Exploring with purpose. Connecting across cultures. Serving with compassion.
GLOBAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES, BELONGING AND EMPOWERMENT
The Office of Global Learning Opportunities, Belonging and Empowerment—GLOBE—creates meaningful learning experiences that help Miami Country Day School students develop cultural understanding, global awareness, leadership, and a strong sense of belonging. Through travel, service learning, community partnerships, dialogue, and experiential programs, students learn to engage thoughtfully with the world and lead with honor, respect, wisdom, and compassion.
What Is GLOBE?
GLOBE is Miami Country Day School’s Office of Global Learning Opportunities, Belonging and Empowerment. The office brings the school’s mission to life by creating opportunities for students to explore cultures, build authentic relationships, serve communities, and reflect on their responsibilities as global citizens.
Through signature travel programs, service-learning experiences, local engagement, educational forums, and personal and professional development, GLOBE encourages students to celebrate identity, strengthen mutual understanding, ask meaningful questions, and connect classroom learning to real-world experiences. Its programs are designed to cultivate curious, compassionate, and globally minded leaders who are prepared to make meaningful contributions at home and around the world.
gateway
Cultural and Academic Enrichment
GATEway (Global Access To Education) is our global programming initiative designed to broaden students’ understanding of the world, its cultures, and its people. Through academic and cultural immersion experiences, GATEway helps students develop a deeper perspective on life beyond our borders — fostering mutual understanding and appreciation both at home and abroad.
GATEway is, first and foremost, an academic program. Unlike typical travel programs, it is designed and led by educators, with students’ growth as the central purpose. Through hands-on, experiential learning, GATEway prepares our students, our “GATEmates” to become lifelong learners and true global citizens.
Upper School
Students can choose to live and learn internationally through extended study abroad experiences, or take part in the week-long Spartan Mission, a service trip to Central and South America. These international experiences also count toward a Global Studies Diploma Endorsement at graduation.
Middle School
Middle School GATEmates find adventure and cultural immersion in destinations such as Québec, Panamá, and Buenos Aires. These experiences also count toward a Middle School Global Endorsement Program, recognizing students’ international and cross-cultural engagement as they prepare for Upper School.
G8way (Grade 8): A capstone Middle School experience. Recent examples include Buenos Aires, Argentina, where students dive into the city’s culture, history, arts, and traditions through immersive activities.
GATEway Jr. (Grades 6–7): A shorter international academic and cultural experience. Recent trips have included Montréal, Québec and Panama City, where students explore bilingual, multicultural environments through history, art, food, and cultural traditions.
Lower School
Our youngest GATEmates explore the world close to home, discovering global cultures right here in Miami.
Spartan Mission Trips
Spartan Mission Trips are GLOBE’s signature service-learning experiences, designed to empower students to engage with communities through meaningful service, cultural immersion, leadership, and reflection
serve with Purpose. Lead with Compassion.
Grow as a Global Citizen
Rooted in Miami Country Day School’s mission and the values of GLOBE, these experiences challenge students to build authentic relationships, embrace diverse perspectives, and make a positive impact both locally and around the world. Working alongside trusted community partners, students learn that service is built on collaboration, mutual respect, and shared learning. Through hands-on projects and intentional reflection, participants deepen their understanding of global issues while developing empathy, resilience, and a lifelong commitment to responsible leadership.
Honduras
Students partner with local communities on meaningful service initiatives while gaining insight into the country’s rich culture, history, and traditions.
Puerto Rico
Through community engagement and cultural immersion, students explore the interconnectedness of service, identity, and resilience while working alongside local organizations to support meaningful initiatives.
Recognizing Students Who Lead with Global Purpose
At Miami Country Day School, we believe that preparing students for the future means preparing them to engage thoughtfully and confidently in an interconnected world. Through the Office of Global Learning Opportunities, Belonging and Empowerment (GLOBE), students have the opportunity to earn distinction for their commitment to global learning through the Global Endorsement in Middle School and the Global Diploma in Upper School.
