References/Testimonials

Reference letters are available upon request.

Endorsements from professionals in different fields

can be found at https://www.linkedin.com/in/marina-bonser-phd-24780119

Quotes from professional references about my research work, abilities, and skills:

Dr. E. S., Professor, State Academy of Advanced Pedagogical Education, St. Petersburg, Russia:

“As Marina's research supervisor I can testify for her high productive thinking level. She is also a hard worker, flexible and responsible. Because her high ability of generalization she always starts building up her research from the level of methodological concept, and gradually develops her research route to the experimental stage. She is also able to build up new experimental verification method if needed.”

Dr. G. S., Professor Emeritus, State Academy of Advanced Pedagogical Education, St. Petersburg, Russia:

“This profound thorough research has the highest theoretical and practical value. The author has a very high ability for scientific generalization, which is important for a researcher. She found and developed one of the key approaches to the analysis of the nature of Global Thinking, as well as personal and educational conditions for its development. The spectrum of possible research which could be based on Marina's work is very broad which proves her broad vision of a problem in aspects of science and social practices.”

Dr. O.C., Professor, State Academy of Advanced Pedagogical Education, St. Petersburg, Russia:

“ Very well thought out, highly self-consistent, honest and brave work at the time period when public opinion is not supportive to global initiatives. Theoretical concepts and experimental data have a high level of innovation. The great feature of this work is periodical critical self-reflection directed to verification of findings.”

Mrs. S.N., Department Head, St.Petersburg's Government Committee of Education, Russia:

“The author proved her broad erudition in psychological and educational aspects of the development of Global Thinking in her students, as well as her high ability of analysis and synthesis of broad knowledge from different fields of sciences. She developed excellent solutions for all challenges she set up in her research. The main value of this research is the possibility of educational management of the development of Global Thinking.”

Mr. S.G., Principal, St. Petersburg's City Training Institute for Extracurricular Educators, Russia:

“The highest level of innovation, and the highest theoretical and practical value and validity of the results. The considered strategy of gradual development of the educational environment in the process of the integration of curricular and extracurricular education is a valuable contribution to education science. The content of the tasks is helpful not only for the development of thinking but for the formation of ethical values for preserving life and human culture on our planet in human consciousness, a center for the management of life on our planet.”

There are four more reference letters from top-level educators at the institutions of St.Petersburg, Russia.

Dr. A. C., Professor, University of Birmingham, UK:

"I consider the research to be extremely useful, valuable, and well-executed, and found much to consider and apply in my own work. When I began reading the research I was broadly skeptical regarding Global Thinking, considering it to be too abstract and too normative a concept. In the course of reading and reviewing this research, I came to the view that Global Thinking could be applied in practice, that it could act as a unifying concept that would nonetheless support and encourage individual creativity, critical thinking, and initiative. It represents a serious attempt to provide new insights into the inter-relationship between different types of intelligence and ability in the creative process. Overall I consider the research to be of a high standard, in that it works effectively and innovatively at both the theoretical and practical levels, is internally consistent and logically designed, and provides substantial material for future theoretical development."

Dr. U. V., Professor, Department Head, University of Tampere, Finland:

"I have read it with great interest because education is of vital importance in global thinking development. I found it valuable that the author both links her work to the theoretical literature and carries out an empirical experimental investigation. Another important feature is the attention to the integration of curricular and extracurricular activities, and taking into account the age levels' impact on the formation of Global Thinking."

Dr. P.M., Professor, Advisory Board member, Global Education Conference, WA, USA.

“I have been impressed by Marina's innovative, interdisciplinary, and theoretical work, especially in the area of global thinking and global sustainability. I believe her theoretical rigorousness would be a tremendous contribution to research- oriented departments focused on globalization, global education, and sustainability."

Mr. M.S., Department Head, US Census Bureau, CA, USA.

"Marina is a highly organized, detailed-oriented individual. As would be expected from her educational level, she approaches her work in a thorough, focused manner. She accomplishes work with initiative and tactful persistency. Marina has been a pleasure to work with."

