The Exchange - National Committee on United States-China Relations

American Council of
Learned Socieites
NATIONALCOMMITTEE
ON UNITED STATES-
CHINA RELATIONS
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Exchange</strong>
Newsletter for the Participants in and Friends of the
U.S.-China Teachers <strong>Exchange</strong> Program
Vol. 6, No. 3, May - August, 2002
ADMINISTRATION
Margot Landman
Director, U.S.-China Teachers
<strong>Exchange</strong> Program, American
Council of Learned Societies &
<strong>National</strong> <strong>Committee</strong> on U.S.-
China Relations:
mlandman@ncuscr.org
Shen Xuesong
Deputy Director, Department of
American and African Programs,
China Education Association for
International <strong>Exchange</strong> (CEAIE):
ceaieipd@public3.bta.net.cn
Arthur D. Tai
Chief Representative,
Oxford Associates, Inc.,
Beijing Representative Office
dialogue@public3.bta.net.com
CONTENTS
Message From 1
Who and Where 2
Teaching 8
Learning 16
Celebrating 22
Traveling 25
Program Alumni 32
Message from Stanley N. Katz
President Emeritus, American Council of Learned Societies
Professor of History, Woodrow Wilson School, Princeton University
It is a special pleasure for me to introduce this issue of <strong>The</strong> <strong>Exchange</strong> since
the Teachers <strong>Exchange</strong> Program originated to some extent as “my baby.” In
the early 1990s I was President of the American Council of Learned Societies
(ACLS), an organization of scholarly associations in the humanities. One of
our strong points, I thought, was ACLS’ commitment to international scholarly
exchange, and we administered a number of fellowship programs for professors
and graduate students. Our strongest area was the People’s Republic of
China.
ACLS had only infrequently been concerned with the training of school teachers
and the quality of humanities in elementary and secondary education. I was
committed to finding a role for ACLS in K-12, and we finally developed a
wonderful program called Teachers as Scholars, administered by the very
capable Michael Holzman and funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts, Atlantic
Philanthropies, and the DeWitt Wallace-Readers Digest Foundation.
How could we link our scholarly programs to the new K-12 program <strong>The</strong>
answer to our question was provided by the Freeman Foundation, then looking
for ways to introduce more Americans to Asia. We met with Houghton
Freeman, president of the Foundation, and were delighted at his enthusiasm
for our idea of a U.S.-China Teachers <strong>Exchange</strong>. <strong>The</strong> Freeman Foundation
provided generous funding, and we identified the China Education Association
for International <strong>Exchange</strong> (CEAIE) as our Chinese partner. Without such a
strong and understanding partner the program would never have succeeded.
<strong>The</strong> program has been functioning very successfully, and is now in its seventh
year. Through summer 2002 it supported 119 Chinese and 69 American teachers.
It has made a major contribution to the understanding of the cultures of the
two countries, both among the participating teachers and among their students.
It brings me great satisfaction, therefore, that the Teachers <strong>Exchange</strong> Program
has migrated to the preeminent organization for the promotion of U.S.-Chinese
relations, the <strong>National</strong> <strong>Committee</strong> on United States-China Relations. It gives
me even greater satisfaction to know that this fine program, loyally supported
by the Freeman Foundation, is still led by the incomparable Margot Landman,
whom we “stole” from Columbia University to appoint as our leader!
I extend the very best wishes of ACLS to all of you who have participated in
and contributed to this wonderful program, and ask that you continue to give
your firm support to the program and to its new hosts.
1

ACLS
American Council of Learned Societies
633 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10017-6795
212-697-1505
http://www.acls.org
<strong>The</strong> American Council of Learned Societies
was founded in 1919. It is a private non-profit
federation of 66 national scholarly organizations.
<strong>The</strong> purpose of the Council, as set forth
in its constitution, is “the advancement of
humanistic studies and the maintenance and
strengthening of relations among the national
societies devoted to such studies.” <strong>The</strong> Council,
consisting of a 15-member Board of Directors
and one Delegate from each of the constituent
societies, meets annually.
71 West 23rd Street, 19th Floor
New York, NY 10010-4102
212-645-9677
http://www.ncuscr.org
<strong>The</strong> <strong>National</strong> <strong>Committee</strong> on United States-
China Relations is a nonprofit educational organization
that encourages understanding of
China and the United States among citizens of
both countries. <strong>The</strong> <strong>Committee</strong> focuses its
exchange, educational and policy activities on
international relations, economic development
and management, governance and legal affairs,
education administration, environmental and
other global issues, and mass communication,
addressing these issues with respect to the
People’s Republic, Hong Kong SAR, and Taiwan.
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Committee</strong>’s programs draw strength
from its members, who now number more than
750 Americans from all parts of the country
and nearly 100 corporations and professional
firms.
Many thanks to Charles Donohoe, the editor
of the newsletter.
We gratefully acknowledge the support from
the Freeman Foundation that makes the U.S.-
China Teachers <strong>Exchange</strong> Program possible.
2
NATIONALCOMMITTEE
ON UNITED STATES-
CHINA RELATIONS
<strong>Exchange</strong> Teachers
2001-2002
Who and where the participants are and,
if available, how to contact them via e-mail.
Beijing
Frank Colletti
Beijing No. 14 Middle School.
fcolletti@yahoo.com
“I’d just like to state again how well
the collaborative teaching is working
here for the students especially. I know
that I’ve mentioned this before but I
must restate it. Many of the students in
Xuanwu District have never had any
interaction with a Westerner before
and this is an incredible opportunity
for them.”
Adrienne Fazzolara
Beijing Vocational Senior High
School for Foreign Affairs Service.
adrifazz@hotmail.com
“... overall it was definitely one of
the most educational, rewarding,
and fulfilling experiences of my life
so far. I wish more people would
take the opportunity and the benefits
from such an opportunity.”
***********
Janet Schoor
Luhe Middle School, Beijing.
janetmoonbeam@yahoo.com
“After a wonderful year at Luhe High
School and a warm sendoff, I went to
Japan for a week before returning to
the States . . . . It has been wonderful
being home. By now I’ve gotten
through my mail and am getting back
in touch with people.”
Enid Serrano
Beijing No. 15 Middle School.
sereneny@yahoo.com
Boston
Chen Ling
Quincy Upper School, Boston, MA.
littlestrongch@hotmail.com
“I am so busy these days. It might
surprise you that I began to work soon
after I got back to Nanjing. I have to
teach 4 English classes in the morning
Adrienne Fazzolara with Beijing elementary
school students

since July 1. I am now teaching Senior
3 (Grade 12). Because the national
entrance exam next year will be held
in June, which is a month before the
usual time, almost all the Senior 3
students in Nanjing have to continue
their studying at school in July.
Teaching Basic English
David Krueger
“When I was in America I missed my
family and friends in China. But now I
often think of you [Margot], our group
of 24 teachers, and my host family.
<strong>The</strong>se day I am always thinking of
doing something good for my family,
my school, and my students. Is this
because I was a year in the U.S.A.”
Gong Yan
Snowden International School,
Boston, MA.
shuangzi@hotmail.com
“Almost more than 30 hours no sleep
[on the way back to Nanjing], so don’t
have to adjust to the time difference.
Feel so good at home. Started
immediately I got home, dirty, a mess.
I’m home for several days already, safe
trip, back safe and sound but tired.
“Had a wonderful year in Boston,
almost moved to tears when finding
Snowden faculty doing a special
farewell occasion for me on my last few
minutes there, speech, roses, cake, and
a card.
“Ten months of fine, beautiful, sweet
memories, well covering homesickness,
well balancing me from falling on the
side of homesickness. And a lot more.”
Wang Qianrong
Brookline High School, MA.
qianrong_wang@hotmail.com
“Last weekend our host family took us
to New York for a family get-together
and [we] saw a musical “Thoroughly
Modern Millie” in Marquis <strong>The</strong>atre,
which was fabulous. <strong>The</strong> music was
good and the singing was fantastic. I
enjoyed the lines so much I could even
remember some.”
Yang Haiyan
Belmont Public Schools, MA.
yyn518@hotmail.com
David Krueger teaching local police officers in Changzhou
I was asked to teach a class at the local police substation. <strong>The</strong>y wanted
to learn 50 phrases and sentences in English. <strong>The</strong>re were about 25 police
officers in the class. Afterwards they asked questions about police work
in Milwaukee, salaries and hours. Police in Changzhou work about 14
hour shifts every day.
“I think the most wonderful part of our
exchange program is people build
their friendship and a mature understanding
on different cultures and begin
to appreciate some of the differences.
I do hope the exchange program
will last forever and more and
more teachers will be able to have this
great opportunity to explore new culture,
new world and . . . friendship.”
Yu Xiaoyun
Lincoln School, Brookline, MA.
yuxiaoy5899@yahoo.com
“Last Saturday night, I was alone at
home and I managed to write the
following poem to express my love for
Brookline. I have no idea about poetry
at all, I just hope to express myself.”
How do you like Brookline,
Up in the air so blue
I do like it so much,
For I think it a place of Shangri-la.
Above the houses and the trees,
I can see so wide,
Birds and clouds and sky,
And even all over Brookline.
I look down into the rivers,
Down in the rivers so clear,
Stone and sand and fish,
And even all in the water.
To my left and to my right,
I can see so many,
Lilacs and peaches and maples,
And even all the plants in the world.
Changzhou
David Krueger
Changzhou No. 3 Middle School,
Jiangsu Province.
dgkrueg@yahoo.com
“It’s sweltering hot. Tomorrow we play
baseball at my primary school. It may
be the last time I see my students.”
3

Fort Collins
Wang Yuan
Poudre School District,
Fort Collins, CO.
rella6311@hotmail.com
“I am so proud of my students. <strong>The</strong>y
did a GREAT job at yesterday’s Chinese
Performance. Everybody present
was completely impressed. Now I am
back home, but still deep in the happiness
for what my students did this
morning. This is the reward to me for
being away from my family for such a
long time. I am lucky to be their teacher
here.
“<strong>The</strong> parents are very supportive. Some
of them brought me flowers. <strong>The</strong>y told
me how much and how often their child
told them about me and our Chinese
class. <strong>The</strong>y do appreciate my being
here, teaching Chinese language and
introducing Chinese culture.”
La Crosse
Huang Guoqin
School District of La Crosse, WI.
gqhuang@hotmail.com
“Last Sunday, we spent the whole afternoon
to go out videoing the beautiful
scenery. We began from our former
apartments, ended in the classrooms.
We covered the Riverside Park,
Granddad Bluff, our schools, churches,
some friends’ houses and so on. It was
great fun. And also sad to know the
time to leave is near. I’ll make full use
of the time, work hard to welcome the
end of the semester.”
Parents and colleagues watching Wang Yuan’s
students introduce Chinese music and instruments
“I just got back to Luoyang this morning
to cool temps in the 60s and was
told I missed a great rain yesterday!
This weather was a real welcome home
as I just returned from hot Cambodia,
a nine day trip. Last fall I mentioned
to another exchange teacher, Janet
Schoor, that I had friends in Cambodia
and she told me she wanted to
make that trip so we worked hard on
setting it up which was difficult but
well worth it. I was struck by all the
mango and banana trees! I am so glad
I was able to make this trip and feel I
understand some of the realities of the
world better now.”
Hal McArdle
Luoyang Foreign Language
School, Henan Province.
halmac64@hotmail.com
“As for now, I’m having an intense language,
cultural and historical learning
experience...this part of China is
‘living history’ ...”
Zhang Li
School District of La Crosse, WI
zlzhb@hotmail.com
Luoyang
Carmen De Yoe
Luoyang Foreign Language
School, Henan Province.
Carmendeyoe@aol.com
Carmen De Yoe crossing the Yellow River with
the help of a local family
4

Milwaukee
Xiong Zimin
Academy of Accelerated Learning,
Milwaukee, WI.
xiong_z_m@yahoo.com
Zhang Liang
Story School, Milwaukee, WI
zl9939@hotmail.com
Nanjing
Brad Badgley
Nanjing Teachers’ University
Affiliated Middle School,
Jiangsu Province.
badgley_2000@yahoo.com
Timothy Reyes
Nanjing No. 29 Middle School,
Jiangsu Province
treyes@mail.ccsd.k12.co.us
Chen Jinfeng with P.S. 132 fifth grade graduates and their teacher
New Hampshire
Dong Shuhua
Kearsarge Regional High
School, North Sutton, NH.
shdong619@yahoo.com.cn
“Being far away from my family, my
friends and my hometown is really
very hard to me. (I think all the exchange
teachers share the same feeling.)
But it is worthwhile. In the past
10 months I have taught a different
type of student and worked with a different
type of faculty. I have seen a lot,
learned a lot and experienced a lot.
All these helped me to get a better understanding
of America, its history, its
culture, its school system and its
people. <strong>The</strong>y will definitely help me
to improve my teaching craft when I
go back and teach in China.”
New York
Chen Jinfeng
P.S. 132, Queens, NY.
jinfengwuyi@hotmail.com
“I’m happy to be together with the
American kids and colleagues here
now. Most of them are very kind and
friendly to me. I like to teach the kids
more Chinese and introduce more
about China if it’s possible. I’m really
glad that the kids and the colleagues
are getting more and more interested
in Chinese and China. It makes me feel
good and valuable to be here.”
Chen Xiaoying
Benjamin Banneker Academy,
Brooklyn, NY.
chenxiaoy@hotmail.com
“From newspapers I learned a lot. I
know Americans can write almost
everything in newspapers, even
Presidents’ incomes . . . It is very
interesting to learn so much about
America. Whenever I have questions, I
would ask teachers. <strong>The</strong>y complain a
lot about the society, many things.
<strong>The</strong>y, especially history teachers, wish
to go to China to experience the
socialist country.”
Geng Wen
P.S. 132, Queens, NY.
wendygw123@hotmail.com
“I have a lot of friends here in America.
<strong>The</strong>y take care of me, worry about me,
help and encourage me. <strong>The</strong>y treat me
as if they are my teachers, my brothers
and sisters, and my relatives. <strong>The</strong>y let
me experience different culture so that
I have learnt a lot; they arrange many
different kinds of activities for us, so
that we can have more experience.
“Before I say good-bye, my heart is full
of thanks. I would like to tell them I
love them. I would like to tell them my
lots of thanks to them.”
Liu Manxiang
Legacy High School,
Manhattan, NY.
lmanxiang@yahoo.com.cn
Ning Guili
Beacon School, Manhattan, NY.
ningguili@hotmail.com
Wu Caihua
Tottenville High School,
Staten Island, NY.
caihuaw@hotmail.com
“Tuesday Geng Wen, Chen Jinfeng and
I went to the school to watch the
graduation ceremony. <strong>The</strong> weather was
fine and the school was full of joy. We
recorded the whole course of the ceremony,
which is almost the same as the
one in my school in Beijing except for
the gown and the hat.”
5

Zhang Ling
Collegiate School,
Manhattan, NY.
zhanglc@hotmail.com
Zhao Jingru
Park Place Community Middle
School, Brooklyn, NY.
zhaojr01@hotmail.com
Zhou Ping
Garden School,
Jackson Heights, NY.
nj_zhouping@hotmail.com
“I had my last period with my third
graders, my favorite. At the end of the
period each of them told me what they
were most interested in learning in my
class. Some said learning to speak
Chinese was the most interesting, some
said learning of Chinese festivals and
holidays, but most of them said they
loved each and every thing they did in
my class. . .
“<strong>The</strong> kids were so cooperative in my
class, showing great enthusiasm in
learning about China and the language,
and their homeroom teacher
was so helpful and sweet. Before I left
the classroom, they gave me a big
‘thank you’ card. . . .”
Portland
Feng Zhiyun
Jackson Middle School,
Portland, OR.
zhiyunfeng@hotmail.com
“Most of the weekends, I would be
asked to stay with the teachers in Jackson.
<strong>The</strong>y are very kind to me. <strong>The</strong>y
took me to dinners or field trips around
Portland. I really appreciate their
concern.”
Zhu Hongmei
Woodstock Elementary School,
Portland, OR.
zhmhaley@sohu.com
“Time goes fast now and I enjoy the
last days here. I have made many
friends here who are impressed by Chinese
culture. <strong>The</strong>y show me around
here and I introduce interesting stuff
about China to them. <strong>The</strong>y would love
to visit China some day. It’s so nice.”
Suzhou
Roy Bergeson
Suzhou Middle School,
Jiangsu Province.
bergesons@onebox.com
“<strong>The</strong>se kids are really capable of great
things. In my brief talk to the class
before the play started yesterday, I was
discussing the influence of Pride and
Prejudice on ‘Our Town.’ Now, this sort
of discussion, with kids nodding in recognition,
is a long way from a debate
over whether someone is knocking ‘at’
the door or ‘on’ the door!”
Kevin Crotchett
Suzhou No. 10 Middle School,
Jiangsu Province.
kevcro@attbi.com
Tracy Crotchett
Suzhou No. 10 Middle School,
Jiangsu Province.
kechunsi@attbi.com
Kevin and Tracy are accompanied by
their son, three-year-old Kaiden
Crotchett
Joanne Parkhouse
Suzhou No. 1 Middle School,
Jiangsu Province.
jephouse@yahoo.com
“It’s already been a month since our
wedding, and it’s only a month until
I’ll be back in Colorado! Time is flying!
I’m finishing up teaching this week,
and it’s sad to say goodbye to the kids.
Living Alone in
New York City
Zhang Ling
After the first two months with a feeling of homeless and then another two months with a feeling of loneliness,
2002 is the time I’ve got used to living alone and actually begun to enjoy it.
I can read my book until very late without disturbing others; I can watch movies and be moved to tears
without being laughed at; I can cook whatever I want to cook and pretend the food is very tasty and even if
it isn’t, no one else will suffer from that; I can call my parents and friends and talk about our secrets freely
since none of my neighbors understand Chinese although we can hear each other; I can be busy with the
housework all day or just lie on bed without doing anything; I can just walk out and do some shopping in this
lovely neighborhood or spend the whole day in Barnes and Noble; and I can get up, wash myself, get
dressed and go to school in five minutes...
How I will miss all these about my lovely apartment! And the most important of all is that now I know I can
be more independent! Even those sad moments will become sweet memory in the near future, aren’t they
Pity I have to move out soon!
6

