Touring International School of Portland with Rep. Grayber
Graeme Byrd
Had a great time last week giving Rep. Dacia Grayber a tour of the International School of Portland - a 400 student International Baccalaureate (IB) school in the heart of Portland, OR. The school offers immersion programs in Spanish, Mandarin, and Japanese, and has teachers from over 17 countries. It is part of the IB culture of the school that students have a global perspective and take action to help make the world a better place, both locally and beyond.
Rep. Grayber met with visiting students and teachers from Mexico, who spent last week learning side-by-side with the ISP community. This is just one example of how ISP introduces a broad swath of students and families from other countries to this amazing city and state.
It was especially inspiring to watch Rep. Grayber light up as she stepped into vibrant, buzzing classrooms, made connections with students, and learned more about how the school's mission becomes reality - hearing how 5th graders are hosting a supply drive for houseless communities, and about Kindergarteners learning about the importance of worms and garden composting (Thanks to Metro).
I always love being on campus and watching the interactions between students and teachers - it inspires me and reminds me that the future is bright as we help the children of today become caring, confident, and principled global citizens. It is these moments with Rep. Grayber that remind us about how being a global citizen also means making a positive impact in our local communities.
Inspiring to connect global and local. It is moments like these that make me know Downtown Portland will thrive. Joy and play will make this city better.