China Project 2007
Three area teachers, Ann Kynion (Willard South Elementary School, Willard R-2 School District), Mary Ann Hollis (Phelps School, Springfield R-12 Schools), and Becky Smith ( Central H.S., Springfield R-12 Schools will spend the next eighteen months with 19 colleagues from St. Louis area schools as part of the 2007 China in Missouri Project. This is a long-term, in-depth professional development opportunity is focused on two goals: expanding teachers’ knowledge of China and increasing their ability to engage their students in the kind of learning that supports achievement. The China Project is sponsored by the International Education Consortium of the Cooperating School Districts of St. Louis and generously funded by The Freeman Foundation, a national foundation with the goal of helping teachers increase students’ understanding of East Asia. IEC has offered this program since 2000. Teachers in the China Project will study the history and culture of China throughout the spring semester with Professor Robert Hegel of Washington University and other scholars. In June 2007, they will travel to China for three weeks of first hand experience of what they have studied, beginning with a week’s residence at Beijing University, China’s premier educational institution. During the upcoming 2007-2008 school year, working as a group with guidance from master teachers, they will develop ways to enhance their own classroom teaching and to share their new expertise with colleagues. Previous participants have presented their work at state and national conferences across the U.S.
We attended workshops starting two years ago, giving up Saturdays to attend the seminars on East Asia. Now, we are ready to culminate our studies with a real, hands-on experience in China. The two teachers (one had to drop out) that I will be traveling with from Springfield are Becky Smith, from Central HS, Middler's Program teacher and Mary Ann Hollis, Wings teacher at Phelps. This photo was taken at one of our first meetings in March.
I was born and raised in Missouri . I am an elementary art teacher with the Willard Schools. I am so excited to have this opportunity to go to China. I started traveling in 1999 as my children grew up and left the "nest" I have been very lucky and have been to visit almost every continent. This is my second trip to Asia as I went to Japan on the Japanese Fulbright Teacher Memorial Fund in 2004. I have been to Mexico, Egypt, Greece, England, Ireland, Wales, France, Italy,Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Australia, Japan and now, China.
David Suits: Have a safe trip, learn a lot and enjoy yourself. I know you will! (06/12/07)
Jan Rorrer: You are my hero. I know it will be sensational. I can't wait to read about your experiences. (06/12/07)