I’m also busy this week taking the
English Department out to a teahouse
and hosting a banquet for my school’s
principals.
“Before I leave China, Jack [Joanne’s
husband] and I will be spending a few
weeks traveling to Shanghai,
Hangzhou, Beijing, Chengdu, and
Jiuzhaigou. It will be nice to do a little
more exploring before I leave, but it
will be even better that a good friend
from Colorado will be joining us for
most of the trip!”
Westport
Hua Fang
Westport Public Schools, CT.
happyhuafang@hotmail.com
“Two of our students will be awarded
for outstanding achievement and improvement
in the study of Chinese language
and culture, and I am honored
that I am invited to give them the award
certificates on June 5. A Spanish
teacher is joking that I should get one
for my teaching here . . .”
Sun Hao
Westport Public Schools, CT.
sunhouse50@hotmail.com
soon, maybe for good. But anyway, they
can go and visit me in China.”
Yangzhou
William D. Bronski
Yangzhou University Affiliated
Middle School,
Jiangsu Province.
bronskiw@yahoo.com
“I am in my new school, Yangzhou
University Affiliated Middle School,
just a mile north of my other school at
133 Huaihai Lu. <strong>The</strong>y are wonderful
here. My apartment is in a sixth floor
walk-up and it was tedious at first, but
now I am up and down the stairs like a
Billy Goat.”
John Regan
Xinhua Middle School,
Jiangsu Province.
johnmreganiv@hotmail.com
“Home is an interesting word, richer
to me now because of a conversation
last weekend in Shanghai. Someone
asked on Saturday when I would go
home. Quite automatically, I said Monday,
at 3:30. My friend’s jaw dropped
and he said, ‘I thought you were here
until August.’ I said that I meant returning
to Yangzhou; then I realized
that I have been so happy and so comfortable
that I have really felt at home
for many months. Is that strange or do
we all slip into that mode”
“We have had several farewell parties
already and I really have mixed
feelings now: I am glad that it comes
to the end at last, at the same time I am
sad that I am leaving the friends here
A Luoyang shoe and hat sales display
On-line Resources
Staff Transitions
China-l is a listserv for exchange teachers and others interested
in the exchange. If you would like to join this listserv, send a
message to listproc@list.bvsd.k12.co.us
Leave the Cc, Attachment, and Subject headers blank and in the
message body write: Subscribe china-l [your first name] [your last
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Make sure that there is no other text included in the message
area (be sure to erase any signature information or your message
will not be processed).
After working as the program assistant
for the Teachers <strong>Exchange</strong>
Program since January, Carla De
Gregorio took up an internship at
the Office of the Human Development
Report, U.N. Development
Programme, during the summer. We
wish her great success and much
satisfaction in her new position.
We welcome Charles Donohoe who
joined us in late June, having studied
Chinese language, history, and
politics at Columbia College.
7

TEACHING
May 27, 2002
Yesterday I met with the cast of “Our
Town.” Rehearsals are very difficult [to
schedule] what with all of the singing,
dancing, and debating competitions –
I’m not kidding. I asked them if and
when they wanted to put on a
production.
Yes, they want to put
it on – but with no
costumes so they
won’t get laughed at.
(<strong>The</strong>y WILL wear
costumes!) <strong>The</strong>y
prefer to put it on
during the first week
of July after final
exams are over.
I asked them if they
wanted to memorize
their long parts or
just read them.
(Reading would be
just fine with me and
MUCH less work for
all concerned!) <strong>The</strong>y
felt very strongly
that they should all memorize their
parts. So, all parts are to be memorized
in two weeks. Few rehearsals this week
because of the above competitions.
Rehearsals on Saturday from 9:00 a.m.
to 4:30 p.m.
July 2, 2002
What a tremendous performance the
kids put on this afternoon for their first
time in front of an audience – and their
own classmates as well. We were
expecting a lot of laughter and making
fun – instead, silence. <strong>The</strong> final speech
was so moving you could absolutely
sense the feeling in the theater – all of
the cast could. <strong>The</strong> students thought
that the performance was “wonderful”
“Our Town” Performed in Suzhou
Roy Bergeson
and several asked for more tickets.
It is really, really good. <strong>The</strong> kids have
relaxed into their parts and are doing
some amazing things. It’s really quite
astonishing to see them get into their
characters and masters of so much
complex staging and timing. After one
Roy Bergeson and the Suzhou Middle
School student cast of “Our Town”
scene yesterday, there was just
spontaneous applause from the
audience. Tomorrow will be our first
performance for strangers...
July 4, 2002
We ended up with about twenty-five or
thirty in the audience. <strong>The</strong> kids gave a
great performance. One set of parents
came.
I told them that I had treated them just
like American kids, which I had. <strong>The</strong>y
also agreed that they had done much
more in the play than they ever thought
possible. Kevin Crotchett commented
that half way through he glanced at his
program and was shocked to remember
that these were only senior one
students.
As we took down the big sign I had had
made (in the group picture below) I
asked if we should throw it away. It’s
very large. <strong>The</strong>y were all horrified. <strong>The</strong>y
want to keep it . . .
My only regret
is that I hadn’t
realized how
great the play
would be. If I
had, we would
have done it
earlier and taken
it around to
some of the
other schools or
maybe even to
an American
Literature class
at Suzhou
University. It
would have
been very good
for that.
8

Jing Ye Si
Chen Jinfeng
During the Spring Festival, I introduced
the Chinese poem “Jing Ye Si”
(“Thoughts in the Silent Night”) to the
kids in Class 512. My purpose is to train
them good pronunciation and make the
kids to know a little about Chinese culture
and tradition by learning the poem.
Before class, I was a little worried if the
kids would be interested in the Chinese
poem and if they could understand it.
Yet I still wanted to have a try by giving
them a whole impression of the Chinese
poem.
First, I asked the kids to read the pinyin
(romanization). After I explained it, I
asked the kids to translate it into English.
I also asked them to copy the Chinese
characters and practice reading the
poem. To my surprise, they were so
interested in it and were active in practicing
it. <strong>The</strong>y could not only understand
very quickly, but also could find
the rhyme by themselves. <strong>The</strong>y were
so active that many of them volunteered
to come to the front and read and perform
it according to the meaning of the
poem.
In addition, I asked the kids to draw a
5th Grader Candace Isme’s “Jing Ye Si” project
picture to match the poem without showing
the picture that I had. I said to them:
“Boys and girls, I know you’re smart
and good at drawing, please read the
poem more, and draw a picture for the
poem.” I’m so glad and satisfied with
their projects. <strong>The</strong>y did an excellent job!
At least, I think. <strong>The</strong> more I get to know
the kids I am teaching and I have taught
in the U.S., the more I love them. I’m so
glad that the kids are getting more and
more interested in Chinese and China!
Thoughts in the Silent Night
by Li Bai
Before the bed on which I lie,
<strong>The</strong> moon shines upon the floor
like frost.
I raise my head to gaze at the
moon,
I lower it and think of my
village home.
Folk Fair in our School
Yu Xiaoyun
As our school is a multi-cultural school,
we had an annual folk fair last week. All
the teachers and students were
supposed to put on special ethnic
clothes. <strong>The</strong> whole school was in a
festive mood throughout the week. On
Wednesday morning a TV station came
to interview our principal and did a live
news report in the gym, where the walls
were full of quilts to show different
ethnic cultures. One of the biggest and
most beautiful quilts was a masterpiece
of all the children, with all the students’
and teachers’ signatures on it. In one
hallway were exhibits of handicrafts,
blankets, articles for daily use and
pictures, which displayed
characteristics of every continent.
On Thursday night the multipurpose
auditorium was crowded with parents,
teachers and students, watching a
performance in which a group of second
graders performed a Chinese folk dance
to the famous song of North Shanxi
called “Nanniwan.” It was directed by
me. <strong>The</strong>n I continued to sing an
American song of “Red River Valley”
in Chinese. <strong>The</strong> audience burst into
thunderous and prolonged applause.
After the performance many teachers
met me and said, “Excellent job.” “Very
nice singing,” “You’ve got a beautiful
voice!” <strong>The</strong> last thing we did was to
taste special foods cooked by staff
members and parents.
On Friday afternoon, a group named
Chinese Shaolin Boxing was invited to
our school and performed a Chinese
Lion Dance for all the teachers and
students. At the end of the
performance our principal was picked
out to play the head of the lion and I
played the tail. What unbelievable fun
it is! I’m still immersed in happy
memories even now.
9

Around the World
Yu Xiaoyun
In our Chinese classes, we had some games, of which
the kids here love “Around the World” most.
Moreover, they are never tired of doing it. Other
teachers might like to try it as well.
Preparation: After students learn a group of new
words, we can make some flashcards. One side shows
Chinese character/characters on it and the other
pinyin.
Procedures: Show one card to two students at a time.
<strong>The</strong> one who says the word or words first and correctly
gets to move to the next person in line. When the
pinyin side of the card is shown to students, they are
expected speak English. When the Chinese side of the
card is shown to students, they are expected to speak
Chinese. If one “beats” all the competitors and sits
back in his/her original seat, this person has made it
“round the world.” He or she can also get a prize.
Is there an American Culture
Kevin Crotchett
What a great experience. I have really enjoyed working with the
Martin Luther King, Jr., Unit. We have focused on the grammar and
vocabulary pieces of the Unit but we spent a day talking about the
“I Have a Dream” speech. That led to a very interesting conversation
about culture.
<strong>The</strong> question by the end of the class was, “Is there an American
culture” We are still pondering that one! Prior to the culture part
of the conversation, I gave the example that in China, we are often
stared at with interest as we are foreigners. I asked the students, “If
an Asian couple walked the streets of Portland, do you think they
would be stared at with the same interest from Americans” Students
responded with a loud, ... “Of course.”
That led to the idea of the “melting pot” and the concept that when
we think of China, we think of Chinese people and Chinese culture.
If we think of America, we think Americans, but what culture do we
attach to the people as a whole as so many families practice various
cultures, some American, some cultures of their immigrating
ancestors It was the best conversation of the year hands down...
Thanks to the home teacher, Ms. Schmitt, she even managed to prepare some boiling water which is not found so easily
in America. <strong>The</strong>n the kids got some paper cups and
sat down on the floor, waiting to be served.
Here are their comments after drinking: “It’s really
cool!” “I like Chinese lü cha!”
Making Chinese Tea
Hua Fang
Teaching in Westport Public Schools is really fun. What I like American kids most is that they would like to appreciate
different cultures. <strong>The</strong>y are very much curious about ancient Chinese civilization and way of life.
<strong>The</strong> other day, the 4th grade kids of Green’s Farms learned how to make Chinese tea and they got a chance to taste it in
class. <strong>The</strong>y seemed so excited with their eyes widely open when they were smelling the tea leaves or touching the teapot,
wondering how water comes from the spout. At the beginning, I only planned to show them some tea leaves, the teapot
and way of making tea by only explanations, but when I finished teaching them how to say “cha,” “hong cha,” “lü
cha,” and “hua cha,” (tea, black tea, green tea, and flower tea) I was surrounded by the lovely kids. “Can we have some
cha now We really want to.”
<strong>The</strong>y tried to drink the tea more professionally like
Chinese and they continued asking questions like
whether they should eat some tea leaves while drinking,
and what kind of snack is good for tea. When I
mentioned we had tea with “bao zi” (steamed buns) or
sunflower seeds, they said “We can go to China- town
or order from China” We really had fun that day and
even the next day, some of the kids stopped me and
told me they made Chinese tea for their parents
at home and they appreciated it.
Hua Fang’s fourth graders enjoying Chinese tea
10

<strong>The</strong> Road Not Taken
Roy Bergeson
For the second year in a row, I have closed the year with this poem. We have discussed the vocabulary, the meter, the
rhyme scheme and looked closely at each stanza. As a final assignment, each student is to go home and explain the
poem in Chinese to a parent or grandparent. <strong>The</strong>n the student is to ask if there was a decision made “ages and ages”
ago that “has made all the difference.” <strong>The</strong>n, the student is to give an oral report on that conversation.
<strong>The</strong> assignment always produces amazing and often moving stories. We talk about what the sigh means in the last
stanza. It’s wonderful to have American poetry touch deep chords in people so far away, with different life experiences,
and who don’t speak English at all. Teaching is the best . . .
This morning one girl had actually written out her report. After she read it, I asked if I could take a closer look at what
she had written (text below). What I particularly enjoyed about the girl’s report was her real understanding of the poem.
(To help your memories, I have also copied the poem below.)
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
<strong>The</strong>n took the other, as just as fair,
I shall be telling this with a sigh
And having perhaps the better claim,
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Two roads diverged in a wood, and I –
Though as for that the passing there
I took the one less traveled by,
Had worn them really about the same,
And that has made all the difference.
- Robert Frost
I translated the poem into Chinese. <strong>The</strong>n I told it to my mother. I knew what a terrible translator I was. My mother was
very surprised. She wondered how the famous poet could write such a boring poem. I thought it would be a long time
to explain the whole poem for her. I couldn’t wait to ask her the question directly.
She didn’t sigh at all, but what she said made me sigh.
My mother dreamed to be an artist when she was a little girl. She liked drawing so much that she always practiced until
next morning. She said she had done her best. Because of everyday practicing, she always couldn’t fall asleep easily.
After drawing many years, my mother continued to practice hard, but the progress couldn’t be seen easily. We know it
is easy to be a common painter but difficult to be an artist. <strong>The</strong> distance between the artists and painters is really small,
but it is impossible for most of the painters to go over the distance.
My mother realized this when she met my father. At that time two roads diverged in front of her. She could be a painter,
working hard as before, but she wouldn’t have time to take care of her busy husband. Or she could be a housewife. My
father needed her help. But if she chose to be a housewife, she must give up drawing and maybe could not use brushes
forever.
She didn’t tell me what she thought. I wondered how she made her decision. She stopped talking for a long time.
But suddenly she said, “It is too hard for a person to see her dream break out, especially the dream she held for her
whole childhood. I avoided the road that led to be an artist. So up to now there’s still hope in my heart. I hope when
you grow up, when there is nothing much for me to care about I will pick up my brush again.”
We publish the student’s report anonymously at her request.
11

Notes From Belmont
Yang Haiyan
This past Friday, I met kindergarten kids on their get together day in Winnbrook.
After I said hello to them, I asked them to guess where I was from. <strong>The</strong>y got the
right answer right away. <strong>The</strong>n I asked how they knew that I was from China.
<strong>The</strong>y said they could tell from my skin, my hair and my eyes. One of the boys
said I spoke differently. And I asked how it is so different. And he said very
loudly, “We speak like this.”
We all laughed after his well done demonstration. Isn’t that cute <strong>The</strong>n I read a
story about Chinese Zodiac. <strong>The</strong> book I read to them has both English and
Chinese on it, and those little kids wanted me to do the both. Of course, I was
very happy to do that. <strong>The</strong>y seemed enjoying a lot. I love those little things.
<strong>The</strong>y are so cute.
Last Class in China
David Krueger
Late Friday afternoon, 8th period: my last
class of the day, week and year. I walk
into Senior 2, Class 1. <strong>The</strong>y cheer and
applaud. I think that they will try to coax
me to watch England’s football match
against Brazil [in the World Cup
competition] (news travels fast – I let one
class watch and they think they can all
watch). Everyone here is either a fan of
England or Brazil. Mrs. Jiang [a Chinese
teacher of English] is there and tells me
quietly that the TV is not working well.
This may be code for “don’t watch
football.” I hadn’t planned to. It is the
last class and they have much prep for
exams. It just wouldn’t be appropriate,
even though the class next door is
watching.
I want to have a conversation with them.
I write on the board, “What do you want
me to tell students about you when I
return to the United States” I explain. I
can tell students many things about
China, school, families, etc., but what do
they want students their age in the U.S.
to know about them How should I
represent them I want to know how
they want their peers, counterparts to
see them, or understand them.
Well, they have football on the brain
and I guess I am also not too inspiring.
I begin to talk about many memories
and experiences that I will take back
with me. But I keep restating my initial
question: how they would like to
project themselves to their U.S.
counterparts I start to get a little
about pop music and films – they like
their (U.S.) film and pop stars. <strong>The</strong>y
want me to invite them to visit China,
etc.
We are getting near the end of the
period. As usual, I have done most of
the talking. I said, “ I know, I will tell
them how much you love football.”
<strong>The</strong>y all laughed. And I said, “And I
will tell them how much you like
cartoons” (a few weeks earlier, I typed
up a two-page dialogue of a cartoon
about a little girl who finds a cat in her
yard and really makes the poor thing
suffer. She puts it in the washing
machine, etc. – and then we watched
the five minute cartoon, following
along with the dialogue I had given
them. <strong>The</strong>y thought it was so funny,
they laughed . . .). <strong>The</strong>n I followed
that with a passing comment, “You
know, your American friends, the same
age as you, would think that watching
cartoons was childish. If they
watched cartoons, they would not
want their friends to know. <strong>The</strong>y all
want to look more grown-up than they
are.”
It was very quiet for about two
minutes. <strong>The</strong>n a girl raised her hand
and stood up. She never spoke
before. She was not a very big girl
and I thought she was quite shy. She
said, “Perhaps the U.S. students will
think that cartoons are childish. But
we like cartoons and want to be
childish. We have so much homework
and long school days. We often have
extra lessons on Sunday and no
holiday. We didn’t get much time to
see cartoons, but we like them very
much. So perhaps you can tell them
why we like cartoons.” And it was so
quiet and it seemed they all agreed.
And Mrs. Jiang heard it as well.
I could see the dark cloud of Senior 3
settling over them. <strong>The</strong>n I
remembered that a few kids had
recently told me that they begin
Senior 3 lessons after the final
examinations. In other words, they
will have no summer holiday. And I
remember, in the sweltering heat of
the last two summers, seeing Senior 3
kids sitting in the classrooms during
summer vacation.
Here it is Monday night and I can still
hear the young girl’s lament for her
childhood. Now I wish that I had let
them watch football – and a few more
cartoons.
A Field Trip to Chinatown
Dong Shuhua
Greg [Bruss] and I decided to take the
students in Chinese classes to the
Chinatown in Boston so that the
students could practice what they had
learned in Chinese classes and gain
some knowledge of Chinese culture.
<strong>The</strong> students were thrilled at the news.
We set off as planned at 8:00 on May
6, which was a very beautiful day. <strong>The</strong>
students were in high spirits. On the
bus they sang the Chinese folk song
“Molihua” [“Jasmine”] again and
12

