Jacksonville, AL — Aimee Weathers, an instructor of Early Childhood Education at Jacksonville State University, has been named one of just six educators nationwide selected for the 2024–2025 Longview Global Teacher Education (GTE) Fellows Program.
The year-long virtual fellowship supports university-level educators in embedding global perspectives into teacher preparation programs. Designed to enhance cultural awareness and promote globally inclusive teaching, the program features expert-led webinars, peer collaboration, and mentorship.
“One of the main goals is to support faculty like me in integrating diverse content and resources into our coursework while also building our own cultural awareness,” Weathers said.
Launched in June, the fellowship kicked off with a summer webinar series and will continue with additional programming throughout the fall and winter. Each fellow is paired with a mentor experienced in global education. Weathers is partnered with Dr. Lauren Angelone, associate professor at Xavier University, whose work focuses on STEAM education, technology integration, and cultural studies.
“I’m excited about this connection and the doors it will open to new learning and future opportunities,” Weathers said. “We’ll also have ongoing chances for peer collaboration, coaching, and reflection throughout the year. I’ll be revising one of my courses to include more global content and will present that work at the end of the term.”
Weathers learned about the program through Dr. Kimberly Gaiters-White, Dean of JSU’s College of Education and Professional Studies. The highly competitive application process required reflective statements about her commitment to global learning and the experiences that shaped her approach to teaching.
“Global education is not just about teaching geography,” Weathers said. “It is about helping students understand different perspectives, communicate across cultures, and think critically about the world around them.”
Weathers emphasizes that fostering empathy, curiosity, and respect in early childhood education lays the groundwork for global understanding. Through her participation in the fellowship, she aims to help pre-service teachers create more inclusive, culturally aware classrooms.
“Experiences like this also keep me reflective and engaged in my own teaching,” she added. “Which ultimately benefits the students I work with and the communities they will serve.”
