For us to prepare and inspire the next generation of learners, we need to invest in and equip our teachers to embody the 21st century skills of collaboration, critical thinking, creativity and communication for their curriculum and teaching methodologies.
Adopting educational technology and modern pedagogy in learning environments must be transformative and inspiring in the way students are engaged in the learning process.
Gertrude Quiros Gregorio comes from a family of educators from the town of Pura in Central Luzon, Philippines. Her mother, Purificacion, was a dedicated schoolteacher who made teaching and learning a family affair. Gertrude would look forward to helping out with preparing the classroom, teaching aids, and lesson materials all throughout her elementary years. When she stayed with her Auntie Rose to study in the provincial capital town, Gertrude was exposed to the work of teachers in higher learning, as her aunt was a pillar of the largest technical and vocational institute in the province. This experience and the influence of other family members in education developed her early passion for service in education, and inspired her to create Global Learning Access in her mother's honor.
Gertrude is a firm believer that learning is a multifaceted discipline that can nurture people in a multitude of ways. As a Dean of Foothill College in Silicon Valley, she established the Adaptive Learning Division, and was able to utilize that platform to offer pioneering academic programs and ancillary services for students with diverse learning abilities, veterans and lifelong-learners. Her success led the division to become a leader of its kind among the learning centers in Silicon Valley.
Not one to dwell in politics, she was nevertheless persuaded to run for an elected position at the New Haven School Board in Northern California which oversaw one of the largest and most diverse school districts in the state. From this role, Gertrude developed a greater sense of responsibility and a broader perspective of how every single decision carries an impact on all stakeholders; most importantly, the child as a learner.
Her dream of giving back to her hometown of Pura through education blossomed into a full scale, nationwide advocacy when the Philippines legislated the transformative K-12 educational system. With inspiration and guidance from then Philippine Consul General Marciano Paynor Jr. and Commercial Counselor Josephine Romero in San Francisco, she brought the precursor of what is now Global Learning Access' CatalystPLUS as the pilot program in partnership with Foothill College and the office of Congresswoman Rachel Arenas in 2013. The program brought together Silicon Valley educational experts to Pangasinan, selectively training 108 teachers and collectively impacting 3,600 teachers in their Division.
This is no truer today, especially with the challenges that confront the world under this global pandemic, than it was when Dale Carnegie first said it. This adage has guided Gertrude throughout her professional career and journey with GLA.
Gertrude believes it is no longer an option to keep doing things the old way. Innovation and accepting change are now prerequisites for survival. She strongly believes in the power of investing in our teachers, to provide training and professional development and apply the knowledge to be able to create meaningful, relevant and useful learning experiences for their students. Through GLA's effective and empowering programs, Gertrude aspires to pave the way in transforming teaching and learning for generations to come in an ever-changing world.
Global Learning Access (GLA) is a partnership-based organization with experts in education technology, education reform, blended curriculum development, workforce development, and continuing professional education.
Gertrude Quiros Gregorio is an educator with 35 years of executive and policymaking experience. With her deep knowledge in program development, education reform, and business leadership, she is able to convene some of the best educational specialists and instructional designers from global learning centers. She is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Global Learning Access, which she set up in honor of her mother. She leads the GLA team in its mission to make next generation education available to anyone, anywhere--to leverage the best educational practices, content and resources to encourage global advancement.
Josephine Romero is a strategic and business development adviser with a passion for education technology and nation building. As Philippine trade and investment diplomat to the US, she initiated and supported collaborations of American enterprises with Philippine counterparts for economic development, including the education partnership with Foothill College in 2013, now Global Learning Access’ CatalystPLUS program. Josephine is involved in several technology startups in Asia and with small business mentorship initiatives in ASEAN. She currently leads the COVID-19 readiness campaigns of Go Negosyo to make coronavirus testing innovations and vaccines accessible to Philippine enterprises.
Ruby Marquez Blas is an implementer who ensures that things happen according to plan. She brings 35 plus years of organizational experience as legislative aide at the Philippine House of Representatives, administrative support to various government and civil programs, and as business owner. Ruby is currently Global Learning Access’ project coordinator for its program rollouts in the Philippines.
