THE GLOBAL CORNER, INC.
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA

About The Global Corner In 2006, when Lee Hansen retired from a career as a Naval Officer, she wanted to make a difference in her new community. Working with a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens, she designed The Global Corner with these goals in mind: When it came time for college, Lee attended Florida State University where she majored in Early Childhood Education and minored in Mathematics. Upon graduation (Cum Laude) she taught school in Georgia and Florida. Despite her love of teaching, she put aside her chalk and erasers to join the Navy and was commissioned an Ensign in 1981. Her first tour took her back to Asia, this time to Yokosuka, Japan. It was during this tour that Lee applied for and was accepted for flight school. She earned her coveted Naval Flight Officer Wings of Gold in 1984 in Pensacola, Florida. Her Naval career took her to Key West, Pensacola, and Jacksonville Beach, FL, Washington, DC several times, and Pittsburgh, PA. She held leadership positions throughout those years, both ashore and afloat. Lee was the first Naval Flight Officer to command Training Squadron Four and was the first woman to command an Air Wing in the US Navy – Training Air Wing Six. During her Naval career, Lee attended the MIT Seminar XXI program, completed the Naval War College, earned a master’s degree in International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh, and a master’s certificate in Leadership Coaching from the George Washington University. Despite her successes in the Navy, Lee decided to retire at the peak of her career. She was on a mission and wanted to get to work on it. So, in 2007, she created The Global Corner, a non-profit company designed to teach children about other countries and cultures. Lee reasoned that the only way to create a community that was globally competitive was to start with kids. The Global Corner uses exciting, hands-on activities to pique the natural curiosity of elementary school-aged children. A different country is highlighted each year, with curricula covering Japan, Spain, Egypt, Brazil, Russia, India, Italy, Kenya, Australia, and China so far. The Global Corner is quickly becoming one of the most anticipated programs in elementary schools throughout Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties – with more than 57,000 “virtual adventures” completed to date. Along with the teachers and volunteers of The Global Corner, Lee Hansen is “Bringing the World to Life – One Child at a Time” thousands of times each year. Ms. Minish is in her second year of bringing the world to life with The Global Corner This is Ms. Olesky's first year of teaching with The Global Corner. Ms. Kholie is in her first year of teaching with The Global Corner and teaches about the unique instruments and dances original to Argentina. This is Ms. Street's first year of teaching with The Global Corner. Ms. Thomas is in her fifth year of teaching with The Global Corner. Her lesson includes many of the amazing and unique animals of Argentina. Our Board of Directors volunteer their time to make a difference in our community. All of them know that expanding horizons for children will have a long-lasting positive impact. The Global Corner Board President is Charity Hamilton, Vice President is Reid Rushing, our Treasurer is Karen Evans, and Secretary is Carlee Hoffmann.  Additional board members are Vanessa Mayes, Past President, Donovan Chau, Jo McArthur, Susana Mendoza-Kepner, Beverly Patteson, Kelly Reeser, Julie Olliff Vickery, and Rob Zitzewitz.  Lee Hansen, the Executive Director, and Jeanne Hooper, the Head Teacher are non-voting members of the Board. Vanessa was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and has traveled extensively throughout her life. She knows the value of expanding horizons for young children and the impact it has on the entire community. When she first heard about The Global Corner many years ago, she knew immediately that she wanted to be a part of “Bringing the World to Life – One Child at a Time.” Director of Entrepreneurial Development, FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance. Kelly has lived overseas in Argentina while pursuing her Master’s Degree and has traveled extensively throughout South America and Europe. As a parent of three small children, Kelly thinks it’s important to raise awareness that the world is much bigger and more diverse than what we experience in our daily lives. She would love for her own children to grow up with a broader perspective and thinks The Global Corner sparks that curiosity in children. Instructor, Teacher Education and Educational Leadership at the University or West Florida and minister in the United Methodist Church. Dr. Evans has traveled to England, Ireland, France, Canada and the Caribbean. She is passionate about helping students accept and celebrate the wonderful diversity in our country and become global citizens. Retired from the Escambia County School District as a First Grade Teacher, Julie experienced The Global Corner initially when they visited her classroom. She observed her children’s excitement for and desire to learn about people who were different from themselves. Not only did The Global Corner bring a joy for knowing about the world beyond the classroom walls, but it also created joy while learning through its child friendly and interactive activities. As a retired educator, Julie is now happy to be able to participate in The Global Corner’s mission in continuing to bring the world to life to children in Escambia County. Human Resources Coordinator at Community Drug and Alcohol Council, Inc. Charity has traveled to Mexico, France, the Czech Republic, and Poland. She was raised here in Pensacola and would love to see international experiences like those provided by The Global Corner made available to an even larger number of students. Tapping into the natural curiosity of children, Charity believes, provides a channel through which we can foster cultural acceptance and simultaneously develop the critical thinking skills that are necessary in the job market. The ability to work successfully with diverse people is essential to further growth of our local economy.