again, which I taught them a week
before. Some students were practicing
how to order food in Chinese.
We first visited the New England
Aquarium and stayed there for about
two hours. When we were walking out
of the aquarium, one of my students
came up to me and said, “Dong Laoshi,
wo e le. Women qu chifan ba.” (Ms.
Dong, I am hungry. Let’s go and have
lunch.)
Her mention of Chinese food made
everyone’s mouth watering. When we
entered a Chinese restaurant, my
students greeted waiters, “Ni hao!” I
told the waiters my American students
wanted to practice Chinese and asked
them to speak to the students slowly.
<strong>The</strong>n the waiters asked them what they
would like to drink and eat in Chinese.
Every student ordered the food and
drink they liked in Chinese.
To their great surprise, the waiters
understood them very well, which made
them very excited. (<strong>The</strong> students were
a little nervous at first. <strong>The</strong>y were
afraid that their Chinese was not good
enough to make themselves
understood.) Some of them said to the
waiter: “Women hui shuo yidian
Zhongwen.” (We can speak a little
Chinese.) When the waiter asked the
students “Fancai haochi bu haochi”
(How was the food) they said,”Hao
chi!” “Hen hao chi!” “Haochiji le!”
(Very good. Excellent. Extremely good.)
I was so glad and so proud of them.
<strong>The</strong>y really did a wonderful job.
After lunch, we walked through the
Chinatown and did some shopping.
<strong>The</strong> students were very curious about
the things they saw and asked many
questions. Some of them were able to
recognize some Chinese characters on
shop windows. What a lively and
interesting Chinese class we had!
What lots of fun we had in Chinatown!
Jackson Sexual Education - Flour Babies
Feng Zhiyun
Last Friday, Max brought out all of his baby dresses from the cabinet. I thought
he wanted to donate them to the Good Will. But he told me he would have a
baby next week! You can imagine how surprised I was when I heard it. He is
only 14 years old, how could he have a baby and his parents had never told me
about it I thought since they did not tell me, maybe it’s a secret.
<strong>The</strong> next Monday morning, I found every student from 8th Grade carry a baby
in. How strange it is. I couldn’t help wondering about it. With curiosity, I asked
the teachers and students about what’s going on.
Oh, it’s a project that the 8th Graders should learn how to protect themselves
and take care of “their newborn babies” this week.
Jackson Middle School students holding
their “flour babies”
<strong>The</strong>y bring their “newborn babies” to school every day, take them home and
take care of them for a whole week. <strong>The</strong> flour baby is made of [packages of]
flour which is donated by a flour factory. After the sexual education, the
students turn in the flour and the teachers will give the flour to the Food Bank
in Portland so that the poor families could have them as food.
<strong>The</strong>y can take their babies to every class, but they can’t lock them in their
lockers. <strong>The</strong>y dress their babies whatever way they like and take care of the
flour babies as if they were real ones. Even when they got home, they have to
take care of them.
So when Max asked me to play basketball with him outside, his mum asked him
who would take care of his baby. He asked his mum to do it for him! Hehe!
That’s really funny!
But it’s a very vivid and very wise way to teach students sexual lessons. In
China, most of us do not give the students sexual lessons as common sense.
Sometimes, they make it such a mystery that it’s hard for the students to get a
clear idea about sex. This is a good lesson for me, too.
<strong>The</strong> students did not feel any embarrassed when the teachers gave them the
assignment. It’s their social science subject. <strong>The</strong>y take it for granted that they
should do their homework. <strong>The</strong>y also see the movies about the procedure of
birth. It seems so common that it’s just like a Chinese student having a Chinese
lesson! Not mysterious at all!
13

I just had a terrific lesson. In their “regular”
English class, the students are in
the midst of a unit on Martin Luther
King and the Civil Rights Movement.
So, this week in class, I have been presenting
some supplementary information
about Dr. King. I began with an
age-old (for me, anyway) teaching technique
– a “KWL” chart. <strong>The</strong> students
listed what they Know about King, then
wrote what they Wanted to know. <strong>The</strong>
“L” stands for “Learned.” Usually, I
have the students answer the questions
from the “W” part of the chart.
It was very simple, yet it worked terrifically
because it showed how much they
already knew about King, and really
helped to focus them on what they
Lessons Learned from Martin Luther King, Jr.
Timothy Reyes
wanted to know. I then showed them
some pictures of the segregated South
and of the various marches and protests,
and gave them some background
information with each picture. <strong>The</strong>y
were really riveted – following nearly
every word. No side conversations. No
reading or doing homework on the side.
<strong>The</strong>y were genuinely interested.
<strong>The</strong> best part came at the end of class,
when I showed about five minutes of
King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. <strong>The</strong>y,
of course, had heard about it, and it was
the one thing they most wanted to know
more about. I had only a few minutes
left in the class to show it, and the bell
rang with about three minutes still remaining.
I told the class we could fin-
ish it next week. <strong>The</strong>re was a unanimous
cry of “NO!” <strong>The</strong>y insisted on staying,
and, again, were riveted, completely absorbed.
It was great to see.
I am sure my passion played a role.
King is one of my heroes, and I see the
Civil Rights Movement as one of
America’s greatest eras. And I still get
chills every time I hear the speech. But
there was something else – the students
really seemed tuned in, and there was a
moment, after the speech was over,
when they were silent, speechless. That
spoke volumes about the effect of the
speech and the impact of the lesson. I
was sorry that class had to end, and
sorrier that I won’t see them for a whole
week.
A Day at Lincoln School
Yu Xiaoyun
I’m very lucky that I have such a great opportunity to teach and learn in Lincoln School. <strong>The</strong> school is really very
impressive. I always have something new to see here – the students have all kinds of performances, projects, poem
readings, reading activities, field trips, after-school programs, etc., etc., etc.
Last Friday morning, the 7th and 8th graders had their Career Day. Some people were invited to the Lincoln School to
talk about their jobs to the students. <strong>The</strong> people there were artists, policemen, firemen, advertisers and so on. Each
student chose three people to talk with. If the student was interested in painting, he or she interviewed the artist, who
would tell him or her about his job, his works, how he became an artist and so on. <strong>The</strong> student could also ask him some
questions. I think this kind of activity is very meaningful, because it can provide students with a good opportunity to
know something that they can’t learn from their textbooks. It also enhances their understanding of different professions.
After the Career Day, I even asked some students about it, they told me it was really very fun. <strong>The</strong>y knew more about
people’s jobs and what preparations they should do for their future.
In the afternoon, Thaler Auction was held in the school theater. I was very curious about it. So I brought some money
with me so that I could bring something back to China and tell my Chinese students about the story. But when I got
there, I found each kid holding a card in their hand, on which were numbers – 397, 916, 193, 22,400... I was puzzled when
the auction began. <strong>The</strong> auctioneer, Mr. Farrel, brought a new bicycle out, and said “2,000,” then one by one the
students said “2,100”, “2,200”, “2,300” ... At last a boy who said “2,500” got the bicycle. <strong>The</strong>n a T-shirt, a helmet, a CDplayer,
a water gun, a sleeping bag and so on. I thought that was too expensive for a kid. $2,500 for a bicycle!
So I asked the teacher standing next to me. She told me that the number was not the amount of the money, but the
minutes. Minutes What does that mean I got even more puzzled. <strong>The</strong>n the teacher explained to me that was the
minutes they worked for the school. <strong>The</strong> students helped their teachers and school do some extra work after school
and they earned the minutes. At the end of the school year, the school rewarded them for what they had done in order
to encourage them to do more for others. Finally I understood! That’s why I often see some older kids help younger
ones – reading stories to them, playing with them; some kids work in the library, some in the cafeteria. A boy even
earned 22,400 minutes this school year and he got the most of all the students. He helped work in the cafeteria every
day. If he doesn’t use up the minutes this time, he can use them next time. It is my first time to see such kinds of
activities. Here, I have had so many first-time experiences, which have really broadened my views and enriched my life.
14

New York City
Teachers’ Strike
Yesterday afternoon I went with my
colleagues to Board of Education of
N.Y.C, which lies at 110 Livingston
Street, Brooklyn. <strong>The</strong>re was a rally
and thousands of teachers,
organized by the teachers union,
crowded the two streets in front of
the Board of Education. <strong>The</strong>y were
shouting, singing. <strong>The</strong> words are the
following:
Who are we So we tell them. We are
the union, the mighty mighty union.
What we want is contract. When do
we want it Now.
<strong>The</strong>y just repeated these words.
Each of them held slogans in their
hands, which read, “Enough is
enough. We want better pay.”...
Some of them even danced to the
music. <strong>The</strong> whole rally lasted one
and a half hours. Very interesting.
– Chen Xiaoying
In Tottenville High School when I
came to some English classes I found
that the students were writing letters
to Mayor Bloomberg to plead
him not to cut down the budget. <strong>The</strong>
teachers here are angry for almost
18 months they have been working
without a contract. When I asked the
students how they feel if the teachers
have a strike, most of them think
teachers’ salary should have a raise
but they don’t like any strike. Only
some freshman favor it because that
means no homework to them!
I am concerned [about] the situation
and personally I don’t want to see
schools are closed and many parents
have to stay at home to take care of
their kids. Why can’t City Hall do
something good to make teachers
not feel horrible It takes so little to
make them happy.
– Wu Caihua
Take Me Out to the Ball Game
David Krueger
I dusted off my baseball lesson from last year. Two classes of seniors played last
week. <strong>The</strong>y went crazy and didn’t want to return to the classroom after. I am so
amazed at the change of some of them in another environment. Quiet, soft-spoken
girls become loud and uninhibited. It is great.
<strong>The</strong> third class of seniors I went to yesterday said that it was much too hot to play
and that the third level juniors were preparing for their very important exams this
Friday. I was told via a student from another class that my baseball game was
much too loud last week. Yeah, it really was.
So I said perhaps we would play next week and I had a story to read with them.
<strong>The</strong>y slapped their desks, moaned and protested, “<strong>The</strong> other two classes got to
play!” I asked if it was too hot to play. “No!” Ok, I said I would meet them out on
the field in about four minutes after I run for my bag with the bats, gloves and
balls.
Honors & Awards
Gong Yan
You might know there is an Annual Boston Public School Award ceremony once
a year, only two students from each school will be awarded, one as academic
representative and the other as school spirit. It’s a big occasion for the students
who are to be awarded and at the same time teachers will feel quite honored if he
Gong Yan with award recipients
or she could be invited to attend the ceremony at the invitation of the students
because one student is only allowed to invite two of his or her teachers.
This year, I was invited by the No. 1 student in Snowden to attend the awarding,
but I was not his teacher. <strong>The</strong> kid is from a Chinese background family. When I
asked him why his parents were not going, he said they didn’t understand English,
he wanted me to go with him. <strong>The</strong> same kid invited me again to attend Boston
High School Valedictorian Luncheon in Boston Harbor Hotel two days after. To
me, those were not just two invitations. <strong>The</strong>y were not just wonderful experiences
either. I consider those as trust, honor and compliment which one can’t ask for.
15

To <strong>The</strong> Moon
Brad Badgley
In the British newspaper <strong>The</strong> Guardian an article appeared on May 20 th reporting that the Chinese have
plans to put a man into earth’s orbit by 2005, and land one on the moon by 2010. After that, they have
plans to set up a permanent lunar base.
L
E
A
R
N
I
N
G
I asked my students if they knew of this plan. <strong>The</strong>y said that they did. I then wondered aloud why China
wanted to go to the moon <strong>The</strong> students said that it would show that China was part of the modern
world and would gain respect from other countries. Several said simply, “because America did it so we
must also.” <strong>The</strong>n, I boldy wondered if it wouldn’t be better for them to help the poor. This received
muted mumbles of approval. <strong>The</strong>n one student rose and said. “Well, why doesn’t America stop spending
money on missile defense and help the poor in Africa” I must have really hit a nerve. He stood there
and watched for my reaction. <strong>The</strong> room was thick with nervous anticipation.
I grinned at the kid. “Good point! Actually, forget about Africa! Africa <strong>The</strong>re are poor and struggling
people in America. And their numbers are growing!” <strong>The</strong> students laughed. <strong>The</strong>y were trying to decide
whether to believe me. <strong>The</strong>y were starting to think. I began again. “So, China wants to go to the moon
so that they can gain respect and national pride. Well, people have already been to the moon. It has
been done. Why not do something humans have not done before” <strong>The</strong>re weren’t any comments but
their eyes were lit up with the challenge.
<strong>The</strong>n a student rose and said, “If we can go to the moon there are minerals there that we can use to build
houses for the poor people.” This presented an interesting conundrum: is it better to spend billions
because we think we will find a solution to earth’s problems out there Or, should we use our vast
financial resources to fix the problems here first One student said, “We must go out there first. We can
use what we learn to help the poor people here.” Another student rose and said, “What about the poor
people now Which poor are we helping Those 100 years from now or the ones who are in trouble
now”
A third student rose and said “<strong>The</strong> solution isn’t to give money. <strong>The</strong> poor have to be able to help
themselves.” A girl rose, and with great trepidation said, “We must go to the moon because America
must not be allowed to steal it from the people of the world.” <strong>The</strong>n nobody spoke. <strong>The</strong>y gazed at their
hands, and their desks, at the floor, at their shoes. That was it. That was the answer. <strong>The</strong>re was nothing
else to say. <strong>The</strong>y had been floating without the answer net and had had a spell of vertigo. This girl
brought their feet and minds firmly back to the ground and to the task at hand. I knew they wouldn’t go
any further so we played hangman. After class, one of the boys who sits in the back caught up to me as
I was leaving. “Badgley, here is what I think.” He handed me a piece of paper on which he had written
while we played hangman. It said, “China must do both. If we only use our economy, technology, and
resources to help the poor then we will always be poor. If we can work on both then we can benefit from
our discoveries and help the poor even more.” Sharp kid.
I returned to my office and spoke with one of the Chinese teachers about what I had discussed in class.
Together we started to look for information on the moon on the Internet. We learned that water has been
discovered under the southern pole of the moon. Lots of water. Scientists believe that this water can be
used to supply a lunar rocket base. Secondly, there is Helium 3 on the moon. This, scientists say, is fuel
for nuclear fusion. <strong>The</strong>re is also an entire ocean of iron ore and titanium. Furthermore, a lunar day lasts
14 earth days. That is a lot of sunshine! Enough, scientists think, to power lunar mining operations and
have a surplus to beam back to earth.
Officially, the moon belongs to all. China and the U.S. are two of many nations which have ratified
the1967 outer space treaty, which declares that exploration and use of the moon shall be carried out “for
the benefit and in the interests of all countries, irrespective of their degree of economic or scientific
development, and shall be the province of all.” In Article IV, the treaty states that the moon is to be used
“exclusively for peaceful purposes.” <strong>The</strong>n in 1979 the United Nations drafted a decree saying that the
moon and its resources belong to all nations and humans and should be apportioned as such. Russia,
Japan, China, and the United States have not signed it. <strong>The</strong> race is on!
16

since July 1. I am now teaching Senior
3 (Grade 12). Because the national
entrance exam next year will be held
in June, which is a month before the
usual time, almost all the Senior 3
students in Nanjing have to continue
their studying at school in July.
Teaching Basic English
David Krueger
“When I was in America I missed my
family and friends in China. But now I
often think of you [Margot], our group
of 24 teachers, and my host family.
<strong>The</strong>se day I am always thinking of
doing something good for my family,
my school, and my students. Is this
because I was a year in the U.S.A.”
Gong Yan
Snowden International School,
Boston, MA.
shuangzi@hotmail.com
“Almost more than 30 hours no sleep
[on the way back to Nanjing], so don’t
have to adjust to the time difference.
Feel so good at home. Started
immediately I got home, dirty, a mess.
I’m home for several days already, safe
trip, back safe and sound but tired.
“Had a wonderful year in Boston,
almost moved to tears when finding
Snowden faculty doing a special
farewell occasion for me on my last few
minutes there, speech, roses, cake, and
a card.
“Ten months of fine, beautiful, sweet
memories, well covering homesickness,
well balancing me from falling on the
side of homesickness. And a lot more.”
Wang Qianrong
Brookline High School, MA.
qianrong_wang@hotmail.com
“Last weekend our host family took us
to New York for a family get-together
and [we] saw a musical “Thoroughly
Modern Millie” in Marquis <strong>The</strong>atre,
which was fabulous. <strong>The</strong> music was
good and the singing was fantastic. I
enjoyed the lines so much I could even
remember some.”
Yang Haiyan
Belmont Public Schools, MA.
yyn518@hotmail.com
David Krueger teaching local police officers in Changzhou
I was asked to teach a class at the local police substation. <strong>The</strong>y wanted
to learn 50 phrases and sentences in English. <strong>The</strong>re were about 25 police
officers in the class. Afterwards they asked questions about police work
in Milwaukee, salaries and hours. Police in Changzhou work about 14
hour shifts every day.
“I think the most wonderful part of our
exchange program is people build
their friendship and a mature understanding
on different cultures and begin
to appreciate some of the differences.
I do hope the exchange program
will last forever and more and
more teachers will be able to have this
great opportunity to explore new culture,
new world and . . . friendship.”
Yu Xiaoyun
Lincoln School, Brookline, MA.
yuxiaoy5899@yahoo.com
“Last Saturday night, I was alone at
home and I managed to write the
following poem to express my love for
Brookline. I have no idea about poetry
at all, I just hope to express myself.”
How do you like Brookline,
Up in the air so blue
I do like it so much,
For I think it a place of Shangri-la.
Above the houses and the trees,
I can see so wide,
Birds and clouds and sky,
And even all over Brookline.
I look down into the rivers,
Down in the rivers so clear,
Stone and sand and fish,
And even all in the water.
To my left and to my right,
I can see so many,
Lilacs and peaches and maples,
And even all the plants in the world.
Changzhou
David Krueger
Changzhou No. 3 Middle School,
Jiangsu Province.
dgkrueg@yahoo.com
“It’s sweltering hot. Tomorrow we play
baseball at my primary school. It may
be the last time I see my students.”
3

