Below is an alphabetized list of GCE faculty and staff.  To inquire about 2010 volunteer, internship, and professional opportunities please email us today. Thank you.

Carlos Leite, Cultural Awareness Guide.  Carlos was born in Brazil and completed his Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, using poetry as a means of communication.  In 2007, he defended his Master’s degree, a ‘Grammar of Union’, reviewing concepts of Portuguese Grammar from a holistic point of view. As a PhD candidate, he is developing a digital database for the sonnets of the poet Fernando Pessoa. In 2006, he cofounded One to Trees (123s), a Brazilian-based nonprofit that promotes the Adopt a Teacher program in Brazil, Kenya and South Africa, empowering ecological education teachers. Through 123s, he has taught ECOpoetry in two favelas of Rio de Janeiro. Carlos acts as communications adviser to Satsanga Consulting and is enthusiastic about creating bridges for the cross-currricular environment of GCE. Email:  carlos@gcechicago.com

CH, Family & Sensitivity Counselor: (Bio coming soon) Email: claudia@gcechicago.com

Donna Weintraub, Accountant (Bio coming soon)

Ed Kress, Martial Arts and Self-Defense Instructor. Ed Kress recently received his 6th Degree Black Belt from The Degerberg Academy in Chicago, named the “Best overall school of the year” by Black Belt Magazine. He has been teaching and studying a wide range of martial arts and self-defense techniques there for over 28 years. During that time he has been the recipient of a number of awards including: Blend Instructor of the Year, Specialty Class Instructor of the Year, Presidents Award and Visionary Award.  Ed is in his 6th year as Head Freshmen Wrestling Coach at Loyola Academy, where he leads Personal Safety Workshops for seniors before they head off to college.  Keeping young adults safe during their college years and beyond has been a focus of Ed’s personal safety training course for the last several years since his own children left for college.

Eric Davis, Founder and Director: Eric has founded and/or served as Executive Director of several organizations as well as consulted for a wide range of institutions from start-up non-profits to multi-million dollar behemoths. In 2001, Eric founded Educational Endeavors and in 2003, Camp of Dreams. Also, Eric held the positions of Interim Director with Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund and the Director of the Illinois Education Foundation. Eric is an active board member for Camp of Dreams and Polyphony H.S. He is very excited about Global Citizenship Experience, which pull together 15 years of educational practice and theory.  Email: eric@gcechicago.com

Integrated Math-Science Instructor: (Bio coming soon) Email: rebecca@gcechicago.com

Integrated Visual & Performing Arts Instructor: (Bio coming soon) Email: hiu@gcechicago.com

James Young, Architecture Instructor.   James has been an architect in Chicago for 15 years. Driven by social and environmental sensitivity, his experience with building design and planning gives him a broad understanding of both the technical and cultural implications of the built environment. He has worked on projects that have won awards both in Illinois and Michigan and range from 400 square foot cottages in the woods to 75 story high-rises in the city. He believes that thinking more critically about architecture, students will better understand its civic relevance and its link to all the social processes that define it.  Email: james@gcechicago.com

Keziah DeFusco, Curriculum Chair and Integrated English/History Instructor: Keziah is a driven, passionate , and experienced educator who has taught students from diverse cultures, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Keziah has been twice honored by the Austin, Texas Independent School District, first as District Novice Teacher of the Year (Garza High School, 2004) and then as High School Teacher of the Year (AISD, 2007). Keziah believes that, with the commitment and guidance of highly qualified teachers, all students have the potential to succeed academically and can learn to become conscientious, participatory citizens with a strong sense of personal and civic responsibility.  Email: keziah@gcechicago.com

P3Media, Video pre- and post-production. (Please see their website)

Rodger Cooley, Urban Planning. Rodger brings to GCE a passion for creative and collaborative problem solving (especially for environmental and social justice issues).  Rodger worked nine years for Heifer International supporting sustainable agricultural community and economic development projects in Chicago, the Midwest and across the USA.  He was a board member of the American Community Gardening Association, chaired the Urban Agriculture committee for the Community Food Security Coalition, co-founded Advocates for Urban Agriculture, and founded and served as co-founder for the Chicago Food Policy Advisory Council.  He attended an alternative high school in Richmond, VA and has degrees in studio arts and urban planning. On the side, Rodger has co-founded a fine art silk screen printing business, co-managed a collaborative art gallery, and built a roof top garden in the near west side of Chicago.