The International Baccalaureate Career Certificate: A Tale of Two Countries

Audience: Diploma Programme
Session: Block 3: Friday 3:45 to 5:00, Room: Pacific K

The title of Charles Dickens' novel is an appropriate segue to begin the discussion of how the IBCC is being implemented in two high schools in two different countries. Educators must begin to think about how they are preparing students for the future, a future that one can only begin to envision with the advances in technology and global terrorism. As such, students must be prepared for careers that do not yet exist. Presenters will discuss why the IB has become interested in vocational education and will share information on how to plan for implementing this programme when it is available to all IB World Schools.


Patricia Gazda-Grace, Diploma Programme Coordinator, Binghamton High School

Dr Patricia Gazda-Grace is currently the Diploma Coordinator at Binghamton High School and the Director of Humanities for the Binghamton City School District. She is also an Adjunct Instructor at Binghamton University in Binghamton, New York.

Robert Gazda, Director of Curriculum - Math/Science and Technology, Binghamton City School District

Robert Gazda is currently the Director of Curriculum for the Binghamton City School District. He coordinates Math, Science, and Technology for grades 6-12 as well as the IB Career Certificate project.

Albert Penna, Headmaster, BInghamton High School

Dr Albert Penna is the Principal of Binghamton High School and is on the Board of Directors for IB North America. He has travelled extensively throughout the world on behalf of the International Baccalaureate.


Organization website: http://ibnaconference.org/en/Binghamton+City+School+District

Pierre Vachon, Diploma Programme Coordinator, College Francois Xavier Garneau

Pierre Vachon has taught Geography and has been the Diploma Programme Coordinator since 1994 at College Francois-Xavier-Garneau. He has worked on the IB Career Certificate project since its inception in 2003.