Since 2005, Jennifer West taught social studies at Park Hill High School in Kansas City, MO. Jennifer’s regular course load includes teaching world history to 9th graders and Advanced Placement Human Geography to 9-12th grade students. As a leader on the school’s technology committee, Jennifer presents many strategies to her colleagues about using technology in the classroom in order to create a more student-centered approach to teaching. She is very interested in making her content area relevant to students and often uses technology, personal travel experiences, and guest speakers to supplement her curriculum. Jennifer also completed the National Board Certification process in 2011. Through her participation in TGC, Jennifer gained ideas for how to create and implement meaningful global education opportunities for her students. Additionally, she became a positive, open-minded representative for the U.S. during the field experience while also returning to her students and colleagues with new insights and perspectives toward global cultures.

Jennifer West now sees her role as a link between the outside world and her students. Her approach to teaching History and Geography has changed as she now emphasizes a more global, action-centered focus, with student-centered learning and more relevant uses of technology. In her Global Education Guide, Jennifer includes a unit plan on Forced Migration-Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDP). Students study and research forced migration crises and the extreme realities faced by IDPs and refugees. During the unit, students engage in a forced migration simulation, which challenges them to think about the adversities faced by IDPs and refugees. At the end of the unit, students develop an action plan to help IDPs and refugees. Jennifer also includes a collection of globalized lesson plans from multiple subject areas and grade levels. She traveled to Morocco for her International Field Experience and a host of resources can be found on her travel blog.