Education

HOUSTON, Aug. 18 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- The World Affairs Council of Houston (http://www.wachouston.org/) is pleased to announce Chevron's Portrait of the World workshops for educators (http://www.wachouston.org/0=0/88836/0/1170D1192/?modpage=EventDetails&fid=5&ec=476). During the 2009-2010 academic year, Chevron will sponsor full-day workshops on Mexico, China, Argentina, and West Africa.

Teaching about current international events is a challenge for educators. Textbooks alone cannot keep up with the fast pace of world events. For Woodlands High School teacher Susan Hollier, the Council's teacher workshops offer "relevant, timely content delivered by leading experts in the field. They bring the world to area educators in an informative, exciting venue."

Through these professional development workshops, teachers will study historical and current economic, political, and cultural issues and will return to the classroom with up-to-date instructional resources and lesson plans.

The series for educators kicks off on August 29 with the Portrait of Mexico. Speakers include John Mason Hart of the University of Houston; Natalie Arsenault of the University of Texas at Austin; and Benigna Leiss, Mexico Country Manager for Chevron. Additionally, Mexican filmmaker Natalia Almada will screen her documentary, Al Otro Lado (To the Other Side).

The Portrait of Mexico is part of a new Council program series: "Mexico: Changes and Challenges 100 Years Later" (http://www.wachouston.org/mexico). Through community lectures, young professionals' mixers, and teacher workshops, programs will offer a current understanding of events in Mexico and its relationship with the United States.

"Chevron is proud to support such an important program that will help educators instruct their students about important topics impacting the world," said Joni Baird, Chevron Public Affairs Manager.

If you would like more information about this series, please contact Sara Timms at 713-522-7811 or stimms@wachouston.org.

Chartered in 1990, the World Affairs Council is one of Houston's most prestigious citizen forums. Through varied and substantive programs, the Council presents all sides of current global issues, promotes better understanding of international relations and contributes to national and international policy debates. The result is a better educated citizenry and the advancement of Houston as an important international center. Recognizing the need to improve the quality of international education, the World Affairs Council of Houston established Education Outreach in 1999. Today it is nationally recognized and is a model for education programs. For more information visit www.wachouston.org

SOURCE World Affairs Council of Houston