Our History

Peer Teaching & Learning History

The philosophical and methodological approach of Peer Teaching & Learning educational programs was conceived in 2001 under the name of the Global Campuses Foundation (GCF). GCF was formed for the purpose of providing advanced learning opportunities for underserved populations worldwide, foremost people with disability. The philosophy and methodologies offer a unique education paradigm that reorients the experience of disability to a positive life experience with an emphasis on ability.

Key to the mission is honoring the voice and full participation of campus participants as the creators and producers of their educational experiences. Curriculum and programs emerge out of their passions, interests, dreams, and challenges as they lead campus development in the roles of student scholars, teaching faculty, and campus staff administrators.

In July 2002, the first campus began as a demonstration campus in northern Thailand. In July 2003, three campuses were formed in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont: St. Johnsbury, Newport, and Hardwick. In 2007/2008, three more Vermont campuses, Bradford, Moretown, and Randolph, were formed. Springfield began in 2008; West Lebanon, NH (Shiremont), followed in 2010; in the fall of 2014, the Lamoille campus joined Global Campuses; in 2019, the campuses of Barre, Brattleboro, and Champlain Valley were formed. Barre closed in 2021. There are currently eleven campuses in Vermont and New Hampshire.

At its founding in 2001, the Global Campuses Foundation envisioned a future when campus participants would decide to transition to their own organization. In 2021, the eleven New England campuses decided to form their own nonprofit (501c3) with the new name of Peer Teaching & Learning.

Why the Change?

In 2021, the participants, staff, and Board of Directors agreed that it was time to deepen the New England campuses' connection to their roots by establishing their own nonprofit as a successor organization to Global Campuses. Peer Teaching & Learning will weave more of our New England culture and identity into all we do, how we do it, the programmatic approach, and the organization's naming and visual brand identity.

The changes being made represent the maturing, growing, and evolution of the participant-centered approach upon which the Global Campuses Foundation was founded. Not only this, but the new name clearly communicates who we are and what we do!

The campus participants are the beating heart of the organization. The name change process fully embraces this ethos. Peer Teaching & Learning believes that the new name and brand will give a modern and professional image and help communicate who we are, what we do, and what we stand for, opening up more opportunities for current and future participants and staff.

The participants involved in the process have thoroughly enjoyed themselves. A new level of energy has been released that will undoubtedly power us all forward, building on the tremendous success of participants and staff over the last 20+ years.

We all look forward to striding ahead together with your much-valued support.