Hamburg Schools Teacher Named 2023 NEA Global Learning Fellow
 

Hamburg School District is excited to announce FaBion Barnes, HMS Choir Director, as a 2023 National Education Association (NEA) Global Learning Fellow. The NEA Foundation invests in educators’ learning, leadership, collaboration, in a year-long program. This program was created to grow educators’ knowledge and skills to incorporate global competency into daily instruction, and to help students thrive in an increasingly interconnected world. “To be named an NEA Foundation Global Learning Fellow is a complete honor, and it means that I have a great deal of work ahead of me,” says Barnes.

During the year, Barnes and other NEA Foundation Global Learning Fellows will immerse themselves in online coursework, readings, webinars, and reflections. In October, the Fellows will participate in a two-day professional development conference. During the Summer of 2023, Barnes will be going to South Africa for an international field study.

Global Learning Fellows immerse themselves in the historical and cultural context of the country they are visiting during their field study. The Fellows learn about the education system through meetings with businesses, policymakers, and nonprofit leaders; as well as visiting first hand with teachers, students, and administrators. Ms. Barnes is hoping that this experience will show her how to teach others to appreciate cultures and differences amongst one another. “My ultimate goal is getting students and colleagues to embrace differences instead of making fun and realizing there’s more to this big beautiful world besides what we see on a daily basis,” explains Barnes. This will not be the first time that Barnes has worked with other cultures. Having previously taught in Houston at a private school, she learned many cultures including Russian, Taiwanese, African, and more.

Barnes is one of 50 public school educators from 45 states, the only teacher selected from Arkansas, as a 2023 Global Learning Fellow. Barnes described this as a once in a lifetime opportunity. “I will strive to blossom into the best educator I can be! Not only will this opportunity help me, but I have high hopes that it helps Hamburg School District.” 

Superintendent of Hamburg Schools, Tracy Streeter, is excited for the opportunity that the Global Learning Fellow will provide Barnes. “Mrs. Barnes is no doubt capable of GREAT things. She has displayed excellence in her daily work for Hamburg School District. We are excited about her receiving this recognition and we look forward to her sharing her experience with us,” explains Streeter. 

After completing the program, the Fellows become a member of an active alumni group of more than 400 members that supports continued growth and leadership. The Fellowship is a competitive program, and all applications are reviewed by educators