Harrisburg’s Global Leaders framework and Mandarin Dual Language Program underpin global education focus
HARRISBURG, N.C. — December 18, 2024 — Harrisburg Elementary has earned North Carolina’s Global-Ready Schools (GRS) Model Designation, a step up from the school’s previous GRS “prepared” status. This is the highest level of recognition offered by the state in acknowledgment of outstanding school-wide “efforts in supporting global awareness, increasing global competence, and highlighting global education initiatives.” Harrisburg Elementary is one of just nine schools in the state to currently hold a GRS Designation.
“The Global Ready School Designation is an affirmation of the hard work that our teachers and students have done over the last seven years to build and maintain a global learning environment,” said Principal Andrew Whedbee. “When you walk into our school, there are multiple languages and flags represented in the entryway. But when you dig deeper, you can see the great work that our teachers and students are doing to really understand what it means to be a global citizen.”
To be considered for the GRS Designation, schools need to meet each of the 10 Global-Ready Attributes listed on the GRS rubric at the “prepared” or “model” level. The criteria on the rubric address the following:
- Career-ready employer requirements and community connections across the school’s grade levels
- Global school partnerships and classroom projects focused on thinking global and acting local
- K-12 world language opportunities for all, including the school’s students
- Local resolutions, strategic plans, and teams supporting global education
- Pathways for educators in the school to achieve the Global Educator Digital Badge (GEDB)
Two programs, both administered in partnership with Participate Learning, have served as a foundation for Harrisburg Elementary’s global education focus: Mandarin Dual Language Immersion (DLI) and the Global Leaders framework.
Mandarin DLI, which has been in place for seven years, includes one immersion class per grade level starting in kindergarten. Students receive 80 percent of instruction in all subjects in Mandarin, while 20 percent of the curriculum is taught in English.
In addition to language immersion, students in DLI and throughout the school learn about Chinese culture in class and through school-wide events.
“The Mandarin Dual Language Program has been transformative in strengthening Harrisburg Elementary’s global leadership model by fostering cross-cultural understanding and language proficiency among students,” said Judy Ouyang, Mandarin Dual Language program manager. “Cultural activities, such as celebrating the Lunar New Year and engaging in traditional arts, resonate deeply with students. These experiences not only enhance their appreciation for Mandarin language and culture but also broaden their perspectives, helping them become global leaders.”
Through these enriching experiences, Harrisburg Elementary students deepen their appreciation for the Mandarin language and culture, laying a strong foundation for broader global engagement. The Global Leaders framework—introduced in the 2018–19 school year—expands this commitment by embedding global competencies and real-world issues into every grade level. This framework prepares students to thrive in a connected world by nurturing skills essential for career readiness and global awareness.
This year, for example, students have bolstered their reading skills while learning about life in different cultures through a global read-aloud program. Teachers have also integrated global awareness into both traditional lessons and service learning projects that demonstrate how global and local issues are inextricably tied to one another. The lessons learned through these projects were especially evident in how students and teachers jumped into action recently after Hurricane Helene devastated areas of North Carolina.
“Our service learning projects all emphasize the importance of rallying around and supporting others instead of just ourselves,” Whedbee said. “In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, our school community got to work within 24 hours to find out how we could help. Students and teachers immediately took ownership of these projects, and it was a great example of how we take our role as global citizens seriously in our local communities.”
Harrisburg Elementary serves students in grades K-5 and is part of Cabarrus County Schools. Participate Learning is a leader in providing education solutions to K-12 schools in order to foster cultural and language connections that empower students and educators to positively impact their communities and the world.