Beyond and Back: International PDP Showcase
Beyond and Back is an annual event, held each spring semester, meant to bring full circle all of the global and service learning activities completed by our students and faculty – sharing what has been done and what is possible for those interested in doing even more! Each Beyond and Back event hosts diverse speakers and presenters, as well as a poster session where past participants and program leaders share details and reflections about their IPDP experience.
Past Events
Alumni Panel
- Janinna Farragher, Dominican Republic and Costa Rica
- Hailee Cippollina, Dominican Republic and Zambia
- Shania Mitchell, Italy and Spain
- Bailey Buckley, Germany
- Nick Stanford, Italy and Siena Student Teaching
Given the amazing success and interest in our 2023 panel, in 2024 IPDS once again hosted alumni for discussion centered on their most compelling and transformative experiences abroad as well as how participating in IPDS shaped their present success as educators. The panelists shared unique and inspiring viewpoints to engage the audience.
Alumni Panel:
- Molly Rutter, Siena Student Teaching
- Rayna Panek. Colombia Experienced Educator Exchange
- Kassia Balus, Dominican Republic and Germany
- Olivia Colby, Italy
Alumni shared their thoughts on what made them take the first step to participate in IPDS, the most important learning gained from participating, and how their experiences impacted their teaching, professional life or view of education. Each also provided advice for anyone planning to participate in an IPDS experience.
Presentation:
An IPDS re-start! The pandemic put a long hold on IPDS programming but the 2022 Beyond and Back proved how strong IPDS partnerships truly are, and how ready program leaders and students are to get back to going abroad! Each program leader presented detailed information about the current and newly organized opportunities and the ways that educators can get involved at any level of their academic and professional journey.
Keynote: Crystal Holmes-Smith
Elementary education alumna, Holmes-Smith reflected on her varied international and local experiences. Ms. Holmes-Smith traveled to Chile with IPDS and Rwanda with the Anne Frank Project, taught in Honduras, and volunteered for the Peace Corps. She currently teaches in New York City.
Presenters:
Anthony Agnello, president of the Friends of Afghanistan and co-founder of the Peace Corps Alliance for Intercultural Understanding, shared his life-altering experiences that began with his acceptance into the Teacher Corps-Peace Corps program at Buffalo State and ended with the dual-completion of Peace Corps service in Afghanistan. Brandon Kawa and Michael Lovorn from International Graduate Programs for Educators (IGPE) provided details on how (and why!) teacher candidates can teach abroad.
Keynote: Sarah Ludwig-Ross
Founder and director of the 3 Mariposas Montessori School, a partner school for the IPDS-Dominican Republic program. Ludwig-Ross’ keynote address discussed international engagement and what students can do after returning from programs abroad.
Presenters:
Laura Hill Rao, director of the Civic and Community Engagement Office. Hill shared ways to get involved in local service learning and community engagement activities. Patricia George, lecturer in Elementary Education and Reading and co-director of the Global Literacy Initiative, shared a video release of the Global Literacy Channel. The GLC videos featured teacher candidates from the Global Book Hour sharing strategies that family members can use to help their children become better readers and writers.