Global NC is grateful for the continued generosity of the Simple Gifts Fund, whose support is enabling nine educators from Eastern North Carolina to participate in the Global Teachers 2026 – Group 1 delegation, traveling June 16–27, 2026.
These educators will join colleagues from across the state for an immersive global learning experience in South Africa, Zambia, and Botswana, exploring the region’s history, education systems, conservation efforts, and community development initiatives.
Participants will visit Johannesburg, Livingstone, and Kasane, engaging with local educators and community leaders while gaining insights they will bring back to classrooms and communities across North Carolina.
The nine educators supported by the Simple Gifts Fund represent counties across Eastern North Carolina, highlighting the growing reach of the Global Teachers program and its impact in communities throughout the region:
- Ashley Acosta (Cumberland County)
- Salina Artis (Wayne County)
- Joya Barnett (Craven County)
- Victoria Bridgers (Bladen County)
- Kimberly Dunlow (Chowan County)
- Lillian Hartsell (Lenoir County)
- Chastity Lily (Onslow County)
- Matthew Lococo (Greene County)
- Raven Vaughn (Sampson County)
Victoria Bridgers – Bladen County
Victoria Bridgers will be the first Global Teachers participant to represent Bladen County. A World History teacher, she applied to the program to deepen her global perspective and immerse herself in the cultures of South Africa, Botswana, and Zambia.
By gaining firsthand insight into the region’s history, traditions, and contemporary issues, she looks forward to bringing meaningful stories and global connections back to her classroom to help students better understand the world.
Ashley Acosta – Cumberland County
Ashley Acosta applied to the Global Teachers program to expand her instructional lens after ten years in her career field. She will be traveling outside the United States for the first time, along with fellow participants Salina Artis (Wayne County) and Kimberly Dunlow (Chowan County).
Ms. Acosta sees the experience as an opportunity to grow as an educator and leader while exploring education systems beyond North Carolina. She hopes the experience will strengthen student learning outcomes and inspire new approaches in her classroom while supporting her own professional and personal growth.
Notably, Kimberly Dunlow will also be the first Global Teachers participant to represent Chowan County, marking an important milestone for the program’s continued expansion across North Carolina. For all of the educators, the experience represents an opportunity to deepen their global perspective and bring new insights back to their classrooms and communities.
Programs like Global Teachers equip educators with global perspectives that directly benefit students, schools, and communities across North Carolina.
Global NC is proud to partner with supporters like the Simple Gifts Fund, whose investment helps expand access to global learning opportunities for teachers across the state.
