Global education is essential in preparing students for our increasingly pluralistic and interdependent world. To teach from a global perspective, we need to build and strengthen our global awareness. This trip to Cuba will provide you an opportunity to observe their efforts in working with gifted students which they refer to as students with a “calling.” In a previous visit with a group of teachers, we were amazed to see what the Cuban teachers were accomplishing in visual and performing arts, in science, and pre-school programs. You will have opportunities for thoughtful engagement with our neighbors, a chance to share and grow professionally, and most important to renew your sense of personal commitment to action and service for understanding different cultures and global interdependence.

As you may know, travel to Cuba is restricted by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the United States Treasure Department.  Each member of the delegation must be in compliance with the General License issued by the Office of Foreign Assets Control authorizing full-time professionals to conduct a full-time schedule of research activities in Cuba with the likelihood that this research will be publicly disseminated. To ensure compliance, each participant in the program will be required to provide a resume and sign an affidavit attesting to their status as a full-time professional, paid or unpaid, in the field.  During travel each delegation member will be given a copy of regulation that will serve as the license to travel authorized by the Office of Foreign Assets Control.

This delegation will convene in Miami, Florida on November 27, 2010. The preliminary itinerary will be available online soon.  These specific meetings and topics of discussion will be defined based upon the final research interests and make up of the team.  Our delegation will depart for Cuba on November 27, 2010, returning to the United States on December 2, 2010. We will meet with our counterparts; participate in dialogue and group meetings in support of researching the structure, philosophy and environment for education of gifted and talented students.