Closing the Global Gap

Institutes & Affiliates

Closing the Global Gap

The complex issue of education in a global era

In America today we face a persistent achievement gap in our schools. How can we remove the barriers and allow for creativity to enable a modern, globally competitive system of education? Can we learn from efforts in other countries to try new and innovative models?

The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, Under-Told Stories Project and Hendrickson Institute for Ethical Leadership present a two-day forum focused on youth education in Minnesota, across the United States and around the globe.

This two-day forum will deliver a digest of the latest reporting on issues associated with population growth, and will be presented at two Saint Mary’s University campuses:

Twin Cities	Winona
Date: November 13, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.	Date: November 14, 7:00- 8:30 p.m.
Location: University Center Saint Mary's University, Twin Cities Campus 2540 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55404	Location: Figliulo Recital Hall Saint Mary's University, Winona Campus 700 Terrace Heights, Winona MN 55987
Cost: Free	Cost: Free

For questions, please contact Sabrina Kelly, (612) 238-4507

Participants

Fred de Sam Lazaro - Moderator, Senior Distinguished Fellow at the Hendrickson Institute for Ethical Leadership, director of the Under-Told Stories Project at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and a correspondent for PBS NewsHour.

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Nathalie Applewhite - Managing Director for the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. She assists in the development of the Center’s model and approach towards journalism initiatives and educational outreach. Before joining the Center, she worked nationally and internationally on documentaries, educational, political and commercial productions as a producer, director and editor.

Dr. Christopher Clarke - Vice Principal for Academic Affairs, Shortwood Teachers College, Jamaica. His background is in studying Curriculum in Early Childhood Education, Gender Education, Teacher Development and Higher Education. He is currently a facilitator in the Master of Education offered by Saint Mary’s University of MN and the Catholic College of Mandeville in Jamaica. He is a member of Jamaica’s Teachers Services Commission and sits on several education-related boards and committees. (Twin Cities event)

Dr. Samuel Yigzaw - Principal of Higher Ground Academy, St. Paul. He is currently an adjunct faculty member at Saint Mary’s University and teaches courses of Assessment and Educational Research. In 2007 he published the book: Keeping the Promise: One Charter School’s Experience, where he tells of his experience with Higher Ground Academy and offers his opinion on critical issues in public education today. (Twin Cities event)

Dr. Efe Agbamu - Executive Director of ELL Immersion & World Language Programs, St. Paul Public Schools. Her specialization is in educational leadership with research interests in K-12 school leadership, English language learners and language acquisition. She is an adjunct faculty member at Saint Mary’s University of MN and has past experience in the roles of Assistant Principal and Principal in both urban and sub-urban settings. (Winona event)

Br. Ed Siderewicz - Special Assistant to Saint Mary’s University of MN President for First Generation Initiative. Through the First Generation Initiative, he helps provide access and support to economically disadvantaged college prospects. In 1995 he co-founded the first San Miguel School in Chicago, with a second campus established in 2002. He was then invited by Chicago Public Schools to open Catalyst Schools Chicago, where he continues to have a close working relationship. (Winona event)

About the Pulitzer Center

The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting is an innovative, award-winning non-profit journalism organization dedicated to supporting the independent international journalism that U.S. media organizations are increasingly less able to undertake. The Center focuses on under-reported topics, promoting high-quality international reporting and creating platforms that reach broad and diverse audiences. The Center's educational programs provide students with fresh information on global issues, help them think critically about the creation and dissemination of news, and inspire them to become active consumers and producers of information.