Fr. Tito Bonoan is an education leader with 30+ years experience in K-12 education in the US and the Philippines. As Superintendent of the Diocese of Laoag Educational System (DLCES) composed of 15 Catholic schools in the northern Philippines, he has turned it around from dwindling enrollment to a thriving local school network. He actively advocates 21st century education and uses his leadership role in influencing national policy decisions at the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) and the Manila Archdiocesan Parochial Schools Association (MAPSA). He is currently finishing his doctoral program in educational leadership.
Lani L. Lagudas hails from Manukan, Zamboanga del Norte in southern Philippines. She lives a thriving life in Chicago, Illinois but is in constant touch with her hometown to support their development initiatives in all aspects, including social, economic and education. Her latest advocacy is to help local K-12 teachers transition better into 21st century education through educational technology. Not an easy feat considering the state of Internet connectivity in rural Philippines and bureaucracy in the country. Lani is a beloved friend to many and a dependable supporter to all who need a helping hand.
Kyle has been self-employed since 2010 . With an extensive background in online and network marketing and a passion for technology, Kyle is the founder of multiple e-commerce companies based in the United States with partners in Asia. He is excited to bring his online marketing and public relations experience to the GLA team.
Rushton Hurley explores innovative possibilities for bringing together proven teaching approaches with cutting-edge technologies starting from his graduate research at Stanford University to his teaching and speaking engagements around the world. He created the 5-Day Teacher Challenge, in which over 2,000 teachers from 40 countries signed up at inception. Rushton is the founder and executive director of Next Vista for Learning, which houses a free library of videos by and for teachers and students. He is the author of three books, Making Your School Something Special, Making Your Teaching Something Special, and Technology, Teamwork, and Excellence.
Dr. Stephen McGriff is a longtime champion for student-centered learning with technology. He inspires teachers to lead with a passion for developing their students' future-proof skills. As a teacher educator, he creates compelling professional learning online and in-person that empower the use of digital media for problem-solving, creativity, communication, and collaboration. He is the founder and principal instructional designer of DivergentED Consultants. As a divergent thinker, Dr. McGriff creatively imagines education and training in ways that nurtures and releases creative potential.
Marlowe has been an educator since 2012. His teaching experience spans both the public and private sectors, working as a public school assistant teacher for the Ministry of Education in Spain, an English language instructor for companies such as Kaplan International and Education First in San Francisco, USA, and most recently, as a high school social studies teacher for the American School of Bangkok in Thailand. With an interdisciplinary background in international teaching and English language learning, Marlowe aims to bring a multicultural perspective to the GLA team as they set out to train the next generation of global educators.
Jeff is an educator who seeks to spread the love of technology as a tool to transform student learning across the globe. His eight years as a high school teacher in a residential facility for students impacted by homelessness cultivated his passion for technology integration and educational equity. Among the recognitions he values are the 2015 Innovative Educator of the Year by The Classroom of the Future Foundation, and as Distinguished Teacher in Residence at the California State University.
Mark Dohn is an education technology consultant who helps teachers and schools create 21st century learning environments. He holds an MS in Education Media Design and Technology and was a classroom and technology teacher/coordinator for fifteen years in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Mark advocates for equity and accessibility to content for students through the use of technology, Universal Design for Learning and Inclusive Design.
"We need to develop the traditional way of teaching because we are already living in a fast-changing generation. GLA really gave me a lot of experiences that made me realize that I needed to modify the teaching strategies I am using."Mark Anthony Reyes Rivera, Assistant Principal for Academics, St. Anne Academy - Piddig, Ilocos Norte
"I’ve adopted numerous strategies to make my classes more active and fun. "Mark Lee Delfin, Teacher I, Malasiqui National High School
"This training is very important and very useful. I learned a lot of things and tools to make learning fun and memorable to the students. They introduced tools that can motivate the students to make their work more creative and for them to be confident. "Kim Tence Bario Dumaguete City, Foundation University
