From Southern Africa to North Carolina Classrooms

Every Global Teachers program begins with a simple belief: when educators gain firsthand global experiences, students, schools, and communities across North Carolina benefit.

This summer, 56 North Carolina K–12 educators representing 35 counties participated in Global NC’s Global Teachers–Southern Africa 2026 program. Traveling in two cohorts, participants explored Johannesburg, South Africa; Kasane, Botswana; Livingstone, Zambia; and Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, engaging with educators, students, conservation organizations, cultural institutions, and local communities throughout the region.

Throughout the experience, participants examined diverse education systems, explored the history and cultures of Southern Africa, and studied global issues including conservation, sustainable development, agriculture, tourism, and land management through a STEM-focused lens. These experiences challenged participants to think globally while strengthening the knowledge and perspectives they will bring back to their classrooms.

While the in-country immersion has concluded, the program’s greatest impact is just beginning.

Over the coming school year, these educators will share what they learned with thousands of students across North Carolina through classroom instruction, school presentations, professional development, and community engagement. As they do, they will help students develop the global awareness, cultural understanding, and critical thinking skills needed to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

The 56 educators participating in Global Teachers–Southern Africa 2026 traveled in two cohorts, creating opportunities for deeper engagement with schools, cultural institutions, conservation organizations, and communities across Southern Africa. Together, they return home with new global perspectives to share in classrooms throughout North Carolina.

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A Statewide Investment

One of the defining strengths of this year’s program is its statewide reach.

Educators from 35 North Carolina counties participated in the 2026 program, representing communities from across the state. The accompanying map illustrates where these participants teach, highlighting how the impact of the Global Teachers Fellowship extends far beyond the individuals who traveled.

Each highlighted county on the map represents a North Carolina community where a participating educator teaches. Together, these educators will bring new global perspectives, stronger cross-cultural understanding, and real-world experiences back to classrooms throughout the state.

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Made Possible Through Partnership

Transformational experiences like the Global Teachers program are only possible because of the generosity of foundations, corporations, community organizations, endowed fellowships, and individual donors who believe in preparing North Carolina’s educators, and ultimately its students, for success in a globally connected world.

This year, we are especially proud to celebrate that 14 educators received fellowship support through the Global Teachers Fellowship Endowment, helping ensure that geography or financial barriers do not limit participation. As the statewide endowment continues to grow, it will create permanent opportunities for educators from all 100 North Carolina counties to participate in the Global Teachers program, an immersive international professional development experience that enriches classrooms and communities across our state.

We extend our sincere appreciation to the organizations and individuals whose generosity made the Global Teachers–Southern Africa 2026 program possible.

 

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Coming Soon: Explore the Experience

Although the participants have returned home, there is still much of the story to tell.

Over the coming weeks, Global NC will work with participants to compile the stories, reflections, photographs, and videos captured throughout their experience in Southern Africa.

Later this summer, we’ll launch the Global Teachers–Southern Africa 2026 program page, where you’ll be able to follow the experience day by day through participant-written blogs, vlogs, photos, and personal reflections. From school visits and cultural exchanges to conservation experiences and conversations with local educators and community leaders, the site will provide a behind-the-scenes look at the moments that shaped this year’s program and the lessons participants are bringing home to North Carolina classrooms.

We invite you to explore the Global Teachers–Southern Africa 2026 experience through the firsthand stories, reflections, and perspectives of the educators who participated.

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Thank You

Global NC extends its heartfelt gratitude to every foundation, corporation, community organization, fellowship sponsor, and individual donor who invested in this year’s program.

Together, you are helping connect North Carolina and the world by equipping educators with the knowledge, relationships, and experiences that inspire students, strengthen communities, and prepare future generations for success in an increasingly interconnected world.