These programs recognize students who intentionally pursue experiences that broaden their perspectives, deepen their understanding of diverse cultures, and demonstrate a sustained commitment to global citizenship. More than an award, the Global Endorsement and Global Diploma represent a student’s dedication to lifelong learning, ethical leadership, and meaningful engagement with the world around them.
our Programs
Global Endorsement (Middle School)
The Global Endorsement introduces students to the habits and mindsets of globally minded learners. Through academic exploration, cultural experiences, service-learning, leadership opportunities, and reflection, students begin developing the skills needed to understand multiple perspectives and appreciate the richness of diverse communities.
Middle School participants are encouraged to:
Explore global issues through interdisciplinary learning.
Participate in cultural events, global programming, and experiential learning opportunities.
Engage in service experiences that promote empathy and community engagement.
Develop intercultural communication and collaboration skills.
Reflect on their experiences and personal growth as emerging global citizens.
The Global Endorsement inspires students to cultivate curiosity, compassion, and confidence as they begin their global learning journey.
Global Diploma (Upper School)
The Global Diploma builds upon the foundation established in earlier grades by recognizing students who demonstrate sustained engagement in global learning throughout their high school experience.
Students work toward completing a comprehensive portfolio of experiences that may include:
Advanced coursework with global perspectives.
World language study.
International travel and exchange opportunities.
Service-learning and community engagement.
Leadership in global initiatives and student organizations.
Cultural immersion experiences.
Personal reflection demonstrating growth in intercultural understanding and global competency.
Through these experiences, students strengthen critical thinking, collaboration, adaptability, and ethical decision-making while preparing to thrive in college, careers, and an increasingly interconnected world.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Global learning happens everywhere. Whether participating in a GATEway travel experience, a Spartan Mission Trip, a campus cultural celebration, a leadership initiative, or a community partnership, students are encouraged to connect their experiences to a broader understanding of the world and their role within it.
The Global Endorsement and Global Diploma celebrate students who actively seek opportunities to learn from others, embrace new perspectives, and apply their knowledge to make meaningful contributions in their communities.
The GLOBE Difference
Grounded in the mission of Miami Country Day School, these programs embody the values of the GLOBE Office by encouraging students to:
Celebrate the identities and experiences that make each of us unique.
Explore with purpose the connections that unite people across cultures.
Lead with integrity, empathy, and curiosity.
Serve with honor, respect, wisdom, and compassion.
Develop the knowledge and skills to become engaged, responsible global citizens.
Through the Global Endorsement and Global Diploma, students graduate not only with academic excellence but also with the perspective, character, and confidence to make a positive impact wherever life takes them.
This version creates a stronger distinction between the Middle School and Upper School pathways while reinforcing GLOBE’s philosophy of Explore with Purpose, Connect with Purpose, and Serve with Purpose. It also leaves flexibility to incorporate specific program requirements, such as service hours, travel, language study, or portfolio components, once those are finalized.
pROGRAMS
Lower School
lower School (PreK–Grade 5)
Building Curiosity, Identity, and Global Awareness
The Lower School nurtures a love of learning through inquiry, creativity, and hands-on exploration while intentionally fostering global awareness and a strong sense of belonging. Beginning with understanding self and community, students progress through a thoughtfully sequenced approach that encourages them to explore identity, celebrate diversity, and develop empathy. From recognizing their place in the world to listening to others’ stories and perspectives, students build the skills needed to form meaningful connections.
Across grade levels, students engage with themes that guide their growth. From knowing themselves and celebrating community to developing a global mindset, practicing perspective-taking, and ultimately advocating for humanity. Through experiential learning, cultural exploration, and inclusive practices, this work is woven into the fabric of daily learning. Students learn to appreciate differences, think critically about fairness and justice, and see themselves as active compassionate participants in both their local and global communities.
