Applications for 2026 global learning fellowship cohort open in December
Posted: August 14, 2025
Two Hawai‘i educators recently returned from an inspiring field study in Costa Rica as part of the NEA Foundation’s Global Learning Fellowship.
Jonathon Medeiros, a language arts teacher at Kaua‘i High School and Laura Cummings, a Kaʻōhao Public Charter School STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) teacher, joined approximately 50 outstanding educators from across the country for a unique 12-month journey as global fellows to bring a more global mindset to their classrooms.
The experience, which included 160 hours of professional development and a two-day conference in Washington, D.C., culminated with a 10-day international field study to Costa Rica in June.
According to Cummings, “Costa Rica was an ideal focus and location for this global learning field study for many reasons.”
“The country provides universal education and healthcare, has set aside 35% of its land as protected areas (much of which is managed as national park lands), and 98% of Costa Rica’s energy consumption comes from renewable energy. It is also home to one of the world’s 5 Blue Zones and the United Nations-established University for Peace,” she said.
Related story: How the Global Learning Fellowship Inspires Local Impact: Takeaways from a Field Study in Costa Rica
According to the NEA Foundation, Costa Rica is a country that boasts a 98% literacy rate, nearly 20% higher than that of the United States. Education is public and centralized in Costa Rica, and is free and compulsory for children ages 4 through 18. The majority of schools provide one to two free meals per day for students..
While in Costa Rica, the NEA Foundation Global Learning Fellows immersed themselves in the local culture. They explored the country’s public education system, visiting schools and education institutions, and met with and learned from Costa Rican students, teachers, and administrators to better understand shared challenges and innovative approaches.
Cummings and Medeiros were also able to share their own experiences, projects, and strategies with each other and the rest of the educators from across the United States.
Each fellow completed a capstone project applying learning and ideas from the coursework, webinar discussions, and field study—all aimed at answering the question: “How do we create global experiences in our classrooms?” These final learning products, focusing on their own students’ needs and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, will be shared online by the NEA Foundation.
The NEA Foundation Fellows at the National Theater of Costa Rica.
From left: Laura Cummings and Jonathon Medeiros at Arenal Volcano National Park.
About the program
Throughout the 12-month program, fellows are supported by The NEA Foundation staff, partners, and other field experts as they work through approximately 160 hours of professional development, which includes monthly webinars, readings and reflections, a two-day conference in Washington, D.C., and a summer international field study. Fellows also must complete a capstone project that allows the fellowship experience to be shared with educators beyond the program.
For more questions about global education in Hawai‘i or to collaborate, please contact Medeiros at Jonathon.Medeiros@k12.hi.us or Cummings at LCummings@kaohaoschool.org.
Applications for the 2026 cohort open in December. Learn more and apply.
Featured image: All NEA Foundation participants at Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica.