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 took a flight to Kashgar (it was only half full)and when we arrived at the airport, our plane was the only one. I really feel I am in a different world. After a good night's rest on a bed about like the floor, we got up and went to the local Sunday market. There are two, the livestock market and the city market and are both quite famous. The first pictue is the livestock market and the second the city market. Both were quite an experience.....
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.
Rick: Awesome . . . have you heard any comment about the US's barring food imports from there? (07/01/07)
Cindy Brown: The fabrics look beautiful! What are the prices like? NBPTS registration today? (07/01/07)
Cyndi: HI - how has the food been? China is so large. Is this area more Arabian than Chinese? How long will your flight be to Nanjing? (07/02/07)
Chris: Whoooeeee, aren't you having fun. I love all that cloth. Looks like a great time is being had by all. Hope it continues! (07/03/07)
Polly: Thanks for making the time to write these entries. I am so enjoying my vicarious trip. (07/04/07)