Middle School
Middle School (Grades 6–8)
Developing Confident, Compassionate Learners
The Middle School encourages students to think critically, discover new interests, and grow as independent learners. A wide range of elective courses, advisory programming, leadership opportunities, and service-learning experiences help students connect classroom learning to real-world challenges. Through collaboration, reflection, and global engagement, students develop the confidence and skills needed to become thoughtful leaders and active global citizens.
Upper School
Upper School (Grades 9–12)
Preparing Students to Lead with Purpose
The Upper School empowers students to pursue their passions through a rigorous and personalized academic experience. With more than 100 elective courses, leadership opportunities, global learning experiences, community engagement, and college preparation, students are encouraged to explore their interests while developing the knowledge, character, and confidence to make meaningful contributions in an interconnected world. Graduates leave Miami Country Day School prepared to thrive in college and beyond as innovative thinkers, compassionate leaders, and engaged global citizens.
Shante Thompson as Director of Global Learning, leads the vision and strategic direction of global and experiential learning at MCDS. Her work focuses on creating opportunities that extend learning beyond the traditional classroom and encourage students to explore the world with curiosity, purpose, and an open mind.
Shante oversees and supports initiatives including international partnerships and exchanges, global travel programs and global curriculum integration. She also works closely with faculty, families, school leadership, and external partners to develop thoughtful international experiences that balance cultural immersion, academic learning, innovation, student engagement, and responsible travel. At the heart of her work is a commitment to preparing students to engage thoughtfully with diverse perspectives, build meaningful connections across cultures, and recognize their ability to make a positive impact in an interconnected world.
Melisa Crespo, as GLOBE Logistics Coordinator, helps turn the GLOBE Office’s programs and ideas into well-organized experiences for our students, faculty, and families. She plays an essential role in coordinating the many details that make global and experiential learning possible at MCDS. Melisa supports travel arrangements for GATEway and GATEway Service programs, passports and visas, risk-management documentation, program and event logistics, communications, traveler information, budget and credit-card reconciliation, and program materials. Her attention to detail and collaborative approach help ensure that students and faculty are supported throughout the planning process from the earliest stages of an experience through departure and return. Through her work, Melisa helps create organized, thoughtful, and engaging experiences that allow our community to focus on what matters most: learning, connecting, exploring, and growing.
Dean of Students, Lower School | GLOBE Coordinator
Sheika Ganthier, as Lead GLOBE Coordinator and Lower School Dean of Students, is committed to fostering an inclusive school environment that supports the social, emotional, and academic growth of every student. In collaboration with teachers, families, and the GLOBE Team, she works to help students develop the skills and confidence to become empowered upstanders and active contributors to a safe and respectful community. Central to her work is ensuring that student voices are heard and valued, individual identities and lived experiences are affirmed, and every student experiences a meaningful sense of belonging throughout their educational journey at MCDS.
Alexis Boutin, as the Lower School GLOBE Coordinator and Lower School Homeroom Teacher, is a trained SEED facilitator who is passionate about creating spaces for meaningful conversations, thoughtful dialogue, and reflection. She is committed to developing intentional curriculum and selecting books and learning experiences that bring diverse perspectives into the classroom. Her work is rooted in building a community where every student feels seen, heard, and valued – and feels safe being themselves, taking risks, making mistakes, asking questions, and growing along the way. Alexis looks forward to continuing this work in collaboration with her GLOBE and Lower School colleagues.
Humanaties Teacher, Upper School | GLOBE Coordinator
After growing up on a family farm in Southern Indiana, Samuel Brown attended Stanford University to earn a B.A. and M.A in English. He began teaching at Miami Beach in 2005, and Miami Country Day School became his professional home in 2014; courses taught include World Literature, American Literature, and AP English Language to students in grades 9-12. An avid reader, he also enjoys cooking and spending time with his family, which has grown to include a teen, tween, and toddler (the older two of which attend MCDS).
thompsons@miamicountryday.org 
(305) 779-7200 