Fort Collins
Wang Yuan
Poudre School District,
Fort Collins, CO.
rella6311@hotmail.com
“I am so proud of my students. <strong>The</strong>y
did a GREAT job at yesterday’s Chinese
Performance. Everybody present
was completely impressed. Now I am
back home, but still deep in the happiness
for what my students did this
morning. This is the reward to me for
being away from my family for such a
long time. I am lucky to be their teacher
here.
“<strong>The</strong> parents are very supportive. Some
of them brought me flowers. <strong>The</strong>y told
me how much and how often their child
told them about me and our Chinese
class. <strong>The</strong>y do appreciate my being
here, teaching Chinese language and
introducing Chinese culture.”
La Crosse
Huang Guoqin
School District of La Crosse, WI.
gqhuang@hotmail.com
“Last Sunday, we spent the whole afternoon
to go out videoing the beautiful
scenery. We began from our former
apartments, ended in the classrooms.
We covered the Riverside Park,
Granddad Bluff, our schools, churches,
some friends’ houses and so on. It was
great fun. And also sad to know the
time to leave is near. I’ll make full use
of the time, work hard to welcome the
end of the semester.”
Parents and colleagues watching Wang Yuan’s
students introduce Chinese music and instruments
“I just got back to Luoyang this morning
to cool temps in the 60s and was
told I missed a great rain yesterday!
This weather was a real welcome home
as I just returned from hot Cambodia,
a nine day trip. Last fall I mentioned
to another exchange teacher, Janet
Schoor, that I had friends in Cambodia
and she told me she wanted to
make that trip so we worked hard on
setting it up which was difficult but
well worth it. I was struck by all the
mango and banana trees! I am so glad
I was able to make this trip and feel I
understand some of the realities of the
world better now.”
Hal McArdle
Luoyang Foreign Language
School, Henan Province.
halmac64@hotmail.com
“As for now, I’m having an intense language,
cultural and historical learning
experience...this part of China is
‘living history’ ...”
Zhang Li
School District of La Crosse, WI
zlzhb@hotmail.com
Luoyang
Carmen De Yoe
Luoyang Foreign Language
School, Henan Province.
Carmendeyoe@aol.com
Carmen De Yoe crossing the Yellow River with
the help of a local family
4

Milwaukee
Xiong Zimin
Academy of Accelerated Learning,
Milwaukee, WI.
xiong_z_m@yahoo.com
Zhang Liang
Story School, Milwaukee, WI
zl9939@hotmail.com
Nanjing
Brad Badgley
Nanjing Teachers’ University
Affiliated Middle School,
Jiangsu Province.
badgley_2000@yahoo.com
Timothy Reyes
Nanjing No. 29 Middle School,
Jiangsu Province
treyes@mail.ccsd.k12.co.us
Chen Jinfeng with P.S. 132 fifth grade graduates and their teacher
New Hampshire
Dong Shuhua
Kearsarge Regional High
School, North Sutton, NH.
shdong619@yahoo.com.cn
“Being far away from my family, my
friends and my hometown is really
very hard to me. (I think all the exchange
teachers share the same feeling.)
But it is worthwhile. In the past
10 months I have taught a different
type of student and worked with a different
type of faculty. I have seen a lot,
learned a lot and experienced a lot.
All these helped me to get a better understanding
of America, its history, its
culture, its school system and its
people. <strong>The</strong>y will definitely help me
to improve my teaching craft when I
go back and teach in China.”
New York
Chen Jinfeng
P.S. 132, Queens, NY.
jinfengwuyi@hotmail.com
“I’m happy to be together with the
American kids and colleagues here
now. Most of them are very kind and
friendly to me. I like to teach the kids
more Chinese and introduce more
about China if it’s possible. I’m really
glad that the kids and the colleagues
are getting more and more interested
in Chinese and China. It makes me feel
good and valuable to be here.”
Chen Xiaoying
Benjamin Banneker Academy,
Brooklyn, NY.
chenxiaoy@hotmail.com
“From newspapers I learned a lot. I
know Americans can write almost
everything in newspapers, even
Presidents’ incomes . . . It is very
interesting to learn so much about
America. Whenever I have questions, I
would ask teachers. <strong>The</strong>y complain a
lot about the society, many things.
<strong>The</strong>y, especially history teachers, wish
to go to China to experience the
socialist country.”
Geng Wen
P.S. 132, Queens, NY.
wendygw123@hotmail.com
“I have a lot of friends here in America.
<strong>The</strong>y take care of me, worry about me,
help and encourage me. <strong>The</strong>y treat me
as if they are my teachers, my brothers
and sisters, and my relatives. <strong>The</strong>y let
me experience different culture so that
I have learnt a lot; they arrange many
different kinds of activities for us, so
that we can have more experience.
“Before I say good-bye, my heart is full
of thanks. I would like to tell them I
love them. I would like to tell them my
lots of thanks to them.”
Liu Manxiang
Legacy High School,
Manhattan, NY.
lmanxiang@yahoo.com.cn
Ning Guili
Beacon School, Manhattan, NY.
ningguili@hotmail.com
Wu Caihua
Tottenville High School,
Staten Island, NY.
caihuaw@hotmail.com
“Tuesday Geng Wen, Chen Jinfeng and
I went to the school to watch the
graduation ceremony. <strong>The</strong> weather was
fine and the school was full of joy. We
recorded the whole course of the ceremony,
which is almost the same as the
one in my school in Beijing except for
the gown and the hat.”
5

Zhang Ling
Collegiate School,
Manhattan, NY.
zhanglc@hotmail.com
Zhao Jingru
Park Place Community Middle
School, Brooklyn, NY.
zhaojr01@hotmail.com
Zhou Ping
Garden School,
Jackson Heights, NY.
nj_zhouping@hotmail.com
“I had my last period with my third
graders, my favorite. At the end of the
period each of them told me what they
were most interested in learning in my
class. Some said learning to speak
Chinese was the most interesting, some
said learning of Chinese festivals and
holidays, but most of them said they
loved each and every thing they did in
my class. . .
“<strong>The</strong> kids were so cooperative in my
class, showing great enthusiasm in
learning about China and the language,
and their homeroom teacher
was so helpful and sweet. Before I left
the classroom, they gave me a big
‘thank you’ card. . . .”
Portland
Feng Zhiyun
Jackson Middle School,
Portland, OR.
zhiyunfeng@hotmail.com
“Most of the weekends, I would be
asked to stay with the teachers in Jackson.
<strong>The</strong>y are very kind to me. <strong>The</strong>y
took me to dinners or field trips around
Portland. I really appreciate their
concern.”
Zhu Hongmei
Woodstock Elementary School,
Portland, OR.
zhmhaley@sohu.com
“Time goes fast now and I enjoy the
last days here. I have made many
friends here who are impressed by Chinese
culture. <strong>The</strong>y show me around
here and I introduce interesting stuff
about China to them. <strong>The</strong>y would love
to visit China some day. It’s so nice.”
Suzhou
Roy Bergeson
Suzhou Middle School,
Jiangsu Province.
bergesons@onebox.com
“<strong>The</strong>se kids are really capable of great
things. In my brief talk to the class
before the play started yesterday, I was
discussing the influence of Pride and
Prejudice on ‘Our Town.’ Now, this sort
of discussion, with kids nodding in recognition,
is a long way from a debate
over whether someone is knocking ‘at’
the door or ‘on’ the door!”
Kevin Crotchett
Suzhou No. 10 Middle School,
Jiangsu Province.
kevcro@attbi.com
Tracy Crotchett
Suzhou No. 10 Middle School,
Jiangsu Province.
kechunsi@attbi.com
Kevin and Tracy are accompanied by
their son, three-year-old Kaiden
Crotchett
Joanne Parkhouse
Suzhou No. 1 Middle School,
Jiangsu Province.
jephouse@yahoo.com
“It’s already been a month since our
wedding, and it’s only a month until
I’ll be back in Colorado! Time is flying!
I’m finishing up teaching this week,
and it’s sad to say goodbye to the kids.
Living Alone in
New York City
Zhang Ling
After the first two months with a feeling of homeless and then another two months with a feeling of loneliness,
2002 is the time I’ve got used to living alone and actually begun to enjoy it.
I can read my book until very late without disturbing others; I can watch movies and be moved to tears
without being laughed at; I can cook whatever I want to cook and pretend the food is very tasty and even if
it isn’t, no one else will suffer from that; I can call my parents and friends and talk about our secrets freely
since none of my neighbors understand Chinese although we can hear each other; I can be busy with the
housework all day or just lie on bed without doing anything; I can just walk out and do some shopping in this
lovely neighborhood or spend the whole day in Barnes and Noble; and I can get up, wash myself, get
dressed and go to school in five minutes...
How I will miss all these about my lovely apartment! And the most important of all is that now I know I can
be more independent! Even those sad moments will become sweet memory in the near future, aren’t they
Pity I have to move out soon!
6

I’m also busy this week taking the
English Department out to a teahouse
and hosting a banquet for my school’s
principals.
“Before I leave China, Jack [Joanne’s
husband] and I will be spending a few
weeks traveling to Shanghai,
Hangzhou, Beijing, Chengdu, and
Jiuzhaigou. It will be nice to do a little
more exploring before I leave, but it
will be even better that a good friend
from Colorado will be joining us for
most of the trip!”
Westport
Hua Fang
Westport Public Schools, CT.
happyhuafang@hotmail.com
“Two of our students will be awarded
for outstanding achievement and improvement
in the study of Chinese language
and culture, and I am honored
that I am invited to give them the award
certificates on June 5. A Spanish
teacher is joking that I should get one
for my teaching here . . .”
Sun Hao
Westport Public Schools, CT.
sunhouse50@hotmail.com
soon, maybe for good. But anyway, they
can go and visit me in China.”
Yangzhou
William D. Bronski
Yangzhou University Affiliated
Middle School,
Jiangsu Province.
bronskiw@yahoo.com
“I am in my new school, Yangzhou
University Affiliated Middle School,
just a mile north of my other school at
133 Huaihai Lu. <strong>The</strong>y are wonderful
here. My apartment is in a sixth floor
walk-up and it was tedious at first, but
now I am up and down the stairs like a
Billy Goat.”
John Regan
Xinhua Middle School,
Jiangsu Province.
johnmreganiv@hotmail.com
“Home is an interesting word, richer
to me now because of a conversation
last weekend in Shanghai. Someone
asked on Saturday when I would go
home. Quite automatically, I said Monday,
at 3:30. My friend’s jaw dropped
and he said, ‘I thought you were here
until August.’ I said that I meant returning
to Yangzhou; then I realized
that I have been so happy and so comfortable
that I have really felt at home
for many months. Is that strange or do
we all slip into that mode”
“We have had several farewell parties
already and I really have mixed
feelings now: I am glad that it comes
to the end at last, at the same time I am
sad that I am leaving the friends here
A Luoyang shoe and hat sales display
On-line Resources
Staff Transitions
China-l is a listserv for exchange teachers and others interested
in the exchange. If you would like to join this listserv, send a
message to listproc@list.bvsd.k12.co.us
Leave the Cc, Attachment, and Subject headers blank and in the
message body write: Subscribe china-l [your first name] [your last
name]
Make sure that there is no other text included in the message
area (be sure to erase any signature information or your message
will not be processed).
After working as the program assistant
for the Teachers <strong>Exchange</strong>
Program since January, Carla De
Gregorio took up an internship at
the Office of the Human Development
Report, U.N. Development
Programme, during the summer. We
wish her great success and much
satisfaction in her new position.
We welcome Charles Donohoe who
joined us in late June, having studied
Chinese language, history, and
politics at Columbia College.
7

To <strong>The</strong> Moon
Brad Badgley
In the British newspaper <strong>The</strong> Guardian an article appeared on May 20 th reporting that the Chinese have
plans to put a man into earth’s orbit by 2005, and land one on the moon by 2010. After that, they have
plans to set up a permanent lunar base.
L
E
A
R
N
I
N
G
I asked my students if they knew of this plan. <strong>The</strong>y said that they did. I then wondered aloud why China
wanted to go to the moon <strong>The</strong> students said that it would show that China was part of the modern
world and would gain respect from other countries. Several said simply, “because America did it so we
must also.” <strong>The</strong>n, I boldy wondered if it wouldn’t be better for them to help the poor. This received
muted mumbles of approval. <strong>The</strong>n one student rose and said. “Well, why doesn’t America stop spending
money on missile defense and help the poor in Africa” I must have really hit a nerve. He stood there
and watched for my reaction. <strong>The</strong> room was thick with nervous anticipation.
I grinned at the kid. “Good point! Actually, forget about Africa! Africa <strong>The</strong>re are poor and struggling
people in America. And their numbers are growing!” <strong>The</strong> students laughed. <strong>The</strong>y were trying to decide
whether to believe me. <strong>The</strong>y were starting to think. I began again. “So, China wants to go to the moon
so that they can gain respect and national pride. Well, people have already been to the moon. It has
been done. Why not do something humans have not done before” <strong>The</strong>re weren’t any comments but
their eyes were lit up with the challenge.
<strong>The</strong>n a student rose and said, “If we can go to the moon there are minerals there that we can use to build
houses for the poor people.” This presented an interesting conundrum: is it better to spend billions
because we think we will find a solution to earth’s problems out there Or, should we use our vast
financial resources to fix the problems here first One student said, “We must go out there first. We can
use what we learn to help the poor people here.” Another student rose and said, “What about the poor
people now Which poor are we helping Those 100 years from now or the ones who are in trouble
now”
A third student rose and said “<strong>The</strong> solution isn’t to give money. <strong>The</strong> poor have to be able to help
themselves.” A girl rose, and with great trepidation said, “We must go to the moon because America
must not be allowed to steal it from the people of the world.” <strong>The</strong>n nobody spoke. <strong>The</strong>y gazed at their
hands, and their desks, at the floor, at their shoes. That was it. That was the answer. <strong>The</strong>re was nothing
else to say. <strong>The</strong>y had been floating without the answer net and had had a spell of vertigo. This girl
brought their feet and minds firmly back to the ground and to the task at hand. I knew they wouldn’t go
any further so we played hangman. After class, one of the boys who sits in the back caught up to me as
I was leaving. “Badgley, here is what I think.” He handed me a piece of paper on which he had written
while we played hangman. It said, “China must do both. If we only use our economy, technology, and
resources to help the poor then we will always be poor. If we can work on both then we can benefit from
our discoveries and help the poor even more.” Sharp kid.
I returned to my office and spoke with one of the Chinese teachers about what I had discussed in class.
Together we started to look for information on the moon on the Internet. We learned that water has been
discovered under the southern pole of the moon. Lots of water. Scientists believe that this water can be
used to supply a lunar rocket base. Secondly, there is Helium 3 on the moon. This, scientists say, is fuel
for nuclear fusion. <strong>The</strong>re is also an entire ocean of iron ore and titanium. Furthermore, a lunar day lasts
14 earth days. That is a lot of sunshine! Enough, scientists think, to power lunar mining operations and
have a surplus to beam back to earth.
Officially, the moon belongs to all. China and the U.S. are two of many nations which have ratified
the1967 outer space treaty, which declares that exploration and use of the moon shall be carried out “for
the benefit and in the interests of all countries, irrespective of their degree of economic or scientific
development, and shall be the province of all.” In Article IV, the treaty states that the moon is to be used
“exclusively for peaceful purposes.” <strong>The</strong>n in 1979 the United Nations drafted a decree saying that the
moon and its resources belong to all nations and humans and should be apportioned as such. Russia,
Japan, China, and the United States have not signed it. <strong>The</strong> race is on!
16

