The Academy for Global Studies at Stephen F. Austin High School
The Academy for Global Studies is a smaller learning community within a larger urban public high school. AGS, an International Studies School Network (ISSN) partner since 2008, engages students in an educational experience that fosters international understanding and welcomes diversity of thought, while preparing students for a globally interconnected world. Students are encouraged to enroll in Pre-AP and AP coursework, and are expected to take an additional year of foreign language, complete a capstone course that fosters a senior project and portfolio, and earn 80 hours of service in order to receive the ISSN endorsement. Our grade level teams work to design interdisciplinary, project-based units of study, and each grade level participates in an out-of-state (or country!) learning expedition (when we're not living global pandemic conditions). Our mission: AGS values all students’ unique talents and encourages and challenges students to become intellectually curious, world language proficient, internationally aware and globally responsive.
To read more about AGS, visit www.austinhighglobal.org
To read more about AGS, visit www.austinhighglobal.org
DESIGN TEAM and CONFERENCE PRESENTERS for Think Globally, Problem-solve Locally, Act Neighborly PBL Unit
AGS Team Lead; TGPLAN Co-DesignerStacy Allen Webster teaches Pre-AP English II/ World Studies at the Academy for Global Studies at Austin High and serves as an Instructional Coach for the Academies at Austin High. She earned her undergraduate degree at The University of Texas at Austin, Master's of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Texas State University, and she's a National Board certified teacher and mentor. She is a National Faculty/Smithsonian fellow, was named campus and area Teacher of the Year at O. Henry Middle School (back in the day), received the LBJ Dor L' Dor award for innovative curriculum design about the Holocaust, and holds badges for the Literacy Leadership Pathway and (soon!) the Project-Based Learning Leadership Pathway in AISD. Next year will begin her 28th year of teaching, and she's still the slowest grader on the planet; she is an AP Strategies trainer, instructional coach, travel lover, and sleep-deprived mom.
Contact Stacy: [email protected] |
TGPLAN Co-DesignerEdward Tierney has been teaching World History at Austin High School for 21 years and is a founding faculty member of the Academy for Global Studies. He is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin (Hook 'Em, Horns). He has led hundreds of kids on travel experiences around Europe (sometimes with the Websters), and studied in China as part of the Hays Fulbright program. He traveled to India a few summers back so he could finally discuss The Ramayana with Stacy and toured Germany with teachers in the Transatlantic Outreach Program. Recently, after much campaigning, he earned the "Most Entertaining Classroom Entertainer" award. He is currently pursuing the Project-Based Learning Leadership Pathway with Austin ISD. He and his bride enjoy camping, cooking, and exploring the world with their favorite Renaissance kid, Leonardo.
Contact Teddy: [email protected] |
2021 TGPLAN Teaching Team
TGPLAN was the originally designed by Stacy Webster, Edward Tierney, Kevin Gillion, Robert Gonzales, and Sean McGrath. It has continued to grow and morph into new and exciting directions with team members Kyle Smith, Linda Gregory, Steven Trenfield, and Kat Kelley, and it is morphing yet again through the pandemic era with Stacy, Teddy, Renae Jackson (English II), Tarryn Bronikowski (Algebra II), Albert Almanza (Chemistry), and Francis Kwofie (Geometry).
TGPLAN was the originally designed by Stacy Webster, Edward Tierney, Kevin Gillion, Robert Gonzales, and Sean McGrath. It has continued to grow and morph into new and exciting directions with team members Kyle Smith, Linda Gregory, Steven Trenfield, and Kat Kelley, and it is morphing yet again through the pandemic era with Stacy, Teddy, Renae Jackson (English II), Tarryn Bronikowski (Algebra II), Albert Almanza (Chemistry), and Francis Kwofie (Geometry).
GUEST PRESENTER at SXSWEdu
Nicole Griffith is the former Director of the Academy for Global Studies at Austin High School. Since this original presentation, she went on to become the Academies Director at Austin High School and then became the principal at McCallum High School in AISD. Prior to being a school leader, she taught world geography at Austin High School and spent her summers and money traveling the world. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in geography from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master’s degree in educational leader from Texas State University, where she was named the Outstanding Graduate Student in Educational Leadership. She has presented on global competency and senior capstone at the International Studies School Network Annual Summer Institute. She believes we all learn best through experience and is driven to find opportunities for kids to put their learning to practice through real-world application.
Nicole Griffith is the former Director of the Academy for Global Studies at Austin High School. Since this original presentation, she went on to become the Academies Director at Austin High School and then became the principal at McCallum High School in AISD. Prior to being a school leader, she taught world geography at Austin High School and spent her summers and money traveling the world. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in geography from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master’s degree in educational leader from Texas State University, where she was named the Outstanding Graduate Student in Educational Leadership. She has presented on global competency and senior capstone at the International Studies School Network Annual Summer Institute. She believes we all learn best through experience and is driven to find opportunities for kids to put their learning to practice through real-world application.