TAMIU Celebrates World Teachers’ Day

It should come as no surprise that a University with ‘International’ in its name is celebrating World Teacher’s Day, Monday, October 5, 2020.

But at Texas A&M International University  (TAMIU) that celebration is also personal -- and focused in part on students and educators from the  College of Education program, Professional Opportunities Supporting Scholarly Engagement (P.O.S.S.E).

P.O.S.S.E. program founder Dr. Tonya Huber, TAMIU College of Education professor of Education, said the Oct. 5 program  will celebrate World Teachers’ Day with a virtual recognition event.

“The Annual P.O.S.S.E. Program of Recognition and Changemaking ceremony will be held on Monday, October 5, 2020, at 6:30 p.m., coinciding with World Teachers’ Day and shared live through social media so family and friends can join in the celebration.

“Our keynote speakers are Tricia Cortez, executive director of the Rio Grande International Study Center and Dr. Osaro Airen, president-elect of the Texas Chapter of the National Association for Multicultural Education (TXNAME) and editor of the Journal of Multicultural Affairs,” explained Maricruz Flores Vasquez and Sara Abi Villanueva, P.O.S.S.E. Team Leaders.

“Our POSSE members have engaged in professional inquiries regarding experiences that they have had the opportunity to explore more systematically while engaged in the College of Education online graduate studies program,” Dr. Huber said.

P.O.S.S.E. members first accepted the challenge to change face-to-face conference presentations to fully virtual presentations when they shared their research at the Aug. 13, 2020 TX NAME conference: “Fighting World Hunger, Focusing on International Fair Trade, Forging Global Citizenship.”

Graduate researchers Sara Abi Villanueva, Consuelo L. Guzman, Maricruz Flores Vasquez, and professor Huber demonstrated how TAMIU students promoted worldwide sustainable nutrition through Feed My Starving Children. Democratic participation and social justice were exemplified by Vasquez who triangulated her engagement as student, teacher, and mother.

Villanueva noted the challenges inherent in conducting and sharing research virtually.

“I think we can all agree that there are challenges that we face when working on group research, even if working from a particular roundtable; however, having to work on a group project in a virtually-mandated society has been even more challenging. The benefits of being part of P.O.S.S.E., however, is knowing that the person on the other side of the table, or in this case, a screen, is willing to work just as hard as you are. Face-to-face or virtual, our group rose to the occasion to present an important piece of research dealing with ending world hunger, most specifically, child hunger,” Villanueva explained.

More World Teacher's Day Activities @ TAMIU

As part of its World Teacher’s Day recognition, the University’s Trailblazer Tower, Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium and Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library external apse will also be bathed in blue lights, the international color of the observance. The  illuminations will remain throughout the week.

A social media campaign will be activated across the University’s various channels to celebrate the occasion. In addition to main University channels, those interested can follow the College of Education on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter: @txamiucoed

Future teachers are challenged to tag the College of Education on Instagram (@txamiucoed) in their best teacher selfies wearing light blue using hashtag #WeTeachTexas. Details, including resources from UNSECO will be shared on the College's  Instagram channel.

Monday: In addition to the Facebook Live P.O.S.S.E. event, see additional opportunities  from hashtag  #TeachersCan 

Tuesday Wednesday, and Thursday: the innovative efforts of current and future teachers to keep students engaged will be shared. 

On Friday, the #TeachersCan movement will be profiled and contest winners announced.

To join the P.O.S.S.E. Program of Recognition and Changemaking Ceremony via Facebook LIVE on Monday, Oct. 5 at 6:30 p.m., visit: https://www.facebook.com/txamiucoed/

For additional information, contact Dr. Huber at tonya.huber@tamiu.edu or the College of Education at 956.326.2420.