My First Baseball Game
Zhang Ling
When I woke up in the morning, I became worried because it was still raining. Today our office, which I call “three
kingdoms” because we come from three different nationalities, had an office activity – a game between Yankees and
Minnesota Twins. This is my first baseball game and I have looked forward to it for several weeks! Fortunately, the
rain stopped before noon. Great!
In the D train, there were many people wearing Yankee hats, coats, or T-shirts who obviously were on the way to the
same destination as us. We sat near some real Yankee fans, so I got to hear what they often shout: before the game,
they shout every Yankee player’s name until he turns around and waves or nods back; during the game they either
cheer for Yankees or yell at the other team; they even stop people from making “waves” with the others just to annoy
the box seat guys! My colleagues were quite busy because they joined in the shouting or cheering and at the same
time never forgot to explain the rules of the game to me.
Yankees had a good beginning – 2:1 – but during the next several innings both sides played so-so. <strong>The</strong>y had a very
exciting game last night which lasted 5 hours and ended with Yankees 1, Twins 12, so they must be very tired today.
However, Yankees did hit a home run! I jumped onto the bench and cheered with the others, realizing soon I’ll be a
Yankee fan too! <strong>The</strong> players No. 25, 12 and 2 seemed quite popular and won many cheers every time they appeared in
the field. No. 25, Jason Giambi, is a good batter, and he is the hero who hit a home run and got Yankees win finally. But
the 17 of the Twins clearly made the fans angry because he complained about the home run and in return got himself
a lot of nicknames. <strong>The</strong> 9 innings lasted about 3 hours.
<strong>The</strong> weather was so chilly that we had to keep drinking a lot of hot chocolate, but it was great fun! I like the happy
atmosphere and quite enjoyed myself, so did my friends. So I came home quite content, with a free Yankee cap on my
head! Glad it’s a “cap day,” not a “bat day”!
<strong>The</strong> Boston Marathon
Gong Yan
I went to see the Marathon.
I stood on Beacon Street at about 1:00,
waiting for the coming athletes. Good
to have someone standing beside to
explain something. Someone said here
came the first runner when she saw the
police cars coming, and also the
helicopter up in the sky.
I thought the runners would be
scattered. (That’s why I didn’t bring my
camera, which made me feel so sorry.)
But the truth was, right after the first
runner, followed by many, not quite far
behind.
I didn’t expect to see Chinese runners,
and got so excited when seeing them,
both men and women athletes. I cheered
for them loudly, which was the first time
I shouted in public, I think. You can’t
imagine how I wished I could run with
them to the end at the time. One disabled
man pushed a wheelchair with another
one in it while running. I was so greatly
moved and the scene was still before
my eyes. People say he has been
running Boston Marathon for more
than 20 years already.
Some people running that day took it
just for fun. Two gays dressed
themselves in dresses, one in bright
red, the other in white. Speaking of
white, there was a couple running the
marathon too, I guess they are bride
and bridegroom, because the bride was
wearing a beautiful white veil. <strong>The</strong>re
were some other ones who had Mickey
ears, rabbit ears on their heads;
someone wore a long, long stick with
an empty Coke can at the end right
before him, someone wore a plate on
which was written “Go, Dad.” People
standing by the roadside all cheered
when seeing that: Go, Dad.
People on the roadside were so
enthusiastic. <strong>The</strong>y gave the runners
applause, they gave them water, they
gave them cheers. That was really
unforgettable. What made this
marathon eternal in my memory is:
the computer teacher in Snowden who
is now my good friend is a running
lover, he used to run marathon and did
some volunteer jobs as well. He gave
me two Boston Marathon
commemorative jackets. I gave the 2002
to a colleague and kept the 2001 for
myself. This morning he gave me a
button and it was 2000’s, so I said it
didn’t match and he promised to find a
2001 for me. So, all ends well.
17

Jubilee magazine, a P.S. 132 student publication, ran an interview with Geng Wen. An excerpt of the
interview and Ms. Geng’s comments about the publication appear below. [Note: <strong>The</strong> students and
faculty at the school called Ms. Geng “Mrs. Wen.” She never corrected them, even for publication.]
Nicholas [a fifth grade student] : When
did you come to the United States and
why did you decide to come here
Mrs. Wen: I came to the United States
last August. I think people around the
world want to know about China and
China wants to know about the world.
As a teacher I would like to teach the
American students about Chinese
language and culture.
Nicholas: What are your thoughts
about the United States
Mrs. Wen: I think it is a combination of
people from different countries and it
contains different cultures. I like
different cultures. Most American
people are very kind.
Nicholas: What do you think about our
school
Mrs. Wen: I like it very much. <strong>The</strong>
teachers are friendly. <strong>The</strong> students are
lovely and the principal is very nice.
Nicholas: How are the schools in China
the same as ours
Mrs.Wen: We also have language
lessons, math, science and reading. We
have exchange teachers, too. We have
computer rooms, music and physical
education.
Nicholas: How are the schools in China
different from ours
Mrs. Wen: We have ten minutes
between periods and we have morning
physical exercises and eye exercises.
<strong>The</strong> students are quiet when the
teacher is giving a lesson.
At last, the good news arrived –
our school magazine got the top
prize in the District [awarded by
Time for Kids Magazine], and the
whole school is full of happiness
and excitement. Everybody says
nobody is so lucky as I am
because there is an interview, my
recipe about Chinese dumplings
and my picture of making Easter
rabbits for the students and
teachers . . .
– Geng Wen
18

Proms
Yang Haiyan
Last Friday, I went to Belmont high and junior
prom. Oh my God, I can’t believe my eyes,
students all dressed up very fancy like a
movie star, like Oscar Award ceremony. I
haven’t seen anything like that in China. It
was held in Boston Park Plaza which is a very
good hotel. Students came to the hotel in Limo
car. We had great food and music. I could tell
students were having great deal of fun with
their friends, and so was I. But it was also
amazing how much money they spent on the
prom.
When I take a look at this whole thing again
and think more, beside the fancy and fun
parts of prom, as a matter of fact, prom does
give a lot of pressure to those kids who can
not afford to go or for those who are very
shy or have no date and friends to go with.
Gong Yan attended the Snowden International School
prom. Two of her students and their dates posed for a
picture with her.
Farewell Bar-B-Q
Geng Wen
the theatre where Mike and Martie
volunteer, and one was once Mike’s
boss. It’s nice to see old friends and get
to know new friends! We enjoyed
ourselves very much and had a
wonderful afternoon until we were apart.
Yesterday, Chen Jinfeng, Chen
Xiaoying, Zhao Jingru, Wang Yuan,
myself and some other American
friends were invited to Mike and
Martie’s home. We had a very typical
and wonderful Bar-B-Q there. It was
the best one I have ever had! Among
their American friends, there was one
I once met in my office in China (she
had a trip to China and came to see
Mike in our office), two had met us at
Geng Wen, Chen Xiaoying, Chen Jinfeng,
Matt and Martie Spaier, and Wang Yuan
New York City Food Festival
Wu Caihua
In February Mr. Greenzweig and Chef
Shueler took me to New York
Restaurant and Food Service show, the
biggest food and food service show I
have ever seen.
People say New York City is “the
capital of the world” for it is the global
epicenter of business, media and
culture. This great city is renowned for
its many superb restaurants that have a
rich tradition for providing exquisite
cuisine, courteous hospitality and
distinct surroundings. Every year since
1993, New York State Restaurant
Association owns and sponsors its
marvelous Restaurant & Food Service
Show, the region’s premier food service
event, to give the food service industry
fresh ideas, great inspiration and new
direction.
This year on Februry 24-26 at Jacob K.
Javits Convention Center comes the
ninth one. With more than 600
companies displaying over 1,000 lines
of their products and service, the show
provides everything in food service
industry. Food service professionals
can discover new suppliers and
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
19

contracts, keep up-to-date with trends
and issues and also they can network
with industry experts. Visitors can
watch chefs, culinary competition, new
product showcase and free conference
seminars on the latest issues and
trends.
<strong>The</strong> most exciting thing is that the show
presents numerous food that the
attendees can taste. It is indeed an
international food exhibition. French
bread, Italian pasta, Japanese sushi,
Chinese beancurd, Africa seafood,
Swiss cheese, even Korean pickled
vegetable; cookie, chocolate, ham,
sausage; wine, juice, soda; everything
you eat and drink every day.
It can’t be a food and food service show
without ice cream. Countless different
ice cream with different colors and
tastes are contributed by ice-cream
producers. With so many lovely ice
cream I don’t know which one I should
taste! If only I had a stomach big
enough for all of them!
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
“Good Morning America”
Zhang Ling
A Collegiate mother, Ms. Lisa Sharkey,
is a senior producer of “Good Morning
America.” She is teaching a class in
the Middle School and kindly
suggested taking us on a tour in the
ABC studio. I must be one of the first
who signed in!
I managed to get up early and arrive at
Times Square before 6:30 a.m. <strong>The</strong>re
were already many people waiting
20
<strong>The</strong> Year in Review
Kevin Crotchett
outside to be the audience. Lisa
brought us – Anne, Michelle, me and
the boys – in through a side door. We
first went upstairs to the green room
where people usually have some food
or drink or have a rest before they are
interviewed. To my surprise, we met
not only the several couples who would
join in the final game soon, but also a
certain “bachelor” whose program
sounds crazy to me – dating 25 women
at the same time on TV!
We couldn’t wait to see the studio, so
Lisa showed us to the control room, the
Monday classes last week: the day started great. Small “year in review”
group sharing activity then opened up the last twenty minutes to conversation,
listening to music, enjoying the company. <strong>The</strong> first period in the afternoon
went great. <strong>The</strong> “year in review” activity is simple. Each group tells the class
1) three new words they learned in this class; 2) their favorite activity from
anytime in the year; and 3) something they learned about America, Americans,
or American culture (ah, but what is American culture). Takes about 15
minutes total. Simple.
<strong>The</strong> first three classes today had a good time with it and I ended it with my
answers to the same questions, only Chinese words I learned and something
about Chinese culture. Great conversation, many laughs, great responses.
Students in each of these classes picked out activities that were both fun and
educational. Students also mentioned that they learned that an American
teacher expects you to listen to each other, not just to the teacher. That
brought a big smile to my face. Kids agreed that they like word puzzles for
vocabulary exercises, writing stories and sharing them, and performing for
each other.
volume-monitor room, the make-up
room, the web office, and the different
settings of broadcasting. We walked
quietly past the people who were
absorbed in their work and I think I
could even feel the tension when they
counted down to one and began
recording. <strong>The</strong>se people have to work
from late night to early morning every
day and they still love their jobs.
Amazing! <strong>The</strong>y truly enjoy the
challenges and pleasure the jobs bring
them.
Lisa also told us about the news story
she just finished and invited some
others to explain what they were doing
for the program. She introduced us to
the three newscasters Diane, Charles,
and Robin, who looked confident and
comfortable facing all those cameras.
It happened that Anne and Charles
went to the same school! <strong>The</strong>y had a
nice chat. What a small world!
We watched them broadcast the news,
and then went downstairs and spent
the rest of our time watching the final
contest of those couples among whom
the winner will have their wedding in
Times Square! I picked out my favorite
couple immediately. <strong>The</strong>y were very
cute. <strong>The</strong> audience cheered and
laughed and showed their boards with
their friends’ names on when the
cameras moved to them.
We were still talking about the tour
while on the subway back to school and
all agreed that Lisa is such a nice and
thoughtful person and we really had a
good and interesting time!

Thoughts on Suzhou
Joanne Parkhouse
As I’m winding down my last month
here, I find that there are many little
things about Suzhou that I continue to
find novel, many of them juxtapositions
of the old and the new. I share with you
with a few snippets:
I love it when I see a man or woman
dressed in a nice suit, riding along on
an old rickety rusty bike while chatting
on a cell phone. I keep thinking I’ll get
a picture of this but haven’t succeeded
as of yet. (I do find myself thinking that
I’d wish they’d stop chatting and pay
attention to where they’re going. Sound
familiar)
* * *
Trees line the street I live on creating a
canopy of leaves that barely allows
sunlight to sprinkle the street.
Pedestrians and bikes lazily make their
way up and down the street, stopping
in the park or browsing in the little
shops. Such a peaceful scene.
* * *
<strong>The</strong> other day during one of my classes,
a large snail inched its way into the
classroom through an open window.
<strong>The</strong>ir newfound friend pleasantly
surprised a few of the kids!
* * *
Outside the back gate of my school,
several street food vendors gather to
sell treats to the kids. <strong>The</strong>ir large bicycle
carts are either equipped with sizeable
pans of oil for deep frying, hot flat
skillets for cooking egg pancakes, or
small rectangular barbecue type
contraptions for grilling. During the
break between classes, the kids swarm
the vendors for small snacks of pork,
chicken, tofu, egg pancakes, turnip
cakes and more.
* * *
As I ride my bike along the street, I often
see something akin to the following
scene. A brand new Audi or Buick will
be cruising down the street next to an
old rusty bicycle cart hauling
watermelons or furniture. <strong>The</strong> folks in
the car happily coast along in the
coolness of the AC while the person
moving the cargo is drenched in sweat.
* * *
After two years of living here, I still
think my favorite warm weather aspect
of China is all the people who are out
and about (as long as it’s not too
crowded!). <strong>The</strong>re are always people
about, creating an energetic and safe
environment. I love it when I pass a
group of people gathered around a card
table set up on the sidewalk outside
their home or shop. Chitchat and
laughter emanate from these clusters as
they play games in the evening air.
As one door closes...
Frank Colletti
I’m sitting back reflecting on the experiences
that I had while living in
China, trying to make sense of it all
while adjusting to life back in New
York City in the aftermath of the
events of September 11, 2001.
I feel very fortunate to have had an
opportunity to work so closely alongside
many of the Chinese teachers at
Beijing Number 14 Middle School.
Through the interaction both inside and
outside of the school I was touched by
the kindness and sincerity of the Chinese
people and culture. I was made to
feel that my efforts were very much appreciated
and of great value to both the
teachers and students.
Frank Colletti with members of the English Department
faculty at Beijing No. 14 Middle School
<strong>The</strong> teachers warmly accepted me
into the English department and
treated me as a permanent staff member.
Now, I often find myself thinking
back to the many conversations that
I had in the English department office
or while eating lunch in the cafeteria.
My students have also left a very
deep, lasting impression
within me. Most of the students
were genuinely enthusiastic
and eager to
hear my input during our
collaborative lessons. A
memory that I will always
carry with me occurred
during my last visit to one
of my classes. A student
wanted to sing me a farewell
song. She came to the
front of the room and conducted
while the entire
class joined in singing the
song “Edelweiss” from the
“Sound of Music.” It was
so surreal. I’m not sure if
most people can fully appreciate what
it was like to experience that moment.
21

CELEBRATING
Mother’s Day
Chen Jinfeng
“Happy Mother’s Day.
My Mom is my Guardian Angel.
She likes to walk with me when I am
sad.
She always makes fantastic smile.
Sometimes she is clumsy.
But the best thing about my mom is
that she loves me.”
I love this poem very much which was
written by one of the kids in P.S.132 for
Mother’s Day. I’m not sure if Mother’s
Day originated from the U.S., but I did
have a wonderful experience during
Mother’s Day this year.
Students and teachers at P.S. 132
Last year, I had introduced Mother’s Day to my senior students in Beijing. I think everyone should love their mother,
otherwise how can we train them to love their classmates, their school and our country <strong>The</strong> pity is I couldn’t tell them too
much about Mother’s Day. <strong>The</strong> only material I had on hand was a short passage.
On Mother’s Day, I introduced this passage to my students – 26 boys – and suggested them to do at least one thing for
their mother – doing some cooking or sending a gift to the mother, etc. <strong>The</strong> next day, I was very happy to know every kid did
something for their mother. Getting praised from me, they looked happy and proud of that. Mother’s Day was coming now.
It was really a big celebration than I expected and such a good experience to spend the Mother’s Day in the U.S. this year.
Many different kinds of promotions for Mother’s Day had begun a month ago. In the stores, in the street and in the subway,
I could see many people hold the fresh and beautiful flowers in their hands. I could imagine how happy the mothers who got
the flowers were! <strong>The</strong>y must feel they were the happiest in the world! Many teachers in my school directed the kids to make
different kinds of cards for their mothers. Maybe the cards were not as exquisite as the ones in the stores. But I believe they
were the best for their mothers.
This May 10th is a happy, excited, unusual and unforgettable day for me in my life. I saw some teachers get the pretty
flowers from the kids for Mother’s Day. I couldn’t have this kind of extravagant hopes as an exchange Chinese teacher in
the U.S. To my surprise, when I entered Ms. Cunny’s classroom, two girls came to me and gave me a big box of cookies with
colorful sugar on the top and a pretty card with every kid’s signature, meanwhile the kids chorused the Chinese song – shi–
jie shang zhi you mama hao (Mother is the best in the world) which I’d just taught them these days. <strong>The</strong>n they said to me
“Happy Mother’s Day! – muqin jie kuaile!” both in English and Chinese. At this moment, I was deeply moved by them and
couldn’t help my tears, but for joy and excite!
This is my first big celebration for Mother’s Day – especially in the U.S. I told them from my bottom of my heart, “Thank you
very much, Ms. Cunny, and thank you very much, everyone! I love everyone of you!” Some kids came to hug me. Is there
anything else warmer and more precious than the sincere hug and gifts from the students and colleagues now Another
teacher helped us to take the precious photos. This year, I experienced more feelings of Love and Be Loved. I have had more
and deeper understanding about “Love.” It’s such a wonderful feeling and thought. Maybe sometimes it’s beautiful,
sometimes it’s sad. Anyway, it’s the most treasure. You can never buy it with money. How nice if our world is full of loves!!
22

