Students from Summit Technology Academy participated in an International Education Summit Jan. 9 in Jefferson City.</p><p>The event, sponsored by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, featured a videotaped presentation of academy students in an international studies program conversing with a resident of China.</p><p>Summit Technology Academy, operated by the Lee&#x92;s Summit R-7 School District, is a pre-professional learning environment for high-school students.&#xA0;</p><p>&#x93;It was a great opportunity to visit with politicians as well as high school and college educators from around the state, and to share some of the cutting-edge things we do here in Lee&#x92;s Summit R-7,&#x94; said Curt Cook, Summit International Studies Academy instructor.</p><p>The International Education Summit focused on preparing students to live and work in an increasingly global society. It also featured presentations about international education opportunities, foreign language programs and exchange programs for students, teachers and administrators.&#xA0;</p><p>&#x93;The summit is a step toward better understanding the vital role we have as educators to bring a more global view into our classrooms,&#x94; said Commissioner of Education Chris Nicastro.</p><p>The program included a panel discussion, &#x93;How Missouri Engages with The World,&#x94; moderated by former Missouri Gov. Bob Holden. Panelists included officials from elementary and secondary education, higher education and state government. Other sessions included presentations by foreign language instructors who teach Spanish, French and Chinese in Missouri classrooms and a Skyping demonstration with Jefferson City students and students in France.</p><p>The summit was funded through a grant to the state Education Department from the Longview Foundation for Education in World Affairs and International Understanding Inc.