2007: Bringing the World to New England's Classrooms
Letter from the Executive Director

We are witnessing a rapid increase of interest in global education. A consensus is developing among educators, business leaders and policy-makers that America needs our students to become competent global citizens. Public opinion polls, state mandates, and even recent presidential debates have highlighted the need to prepare students for the interconnected world of the 21st century. For almost twenty years, Primary Source has responded to this challenge by educating teachers who are shaping the next generation's worldview - inspiring K-12 students to learn and care about other cultures, respect other viewpoints, and become critical thinkers in the global arena.

A new generation is entering a global realm where the world is getting smaller, more interdependent, and increasingly more complicated. Primary Source's vital, unique, and timely programs for educators support the sophisticated teaching and learning needed to address the demands of a global age. Our courses and study tours transform teachers' understanding of other cultures, helping to develop 21st century classrooms infused with global content and a more nuanced worldview.

This report illustrates ways that we have partnered with schools and districts throughout New England in 2007. This year, we provided graduate courses, study tours, and in-school workshops to nearly 1800 teachers, who in turn have reached more than 150,000 students. We are pleased to share the results of a successful year, including the launch of our Latin America program; our partnership with the Lowell Public Schools to provide programming on Vietnam and Cambodia; six study tours that brought teachers to China, Japan, and Ghana; and our receipt of the Goldman Sachs Award for Excellence in International Education on behalf of the state of Massachusetts.

Through these stories, I hope you gain insight into how Primary Source has been both innovative and responsive to the changing demographics of New England schools and their students. We are deeply grateful to our donors for supporting this work, which has enabled many teachers and students to reach across great cultural divides to embrace other peoples and cultures. I invite you to enter the world of Primary Source through this Annual Report - to experience our work, and feel the profound difference your interest and support makes in today's K-12 classrooms.

Kathleen M. Ennis
Executive Director