Globalization is a significant reality that is not going away. As education continues to evolve, we have only begun to scratch the surface. As education leaders, we must confront globalization while being mindful of our local realities and maintaining a curiosity to learn from this global educational landscape. 

Regardless of the educational level we are working with, it is essential to ask three fundamental questions, whether we are thinking locally or globally: What kind of learning are we seeking? How can we best nurture that learning? And what are the anticipated outcomes for students, teachers, communities, and the competitive, talent-saturated world we live in?

As education leaders, our goal should not be to increase the rigor of curricula but to ensure competence, effectiveness, and sustained applicability. Educators must be cautious about how globalization is presented or discussed in classrooms and learning environments. Engaging students with globalization shouldn’t focus solely on the world’s crises; instead, we must prepare students to be innovation-ready, employment-ready, and motivated to excel in their chosen fields, regardless of where they operate.

As practitioners, we can argue that the role of teachers will evolve into that of “guides” as globalization reaches its full potential. Access to information is increasingly easy, and the speed at which information is shared globally will only accelerate faster than ever before. While intellectual quotient (IQ) will be a given, what will be needed more is emotional quotient (EQ), commonly referred to as emotional intelligence. Thomas Friedman takes this further by introducing Passion Quotient (PQ) and Curiosity Quotient (CQ), concepts I wholeheartedly support.

In conclusion, as education leaders, we must ensure that teaching is no longer merely about sharing information for standardized tests. Education should inspire and motivate individuals to contribute meaningfully to their communities. We should create a system that nurtures Change Agents—individuals who can address today’s questions, ask new ones, and be prepared to seek solutions.