Self-introductions

[Bridget Ruiz-Acevedo]

Hello Everyone, 

I'm a kindergarten teacher at a primary center in the San Fernando Valley! I'm really excited to participate in these seminars to learn more about the culture. I'm a life-long learner and in turn hope my students develop such a love for learning as well.In my classroom, I especially enjoy the work in helping others find success.  I want my students to experience meaningful yet challenging learning in which they can make connections and apply it to their lives.  Year after year, one of my goals in teaching children is to ingrain in them a love for acquiring knowledge. This develops their desire to question and appreciate the world around her or him. I motivate and encourage all my students to learn about the world in which they live in and that includes learning about different cultures. It is important for myself to pursue opportunities that will be benficial to my students' learning. 

[Liyan Wang]

Nice meeting everyone! I am s secondary Mandarine teacher at a private school in Los Angeles. I am very interested in taking this opportunity to learn on how to guide students investigate the similarities and differences within China and Chinese-speaking communities, and also between the Chinese cultures and their own. 

 

[Victoria Jacks]

Good Morning Everyone.  I am a 7 & 8th Grade teacher at an urban school in New Brunswick NJ.  I teach Medieval History and U.S. I.  I am very excited to take this course in order to expand my knowledge of the culture and history of China and bring this knowledge to the classroom. U.S/China relations are so important to our world today, and it is essential for our students to bridge the cultural gap, and gain an understanding that will help them become effective global citizens in the future.  I am looking forward to learning and discussing with all of you.   Enjoy the day!

[Jane Kosinski]

My name is Jane Kosinski, I am native Chinese speaker and was born in Mainland China. The city I grew up has thousand years of history. Therefore, the ancient Chinese culture became one part of my life momery, but I really learned about Chinese traditions, true history, and great moral values, it was after I  arrived in U.S. A. It is kind of unbelivable but it is true. Through "Cultural Revolution" from 1960s to 1970s, most great Chinese traditions were destroyed. We barely know nothing about Chinese authentic culture. 

I love teaching, particluarly teach Chinese language and it's splendid culture to who are loving ancient Chinese culture through 5000 years. But now I was shiftted to teach ELA. I live in St Louis Missouri. It is located Midwest area. Most public school districts teach Spanish as second language. I hope to teach Chinese again. I personally had taught Chinese through K-12 at different areas included Sunday Chinese schools, Immersion chater school, and urban public schools. I also attended three StarTalk programs through 2010, 2012, and 2016 at different universities. I am life long learner, and just earned my second master degree last December. 

Learn more, and earn more. This slogan is from both Chinese culture and Western culture. It is why I am here. 

[Danhui Dong]

Hello everyone! My name is Danhui Dong. I am so excited to join this online class to learn how I can better teach China/Asia to my students! I am currently teaching Mandarin at Channel View School for Research located in Rockaway Beach, New York. I am the first Mandarin teacher at the school and our school started the program last year. At the same time, I am also an ENL teacher at the school, providing language support to a small population of English language learners.
I believe it is very important to provide curriculums designed for the topic of China/Asia, because students need to have intercultural competence. That's why I am looking forward to sharing and learning the resources in this class to teach better!

[Ramon Martinez]

Hello Everyone,

My name is Ramon Martinez.  I am an elementary School Teacher from LAUSD.  I have been with the district for 23 years.  I have always been fascinated by the history of China. I have particularly enjoyed learning about the its past dynasties and how China's continued inventions have shaped the modern world.  Its influence over the cultures, religions, economy, languages and governments of the world can not be overstated.  Modern China continues to excercise a tremendous influence on peoples lives throughout the world.

As public school educators, I firmly believe that it is vital that all learners have the opportunity to learn and reflect about the past, present and future of China.  Similarly, how learning about China will certainly help them understand their present and future lifestyle.  I wholeheartedly embrace the opportunity to learn from all colleagues, presenters and professors in this continual learning about the awesomeness of China.  I am looking forward to this learning journey.

[clay dube]

Dear Qitao, It's fascinating to think about how English dramas could be used to introduce Chinese folk tales. I hope you'll share a couple of examples.

[Nina Zhou]

It's great to be back again for another USCI seminar. My name is Nina Zhou and I currently teach world history and an advanced elective on postcolonial Asia at the Crossroads School for Arts and Sciences in Santa Monica, CA. I am proud to call both Beijing and Vancouver, Canada home, as I was born in Beijing before later immigrating to North America. Prior to the pandemic, I used to travel back to China every year during the summer, and it was always surprising to see how much Beijing has changed each year. I'm excited to continue to learn about contemporary China and its interactions with the global community, especially with what has happened in the past 1-2 years. Looking forward to meeting all of you (virtually) soon!

[Alice Davidson]

Hello!

I am Alice Davidson, and I teach world history and culture to middle school students in a relatively new 'pod' neighborhood school.  Prior to working at this neighborhood school, I taught world history and Chinese history at an independent high school.  I also have taught in Tianjin, China at both Tianjin University and an international school there, as well as about 10 years in the public schools here in Houston.  I'm always interested in anything Asia, especially China, and am very interested in offering alternative lesson structures to my pod of 12 midde schoolers.  The last time I was in China was Jan, 2020, and am interested and excited to hear what's been going on since then.  I've been in 2 classes with Tese before, and am so happy and lucky to be in this one.

[Alice Davidson]

Nina - I used to go back to Beijing and Tianjin about every year or every other year also, until Jan 2020.  It's amazing to see the changes, isn't it?  Many times I can't even recognize where I used to live because so much is different. 

[Crystal Hsia]

Hi Indy, it's nice to meet you! Glad to hear you are excited to gain new perspectives. In addition to the course content, I know us here in California will benefit from hearing about your experiences teaching in Omaha as well.

[Crystal Hsia]

Hello Debra, it's nice to meet you and it's exciting to hear that this course may help structure a new area of your curriculum! Human geography is one of the content areas that the USCI is trying to support through our programing this year, so your input will be higly valuable to help us best help you.

P.S. Would you like your attached picture uploaded as your forum profile photo?

 

[Crystal Hsia]

Hi Ramon, it is nice to meet you and we are glad to have such a passionate learner with us! Your point about China as a modern, ongoing, and relevant subject to students certainly resonates with us at the USCI.

[Crystal Hsia]

Hi Danhui, it's nice to meet you! It sounds like you have the important task of building new bridges between Mandarin learners and English learners in your current roles. We hope this course is beneficial to building the intercultural competence that, as you stated, is so necessary for students.

[Richard Rosales]

Hello, I'm Richard Rosales.  I'm a teacher at 135th Street Elementary School in the  LA Unified School District. I teach 4th grade currently, but I have taught just about every grade in my 34 year career as a teacher.  I have to confess that I don't know a whole lot about China and its geopolitical history.  I'm excited to learn about it!

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