Quotes from professional references about my teaching abilities and skills:

Mr. A.B., Department Head, Extracurricular Activities Center, St. Petersburg, Russia.

“The main feature in Marina’s character is her permanent pursuit of self-development and self-education. Marina’s excellence in teaching and communication, interesting program, and high level of ethics has helped Marina to inspire feelings in communities of teenagers and youth and reach great results in the education of her students. Marina was always ready to share her experience and best practices with her colleagues. In 1995 Marina was honored as the Best Teacher of the Department and received a promotion to the highest possible level of teacher in Russia. ”

Dr. M. A., Professor, Department Head, Folsom Lake College, CA, USA:

“ I found Dr. Bonser to be patient, supportive, and caring when working with students. Very few people have her upbeat personality and high level of energy. She has incredible zest and dedication to her subject and to her students.”

Mrs. K.L., Professor, Department Head, Folsom Lake College, CA, USA:

“ Marina treats her job with enthusiasm, open-mildness, and sincere interest. She is patient, logical, and methodological person who also understands that students need a variety of instructional approaches. Marina has a unique combination of skills because she understands both psychology of math as well as its conceptual underpinnings.”

Selected community college students' testimonials:

“Thank you, Professor! It was truly a joy to be in your class!”

"I want to thank you for your help and consideration throughout the semester, and I hope to have more professors like you.”

“You made complex concepts easy. I am not afraid of math anymore!”

“Professor Bonser is kind and caring. She is always ready to help.”

“ She taught us using different approaches and connections between math concepts which are not in the book. It made it easier to understand them.”

“ She certainly succeeded in engaging us to learn. It is not easy with a number of students who came to the community college.”

“ I liked that she always asked the class if her explanations were clear.”

“ I liked how Professor Bonser structured her course. Who really wants to learn certainly have more opportunities to catch up and succeed.”

Testimonials for Global Thinking Development Courses:

“ Global Thinking classes helped me to develop a deeper and wider vision of our overall work. We were able to rearrange and simplify some things in our business, and we keep discovering more opportunities for improvement and development.”

“ I prepared myself to study hard, and it was a lot of thinking but also a lot of fun. The thinking was easy and enjoyable. Everyone was so much engaged and full of ideas. We were always looking forward to the next class.”

“Well thought out and well-organized course!”

“ It was not just increasing thinking abilities but also a team-building when working together.”

“ This course made a great difference for me. I discovered the whole spectrum of new dimensions of thinking. I realized that the ability of generalization is not less important for employees than attention to details.”

“Thank you, Dr. Bonser! It was an interesting adventure :) We enjoyed it.”

“Marina is great! Very creative and fun person. Competitions between teams was a great way for the development of Global Thinking.”

“The instructor was cheerful, patient, and tactful. She always was able to find a way to get over those rare awkward moments when somebody got stuck looking for ideas or when the group couldn't manage their disagreements properly.”

“It was very informative and useful!”

“ I was the most impressed that the pure theoretical concept can be made quite useful in practice.”

Testimonials for Nature Connection Workshops:

“ Nature Connection Workshops made a big difference in my life. I discovered that simply being in nature and feeling it deeper is so much enjoyable!”

“ Marina's soft and kind voice makes her guided meditations very special.”

“ I am in harmony with nature! I definitely feel healthier and happier most of the time.”

“ Each class was so much relief after a stressful day. Since then I always feel much more relieved and energized during my outdoor activities.”

“These workshops helped me to improve my relationship with my family. I pass on them my emotions of harmony and love. I've learned to forgive and calm down easier and faster. I feel more loved and appreciated now.”

“ I love these workshops but I often was sleeping during relaxation at the end. Overall, my the most important outcome: I don't have sleeping problems anymore.”

“ In the beginning, energizing exercises were easier for me than relaxing ones. Gradually I've learned to relax easier and deeper. It improved my personality and made my life better.”

“ I like that we always discuss our experiences in the circle right after each workshop”.

“ Theme workshops are really fabulous for those whose lifestyle includes attending different spiritual workshops so they know the basics and ready to gain new deep experience not just in one's imaginary world but via interaction with our real world.”

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