Introductions

[cgao]

We will have plenty of time to get to know each other really well this summer, but please first introduce yourself to the group here in the forum. This is the first time we have participants from outside of California, so please state where you will be joining us from. I am so excited to be meeting people from other states!

 

I'm Catherine and I work with Clay at the USC U.S.-China Institute. I oversee the NCTA professional development program at the institute and this will be my second time leading the study tour to China and Taiwan. I've been to both countries many times and it's never been dull. I've learned and experienced new things on every trip, so I'm very much looking forward to our two weeks together. It will undoubtedly be hot and exhausting, but it truly will be a memorable and rewarding experience. 

[clay dube]

Hi Everyone,
I'm Clay and work with Catherine at the USC U.S.-China Institute. This will be my ninth study tour. Like Catherine, it's been my privilege to have spent a lot of time in China and Taiwan. I've been to all the cities we're visiting, but a few of the stops will be new to me. Even returning to places I've previously visited can be fresh and interesting. Change is a constant in China and Taiwan. And I'll be with you folks and you'll have fresh ideas about what we're seeing. For me, the people you meet while visiting are often quite memorable. From the people whose home you visit in Xi'an, to the teachers and students you encounter, and the people you may dance with in some public square some night, and our guides, all could be the source of new ideas and perspectives. Seek them out.

I'm a historian by training and taught at the secondary school level for a couple of years before teaching at various colleges and universities. I'm a California native, but have also lived in Beijing, the Shanghai countryside, and Kentucky. I look forward to getting to know each of you.

[Barbara Miller]

Hello, 

I am Barb Miller, a high school English teacher from East-Central Indiana.  I teach general education and high ability freshmen at a medium-sized suburban high school. Over the past nineteen years, I have taught seventh through twelfth grade students, in remedial through dual credit/AP classes.  I also have taught preschoolers and university preservice teachers!

In my spare time, I enjoy reading, writing, and herb gardening.  I also love to travel and learn about different cultures.  Although I have never been to China, I have had the opportunity to participate in two incredible educational experiences: the Toyota International Teachers Program and a U.S. Department of State teacher program in India. On this study trip, I hope to discover how threads of ancient China are evident in the Chinese people, culture, and texts today. 

I am eager to get acquainted with everyone in the group on Saturday, as we begin our shared Asian adventure.

 

 

[Stephanie Kroop]

Hi! My name is Stephanie and I teach in World History and AP History for sophomores at El Monte High School in California. I have been teaching for 13 years and have had the opportunity to take 3 US-Asia courses through USC.

Some of my hobbies include hiking, going to art museums, visiting historical sites, and I also love to travel. One of my favorite things to do when I travel is take photos that I can use in my teaching. My students enjoy hearing stories about places that still exist and are not just old pictures in a textbook. Many of my students have never been on a plane or traveled out of the country. I had a similar story growing up and want to encourage my students to travel the world someday and become more knowledgeable about the world they live in. China is my number ONE destination for travel and this will be my first time visiting the country.

[Dawn Linden-Wright]

Hello,

My name is Dawn Linden and I have been a teacher for twelve years while raising three sons and a previous career as a waitress.  Interestingly, I made more money doing that than I do teaching! I currently teach world civilizations to 6th and 7th graders in Seattle Public Schools.  This year I have switched from teaching Highly Capable students to teaching both HCC students and Scholars. This has been quite an adventure to differentiate all of my curriculum and one I continue to perfect.   Probably my favorite content is Asia and specifically China so I look forward to the hands on experience. 

As with most teachers, I do not  have much free time during the school year but when I do I love to read, dabble in art and get out and experience the world.  Looking forward to "meeting you all" tomorrow and seeing you all in June. 

[Tamara DeCarter]

Hi!

My name is Tamara DeCarter and this is my 10th year teaching. I've been in the same public school district in Hamden, Connecticut for all 10 of those years. The first 7 years were spent teaching 9th -12th grade to students with a variety of ability levels. During that time I taught U.S. History, AP Psychology, Criminal Law, and Economics. The past 3 years I've been teaching 7th grade social studies called Regional World Studies which includes East Asia as a major unit of study. I've never been to China or Taiwan so I'm excited for the opportunity to explore and share this experience with my students. 

I enjoy traveling, hiking, yoga, reading, and spending time with my dog. During the spring season I'm also busy coaching our high school girls' lacrosse team. I look forward to meeting everyone soon!

[Jason O'Connor]

Hi everyone. My name is Jason O'Connor. I teach at North Broward Preparatory School in Coconut Creek, Florida. I teach IB History, Honors World History, and Honors Comparative Government. I am also a Ph.D. student in the Comparative Studies program at Florida Atlantic University. I am very excited about the program in China and Taiwan. I have never been to either country. I have taught about the history and government of the PRC for many years, however, would love to learn more by experiencing the history and culture of China. Our school has a boarding program for international students, and many of my students are from China so it will be a great opportunity to share my experience in the country. I really am looking forward to meeting you during the trip. 

