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Bette J. Hickman
Executive
Director - Global Achievers
Bette Hickman is
an art teacher and entrepreneur with a love of children. She has
been the driving force behind Global Achievers since it was
created in 1995. Through her vision, creativity, and leadership,
the program has grown from an idea discussed at a
business/education conference to a program that today involves
students of all ages -- from elementary school through college
-- in eight countries.
As Executive
Director of Global Achievers, she is responsible for the day to
day operation of the program. She works at home and abroad to
identify and match schools, develop policy and guidelines, and
handle the myriad issues involved in an international education
project. She also serves as an important resource for teachers
and student companies, helping them solve problems that pop up
as they communicate and trade. The cultural and educational
exchange trips that often result from the program are frequently
facilitated, organized and hosted by Mrs. Hickman.
A proponent of
economic education, She speaks frequently on the topic, using
the Global Achievers model. Mrs. Hickman has been a featured
speaker at six international educational conferences in the
United Kingdom. In July, 2001, she addressed the Fourth
International Conference on Entrepreneurship and Citizenship in
the 21st Century, which was attended by
representatives of eleven countries.
Mrs. Hickman worked with the Coweta County, Georgia,
School System for seven years. Drawing on her
creativity, genuine interest in people, and
experience as a small business owner, she served an
effective liaison between the schools and the
community. As creator and Director of the
Business/Education/Community Partnership Program she
developed a strong program that benefited both
students and businesses. She also developed the
school system’s first mentor program. The framework
she built in the early 1990's continues today to
enhance the lives of students and community members
through one-on-one mentoring relationships.
A skilled artist who studied Art Education at
Florida International University and Miami-Dade
Community College, Mrs. Hickman established an art
school through the Coweta County Recreation
Department and for the past 24 years has taught art
to hundreds of children ages five through seventeen.
She was owner of the Cricket’s House, an artist
co-op featuring the work of twelve artists in
different mediums and the creator of "Bette’s
Balloon: Special Art for Kids of all Ages," a line
of painting and drawing focused on childhood and
family. Most recently, she illustrated "Once There
Was An Acorn," a story written and published by John
Hickman, her husband.
Mrs. Hickman is an active community leader, involved
with the Salvation Army, CLICK, Newnan-Coweta
Chamber of Commerce, and the United Way. She most
recently was named as a Gracious Lady of Georgia.
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