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.

Thursday, 21 June 2007

What A Start!!

Before I left St.Louis, I had problems...Two of us in the group had a different departing flight than the rest of the group!! I was to leave at 7:05 instead of 7:45....What a shock...I had to really hurry through securtiy to get to my flight on time...and I thought my passport went missing in all the hustle!! I did find it in my bag and was able to get through an off to the gate on time!...Then, of course, the flight was delayed and we ended up leaving 15 minutes after the rest of the group's flight. In Chicago, we lucked out and ended up just two gates from our connecting flight to Tokyo. After arriving in Tokyo we had a four hour layover and spent the time roaming around the airport and playing UNO....Then 3 1/2 hours more to Beijing. We were picked up in the airport and carried our bags to the bus....where we had another 30 minute drive to the campus. We are staying in the "guest house" at Beijing University...and it is about like a three star hotel. Nice enough accomodations. Our first morning we met with Professor Zhang (Jong) and were welcomed to the University. Our first outing was to the Summer Palace where we walked the Long Corridor and saw the Marble Boat. We also got to ride on a dragon boat and go to the 17 Arches bridge. This Palace was designed by the Empress Quix(will look up for exact) and it is said that any couple that walks the corridor together will be in love by the end. ( It is 2700 feet long) We also went into the Temple of Longevity and Happiness. We returned to the campus for dinner and then off to bed to recover from the 30 hours of flight time...On the 21st we arose early for a Taoi Chi Lesson, went to the Jade Factory, the 13 Ming Tombs, Lunch and then the trip to the Great Wall... More later...I am out of time!!

Kim Foster: Hi Ann I am enjoying reading your blog posts. Keep them coming. Holding down the fort here. No major problems...yet. :) Tell Sheila HI for me! (06/21/07)

Nympha Arroyo: Hi Ms. Ann!! Wow. I cant wait for your next adventure... Hope you'll have a great time...Be safe. (06/21/07)

Cyndi Shepard: WOW!!! Who needs that kind of stress. I know you don't have a lot of extra time - there is so much to do!!!! Have you been able to contact Linda? I look forward to hearing more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Did you have good weather on the GREAT WALL? Blessings, Cyndi (06/22/07)

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Name: : Ann Kynion

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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.

China Project 2007

Thursday, 21 June 2007

What A Start!!

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