[Cynthia Lehr]

My name is Cynthia Lehr, originally from Columbus, OH, and I have been teaching English in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for 10 years. Currently I teach IB English and 9th grade Honors (World Lit). I first came to teaching through the Peace Corps as a secondary ed teacher in eastern Europe, where I fell in love with the profession--though education has certainly evolved much more quickly, lately, through the advent of each new technology.

My interests include learning, reading, working out, cooking, traveling, playing with my two daughters, and the occasional date night with my husband, who works together with me at the same school. My goal for this study trip is to accumulate resources and knowledge to bring back to my (admittedly conservative) school district to expand the World Lit reading lists (all 9th and 10th grade English courses) to include more Asian literature. After the 6-day bootcamp-esque NCTA workshop I attended last summer in Indiana, I was able to infuse five east Asian texts into my own classes this year, since I have much more leeway with the students in my IB courses.

I look forward to meeting and traveling with everyone!

[Kristen Waltz]

Hi, I'm Kristen. I teach 9th grade World History and 11th grade U.S. History at PA Leadership Charter School in West Chester, Pennsylvania. I'm also a graduate student at Villanova University, concentrating on the history of empire. Like many of my students, I didn't have many opportunities to travel when I was growing up. Although I have traveled throughout the United States, the tour of China and Taiwan will be my first international trip! I am thrilled to share this experience with my students as I broaden my own horizons. 5 things I love outside of school? Hiking, live music, museums, page-turning novels, and great food. Hopefully we can all experience some of these things together in China and Taiwan.

[Anthony Rodriguez]

Good Morning! My name is Anthony Rodriguez and I am a 12th grade AP Language / SciFi Literature / Journalism Teacher in the English Dept at Norwalk High School in Norwalk, Connecticut. I was born and raised in South Western Connecticut and currently reside just outside of New Haven. I am a big fan of scifi, anime, comic books and console gaming.  I have been a teacher for 5 years have worked tirelessly to get non western authors integrated throughout our curriculum. My favorite East Asian authors are Wu Cheng’en Haruki Murakami,Miyamoto Musashi, Hayao Miyazaki and Katsuhiro Otomo and I look forward to discussing many others and broadening my horizons with you all! I earned my Bachelor's Degree in Comparative Literature and Masters Degree in Educational Psychology from University of Connecticut and recently became a UConn Doctoral Candidate  (GO HUSKIES!) I am the proud parent of a rescued Caique Parrot named Yoshi and spend much of my time at the gym or reading. I spent last summer at the Indiana University NCTA conference on Teaching East Asian Lit in the High School. Here's to a wonderful trip! See you all soon!

-Anthony

 

 

[Anthony Rodriguez]

Hi Cynthia I was at IU last summer as well. I was hanging out with Jeff most of the time but I rememebr you! It will be great to do another one of these together! Talk soon!

[Christopher Tsichlis]

Hello,

My name is Chris and I currently teach Middle and High School History at Pinewood American International School in Greece. I was a charter school teacher in Los Angeles for the last four years and a participant in the East Asia Seminars at USC. I love learning, teaching, talking about teaching, and driving my wife crazy by talking about learning and teaching.

The previous programs at USC were great as they helped my understanding of East Asia and improved my pedagogy. I am sure this study trip will do the same as well as be a boon to my new school as it reviews its curriculum; however, I am also hoping to learn from the diverse group of teachers going on the trip (i.e. you!).

Lastly, it is my first time to China and Taiwan. If I remember correctly, it was described as "hot, sticky, and one of the best experiences of my life". I hope it will be the same for us.

Warmly,

Chris Tsichlis

 

 

[Amanda Smith]

Hello, my name is Amanda. I'm a museum teaching specialist for a school system around Atlanta. My job involves working with museums, historical sites, non-profits, etc. to bring educational resources into classrooms. Prior to to living in Atlanta, I taught high school social studies in eastern North Carolina for eight years. Like most of you, I love visiting museums, learning new things, and traveling.

I have been fortunate to do a lot of traveling but I haven't visited China yet. Two summers ago, I spent the summer in Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand). I remember thinking that I should choose a cold place to visit but that hasn't happen yet. 

I'm looking forward meeting all of you in person soon,

Amanda Smith

 

[Jonathan Tam]

Hi everyone,

My name is Jonathan Tam. I teach at the School of Social Justice at Miguel Contreras in Downtown LA. I teach Physics and Astronomy, but I also do a bunch of other little things for our school including our school's restorative practices and a few of our school's justice-themed clubs. This will be my first time going to East Asia and my second time leaving the country, so I am very excited to take everything in. I'll be trying to pick up a little bit of mandarin in the weeks before hand and keeping my ears open for any tips on packing for this trip.

In my spare time: I enjoy films, hikes, video games, and museums.

[Cynthia Lehr]

Hi Anthony, I remember you as well. I'd love a rundown on which of the authors you mentioned have works suitable for 9th and 10th grade World Lit classes--not too lengthy, no foul language. How old is Yoshi, and how many more years ahead of him does he have?

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