Getting Married in China
Joanne Parkhouse
Hello from a newly married
woman! (Actually, we’ve been
legally married since February
28, but the wedding makes it
more real!) First of all, I should
explain that in China, eight is a
lucky number, specifically
bringing riches to those who get
married on a date with an eight
in it. This was part of the reason
we chose May 18th for our
wedding. . .
A Chinese wedding doesn’t
have a ceremony so to speak,
but there are many traditions for the wedding day – which lasts ALL day . . . <strong>The</strong>
week before our wedding was filled with increasing excitement as more and more
friends and family arrived in Suzhou to help us celebrate. . .
One Chinese wedding custom is setting off firecrackers outside the homes of the
bride and groom – once upon a time they were used to scare away bad spirits.
When we heard the firecrackers, we knew Jack and his entourage were on their
way. . . <strong>The</strong>y arrived at my door and immediately began banging on it, asking to be
let in. It’s not that simple, however. First, Jack had to give money in red envelopes
through the door before my friends would let him in. . . After several minutes, they
opened the door and a huge crowd of people rushed into the apartment. At this
point, Jack and his friends now banged on the bedroom door and asked to be let
in. My friends, however, first had some demands of Jack. <strong>The</strong>y began by asking
him to give three reasons why he wanted to marry me and to list six terms of
endearment. After he did, my friends were still not satisfied so they asked for more
red envelopes. Finally, my friends asked me if I was satisfied with Jack’s responses
and if I was ready to let him in. I told them I’d been ready all day!
<strong>The</strong>y opened the door, and Jack came in looking incredibly handsome! We smiled
at each other, and he knelt down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I giggled
and said both “yes” in English as well as “I do” in Chinese. We exchanged rings
with the words, “I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness.” He
then pinned a corsage on my dress and handed me a bouquet of lilies and roses.
We then served each other spoonfuls of yuanzi and zaozi (glutinous rice dumplings
and dates). . .
Graduation
Zhang Ling
I attended the commencement in
Collegiate yesterday, which was
very interesting. <strong>The</strong>y also got me
a BA robe. Kathy gave them my
university, but I guess they
couldn’t find many Chinese universities’
robes here, so they gave me
one of Yunnan Normal University.
Luckily no one knows the difference,
including me.
<strong>The</strong> commencement was long, and
it was hot in the church, but except
for that, I enjoyed the rest, especially
when each senior went up to
get their diplomas and put the tassel
from one side of their hats to
another. <strong>The</strong>y each got their moment
and their classmates, parents
and teachers are so proud of them!
<strong>The</strong> student who gave the senior
speech was in my literature course
and he made it humorous as well as
noisy. In fact I like him and enjoy
talking to him in the course.
<strong>The</strong>y also invited Tom Brokaw, an
NBC journalist, to give commencement
address. It was a very formal
occasion and I really got to feel the
atmosphere of graduation. <strong>The</strong>
boys looked so nice in their robes
and suits. I got to say goodbye and
good luck to the students I know,
too. Both happy and sad moments!
At this point in a Chinese wedding, the bride introduces her new husband to her
parents, and they welcome him to the family with a gift. My parents presented Jack with a watch, and then we all ate more of
the yuanzi and zaozi. After that, it was time to head to Jack’s home. When we arrived, more firecrackers were set off, drawing
the attention of many curious neighbors who came to see what the excitement was all about. At his home, I was introduced
as his wife to his relatives. When I was introduced to his mom, she presented me with a necklace and bracelet, and we again
ate yuanzi and zaozi. . .
I wish I could find the words to explain what an incredible day it was. Jack and I were both at ease and simply enjoyed each
aspect of our wedding day, laughing and smiling until our faces hurt. We were surrounded by so much love – not only from
family and friends, but from strangers as well. All this love made each of us feel even more beautiful than the elegant clothes,
hair, and (in my case) make-up.
23

<strong>The</strong> birthday weekend was
absolutely wonderful!
Ding [a Chinese friend and one of
the birthday celebrants] and I
arrived in Shanghai on Friday and
checked in to the Crowne Plaza
where we met Bill [the other
birthday celebrant]. We had a great
Cantonese lunch at a favorite
restaurant, looked up friends at the
hotel to say hello. . .
<strong>The</strong>n it was off to the theatre at the
Portman Ritz-Carlton American
International Center to see the
Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe. <strong>The</strong>y
were great. I could hear Bill and
Ding gasp regularly. AND only two
acts were the same as the show I
had seen only a month before. New
Zealand acquaintances had told me
about this troupe and that it’s rarely
the same show you see when you
revisit. <strong>The</strong>y were right and I enjoyed
it every bit as much as Bill and Ding
did.
Celebrating the Birthdays of
Two Friends
Jack Regan
Front: Bill Bronski, Jack Regan
Back: P.T. Black (a former student of
Jack’s and Bill’s) and Ding Weiyang
outside the Shanghai Grand <strong>The</strong>ater
When the show was over, we
crossed the plaza to the Ritz and
wandered around the public areas
there. At 9:30 we entered the lounge;
tables had been set up for us and
our guests began to arrive. When
everyone was there and desserts
arrived, I whipped out birthday cake
candles and stuck them in the crème
brulée and orange cake in chocolate
sauce, the birthday guys’ desserts
of choice, lit them, had them blown
out, and we all sang Happy Birthday.
Suddenly it was midnight and I got
the bill handed to me. It was worth
every penny, though pennies
weren’t involved. <strong>The</strong> two were
floating on air.
<strong>The</strong> next evening we met a former
student and went to see the best
production of “Les Miserables” I
have seen so far. A Chinese rock
star was the adult Eponine and she
was excellent, but Colin Wilkinson,
recreating his original Jean Valjean,
stole the evening. I had never seen
him; he is amazing.
Spring Weekends
Yang Haiyan
For the Memorial Day weekend, we had
a great time. We did car wash which
was very fun, but only took five minutes.
I wish it could take a little bit longer
than that. We did miniature golf. I loved
it. Throughout most of the game, Rich
and Zhang Ling both did a couple of
hole-in-one while I did none, but at the
finishing line if you make a hole-in-one,
you will get a free ticket to play the
whole game again, and I made my first
hole-in-one at that very important moment.
Lucky me!
We also tried baseball and softball,
which are hard to get the ball and very
hurt when you hit balls. I also mowed
the lawn at Rich’s yard. I asked for doing
that. You know me, I just want to
try everything. We made dumplings for
his family. I could tell that they loved it.
Rich is so nice and thoughtful. He
taught his sons to greet us in Chinese.
<strong>The</strong>y did very well. In a word, we had a
great day. <strong>The</strong> rest time of Zhang Ling’s
staying, we did museum, which she
loves a lot; we did the Duck Tour, it is
so much fun to do it; we walked along
the beautiful Charles River; we did
shopping and planned our trip to
Canada.
This past weekend I went to New Hampshire
with my host family. <strong>The</strong>ir daughter
and her boyfriend are back home.
<strong>The</strong>y came last Wednesday and will
leave this Wednesday. My host family
rent a house in North Conway in New
Hampshire. It is so beautiful there. <strong>The</strong>
trees are so green all over the mountains,
many beautiful lakes. I did my first
hiking in the States. I enjoyed it a lot,
though I was knocked out after it. <strong>The</strong>n
on Sunday I stayed with the dog at our
lovely cottage. I watched TV, read
books, listened to classical music,
walked dogs and took a very nice nap.
<strong>The</strong> sons of my host family will visit
Suzhou on the six of June. <strong>The</strong>y are
going to meet my husband and my
daughter. <strong>The</strong>y are going to stay in
Suzhou for four days. My host family is
really into China now. <strong>The</strong>y told me that
they will go visit me in the future. Isn’t
that wonderful I couldn’t wait.
24

TRAVELING
Trips to Remember
Zhang Ling
Many teachers travel during their
vacations. Zhang Ling visited
Califormia and Arizona with Margaret
Bergeson, New Mexico with Mark
Overmeyer and Dennis Molitor, and
New Orleans with a former classmate
from China.
This title suddenly came into my mind
when I was watching the movie “An
Affair to Remember” with my eyes full
of tears and my mouth full of popcorns.
I have had such wonderful trips during
the year which I think I’ll never forget,
so why not share with others
California
On the small plane to Santa Barbara,
the old lady sitting beside me tried to
persuade me to buy a house and settle
down in Santa Barbara. She said Santa
Barbara was the only place a pretty girl
should live in. Amused by this kind
lady, I began my trip in California, which
later made me believe maybe she was
right!
Margaret drove me along the coast and
I fell in love with California immediately.
<strong>The</strong> coastline was so beautiful,
especially at dusk, as evening fell, the
ocean and the sky shared the same blue
color, with red clouds scattered around.
On our way to Santa Barbara, up and
down the green green mountains, the
scenery was breath-taking. And Santa
Barbara itself is a small heaven: the white
Spanish mission (founded in 1786), the
red roofs, the green trees, and the
mountains with snow on top as
background. No city noise, just a small,
neat place where people can find peace.
It’s actually a prominent vacation city
and its Spanish origin is reflected in its
many white-washed, tile-roofed
buildings and street names.
San Francisco is another lovely city.
Many of the houses are like those in
fairy tales and the streets are so steep.
<strong>The</strong> Golden Gate Bridge and
Fishermen’s Wharf are of course places
of great interest. But my favorite part
is the old-fashioned cable car. It was
such fun to stand on the pedal, see the
street sight clearly and feel the wind
blowing on my face while going up and
down the hilly streets! I also love
Exploratoreum. It’s a science museum
where kids can try to do experiments
themselves. For each item, the museum
gives “Try this” instructions and then
explains “What’s going on” or “Why
does it happen” in easy language.
Difficult scientific theories have been
put into simple, interesting experiments
or models so that kids can get
knowledge easily and quickly.
Another must-see is the San Francisco
Museum of Modern Art. <strong>The</strong> whole
building itself is a piece of art. In the
new Public Library, we saw a wall
covered with old catalogue cards on
which people copied several sentences
from various books. I even found some
Chinese handwriting. I had a great time
in San Francisco, and the chocolate of
Ghirardelli was so good!
Zhang Ling on the San Francisco cable car
Meanwhile, I don’t like Los Angeles
very much. It didn’t give me a good
first impression when we saw the smog
around the city on our way. And
Hollywood is disappointing. Yet, Getty
Center, which Margaret showed me
around, is gorgeous! In 1983 the J. Paul
Getty Trust purchased about 750 acres
in the foothills of the Santa Monica
Mountains. <strong>The</strong> following year, after
an international search, Richard Meier
25

was chosen to design the Getty Center.
Famous for his contributions to
architectural modernism, Meier wedded
his signature style to more classical
materials in order to express the Getty’s
roots in the past and belief in the future.
We took the tram to the Center and
walked around ourselves. <strong>The</strong> museum
has some good collections, but it was
the architecture and gardens that
attracted me most. According to the
guide brochure, the North and East
Buildings evoke the qualities of light
and openness that characterized both
the Bauhaus movement of 1920s
Europe and the Los Angeles buildings
of early 20 th century architects such as
the famous Frank Lloyd Wright. <strong>The</strong>
architect knew well how to add water to
the whole structure.
<strong>The</strong> museum courtyard features a 120-
foot linear fountain, combining
architectural and landscape elements.
Most notable in the Center is the
Central Garden– the creation of the
artist Robert Irwin, who called it “a
sculpture in the form of a garden
aspiring to be art.” It is a continual
work-in-progress that changes with the
seasons. As we strolled down the
zigzagging path to the bottom of the
garden, we followed the little stream
which finally cascades over a stepped
stone wall into a reflecting pool with a
maze of 400 azaleas. At the base of the
walkway, six large steel bowers provide
support for three varieties of
bougainvillea, which will eventually
spill over the whole steel structures. It
was late afternoon, and we stood at the
end of the garden, looking down, we
could see the skyline of the City of
Angels spread forward; turning around
and looking up, the Getty buildings
were towering above. It was such an
enjoyable view! And in front of the
entrance to the Research Institute, I
suddenly saw a whole line of my
favorite flower, Birds of Paradise, also
the official flower of L.A. It was like a
dream to see so many of them in winter!
New Mexico
New Mexico is a new world to me since
it’s so different from the other parts of
Adobe architecture in New Mexico
the country I’ve visited. Santa Fe is
very attractive. <strong>The</strong> architectural style
there is a mixture of Native American
and Spanish influences. It is referred
to as Pueblo-Spanish, better known as
“adobe.” <strong>The</strong> primary element is adobe
brick, which is made from mud and straw
and then sun baked. Soft contours and
flat roofs are traditional to adobe
structures. Santa Fe is famous for its
galleries, but I also enjoyed the Plaza a
lot, where many Native American people
sell hand-made products. I fell in love
with the Indian culture when I was in
Heard Museum with Margaret in
Phoenix. How I love their pottery,
blankets and baskets! But the good
ones were way too expensive for me,
so I only got a beautiful necklace for
my friend. Taos is another place well
worth visiting. It’s quite similar to Santa
Fe, maybe more lovely because it’s not
a crowded city.
Mark and Dennis also took me to the
“sky city” Acoma – an Indian village
built on a cliff. <strong>The</strong> village is kept more
or less original, so there’s no electricity
or water up there. In fact, people have
moved down to modern houses. <strong>The</strong>y
only come up for ceremonies, or to sell
stuff to tourists. It’s amazing why and
how people built this village up on the
cliff. Our guide explained about the four
colors his people admired by living up
there: blue of the sky, white of the
clouds, red of the rocks and yellow of
the earth. I was very interested in their
way of living, but pity we only saw the
ladders and stoves outside but couldn’t
go inside a house to have a look.
New Orleans
<strong>The</strong> first stop in New Orleans, we took
the steamboat “Natchez” to have a little
ride on the Mississippi River. We
passed some old wharfs, Domino Sugar
Factory, an oil well and the old
battlefield. We had a nice walk along
the famous Moon Walk before going
to Jackson Square, which was named
after Andrew Jackson, hero of the Battle
of New Orleans and the 7 th President of
the US. <strong>The</strong> Jackson Monument –
Jackson on a horse – is a good example
of perfect balance because the entire
weight of the statue rests solely on the
hind legs of the horse. St. Louis
Cathedral is right behind the statue. It
is said to be the oldest continuously
active Roman Catholic Cathedral in
the U.S. It happened to be Easter when
we were there, so I heard part of the
mass inside the church.
26

People say that no visit to New Orleans
is complete until you visit the French
Quarter. This wonderful area has it all:
exquisite architecture, elegant shops,
lacy ironwork, jazz clubs, and, of course,
Bourbon Street.
<strong>The</strong>re may be
nothing else quite
like it in the whole
country. Many of the
buildings there date
back to the 1700s, but
now most of the
architecture is
Spanish, not French.
<strong>The</strong> entire area
consists of 120
blocks, nestled on
the bend of the
Mississippi River.
We spent almost a
day wandering
around the Quarter:
we did windowshopping
in Royale
Street - ten blocks of
elegant antique stores,
many of which have
been owned and operated by the same
families for generations; we tried cafe
au lait and beignets (powdered donuts)
in Cafe du Monde; I put on some
fantastic Mardi Gras masks; we had
lunch in Gumbo Shop and ordered their
famous seafood gumbo, bread pudding
and the most delicious crawfish etouffe.
At night, we went back to Bourbon
Street, which was crowded with people
drinking, singing, dancing and
<strong>The</strong> French Quarter
laughing. Music came out of many night
clubs, restaurants and souvenir shops.
People were throwing strings of beads
from upstairs to the crowds and girls
were screaming. I didn’t like the crazy,
sexy scene, but the happy atmosphere,
yes. <strong>The</strong> street has attracted visitors
from all over the world. We couldn’t get
into Pat O’Brien’s to listen to some Jazz
music because there was such a long
line outside.
Before it got too dark,
we took the streetcar
on St. Charles Ave. to
go back to our hotel
in the Garden District.
Compared with the
French Quarter, the
Garden District is
more gracious and
stately. Developed
mainly between 1840
and 1900, the Garden
District runs from
Magazine Street to St.
Charles Avenue and
from Jackson Avenue
to Louisiana Avenue.
It comprises one of
the best preserved
collections of historic
mansions in the South.
It offers brilliant examples
of architectural styles and period
designs. While we were taking a walk
around Garden District along the treelined
and flower-dotted streets, I
couldn’t help admiring the beauty of
architecture and nature mixed together.
Trip to Chongqing
Carmen De Yoe
We are back from the Chang Jiang! A
great trip! Chongqing was awesome
with its combination of new
skyscrapers and piles of rubble and
sense of history and hills and crazy
traffic and general sense of
untamedness. Saw the bomb shelters,
many are shops now. A man on our
cruise knew all the history as his wife’s
father was mayor of Wuhan and
Shanghai under the Guomindang. I read
a short history of China from mid–1800s
until 1980 that Jean, our history
professor friend, brought.
Our guide says that Chongqing has had
a McDonald’s for 18 months and has
diet Coke. That leaves Luoyang with
McDonald’s since January and no diet
Coke. Just an interesting comparison.
<strong>The</strong> cruise down the Chang Jiang was
great . . . a little peace in all this travel.
One of the most ironic things on the
trip was when we went by tour bus to a
building that housed models and maps
of the new dam right at the dam site.
We got into the building and there was
no electricity so we couldn’t see much.
It was ironic that there was no electricity
there. <strong>The</strong>y will begin filling the
reservoir in November. We saw so many
towns rebuilt higher and old buildings
abandoned. Mike [Carmen’s husband]
loves the history reading from China
too. Jean will be a great contact for me
in La Crosse as I begin to [re-adjust].
She has been here four times and has
taught Chinese history. She’s seventyfive
and her mind is very sharp. . . We
got back to Luoyang by train last night
at 3:00 a.m. and slept late to catch up.
I’m hoping Guan [Jigang] is back [from
Beijing] and I’ll get to meet his wife for
the first time. We need to chat with him
today. We leave for Beijing to come
home on the 23rd.
I think I am ready for re–entry. . . This
year has opened a huge world to
Michael and me that won’t get shut. I
am so anxious to welcome Anna [Cao
Junli] and Li [Caixia] to La Crosse. . .
27

