experiences students were having as their school year comes to a close. I had a brief moment of reflection with other program participants who attended the secondary school tour and all shared positive observations and beneficial discourse took place during their visit.

The second part of my day included independent study time. I was fortunate to travel to new areas in Amsterdam for continued immersion in Dutch culture. I set out with a couple of my colleagues to visit Artis – Micropia, the first museum in the world that focuses on microorganisms. As a teacher who focuses a lot of instructional time in science for my grade level, it was great to witness the city’s innovation toward educating the public on the invisible world of microbes and their importance to life here on earth. The entire museum was interactive, but one of the most memorable pieces was the body scan, which details how many microorganisms are living in/on your body. (I had 175 trillion microbes!) There was also exhibits that explained the evolution of microscopic technology and others that focused on public health matters. I digitally recorded some of my time at the museum and plan to use some of the media to support the life science themes I teach during the school year. Along the impromptu walking tour of the city, I captured several photos of historic sites and admired the sustainable architecture throughout the city. I was in route to find a restaurant that sold pizza by the slice and came across the city archives center. I didn’t have time for a full tour but I was able to go in for s short time and collect a few printed materials for later reference.

We braced the wind and journeyed toward the dock where the ferry would take us to the waiting area for the Pannenkoekenboot (Pancake Boat Tour). Several fellows from the Global NC Teachers program booked this tour in advance due to the popularity of the attraction. All you can eat pannenkoekan are served hot through a kitchen window and customers are able to add various toppings. Dutch style pancakes are more savory and crepe like in structure which differs from traditional American style pancakes. While the sun had started to shine more clearly, the wind unfortunately made it unfavorable for eating while sailing river so we did not leave the dock area at the direction of the captain. Nevertheless, it was a memorable experience to practice a few Dutch terms and eat loaded pancakes alongside other passionate educators while floating in the canals of Amsterdam. 

Two more days remain in the internationally immersive experience and I am excited for all that awaits for Go Global NC Teachers – Netherlands 2025, thank you to the Simple Gifts Fund!” “

Ms. Ashley West
Alamance County

“My name is Ashley West, and I’m a 4th-grade teacher at Hillcrest Elementary in Burlington, NC. Recently, I had the opportunity to visit IKC De Vijf Sterren in the Netherlands, and I can honestly say it was one of the most inspiring school visits I’ve ever experienced.

From the moment I walked through the doors, I could feel how special the school was. The building was bright, full of light, and completely covered in student artwork and staff photos. It instantly gave off a feeling of joy and pride. The school serves a beautifully diverse population, including many refugee students and families from lower-income backgrounds, and it was so clear that every child there was seen, valued, and supported. One of the first things that stood out to me was how much movement was built into the day. In many classrooms, especially with the younger students, kids didn’t wear shoes. There were visuals everywhere, students were up and moving, and it just felt natural and developmentally right. Most classrooms had teacher assistants too, which allowed for more small-group work and hands-on learning. I kept thinking, Wow, these kids are really active participants in their own learning.

Another thing I loved was how much student voice and choice were a part of the school culture. One tool I thought was especially cool was the digikeuze bord, or digital choice board. Students could pick their tasks, and the system kept track of their selections. It wasn’t just about flexibility; it was about trust. Students were trusted to make choices, and that trust clearly helped them thrive. Even the way the school approached behavior was thoughtful and respectful. Instead of jumping straight to consequences, there was a clear process: a warning, a timeout in the classroom, and if needed, time outside the room. It was all handled with care and calm, focused on helping students reset, not punish. The school didn’t have a nurse, but every teacher was trained in first aid. And instead of relying solely on school staff, they partnered with outside organizations to meet students’ needs, like bringing in a dentist and a speech therapist, all at no cost to families. Parents even made the school lunches and received vouchers in return. The way they wove community into the school day was really something special. Rather than having a traditional graduation ceremony, students put on plays or presentations to celebrate milestones. It wasn’t about pomp and circumstance; it was about showing what they’d learned, using their voices and creativity.

This experience gave me so many ideas for how I can grow as an educator. I left with a full heart and a mind buzzing with ways to bring more movement, student choice, and identity into my own classroom. I’m especially excited to be more intentional about showcasing my students, who they are, what they create, and what matters to them, on our classroom walls, just like I saw at De Vijf Sterren.

I want to sincerely thank the Alamance Area Chamber of Commerce for making this journey possible. Because of your generosity, I was able to step into a school halfway across the world and come back with new energy and perspective. It was an experience that has already made me a better teacher and one I’ll never forget. Thank you for believing in educators and for investing in meaningful opportunities like this.“

Ms. Alyson Mann
Orange County

“My name is Alyson Mann, and I currently serve as the Student Support Coach at New Hope Elementary School. Through the Go Global NC Global Teachers program, I’ve had the opportunity to engage with Dutch educators and learn about the systems and structures that support their students.

Our day began with the group splitting based on educational focus areas. I joined the team visiting IKC de Vijf Sterren, a primary school in Amsterdam Noord that takes a comprehensive, community-centered approach to education. We were graciously welcomed by three school leaders who shared how their team has built an environment that supports the whole child and their family.

