A graduate of the University of Arizona and the University of the State of New York, Jeff Ofstedahl is a Phoenix native and U.S. Navy veteran with a long history of business management. Jeff is currently the science director at his school in the rural community of Sierra Vista, AZ, near the U.S./Mexican border. He taught middle and high school science full-time for the past since 2008. Affectionately known by his students as “Mr. Oh!,” in 2011 Jeff was awarded the title of the county’s Teacher of the Year. He puts his science to the test every day as he lives off-the-grid in his solar- and wind-powered eco-friendly straw-bale home - which he constructed. Jeff also enjoys gardening organically, and is the sponsor of his community’s 4-H gardening program. By participating in TGC, Jeff learned how a global perspective in education is vital to promoting greater understanding between cultures and fostering peace.

Jeff Ofstedahl’s goal as a teacher is to engage students in coursework that will prepare them to succeed in the global world. He uses hands-on manipulative opportunities and engages his students meta-cognitively, so they can solve problems. In his Global Education Guide, Jeff provides a comprehensive Ecology unit plan on Global Sustainability. In this unit students investigate many of the world’s ecological issues and their impacts. Topics include exponential global population growth, refugee and internally displaced people crises, ecological footprints, subsistence farming in developing countries, water availability, energy consumption and CO2 emissions, sustainable energy solutions, and global health issues. Students reflect on their actions and how it has an impact on these issues and other people living around the world. They also develop solutions to some of these issues. Jeff traveled to Russia on his International Field Experience and includes many more resources on his travel blog.