Teacher Q&A: Jonathan Turrisi, Milton Public Schools

Jonathan Turrisi teaches eighth grade social studies at Milton's Pierce Middle School. He has participated in many of Primary Source's workshops and recently traveled to China with the organization. In May, he helped to create the Pierce Middle School Global Celebration, bringing teachers, students, and parents together for an internationally-themed community event.

Primary Source: How has Primary Source helped you to bring global perspectives into your classroom?

Jonathan Turrisi: Over the past four years, I have participated in a number of Primary Source seminars and events. Each has enriched my understanding of history and culture in profound ways. Regardless of the topic a concerted effort is always made to incorporate global perspectives. While the seminars have deepened the understanding of history, events such as the Holiday Bazaar and the "Discovering India through Dance" program have sparked ideas for ways to engage students in the world history curriculum in meaningful ways.

PS: How did you develop the idea for the Pierce Middle School Global Celebration?

Jonathan: I surely cannot take all the credit for the Global Celebration. Members of the Diversity Committee, Foreign Language and Social Studies department contributed to the evening in some way. The school leadership team was also supportive and helped plan and facilitate the event. Many staff members as well parents also volunteered their time that evening. It was through the combined efforts of many that the Global Celebration was a success.

In past years, the Pierce Middle School has traditionally held an international night that consisted of a cultural or artistic performance and international themed dinner with various ethnic foods. This past school year, school leadership discussed having a global exhibition to showcase the work students in grades 6-8 have completed in their exploration of globalization.

After attending Primary Source's "Discovering India through Dance" program at the Cambridge YMCA, I met with the head of the diversity committee and humanities department head to discuss the possibility of integrating the dance performance into either the international night or global exhibition. Another element I suggested adding was an international marketplace, having got the idea from Primary Source's Holiday Bazaar.

In the end we decided to streamline both nights into a larger scale event, the Pierce Middle School Global Celebration. We decided to include student and professional performances followed by an international food tasting in the café, a student exhibition, and an international marketplace in the library.

PS: What did you want students to understand or experience as a result of the event?

Jonathan: Above all, I wanted students to have a unique cultural and educational experience that evening. During the Global Celebration students watched their peers perform traditional African dances and professional dancers perform traditional Indian dances; sampled various ethnic foods; viewed their own work and that of their peers; and had the opportunity to shop in an international marketplace. The event helped to reinforce the global nature of the world we inhabit today. As the world becomes more interconnected and our country grows increasingly diverse, it's critical that our students are provided with experiences that embrace diversity and global perspectives.

PS: What, in your opinion, did students gain from planning for and participating in the International Night?

Jonathan: I am always amazed at the sense of pride students take when preparing to present their work or perform in front of their peers. Students were eager to showcase the work that they had worked so hard on in previous weeks.

PS: How can parents and community members support global education in schools like your own?

Jonathan: Parents and community members can support global education by joining the local PTO and diversity committee and offering suggestions for ways to incorporate global perspectives in the schools. They can also support global education by volunteering their time for school events like the Global Celebration. Financial support for both school events and organizations like Primary Source are of course always helpful as well.

Above: Jonathan Turrisi works with Chinese students during a Primary Source study tour.