Many people, Chinese and foreigner,
discouraged me from traveling last
week. However, my friend was arriving
in Beijing from America, so of course I
had no choice but to head off into the
breach. My only hope was that blind
fate and dumb luck would be my guides.
I was able to get to Beijing, but the only
means available was hard seat. Eleven
hours in a crowded car (with people
sleeping under the seats), sitting in a
90 degree upright position is not
something that I would recommend to
anyone. I toughed it out.
Getting tickets out of Beijing was nearly
impossible. My friend and I wanted to
go to Qingdao, but there were no tickets
to be had. Instead, we went to Ji’nan,
hoping to make a connection to
Qingdao. While in line for tickets in
Ji’nan, we were informed by a very
friendly man who we were queued with
that unless we had a reservation
number, we had little chance of getting
a ticket. Apparently, these reservation
numbers could be had by calling a
certain phone number – which would
be no problem if I spoke and understood
Chinese.
Although our situation seemed futile,
May Day Travels
Timothy Reyes
we were saved by the hospitality of the
Chinese, as the fellow we were standing
next to used his reservation number to
buy tickets for himself and us. <strong>The</strong> next
day, while on the train, it became clear
that we had no means of getting back
to Beijing from Qingdao. Our seatmate
(the same gentleman from the queue the
day before) mentioned that his uncle
could possibly help us. <strong>The</strong> next day,
his uncle picked us up at our hotel (in
his new Jeep Cherokee), drove us to
the train station, parked in a restricted
lot and disappeared into the station.
Twenty minutes later he returned with
two hard sleeper tickets for us.
It was in quite an old train that must
have been taken out of storage for use
during the holidays, but it got us where
we wanted to go, and allowed us to
sleep as well. When we arrived at the
station I went immediately to arrange
for my return to Nanjing, hoping that
there would be something available.
<strong>The</strong>re was. Hard seat again. On a slow
train. Yet, hope springs eternal, and I
was able to upgrade to a sleeper once I
was on the train. So, it is possible to
travel by train in China during May Day
week – it just helps to have a little
American can-do attitude mixed with
some Chinese guanxi.
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
Day-Trips around Yangzhou
Bill Bronski
This weekend, my colleagues from school took me, Jack, and our friend Dr. Ding
to Gaoyou. <strong>The</strong>re we saw East Lake, the Grand Canal, a lovely little village, and
went to an amusement park. All the activities were self-operated, like a slide ride,
a teeter-totter, a rope bridge, etc. On the way back we visited the home of the poet
Qin You (Su Tungpo’s brother-in-law). We had a driver who is always great fun,
a music teacher, and Dai Qinghua with us. It was a wonderful time.
We are also planning to take a picnic to the Han Tombs here in Yangzhou soon.
<strong>The</strong>y (my colleagues at Yangzhou University Affiliated Middle School) are so
good and kind and thoughtful that they can turn even an old curmudgeon like
myself into a school cheerleader.
Mexico Bound
Sun Hao
I bought the airticket online when
Delta had the fare sale to Mexico
City last month and I will be in
Mexico from the 13th to the 22nd.
Everybody is worried about my
travelling alone without any
knowledge of Spanish and has bits
of warnings for me, but strangely I
am getting really excited instead of
scared, more excited than going to
Europe.
I hope I will have enough time to
explore the archaeological sites
around the country, although
people say it is not easy to get to
Cancun from Mexico City. Anyway,
whatever happens, it will be a
precious experience for me. And
the whole meaning of life to me is
nothing but experiencing.
. . .
I have arrived in Mexico City safely
and am ready to explore it. <strong>The</strong>
plane was late yesterday and I got
to the hostel at about 2:00 a.m., but
the hostel is nice and I am now
using the computer here to say
hello to everybody.
. . .
I had a good time here in Mexico
though it didn’t go quite as I had
planned. Instead of visiting the
Yucatan area and the Maya ruins
for some time, I stayed in Mexico
City all the time as I lost several
days being sick. But as soon as I
recovered, I made different side
trips from the city. It was fun to
explore without knowing any
Spanish!
28

<strong>The</strong> Caves of Sanmenxia
Carmen De Yoe
This past weekend I was invited to tour the caves of
Sanmenxia. I taught a group of about 50 students and
then spoke about my elementary school with a group
of teachers. Both groups had enough English to make
my presentation more meaningful and three of my
colleagues translated when needed.
After lunch, we drove to the caves, which was about
an hour’s trip. This gave me a chance to photograph
some beautiful hollyhocks along the road: stalk upon
stalk of rosy reds and pinks with red centers and
magentas in their glory.
I envisioned the caves to be above ground as I have
seen from the train window many times. But they are
about twenty by twenty foot holes in the ground
about twelve to fifteen feet deep. When you look into
the hole you see four walls, each having two doors
with three surrounding windows, and a center courtyard
with a lower square level to catch rain water. You
View into a cave courtyard
must understand that the reddish brown soil in this part of China is almost as hard as rock, so there are no worries of it
caving in. <strong>The</strong> color of the earth is so lovely, like in our Southwest . . . a nutty tan.
Now, how to get down to the caves <strong>The</strong> stairway, about ten feet away from the hole, is simply a long narrow, oval opening
in the earth with one layer of bricks surrounding it. One walks down the gently sloping, smooth rock steps, turns a little
round corner and there you are in that courtyard looking up at the sky. It is quite amazing. Even more amazing is that these
caves are about 400 years old and some are being lived in today.
We toured some of them and saw very interesting daily life. An old blind woman sat on her bed with her legs folded under
her and let me take her photo. Dogs and
chickens roamed the courtyard. Corn husks
were being dried to hold food while being
cooked. Cooking pots were on the stove,
etc.
<strong>The</strong> whole house is in one room which is
about thirty feet by fifteen feet. As you enter
the cool contrasting 65 degree temperature
hits you! <strong>The</strong>re is ample light near the door
and three windows, but the further you walk
in, the less light there is. <strong>The</strong> ceiling is
rounded. <strong>The</strong>y do have electricity. Cooking
shows black smoke stains on the earthen
wall and there were no chimneys. Usually
there were two beds in each and dressers
and other furniture. Each set of eight caves
plus its courtyard was used by one extended
family.
Luoyang teacher colleagues Zhao Lili, Guo Limiao, and Li
Caixia in the doorway of a cave dwelling
29

Report from Mongolia
Janet Schoor
I just came back from Mongolia, where
I had a wonderful time!
Lots of open wide spaces, a big sky
with gorgeous clouds, and horses
everywhere! In fact, horses were a big
part of this vacation for me; I went
horseback riding three times – up
mountains, near herds of mares and their
foals, yaks and cattle with their calves,
and sheep with lambs – near lakes, on
open plains, everywhere. Since I
haven’t been on a horse in many years,
by now, whatever part of my body
didn’t hurt after the first few hours on
a horse, hurts now. In fact, just as my
legs are feeling better, my back really
hurts, and yesterday, a friend took me
to a doctor for a therapeutic massage.
I’m probably going to go back
tomorrow and within a few days I
should be fine.
<strong>The</strong> countryside is beautiful. <strong>The</strong> first
stop was a gorgeous lake called
“Hovsgol” which we flew to. In fact,
we managed to buy tickets on a
chartered flight because there was an
international race there so we went up
with some of the runners and doctors.
<strong>The</strong>y ran a marathon and for those who
still had energy left, there was another
race immediately, so the whole distance
was 100 kilometers!
<strong>The</strong>re was no paved runway and
landing on wet grass was no joke. Also,
when the guide and I drove, a few days
later, from Ulaanbaatar to an ancient
monastery, it took us all day to drive
about 200 kilometers because the road
was full of holes. Although he has a
few quirks, he was a fine guide, and I
was satisfied. While I was there he got
word that he became a full professor.
When we were at Hovsgol, we rode from
our tourist camp to another one,
probably 20 kilometers away. It was just
lucky that there was a group of tourists
there and there was a show for them
which we watched. One person, in
costume, played the horse fiddle and
did some “throat singing,” which was
certainly unusual. <strong>The</strong> second person,
probably the best ankle-bone player in
the region, gave us a few tunes and also
sang.
<strong>The</strong> city of Ulaanbaatar looks very
Russian. <strong>The</strong> Russians have been a big
influence the entire last century and
have only left one or two years ago.
<strong>The</strong> buildings are solid and ponderous
and the Cyrillic alphabet is used
everywhere. Written Mongolian is a
much prettier script, but it’s archaic now
and most people don’t want to have to
learn it. Even though the city is grimy,
it does have some interesting museums
(some of those are Chinese style
architecture, from the years before the
Russians). A lot of the religious things
came from Tibet, so I felt many things
were very familiar.
Two other terrific places not far from
Ulaanbaatar were a protected area in
which there are Pzewalski’s horses, a
wild, ancient breed, which was
reintroduced to Mongolia, and a
national park in the opposite direction,
called Turich. It was magnificent! I
stayed overnight there, and took out a
horse again.
Accommodations were interesting; in
the countryside we stayed in gers, large
round tents (yurts), which were very
comfortable inside. <strong>The</strong>y had real beds,
a small fireplace, mirror, table, etc., with
a clean washroom and restaurant
nearby.
All in all, it was great!
Jackson Middle School
Trip to Suzhou
In May, the Portland-Suzhou student
exchange continued when a group of
Jackson Middle School students spent
two weeks in China. Students wrote
about their trip.
Yesterday was really busy, but really
fun! It started off with us riding our bikes
to school. It took me [Helen] fifteen
minutes, and Claire forty-five (she lives
the farthest away). We spent half a day
at school going to their English class,
chemistry class, and P.E. class. In
English we did hidden word puzzles and
crossword puzzles. <strong>The</strong> table that
finished them first got a prize
(chocolate). <strong>The</strong>n we went to chemistry
class, which was in a lab with lots of
chemicals and stations where students
worked in groups of two. We mixed
water and a poisonous chemical that
would burn your skin if you touched it
together, and it turned burning hot.
<strong>The</strong>n we went to P.E., and did Tai Chi
for about thirty minutes. It was really
confusing. We also played badminton
and a really fun game that is kind of
hard to explain.
After lunch we went to Tiger Hill on a
boat. It was really beautiful, with lots
of flowers, old buildings, and a few
stores for the kids who wanted to shop.
Our favorite part was in the bamboo
forest. Mr. Hong showed us how to
climb the bamboo, and pretty soon
everyone was climbing the trees and
having their picture taken. <strong>The</strong>n we
went to the embroidery institute, and
watched the workers embroider. It was
really amazing because they just give
them a picture and they have to decide
how to do it. <strong>The</strong>n we went into the
store and looked at all of the big
embroidered pieces, and bought a
couple of the very small ones each.
<strong>The</strong>y were all very life like. After we left
the store, we got back in the bus and
went back to No. 10 Middle School. Our
host-students were waiting for us,
Helen went straight home with Jing.
Claire went to a teahouse for dinner and
Helen had dinner at home. <strong>The</strong>n we
went to bed, and now it is today,
Tuesday.
– Helen Helfand & Claire Miller
30

Final Travels
Joanne Parkhouse
I can’t believe my second year has
already come to an end.
My last few days here are being spent
with friends, going out for a last meal,
chatting, saying goodbye. <strong>The</strong> goodbyes
are not as difficult this time
because we know I’ll be returning again
soon. Suzhou is my second home, and
whenever Jack and I return, we’ll always
have friends and family here to welcome
us!
Jack and I just returned from traveling
for three weeks. <strong>The</strong> first two weeks
we traveled with a friend of mine from
work, and we had a great time hitting
the highlights of China and doing some
great shopping and bargaining! <strong>The</strong>
third week we went to Jiuzhaigou, a
national park, for our honeymoon. <strong>The</strong>
park was kind of like Yellowstone, and
it was just beautiful – mountains,
waterfalls, colorful clear lakes. I needed
to be away from the city for awhile.
Jack Song and Joanne Parkhouse at the Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve
in Sichuan
<strong>The</strong> last couple days were difficult,
though, because I drank some bad
water. I ended up with major intestinal
trauma and got so dehydrated I landed
myself with an IV in a health clinic on
top of a mountain in western China.
Crazy. I’m finally starting feel better
again!
Teacher Orientation
Program
At the conclusion of the exchange year,
many of the Chinese teachers elected
to participate in a ten-day orientation
program organized by the <strong>National</strong>
<strong>Committee</strong> on U.S-China Relations.
Designed to introduce American history,
culture, and society, their travels
included visits to Williamsburg, Washington,
D.C., and New York City. Highlights
of the tour included exploring
Colonial Williamsburg, celebrating the
4th of July on the <strong>National</strong> Mall in
Washington, D.C., and visiting City
Harvest in New York City.
Some of the 2001-2002 Chinese teachers at the Chinese Division of
the Voice of America office in Washington, D.C.
31

Program “Alumni”
1996-1997
Susan Baboomian
baboomian@yahoo.com
Bill Bronski (see p. 7)
Gloria Berenson Broudy and
Irving Broudy
retired, ETS
Broudy@TCNJ.EDU
Joan Burress
P.S. 154, NY
joanburress@yahoo.com
Chen Xuemei
Inner Mongolia Teachers’ University
Affiliated Middle School
xuemeichen@yeah.net
Peter Cohen
Southampton High School, NY
rashipeter@earthlink.net
Stephen Dyro
Portland High School, ME
DDyro@aol.com
Karen Fox
Story School, Milwaukee, WI
FOXKJ@mail.milwaukee.k12.wi.us
Guan Yi
Suzhou Middle School
guanyi624@ hotmail.com
Hao Yuanjun
Fengtai Experimental School, Beijing
haojune@163.net
Maureen Jackson
retired, Brookline High School, MA
mjackson123@post.harvard.edu
Lei Jiaduan
Chengdu No. 7 Middle School
leijiaduan@163.net
Karen Levin
West Middle School, Denver, CO
klevin@mail.ccsd. k12.co.us
Steve Lindberg
International High School at
LaGuardia Community College, NY
sooberg@earthlink.net
Liu Xianghong
Dalian No. 24 Middle School
lxh1944@sohu.com
Lu Xiaochun
Suzhou Middle School
dave700412@yahoo.com
John Martin
P.S. 32, NY
Jmartin2532@aol.com
Pat and David Maslowski
retired, Nederland Middle/Senior
High School, CO
pmaslow2@msn.com
Suzanne Petrilak
P.S. 21, NY
spetrilak@hotmail.com
Michele Owaroff Snow
Cambridge Rindge and
Latin School, MA
mjosnow@ziplink.net
Tang Yan
yan_watkins@hotmail.com
Wang Peihui
daiwangp@public.sc.cninfo.net
Wang Weimin
Beijing No. 12 Middle School
wwmin@public3.bta.net.cn
Wu Ling
Dalian No. 23 Middle School
wulingdl@21cn.com
Wu Yuquan
Beijing No. 12 Middle School
yuquanwu@public3.bta.net.cn
Xu Jiandong
Changzhou No. 3 Middle School
jdongxu@pub.cz.jsinfo.net
Yang Shengwei
Fengtai Experimental School, Beijing
swyang@public.fhnet.cn.net
Yin Bin
Dalian No. 1 Middle School
Ben882@163.com
Zhou Xin
Huiwen Middle School, Beijing
zhouxin@public.bta.net.cn
Martha Zimmerman
retired, Lexington High School, MA
smmjz@top.monad.net
******************************
1997-1998
Janis Bianco
Bedford Middle School,
Westport, CT
Jan_Bianco@westport.k12.ct.us
Gregory Bruss
Kearsarge Regional High School,
North Sutton, NH
gbruss@mail.tds.net
Joan Burress (see left)
Chen Jin
Suzhou No. 3 Middle School
cjin@public1.sz.js.cn
Willy Clay
wdclay@attbi.com
From left to right: a friend from the University of Wisconsin–
Milwaukee, Xiong Zimin, Zhang Liang, and Karen Fox
32

Deng Xiaojin
Suzhou Middle School
xiaojin_d@hotmail.com
Hou Jisheng
Fengtai Experimental
School, Beijing
jisheng@public.fhnet.cn.net
Ji Chunhong
Yangzhou Middle School
chunhongji@sohu.com
Liu Yingsu
Inner Mongolia Teachers’
University Affiliated
Middle School
zlys@public.hh.nm.cn
Lu Lingma
Lancylu@hotmail.com
John Martin (see p. 32)
Min Wei
Dalian No. 23 Middle
School
minwei@dlpt.com
Todd Parker
doctoral candidate, University
of Pennsylvania
toddspar@worldnet.att.net
Ruan Hangwei
Changzhou No. 1 Middle
School
Richard Sanford
Grover Cleveland High
School, NY
rasanford@aol.com
Janet Schoor (see p. 2)
Shen Xiaojin
Beijing No. 12 Middle School
wyzsj@public.bta.net.cn
Shi Suping
Yuming Middle School, Dalian
supingshi@163.com
Sun Jun
Dalian No. 8 Middle School
Kimberly Vaillancourt
Second Opportunity Schools, NY
kimberlyvaillanc@hotmail.com
Wang Yinghui
Huiwen Middle School, Beijing
wyhcathy@hotmail.com
Yan Yanping
Chengdu No. 7 Middle School
yanpingyan@263.net
Zhang Wenming
Inner Mongolia Teachers’ University
Affiliated Middle School
zwm@public.hh.nm.cn
Zheng Weitao
Beijing No. 12 Middle School
weitao.zheng@brookline.mec.edu
Zhou Yang
Changzhou No. 2 Middle School
zhouyangczcn@yahoo.com
Zhu Yu
Suzhou Middle School
zhuyu1@hotmail.com
1998-1999
Tom and Susan Amper
Susan: Goldey-Beacom College,
Wilmington, DE
Tom: P.S. 21, NY
amper84@msn.com
Susan Baboomian (see p. 32)
Bai Fan
Luoyang No. 2 Foreign Language
School
Patricia Barry
Forestdale School, Sandwich, MA
pbarry2@earthlink.net
Joan Burress (see p. 32)
William Dyson
Glenbrook Middle School,
Longmeadow, MA
dysbill@massed.net
Christopher Fray
Staples High School, Westport, CT
frayc1105@aol.com
Maura Gouck
retired, Beacon School, NY
mgouck@att.net
Guo Zhijie
Beijing No. 12 Middle School
Jefferguo@Elong.com
Huang Gaosheng
hgaosheng999@yahoo.com
Summer Language Study in Beijing
John Martin
Never mind what I thought it would be, the “proprietary language school” is just what I was looking for and better. From
8:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, eighty-eight different two-hour classes are offered at the Academy of
Arts and Design, Tsinghua University Chinese Language Center.
Ostensibly, there seem to be art students coming to Beijing who need to learn the language before they can communicate
with their professors. A Peruvian in my class had an elder sister who took her whole MFA in English, but the rules have
changed and the younger sister must now study Chinese for two years first. Others in the class are a brother and sister,
ages 7 and 8; students between 14 and 21; and a 40-year-old business man, all Korean. Total class size: 12. <strong>The</strong> bottom
line is that first tones are getting sung as E-flat with less self-consciousness.
Another point of comparison between traveling to Beijing for summer study and staying in the United States comes
when you factor in the cost of housing for a short course at a school beyond commuting distance from home. An airconditioned
standard room at the Wudaokou Hotel was 200 renminbi (U.S. $24.00) per night - less than half the price of
any motel or dorm room in Connecticut. Multiply that by four to five weeks and the difference even covers the airfare, not
to mention the ambiance.
You’re talking to a foreign language teacher on vacation in paradise!
33

