Pana: The Idea Person & Creator
Using a teddy bear in the classroom is something that Early Childhood teachers have done for generations. I have often included a class bear to give children a purpose to apply learning by teaching the teddy bear or being a good example for the bear.
Over the past few years, my eyes have been opened to how technology connects the classroom to the world and expands learning to a global scale. Regardless of how much technology has broadened the scope of what we do, real hands-on experiences still remain a very important part of Early Childhood Education. So, I thought to myself, what if I could combine both? Thus, the birth of the Traveling Teddy Bear project! Kids will get the real experience of having Teddy in the classroom with them, and use technology to interact with children in other parts of the world through the shared experience the Traveling Teddy project. I am very excited to watch our bears journeys this year and hope you will follow along on the blog or at #GlobalEdTed on Twitter.
More about Pana:
Pana has taught in Early Childhood for seven years and is now the KA-1 Technology and Design Coach at Taipei American School in Taipei, Taiwan. She is also an Apple Distinguished Educator (Class of 2015) and the winner of the ISTE Kay L. Bitter Vision Award 2018
Joe: Co-Creator & Consultant-at-large
When Pana and I started talking about Traveling Teddy, my mind began filling with all sorts of ideas as to how Teddy might travel and how Technology could be used. Teddy bears and other toys are used often in the Early Childhood classroom to enhance learning. Something I believe strongly in, is that if you are going to use Technology in some way, then it also needs to enhance learning. So, I love that Teddy is Tech Savvy and that, that he has a blog, and some other tricks. And now, Ted is not alone! He as many other friends and family who have joined in the fun! I hope your class really enjoys having the Teds and communicating with other classes around the world. Feel free to get back to us with any feedback or suggestions you may have.
More about Joe:
Joe currently teaches at the Canadian International School in Singapore and is an Apple Distinguished Educator (Class of 2015)
Our Coordinators:
Braedon Sharp
Hello my name is Braedon Sharp and I am a Canadian living in Hong Kong working at the Canadian International School. This is going to be my fourth with the Traveling Teddy Bear project. It has been a joy and privilege to be a part of this and I love seeing the excitement in the student’s eyes when they get to interact with the bears. It is also amazing to witness a Skype date when the students get to see the bears around the world. I cannot wait to get things going and see what adventures the bears get up to this year.
Twitter: @BraedonSharp
Skype: braedon.sharp
Ann Lopez
Mabuhay! I am originally from the “pearl of the Orient Seas,” the Philippines. I am an early childhood educator working at Shekou International School, China. Technology is one of my passions. I have been exploring ways how to use technology as a tool for instruction and students’ learning to teach diversity. I am glad, I am on Twitter, and found the Traveling Teddy Bears! 🙂 Having one of the Bears in the classroom added joy to my students’ learning, and as well as fostered global citizenship, and collaboration skills. I am thrilled, and looking forward to what’s going to happen when a teddy comes to town.
Twitter: @annlopez1981
Skype: mary.ann.lopez.toyoh
Laura Richardson
Hi! My name is Laura Richardson, and I am a first grade teacher in Brookline, Massachusetts USA. Like so many other primary teachers, I have loved having a traveling teddy as part of my curriculum. Following the bear’s adventures online has definitely helped my first graders develop a more global perspective. I am excited to serve as a coordinator this year, and, hopefully, have my students make even more connections with classrooms around the world!
Twitter: @1rfirstgrade
Skype: firstgrade1r
Lyaca Riddle
Hi my name is Lyaca Riddle. I am a Kindergarten Teacher in Markham, Ontario, Canada. After witnessing first hand the excitement and learning that Traveling Teddy ignited in my classroom I wanted to get more involved. We are looking forward to learning about the places our Teddy explores as she travels the world.
Twitter: @ReesorPS
Skype: Ridlya
Gina Whitcomb
Hi! My name is Gina Whitcomb. I am a Teacher on Special Assignment, focusing on technology integration in Anaheim, California. I have been in elementary education for almost 20 years. I have spent time as an elementary teacher in addition to being in support roles such as instructional coach, digital learning coach, and now as a Technology TOSA. I have loved having a #GlobalEdTed in our classrooms for the last few years. I love how it helps students connect, learn about other cultures around the world, and integrate technology to communicate globally. This year we are excited to have the support of Paralympic Wheelchair Basketball gold medal winner and ESPY winner, Steve Serio, to help students learn about diversity, inclusion, hard work and perseverance.
Twitter: @techTOSAgina
Skype: mrs.whitcomb
Holly Fraser
This is my 3rd year participating in #GlobalEdTed and my first as a Teddy Bear Coordinator. I have been living and working in Switzerland, land of milk and honey, for 6 years, and this is my third year as an Ed Tech Coach. Before that I taught lower Primary and Early Years. Teddy Bears are a staple in many Early Years classrooms and a world travelling Teddy Bear offers so many opportunities for intercultural learning. I look forward to this year’s adventure with Daisy!
Twitter: @horofraser
Anita Chen
Moi! I am Anita Chen, Director of Technology at International School of Helsinki, Finland. As an Apple Distinguished Educator and a Google Certified Innovator, I lead professional development and initiatives in the use of technology to enhance learning, differentiate and provide formative and summative assessment. I support teachers in designing and implementing technology-facilitated instructional units, achieving student learning outcomes, developing assessment pieces, and creating a collaborative learning environment. I am thrilled to welcome Teddy to ISH community and learn with our children.
Twitter: @chiaoyinanita
Steve Thin
Hi! My name is Steve Thin and I’m an ABC living in Hong Kong. I am currently teaching Year 1 at Chinese International School. Our year level had the great pleasure of hosting the traveling teddy bear last year and my students were thrilled and excited to have him. They also had the opportunity to connect with another classroom through Skype which sparked more questions and curiosity from them. We are looking forward to share and watch the traveling teddy!
Twitter: steven_thin
skype: steven.thin
Sean Walmsley
Hello, my name is Sean Walmsley. I am a Canadian living in Saudi Arabia with my wife and two kids. I have had the pleasure of hosting Tessie, Jerry and Stevie at my school American International School – Riyadh. I can’t wait to meet many more people through this beautiful global collaboration project!
Twitter: @mrseanwalmsley
Alejandra Milano
Hola, ni hao, ciao, bonjour, namaste, hello & kamsahamidah! I am  from the Caracas, Venezuela. I am an early childhood educator taking a sabbatical year in Thunder Bay, Canada. I am passionate about new trends in early childhood, the environment, geography, and teaching to foster creativity, innovation, and inquiry.  I  found the Traveling Teddy Bears on Twitter and I had to host one in my classroom! The first teddy bear I hosted was Buddy just one year ago in my PreK4 (Jr Kindergarten) classroom and my students love having Buddy as a visitor and learning with him about water conservation, pollution, and ways to reduce garbage and be more environmentalists. Having Buddy in my classroom added joy to my students’ learning, as well as fostered global citizenship, creative, complex thinking,  and collaboration skills. I am super happy to have my own teddy bear Matteo, aka the travelling story time teddy bear, join this amazing project and group of traveling teddy bears.
Twitter: @TeacherMsAle
Skype: Alexa1161979
