Overview

At UNICEF Canada’s Global Classroom programme we work closely with partners and networks of teachers across the country who act as champions for global education in their school communities.

UNICEF Canada's Global Classroom programme is staffed by a dedicated team of qualified teachers, who support a multidisciplinary approach to learning that aims to foster global citizenship in young people. Working with education partners across the country to better understand how UNICEF supports this approach will help children and youth explore the causes of global poverty and inequity and to envision the possibility of a better world. The Global Classroom programme empowers young people with the vision that poverty, disease and injustice can be eradicated and that they have an active role to play in creating a better world. Every Child. Every opportunity. No exceptions.

Please see below for a brief description of these experienced and knowledgeable Global Classroom Managers who work in our offices across Canada.

National

Paula Gallo
Senior Education Manager, Global Classroom
Paula works with teachers, school districts and a variety of other education partners to encourage a sense of connection and understanding between our students here in Canada and young people around the world. She works to facilitate collaborative opportunities and the creation of innovative and curriculum connected resources that directly address the needs of teachers across Canada. Paula works to enhance young Canadians' understanding of the world they live in, and collaborates with teachers in their efforts to empower students to effect global change through awareness and advocacy.Paula taught secondary school in Toronto, and has a background in English, History and English as a Second Language.

Carissa MacLennan
Rights Respecting School Manager, Global Classroom
Carissa comes to UNICEF from (jhr) Journalists for Human Rights where she worked as their Education Specialist, developing curriculum and conducting training for their domestic and international programs which focused on using the media as a rights based approach to development. With jhr Carissa worked in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Zambia and in universities across Canada. Receiving her B.A. in Environmental Studies, a B.A (hon) in Geography as well as a Bachelors in Education, Carissa has taught secondary school geography in China, Cameroon, and with the Thames Valley District School Board. Carissa also holds a Masters in Education from the University of Western Ontario, focusing on International and Comparative Education with research conducted in Egypt and Rwanda. Through Carissa’s academic and work experiences she has come to believe in the role of education in fostering  a greater awareness of the importance of children’s rights and  active global citizenship  in our schools.

Ontario

Sholeh Popatia
Education Manager, Global Classroom
Sholeh comes to UNICEF Canada from Save the Children Canada, where she managed the school engagement program and a CIDA grant focusing on education, child labour and HIV and AIDS in six countries in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. Sholeh’s previous experience includes working on education issues with child focused international NGO’s in South Asia as well with local organizations serving marginalized youth. Sholeh has taught at the elementary level for five years for the Toronto District School Board as well as overseas in England, India and Bangladesh. Sholeh holds a Masters in Education from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Education from York University, with an Urban Diversity Specialization.

British Columbia (Including Yukon)

Kelly Quinlan
Education Manager, Global Classroom
Kelly has 20 years of experience in incorporating global education into her teaching practice in both Ontario and British Columbia. As British Columbia’s Education Manager, she writes curriculum linked teaching materials focused on the Rights of the Child, Global Education and Social Justice issues. She develops and presents global education workshops to teachers and pre-service teachers across British Columbia. She has a graduate diploma in Teaching and Learning for Global Perspectives from Simon Fraser University.

Quebec

Hélène Moïse
Education Manager, Global Classroom
Helene comes to UNICEF Canada from the South Slave Education Council in the Northwest Territories, where she taught French as a Second Language for K-6. Helene taught at the elementary level with the Vancouver School Board and at the elementary and secondary level with the Francophone School Board of British Columbia.  In Oaxaca, Mexico and Cano Palma, Costa Rica, she engaged in a rigorous program of in-classroom practicum experience and volunteer opportunities with children who live on the street, combined with instructional seminars, including language and culture classes. She holds a Master of Education in Language and Literacy from the University of British-Columbia and a Bachelor of Education from Simon Fraser University, where she completed the International Teaching Education Module. As Quebec’s Global Classroom Manager, she collaborates with education partners to create curriculum-connected teaching materials, and develops and presents workshops on children’s rights and global education.  She works with a variety of partners to implement Right Respecting Schools and Child Friendly Cities across Quebec.