Welcome ...
… About Us
Our Director ...
Tom Beard is in his sixteenth year in education with Orange County Public Schools. During these years Tom has taught a variety of social science classes from World and American History to Advanced Placement Comparative and American Politics and Government. Tom has also coached boys basketball for thirteen of those years, serving as head coach for four and as an assitant coach the 6A 2010 State Champions. Outside of classroom, Tom co-created the Law & Order Academy, the Student Court and Global Civis.
Tom has a Bachelors of Arts in International Affairs from the Florida State University and a Masters of Social Science Education from the University of Central Florida. Tom's professional development includes being an AP reader, a House of Representatives Fellow, UCF Civic Education Conference participant, Justice Teaching Institute participant, U.S. Supreme Court Institute participant, "We the People" Institute participant, DBQ training conference and political science curriculum development for the Lou Frey Institute at the University of Central Florida.
Currently Tom is teaching at Winter Park High School, sponsoring the Global Civis club and serving as a program coordinator for Latino Leadership. Tom is married and the father of a beautiful two year old daughter.
To contact Tom e-mail him at thomas.beard@globalcivis.com.
A message from our director ...
Five years ago I created Global Civis as a web based tool to open the doors of the school house and introduce students to the world outside. Watch this video to understand the need for Global Civis. My initial goal was to serve as a link between the teachers as they discussed curriculum ideas and found other classrooms with which to work.
As the Global Civis team began its process of growth things looked positive with the implementation of creative projects and the flowing of ideas by teachers throughout our local area. Unfortunately, as quickly as we grew we began to fall apart. It appears that teachers are wonderful examples of that time tested saying ... "You can't teach an old dog, new tricks." It was this realization that I came to agree with the recommendations that a continued maturation of Global Civis was required. We will continue to offer creative classroom projects and activities, sample classrooms to visit all for no charge. We will repeat our travels throughout the world as these all are the cornerstones of the Global Civis ideal. We are excited to announce that we will add to our programs a citizenship training class for those people wishing to become citizens of the United States as well as establish the Global Civis for Education forum.
Our newest tool to assist with spreading the Global Civis ideal is the creation of Global Civis as a high school club designed to promote international travel and the understanding of the different cultures of the world. Starting in the fall of 2010 two Orlando high schools will pilot the Global Civis clubs as they design club curriculum.
Global Civis will continue to be a dream of mine as my hopes are to have this little organization be the place where teachers from around the world can come together to post ideas, carry on discussion and open the door to possibilities the world offers for our students and new citizens.
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Corey Futrell is a former student of the Global Civis Director Tom Beard from his years at University High School in East Orange County, Florida. After graduation from high school Corey went on to study teaching at the University of Central Florida where he graduated with a degree in Social Science Education. Corey is currently in his fourth year of teaching where he has taught a variety of classes from Global Studies to American and world history. In 2009 Corey was invited to participate in the Justice Teaching Institute with the Supreme Court of Florida and again the following year to serve as a mentor.
Outside of the classroom Corey has helped with the marching band, sponsored clubs and travelled abroad with current and former students. In the spring of 2010 Corey led a group of 22 students & parents on an amazing 9 day trip through Paris, Florence and Rome. Corey’s philosophy and that of Global Civis as well, is to highlight the importance of learning about the cultures of places they visit as well as the architecture, landscapes and other beauties offered by the different countries of the world.
Corey Currently works at East River High School teaching American History, sponsors the Global Civis Club, and has been happily married to his wife Amanda since 2006.
To contact Corey e-mail him at corey.futrell@globalcivis.com.
