Giving Teachers a Global Perspective
Having witnessed struggles with poverty, terrorism and social unrest in his native Indonesia, UConn grad student Lukas Kailimang is a strong believer in—and a personal testament to—the power of education to change lives and transform societies.
"I think the path to success and change for everyone, whether individuals, societies or entire nations, is ultimately tied into education. Being able to be here, conducting research, is an extremely valuable experience and I also consider it a privilege."
Kailimang’s studies at UConn have been possible partly through a scholarship for global education created in 2007 by retired educators Robert E. ’51 (M.A.) ’55 (Ph.D.) and Gladys B. Dunn. The couple has now built on the success of their scholarship fund with a major planned gift.
A former principal of William H. Hall High School in West Hartford and a lifelong educator, Robert Dunn says the lessons learned through the couple’s own travels to more than 100 countries have demonstrated the importance of education, which they think pays great dividends for students studying abroad.
One such student was Katy Yates ’09, whose summer study abroad experience in Spain is just one asset she brings to her work with Latino students at East Hartford High School. That travel, supported by the Dunns’ scholarship, taught the aspiring teacher the value of immersing herself in other cultures. With an eye on a career in bilingual education, she says firsthand experiences like hers are critical to relating with America’s increasingly diverse student population.
“I think teachers should have a global perspective, especially in urban school environments where you often teach students from around the world,” Yates says. “We need to embrace and understand that diversity in the classroom.”
Robert Dunn sees a strong connection between understanding that diversity of views and the ultimate success in the classroom for both teacher and student.
“You can immediately see the respect that is extended to education by families around the world,” he says. “Especially for education students, it’s so important to gain those lessons, participate in opportunities to enrich their own learning, and make lasting friendships across cultures. You can’t really duplicate the experience through book learning alone. You have to be a part of it.”
Gladys Dunn enjoyed a long career as an elementary teacher in West Hartford and as a guidance counselor. With her husband, she also served five years as an administrator of the Seoul International School in South Korea.
“It was refreshing to see the priority given to education by Korean parents. Affluent or not, they arranged for extra tutoring, music and art lessons for their children,” she says. “There was an emphasis placed on all school activities.’
Robert Dunn says the couple is impressed that UConn has identified study abroad and global studies as priorities, and they see great potential ahead.
“We admire the University’s efforts to allow more students to study abroad. We met Katy Yates recently, and she really put a face on what all of this is about. Studying abroad brings everything down to the personal level, and we’re happy to help provide that experience for as many students as we can.”
