AN AWARD FOR

Evelyn B. Crow
2001 Global Educator Award winner
The National Peace Corps Association, USA

Director of International Programs
(with teaching and non-teaching responsibilities)
for K-12 independent school
Saint Mary’s Hall
9401 Starcrest Drive San Antonio, Texas 78217
ecrow@smhall.org
ebcrow@usa.net

Since I met my first Peace Corps Volunteer teacher, Dirk Ballendorf, in 1961 in my 6th grade class in Devera, Sara, Iloilo, Philippines, I have been in involved in global education. That was the beginning of my curiosity and desire to learn about other countries and cultures.

Throughout my high school and college years (1962-1970) at the University of the Philippines in Iloilo City, I had several more Peace Corps teachers – Oliver P. Jones, John Zey, and Judy Zwigost, to name a few. I also had schoolmates from other countries through AFS and other international organizations. I majored in English and Comparative Literature, which gave me an insight into the various literary traditions of the world.

My first job out of college in 1970 was to be a Cross-Cultural Trainer for Philippines Peace Corps Group 37, composed of education volunteers. One of them became my husband, Burton C. Crow. We taught together in Ormoc City and lived through Philippine Martial Law. Later, in 1974, after a short leave in Dallas, TX, I was sworn in as an American citizen and Peace Corps Volunteer. We then went back to the Philippines to serve for two more years, this time upon the request of West Visayas State University, a teacher-training institution in Iloilo City, where we had previously started a college-wide reading program. During our stay in the Philippines, we assisted in other Peace Corps training programs, especially in education and community development.

After we completed our Peace Corps service in 1976, my husband and I both enrolled at Columbia University Teachers College, where Burton pursued a Ph.D. in Comparative and International Education and I obtained my Master’s in Anthropology and Education. We met a number of RPCVs at Teachers College and we were there when the Peace Corps Fellows Program started. The vibrant multi-cultural life of New York City and the stimulating international environment at Columbia further enhanced my knowledge, experience, and desire to promote global education.

Since 1986 I have been in San Antonio, TX. It is the tenth largest city in the U.S. with a majority Hispanic population but with a very diverse mix of other minority cultures also. Being an Asian American, having education, training, and experience in international education and global issues-especially about Asia- has always been an integral part of my curricular requirements. Also, as Director of International Programs at a school that has a number of foreign students, I serve as the consultant/resource person on international issues and activities for other faculty and staff in both academic and co-curricular areas.

Primary Resources:

My primary resources for teaching are my own personal collection of multi-cultural materials and artifacts that span more than thirty years of education, Peace Corps involvement, travel, and networking with a host of international organizations. In addition, I use resources from our local Institute of Texan Cultures, as well as materials from UNICEF, Asia Society, Global TeachNet, World Wise Schools, National Geographic Society, etc. Publications from Intercultural Press, NAFSA, TESOL, and other companies are also valuable.

I continually research and network with several ethnic associations and organizations locally, such as the World Affairs Council, San Antonio Council for International Visitors, Refugee Services, the Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce, the UT Health Science Center, and also the colleges and universities. They are good resources for speakers and presenters. Recently, we have also become a member of the International Studies Schools Association based at the University of Denver.

Belen was one of the first in our class to get married. She has two sons, David - who went to MIT - and John who recently finished university in Texas. She is currently on sabbatical from St. Mary's, tutors Korean students, dances, and organizes a Filipino cultural group in San Antonio, bringing in performers from Iloilo. She and Meyen still have dreams of writing a boom someday.