The student population is largely made up of children from low-income or migrant families, creating barriers to traditional education. The school provides a range of on-site services including dental care, speech therapy, physiotherapy, and maternity support for family members. For newly arrived students who are not yet proficient in Dutch, students attend a school specifically focused on Dutch language acquisition. IKC de Vijf Sterren partners with the nearby newcomer school to ensure continuity in both language acquisition and academic development when students are ready to transition to content instruction in Dutch.

Parental involvement is strong and purposeful. The school holds regular care team meetings, provides reading bags and home reading materials, and partners with families in unique and mutually beneficial ways—such as offering food vouchers to parents who prepare school lunches. Unlike most schools in the Netherlands, IKC de Vijf Sterren provides daily lunch for its students to remove another possible obstacle to academic learning and student well-being.

The culture of the school is warm, focused, and rooted in equity. As I spoke with a school leader, I felt such connection to her work and the school as we discussed the shared responsibilities (and unusual nature) of our roles, the challenges we face in ensuring equity and access, and the vision we share for the support of all children.

I cannot possibly share all of the school’s initiatives or capture the warmth of the school culture in this blog, but to put it simply, IKC de Vijf Sterren has a school team and community that is doing the work and changing the lives of their kids. They are a powerful example of what’s possible when schools fully engage with families and prioritize student well-being.

Later in the day, a group of us regrouped during independent study time at a local bike shop to begin a countryside bike tour. After a quick orientation with our guide, Shakira, we set off on e-bikes through picturesque fishing villages and farmland. We hit a few bumps along the way (literally), but we shared many laughs and took in the beautiful Dutch landscape together. I am looking forward to the Van Gogh museum tomorrow after authentically engaging with the Dutch landscape, the subject matter of so many of his works.

We ended the day on the “Pannenkoekenboot” (pancake boat), joining more Go Global teachers for dinner. At dinner, I found that many of the teachers in my group shared my feelings of connection with the schools we had visited, and we discussed the possibilities for continuing aspects of their work in our own schools and classrooms. Through this program, I am reminded of my deep love and appreciation for educators, across our state and across the globe, who pour so freely into their students and continuously search for best practices that will meet the needs of our communities. I am incredibly appreciative of the Borchardt Fund which made this collaboration between educators, on both a state and global level, possible.“

Ms. Heather Turner
Wayne County

“Groeten uit Amsterdam! It is  day 9 of our Global Teachers program 2025. I awoke today to a notice from my Health data app informing me my daily average steps have been on the rise….go figure, we have been walking a lot each day!  In the morning we visited a secondary school, Oostvaarders College. After coming in from a rainy drizzle, we were warmly greeted by staff with a great introduction to their program, goals, & even new plans. The facilities were open & modern. I would even describe them as vibrant with multi colors and a rainbow mural in the stairwell. I was struck by how clean everything was versus our school at home. My favorite highlights were hearing about their service dog for special needs students, speaking with student council members and listening to a debate team competing in Dutch. During the debate I felt like one of my ELL students listening to lab exercise directions. I was inspired by the social studies teacher’s collage of historical figures and events that covered his walls. I absolutely could see myself doing something similar for science!! What a great way to represent diversity over many decades. 

After the school visit I spent the afternoon perusing the Albert Cuyp market after taking a bus & the metro to get there. What a place to take in! There were so many booths of food, goods, produce, flowers, & souvenirs. I heard Turkish music & Latin music, and many different languages. I counted at least 9 different cultures from Dutch and Turkish, to Filipino and Mexican. The crowd was very diverse with tourists, locals, dogs, and refugees in the mix.  Lunch was Peruvian chicken with rice & olives. I also found the opportunity to partake of Dutch culture by eating pickled herring with a friend and getting fresh stroopwafel made with local syrup. The herring was pretty strong, but the pickles & onions added a good texture & taste. However, I must say my favorite taste was the slightly sweet waffle. 

I left the market & walked some more with 2 others back to Central Station and took a quick break at the hotel. I soon headed out with a group to walk to the Pontsteiger ferry to head over to the other side of the IJ river. Our group had made plans to have supper there on the “pancake boat” in the arts district (known as NDSM).  I noticed on this leg of my journey many apartments and townhouses with boat slips. Gorgeous! It was definitely a family neighborhood with kids playing & adults walking their dogs. We got to the ferry and I was surprised to find that there were only cyclists and walkers-no cars! It was a super short ride over & really easy to navigate. 

Unfortunately, the wind was strong all day, so our captain on the pancake boat chose not to sail. Instead, we ate lovely thin Dutch pancakes while the boat was at the dock. I had a goal of eating 3 pancakes, but only managed 2! I ate one with bacon, cheese, & pesto. Yummy flavors!! Of course, I had to try an apple pancake with Nutella, jam, & chocolate sprinkles. I wish we could have sailed out on the IJ river, but I thoroughly enjoyed the water view and harbor vibe. I pretty much smiled the entire time! With a belly full of pancakes I headed back to the hotel by way of a ferry & 15 minute walk amongst the bicycles and pedestrians. I closed out my day as an inspired & culturally aware educator and tired traveler. As I turned in for bed I checked out my health app….Day 9 was a record for me with over 19,000 steps!

Here’s to the Simple Gifts Fund! I am so thankful for the opportunity to be a part of Global Teachers 2025. The program has shown me a global perspective of education and it will definitely impact my classroom, lessons, & interactions with my immigrant students.“