Huang Yakan
Suzhou No. 3 Middle School
huang-yakan@eastday.com
Kang Xia
Yangzhou University
Affiliated Middle School
kangxia@yahoo.com
Kong Yanjun
Fengtai Experimental School, Beijing
Li Baoping
Huiwen Middle School, Beijing
baopingli@yahoo.com
Li Xiumei
Inner Mongolia Teachers’ University
Affiliated Middle School
Liu Yanling
Dalian No. 1 Middle School
Virginia Magboo
English Language Service,
Emmanuel College, Boston, MA
vmagboo@hotmail.com
Nia Mason
P.S. 163, NY
niamason@yahoo.com
Dennis Molitor
University of Colorado, Denver
dmolitor@uswest.net
Summer Training in the United Kingdom
Ye Ningqing
<strong>The</strong> past summer vacation I travelled to the UK again. It was a
wonderful trip. I was sponsored by Oxford University to attend its
International Summer Programme for Teachers of English. In my class
some participants were from European countries; some were from
South America; some were from Japan. And there were 5 Americans.
One of them is from Chicago and the others are from Texas. We’ve
made good friends.
Each day, we attended lectures on English teaching methodology for
one hour and a half. <strong>The</strong>n we join a tutor in a small class of 12, where
we learnt classroom research, material development and so on. Though
our hands were full, we enjoyed the classes. Thanks to the one-year
teaching experience in Westport, I didn’t have any difficulty in the
studies.
I also traveled to Cambridge, Stratford-upon-Avon, Edinburgh, York
and Brighton. I stayed in London for a week and reviewed the places
of interest there. London is changing, different from what I saw several
years ago, with constructions going on almost everywhere.
Krista Osborn
Shirley Public Schools, MA
mudband2@aol.com
Mark Overmeyer
Homestead Elementary School,
Denver, CO
movermeyer2@mail.ccsd.k12.co.us
Yale Summer Institute
Nia Mason
<strong>The</strong> Yale Center for International and Area Studies held five Intensive
Summer Institutes for Educators this past July. “Defining Ethnicity in
China” was the topic for the East Asian Studies Institute.
Each day started at 8:30 a.m. and went to 9:00 or 10:00 p.m. <strong>The</strong> thirty
participants, from all over the United States, had a daily lesson in Chinese
followed by a speaker who continued into a working lunch. Two presenters
kept us busy until the dinner break from 5:30 until 7:00 p.m. Each evening we
watched one or two informative films on issues concerning China. <strong>The</strong>n there
was reading in preparation for the next morning. <strong>The</strong>re was also a field trip into
New York City.
One particularly interesting film was “Through the Consul’s Eye,” a recently
released film of French Consul and amateur photographer Auguste Francois,
who used one of the first movie cameras to document everyday life in China at
the turn of the [last] century. We saw this fascinating film on the ride into the
City. We visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art and saw and heard about
“When the Manchus Ruled China.” After lunch we visited the Museum of
Chinese in the Americas on Mulberry Street before meeting with His Excellency
Ambassador Wang Yingfan at the Permanent Mission of the People’s Republic
of China to the U.N. Dinner was a feast at the Oriental Garden in Chinatown.
Thomas Sandvick
Central and Logan High Schools,
La Crosse, WI
tsandvick@hotmail.com
Wang Lanwei
Huiwen Middle School, Beijing
wanglanwei@yahoo.com
Tobias Watson
Bedford Middle School,
Westport, CT
twatson398@aol.com
Gerald Wolf
Lower East Side Preparatory
High School, NY
N1gbw@aol.com
Xu Qi
Beijing No. 12 Middle School
bj-xuqi@263.net
Xu Qinyuan
Suzhou Middle School
xxiechen@public1.sz.js.cn
Yan Shoulai
Suzhou No. 1 Middle School
yslzhych@public1.sz.js.cn
34

Yang Lixia
Dalian No. 23 Middle School
Ye Ningqing
Yangzhou Middle School
yzynq@sohu.com
Zhai Guanjun
Luoyang No. 2 Foreign Language
School
guanjunzhai@hotmail.com
Zhang Xiao
Inner Mongolia Teachers’ University
Affiliated Middle School
Zheng Tiande
Suzhou Middle School
ted_zh@yahoo.com
******************************
1999-2000
Papa Assane Ba
John Bowne High School, NY
Chen Juanfang
Changzhou No. 3 Middle School
xjs957@pub.cz.jsinfo.net
Teach China
Xue Jianru
Professor Yu Renqiu and his wife, Kalin Wang, came [to Suzhou] with an
American delegation of secondary school teachers. This was a program
sponsored by China Institute, which enabled these teachers to tour around
China for three weeks. When they go back to the United States, they will
finish their projects, which deal with various fields and subjects about
China and her culture.
I helped arrange visits to two gardens, a cruise on the Grand Canal, and a
trip to a silk factory. <strong>The</strong>n, at their request, I added a visit to my school. <strong>The</strong>
teachers were so interested in it (they had never visited a Chinese secondary
school) that they asked me endless questions. Principal Zhang met with
them and answered their questions as well. We planned to let them have a
quick visit, taking some photos, but they actually stayed in Suzhou Middle
School for one and a half hours, and we had to cancel another visit! Some
teachers were seriously thinking of teaching in China, so I told them about
our exchange program and encouraged them to apply.
Once again, I would like to thank you for having given me the chance to
participate in the program. Otherwise, I would not have so many friends.
<strong>The</strong> world is a new one to me since then, and the year of 1999 – 2000 is a
turning point in my life.
Hayes G. Dabney, II
Wines Elementary School,
Ann Arbor, MI
hayesdabney@hotmail.com
Dong Qimei
Suzhou No. 1 Middle School
ddqm99@yahoo.com
Carol Elliott
Richard C. Elliott
retired, Staples High School,
Westport, CT
elliott@americamail.com
Guan Jigang
Luoyang Foreign Language School
jgguan@hotmail.com
www.centurytel.net/logan/luoyang/
school/ (Guan Jigang’s website for
the Luoyang Foreign Language School)
Lizabeth Joseph
Pelham Memorial High School,
Pelham, NY
ljoseph888@earthlink.net
David G. Krueger (see p. 3)
Liang Hua
Dalian No. 8 Middle School
Liang Yaping
Huiwen Middle School, Beijing
eileenlyp@china.com
Liu Jinsong
Beijing No. 15 Middle School
liu_jinsong@hotmail.com
Liu Junling
Beijing No. 12 Middle School
Liu Kun
Beijing No. 15 Middle School
mqzlk@public3.bta.net.cn
Liu Wei
Huiwen Middle School, Beijing
liuwei49@hotmail.com
Ma Yuming
Suzhou No. 1 Middle School
mayuming90@hotmail.com
Nia Mason (see p. 34)
Joanne Parkhouse (see p. 6)
Sandra Powell
Teacher Centers, Community
School District 13, NY
Imani@aol.com
Ronald Sakolsky
A.E. Oblock Junior High School,
Plum, PA
rsakolsky8@hotmail.com
Song Jie
Dalian No. 1 Middle School
Tang Wei
Yangzhou Middle School
tangweiyz@yahoo.com
Harvey Wahnquist
Janet Wahnquist
Long Lots Elementary School,
Westport, CT
hwahnquist@snet.net
Wang Qinghua
Beijing No. 14 Middle School
jazzguo@publica.bj.cninfo.net
Wang Xiaolin
Changzhou No. 3 Middle School
xwang6@hotmail.com
Wang Yanxia
Huiwen Middle School, Beijing
wangyanxia@hotmail.com
Wang Zhaoqin
Suzhou No. 3 Middle School
wangzhaoqin@hotmail.com
Gerald Wolf (see p. 34)
Xue Jianru
Suzhou Middle School
hewenwei@public1.sz.js.cn
Yu Xiuqin
Beijing No.12 Middle School
35

Zhu Juanfen
Changzhou Teachers’ College
zjf66@public.cz.jsinfo.net
Zhuang Xiaoyan
Suzhou Middle School
xiaoyan_zhuang@hotmail.com
******************************
2000-2001
Roy Bergeson (see p. 6)
Margaret Bergeson
cabergesons@onebox.com
Dick Castle
Peggy Castle
West Middle School
anthroc@aol.com
Frank Colletti (see p. 2)
Nyree Dixon
P.S. 139, NY
thenyny@hotmail.com
Fan Hongya
Yangzhou University Affiliated
Middle School
fanmarlin@yahoo.com
Guo Yi
Xinhua Middle School
guo_yi@hotmail.com
John Horrigan
Coleytown Middle School
jjh36@hotmail.com
website: cms.westport.k12.ct.us/
cmslmcl/mystuff/China/intro.htm
Li Hui
Beijing No. 15 Middle School
leahhl888@yahoo.com
Li Sulian
Suzhou No. 10 Middle School
lisulian_sz@yahoo.com.cn
Li Yingjun
Nanjing Foreign Language School
yjlee612002@yahoo.com
Hal McArdle (see p. 4)
Scott Menscher
Edward R. Murrow High School, NY
scottmen@aol.com
Qian Jianfen
Suzhou No. 1 Middle School
qianjianfeng@yahoo.com
Qin Xiangqing
Luoyang Foreign Language School
qinxq@hotmail.com
Mary Ellen Somerville
A. Philip Randolph High School, NY
maryellensomerville@hotmail.com
Song Changhui
Beijing No. 14 Middle School
changhuisong1@sina.com
Mike Spaier
Martie Spaier
retired, William Howard Taft
High School, NY
mspaier@hotmail.com
Sun Rong
Suzhou No. 1 Middle School
yizhongsunrong2001@yahoo.com
Ann Connolly Tolkoff
Malden Catholic High School,
Malden, MA
actolkoff@hotmail.com
Wang Lifen
Beijing Vocational Senior High
School of Foreign Affairs Service
wanglifen65009@263.net
Wang Rongqing
Changzhou No. 3 Middle School
Wang Zhenwei
Beijiao Middle School, Changzhou
czbj@263.net
Yang Desheng
Suzhou No. 10 Middle School
dsyang2001@yahoo.com
Yin Lusha
Beijing No. 15 Middle School
lushayin@yahoo.com
On-line Yale University Course
John Horrigan & John Martin
During spring, 2002, I had a wonderful opportunity to participate in an experimental on-line professional development
program called “Teaching East Asia.” <strong>The</strong> seminar was funded by the Freeman Foundation and sponsored by the
Programs in International Educational Resources (PIER) of the Yale Center for International and Area Studies.
<strong>The</strong> participants included about 15 teachers and 4 facilitators (from all parts of the United States including Hawaii
and Alaska) who met in a virtual classroom. <strong>The</strong> moderator was Caryn Stedman from Yale. We explored and
discussed a wide variety of electronic and print resources and developed and shared lesson plans with each other.
Over the six weeks of the course, we really built a close relationship, even though we never met in person, as we
shared ideas and practices from our classrooms and schools.
It was a great chance to learn about East Asia while we collaborated in a way that is usually not practical – or even
possible.
– John Horrigan
Four facilitators answered what we wrote as responses to the guiding questions and critiqued our lessons. Adding
to a thread was like joining a discussion in class. Once it seemed like everything had been said, you went through
your jottings to see if anything else was worth mentioning.
– John Martin
36

Zhao Qi
Changzhou No. 1 Middle School
zhaoqi0519@yahoo.com
Zhao Zhongyi
Luoyang No. 2 Foreign Language
School
Zhou Xiangli
Huiwen Middle School, Beijing
zxl8901@yahoo.com
Zhou Xinwen
Nanjing No. 29 Middle School
xinwen2002@yahoo.com
Zhu Qing
Beijing Vocational Senior High
School for Foreign Affairs Service
zhuqing2001@yahoo.com
Zhu Ruzhong
Yangzhou Middle School
zhuruzhong@yahoo.com
Zhu Shanping
Nanjing Foreign Language School
shanpingz@yahoo.com
Jack Regan and Sun Rong at Joanne Parkhouse’s wedding in Suzhou
Eric Zinn
Andrea Zinn
Brooklyn Technical High School, NY
BioTcher45@hotmail.com
A Fond Farewell
Jack Regan
Delivered over the public address
system at the final flag-raising
ceremony of the year at Xinhua Middle
School, Yangzhou, on July 4 th , 2002 at
8:00 a.m.
Ni hao! Ni hao! Zaoshang hao!
This is Mr. Regan speaking, and that’s
all the Chinese I can say!
This morning I am happy and sad at the
same time because I must say goodbye
to you all. Saying goodbye makes me
sad, but I am so happy that I have met
and taught you, happy also to have met
and to know your wonderful
headmaster and principals and your
teachers.
Thank you for making this one of the
best years of my life. Because you are
so great, I shall visit for a few days next
year and I hope to return to China to
teach the following year, 2003 – 2004.
When people ask me what I like most
about China, I always say “the people.”
When I say that, I am thinking most
about all of you and all of the people of
Yangzhou who have treated me with
kindness and generosity, people whom
I have come to respect and to love.
I am an old man, and I have learned
many things in life. Let me tell you what
I believe are the most important things.
Live a real and full life. Find people you
love who also love you. <strong>The</strong>n you will
know how right life can be. Be a good
and true friend to your friends and they
will be good to you, especially when
you need them. Never be too afraid or
too proud to ask for help. Do good
things for other people.
Make mistakes; learn from them and try
not to make them again. Remember my
amazing language mistake in Suzhou
and the lesson I learned about busses,
taxis and my understanding of Chinese.
Love your family. Love music, poetry,
all the arts and all the colors of the
world. Have the courage to dream, to
imagine. Dream many dreams for your
future and always have one impossible
dream, for, as we say in the U.S.,
“sometimes we can make our dreams
come true.” I dreamed about coming to
China long before I actually came here.
Be a good citizen of your country; be a
good citizen of the world. Live each day
fully and well. Learn to be happy. Help
to keep our two countries – China, the
Middle Kingdom, and the United States
of America – on the road to lasting
friendship.
37

On July 4 th , 1776, fifty-six men, five of
them graduates of Boston Latin School,
signed the Declaration of
Independence, which said that
Americans were free of the British and
the British King.
After five years of war, Americans were
free. We began our own language and
built our country by receiving people
from all over the world. In 1791 the first
people from China went to Boston, and
so, today especially, I am so proud to
be an American in China.
I hope you had good results on your
exams. My dear Senior 3 students, I
wish you great success with your
coming university exams. I know how
important they are to you. Remember
that I shall take you to dinner when you
visit Boston!
I wish you all success, happiness and
prosperity in life and I thank you for the
happiness you have given me. I give
you two special wishes from two great
cultures. Irish people say, “May the
road rise up to meet you; may the wind
be always at your back.” Chinese people
say, “May there be just enough clouds
in your life to make a beautiful rainbow.”
Those are my wishes for you. I shall
remember you forever.
Jack Regan and Carmen De Yoe
in a Suzhou garden
A Note From Margot E. Landman
<strong>The</strong>re are many people and organizations to thank for making the sixth year of the U.S.-China Teachers <strong>Exchange</strong>
Program as meaningful and successful as it was. <strong>The</strong> year was disrupted on September 11 by the terrorist attacks
on New York City, Washington, D.C., and the crash in western Pennsylvania. Friends and colleagues extended
enormous warmth, graciousness, and hospitality to the visiting Chinese teachers, helping them to surmount their
fears and to have positive and successful experiences in the United States despite a very rough beginning.
Throughout the school year, the program depended on the teachers, staff, administrators, students, school boards,
and boards of trustees of each participating school and district. In many cases, members of the community became
great advocates of the program, inviting visiting teachers into their homes and sharing cultural and recreational
activities with them. American host families played a crucial role in introducing the Chinese teachers to daily life
in the U.S.
We would also like to thank the non-school organizations and individuals that added so much to the year: the
China Institute in New York City and Dr. Kelly Long of Colorado State University helped to prepare the teachers for
the year ahead at the orientations offered to the American and Chinese teachers prior to their departures for the
host country. Primary Source and the New England China Network in Watertown, Massachusetts provided
learning opportunities and resources to the teachers in the Boston area. <strong>The</strong> <strong>National</strong> <strong>Committee</strong> on U.S.-China
Relations in New York City organized a highly effective and enjoyable study tour just before the Chinese teachers
returned to their homes, focusing on American studies generally, and American education in particular.
<strong>The</strong> staff members of the administering organizations play key roles in ensuring smooth program operation. We
began the year with Michelle Steer, program assistant for education at ACLS; she was succeeded by Carla De
Gregorio. <strong>The</strong>y both did wonderful work for the program. Arthur Tai and his colleagues at Oxford Associates, Inc.,
in Beijing contributed greatly. Ms. Shen Xuesong and others at CEAIE work efficiently, effectively, and cheerfully,
although I’m sure that the curious ways of “foreigners” are sometimes mystifying to them!
<strong>The</strong> generosity of the Freeman Foundation has enabled us to run the program.
<strong>The</strong> final words go to the participants themselves, who had the courage to take on the unknown, the grace to smile
through the difficulties, and the wisdom to learn from the experience. Thank you.
38