The Person Behind the Practice
Glen M.
Turf
Principal · Saudade Global Pathways
"My passion for global learning began with my first Spanish class, when I discovered that language could open doors to new cultures and perspectives. That moment shaped my future."
A Guiding Belief
"When your students travel, safety is everything. Period."
This philosophy reflects Glen's lifelong commitment to purposeful, immersive learning and thoughtful risk management. When education is connected to place, culture, and shared humanity — and supported by strong planning, preparation, and safety protocols — it doesn't end when the program ends. It stays with you, shaping how you see the world long after you return home. Every program Glen designs, every school he partners with, every chaperone he trains is grounded in this belief: that the most powerful learning happens when students are able to explore, engage, and grow with confidence and support.
A Life in Global Education
The Journey
That Built
Saudade
Glen's path from a transformative Spanish class to founding Saudade Global Pathways spans three decades, four continents, and countless moments that proved the power of immersive, human-centered education. Here are the milestones that shaped his philosophy.
The Beginning
A Spanish Class That Changed Everything
Glen's first Spanish class was the spark — the moment he discovered that language could open doors to new cultures and perspectives. That discovery set the entire trajectory of his career and his life.
Study Abroad
Madrid, Spain
Studying abroad in Madrid deepened Glen's conviction that immersive cross-cultural experience is irreplaceable. It wasn't just language fluency he gained — it was a fundamental shift in perspective.
Fulbright Exchange
Teaching in Argentina
A Fulbright Exchange brought Glen to Argentina as a teacher, deepening his understanding of Latin American culture and cementing his belief in the power of exchange as a tool for mutual understanding.
K–12 Teaching Career
Spanish Teacher & Department Chair
Glen taught Spanish at Isidore Newman School, Charlotte Country Day School, and Miami Country Day School — where he also chaired the World Languages Department, bringing proficiency-focused, culturally authentic instruction to hundreds of students.
Leadership
Upper School Director & Global Programs
At Miami Country Day School, Glen rose to Upper School Director and then Director of Global Studies & International Programs — building comprehensive in-house travel programs and embedding global competency across curriculum and culture.
C-Suite
Chief Officer for GLOBE
As Chief Officer for Global Learning Opportunities, Belonging and Empowerment (GLOBE) at Miami Country Day School, Glen led institution-wide transformation — integrating global education, DEIBJ, and experiential learning at the highest organizational level.
The Cliff in Lisbon
One Word. Everything Changed.
On a site visit in Lisbon, a guide introduced Glen to a word he had never heard: saudade. Standing on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic, Glen understood in that moment exactly what meaningful global education can do — and Saudade Global Pathways was born.
Today
Saudade Global Pathways
Glen now partners with K–12 schools, organizations, and individuals across the country — bringing three decades of classroom, leadership, and lived global experience to every engagement. Education in Motion. Impact Forever.
Credentialed at every level.
Academic
B.A. in Spanish Language & Literature
Colgate University
M.Ed. in Teaching Foreign Languages
University of Virginia
National Board Teacher Certification
Spanish Language — National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
Professional Certifications & Training
Certificate in Cultural Competence
AFS Intercultural Programs
Risk Management Training
Lodestone International, Institute for Global Learning, and International SOS Foundation
Story Exchange Facilitator
Narrative 4
SEED Workshop Participant
Seeking Educational Equity & Diversity
Leadership & Community
Board of Directors Member
Institute of Global Learning
Conference Presenter
Multiple national and regional education conferences
Global Footprint
Programs Built Across the World
Over three decades, Glen has developed and led programs in cities across four continents — each one shaped by deep site vetting, local partnerships, and a philosophy of immersive learning over tourism.
International Experiences Led
Cities
Across 4 continents
Years of K–12 Experience
Impact Beyond the Journey
What I believe
about this work.
Global education is not a program you add to a school. It is a lens through which a school sees itself and its students. My work has always been about building that lens — carefully, collaboratively, and with deep respect for the communities we enter and the students we serve.
Every partnership I take on is grounded in trust, shaped by listening, and designed with one question always in mind: What kind of person do we want this student to become — and how does this experience move them toward that?
Active Global Citizenship
Students who understand the world have a responsibility to shape it. Every program I design builds agency alongside awareness.
Cultural Humility & Curiosity
We enter every culture as learners, not visitors. Humility opens doors that no itinerary can plan for.
Personalization for Long-Term Impact
There is no off-the-shelf solution for a school's global identity. The programs that last are the ones built around who you actually are.
Partnership & Trust
I don't consult from the outside. I work alongside you — learning your community, earning your trust, and building something that belongs to you.
Ready to Work Together?
Every great partnership begins with a conversation.
Whether you're building your first global program, rethinking a curriculum, or looking for a thought partner — Glen is ready to listen first and build together.