Since 2004, Helen Haskell taught middle and high school students at Sandia Preparatory School in Albuquerque, NM. Formerly an educator for the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, Helen uses local, national and international perspectives and issues to enhance the science curriculum and experiences of her students. As a member of the school’s Outdoor Leadership Program, Helen takes her students caving, camping, kayaking and backpacking as an integrated part of the school curriculum. As a TGC participant, Helen gained personal experiences and perspectives that will support her students in the classroom, and she used the opportunity of learning from and working with other teachers and communities to strengthen and make more cohesive her school’s global education initiatives.

Helen believes that through global education and collaboration educators and students can be part of a global team that helps curb the effects of global challenges. Teachers have the responsibility to facilitate empathy, understanding, problem-solving and action among students in global and local issues. She includes multiple global education lesson plans in her Global Education Guide. She provides a unit plan on Microbes where students learn about bacteria and their structure, and how bacteria spread between people. They connect this knowledge to spread of a disease in a community, debate the issues communities face in access to health care, and explore the roles that individuals, NGOs and governments play in health care and disease control. Helen traveled to the Philippines on her International Field Experience and she provides a collection of resources on her travel blog.