Challenge
As a Virtual Educator, I was asked to help expand the reach of English Language Programs in Mexico by connecting with preservice teachers at Normal Schools—higher education institutions that prepare future K–12 educators. The challenge was to create programming that would resonate across different regions and spark meaningful cultural exchange.
Action
I partnered with colleagues, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico, and three Normal Schools in the north, center, and south of the country to design and deliver a joint webinar. The session focused on cultural differences between regions of the United States, using that theme as an entry point for preservice teachers to reflect on their own cultural diversity within Mexico. I built the presentation to be interactive, weaving in activities and discussion prompts that encouraged participants to compare perspectives and challenge assumptions. By combining U.S. and Mexican cultural narratives, the session created a platform for dialogue as well as professional growth.
Impact
The webinar engaged ~150 preservice teachers across three regions, fostering cross-cultural awareness and building networks among future educators. It positioned English Language Programs not only as a source of language training but also as a facilitator of global understanding and exchange.
Supporting Materials
Below you’ll find an example of international partnership in action.
Webinar for Three Regions in Mexico – The session focused on cultural differences between the U.S. East and West Coasts and highlighted how cross-regional collaboration strengthens teacher training. By engaging ~150 participants across three regions, the webinar demonstrated the power of partnership in expanding professional development opportunities and fostering cross-cultural understanding.
*The webinar link provided here is the original recording posted by my colleague. It has not been edited or remade into a curated version, in order to respect her ownership of the material.