Let's go see what we can see...

Welcome to my blog, Ippolito Globalized. My name is Chris Ippolito. I am a technology educator - a STEM teacher, to be precise. I teach a nationally recognized program called Project Lead The Way (http://www.pltw.org) and I love what I do. I am also in my 4th year as an AVID instructor. AVID (http://www.avid.org) is a program designed for "students in the middle," fostering a college-bound mindset while challenging students in an academically rigorous environment.

In the midst of all of that, I am also dedicating myself to becoming a "global educator." I was recently chosen to take part in the IREX Teachers for Global Classrooms program, which is offered through the US Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. I am learning how to "globalize" my instruction and impart cultural perspectives and understanding within my lessons. I just attended our first Global Education Symposium in Washington, DC, where I met all of the other amazing and inspiring educators who are taking part in the initiative.

Participants will be traveling all over the world as part of the program - Ghana, Indonesia, India, Ukraine, Morocco, and Brazil. I am traveling to Brazil with 10 other teachers. I am incredibly excited about this opportunity. We just found out that our trip will begin in Brasilia, the modern capital of Brazil. From there, we will be paired up with local Brazilian teachers, spending 6 days in their towns (outside of Brasilia). More info to come...

Meanwhile, I am kicking off this blog with some info about where I'm from, to share with IREX fellows, my Brazilian colleagues and students, and for friends and relatives who are curious about what I am doing these days. My fearless son and co-host, Army and I will be providing a look at life on the Jersey Shore (sans Snooki) - featuring the people, places, things and food that make our area so special. Here's my first attempt at a video blog (shot in Red Bank, where I live):