Meet Elizabeth Howald, Program Director at Primary Source

Here are four things you may not know about Liz:

1. She grew up in a rural farming community in southern Missouri. Although she loved the small-town feel of her hometown, it didn't offer many opportunities for learning about or interacting with people of different cultures. This inspired her to pursue a career in education, first as a writer and editor at Houghton Mifflin, then as a high school social studies teacher, and finally as a program director at Primary Source. Her career goal is to help American students better understand our complex world and the diverse people in it.
   
   

Global Read to Culminate in Online Discussion with Author Jean Kwok

Educators, students, and community members from across the country have already registered for the unique opportunity to chat with celebrated author Jean Kwok. On December 1st at 4:00 p.m. EST, participants in this fall's Global Read will discuss Girl in Translation, a moving coming-of-age story that explores themes of identity, race, family, adolescence, and migration.

Remembering 9/11: Filmmaker Beth Murphy Inspires Teachers and Students

In addition to this fall's screening and discussion of the documentary film Beyond Belief, Primary Source brought together teachers and students from across the country for an online conversation with filmmaker Beth Murphy. Beth shared stories about the making of the film and her own thoughts about why it is important to learn about the world.

2011 Global Education Conference

Primary Source is a proud partner of the 2011 Global Education Conference, an entirely online, free conference open to all. Below is a non-exhaustive list of the sessions we feel will be of interest to the Primary Source community. Be sure to check out the full schedule of sessions - there are many great sessions this year!

Primary Source Has Your Great Seats for the 2011 Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins on Saturday, November 12

Win a pair of tickets to the Saturday, November 12th, 7:00 p.m. game at the TD Garden against the Buffalo Sabres. Don't miss this opportunity to sit in seats valued at $180 in the Loge, Section 21, Row 11, Seats 14 & 15.

Moving Beyond Grief to Global Understanding

Primary Source Commemorates 9/11 With Film Screening and Discussion

Last week on Wednesday, September 21 and in partnership with the Boston College Center for Human Rights and International Justice, Primary Source hosted a screening and panel discussion of the documentary film Beyond Belief, the story of Susan Retik and Patti Quigley. Widowed on 9/11, these two extraordinary women demonstrated the power of global understanding as they traveled to Afghanistan and discovered an unlikely kinship with widows halfway around the world.

From the Librarian's Desk: New Books and Films

We added over 50 new books and films to the Primary Source Library collection this summer. Read about some of these new resources below. To check out a book or film, or to sign up for a library card, email our Librarian at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Forget Sorrow: An Ancestral Tale by Belle Yang
Children's author Belle Yang explores her Chinese family's history in this graphic novel. Yang's black and white illustrations display Chinese artistic influences and set the tone of the book. For high school and adult readers, especially those who enjoyed Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis.

Students Organize Walkathon to Benefit Earthquake Victims in Japan

Last spring, middle school students at Community Day Charter School in Lawrence, Massachusetts, approached their teacher, Mike Neagle, with a desire to respond to the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. They wanted to do something to help children in Japan. This spark led to a student-led, school-wide initiative teaching young people about Japan and raising $4,500 for victims of the earthquake.

Meet Lina Yamashita, Program Coordinator at Primary Source

Four things you might not know about Lina:

1. She was born in the U.S., grew up in Japan, Singapore, and the Philippines, and has traveled all over Southeast Asia. Her exposure to cultures around the world beginning at a young age inspired her to pursue the kind of work she does at Primary Source to cultivate global understanding.

Primary Source Kicks Off Global Read to Help Children in Need

Mark your calendars for December 1st at 4:00 p.m. EST, when readers in your community and around the world will come together for a live, web-based discussion of Girl in Translation with author Jean Kwok.

High school students and adults are invited to engage with this coming-of-age story about a young girl and her mother who emigrate from Hong Kong to live in Brooklyn in the 1980s. Exploring themes of identity, race, family, adolescence, and migration, this novel won a 2011 Alex Award as one of the 10 best adult books that appeal to teen audiences.