Fall 2012

EXCHANGES The CEI Newsletter

Updates from The China Exchange Initiative Greetings from the China Exchange Initiative! We are excited to report the successful completion of the fall portion of the Administrator Shadowing Project (ASP). This year we established partnerships in Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, Oregon, and Wisconsin. In order to introduce our new participants to the Shadowing Program and help them prepare for hosting, we had several orientation meetings across the country in September. We met with the PA group at the Berks County Intermediate Unit in Reading, PA on August 30, with the MA group at the Union Club in Boston on September 10th, the Oregon group in Salem, OR at COSA on September 12th, and for the New York State group in Albany at the New York State Council of School Superintendents on September 18th. This year we had our inaugural ASP cohort from Oregon. Nine schools and districts were selected to participate. We are very grateful to Colin Cameron, Director of Program and Licensure at the Confederation of Oregon School Administrators, who has helped make this trip a reality. In early December, Peihui traveled to Shijiazhuang to meet with our partners at the Hebei Bureau of Education in preparation for our April trip. She also met with all 34 of the past ASP alums from Hebei province to evaluate what impact CEI has had on their schools and communities and develop new ways we can assist schools in establishing and managing exchange programs. Several alums with well established exchange programs in their schools spoke about their experiences and offered advice to other administrators. While in China, Peihui also introduced the Massachusetts administrators to their new Hebei partners via Skype. The Hebei administrators were unable to travel to the U.S. this fall and will visit in the fall of 2013. Both sides are very excited about meeting for the first time this spring!

In this issue:

• Updates from the China Exchange Initiative

• Review of ASP, Fall 2012

• ASP 2012 Participants in the Press

• ASP 2013 Program Participants

2

Review of ASP, Fall 2012

During the professional development week in Boston, Chinese administrators went on a whirlwind tour of Boston and took a deep look at the American education system. They attended lectures by Professor Irwin Blumer at Boston College and Professor Katherine Boles at Harvard University, two of Boston’s most renowned schools. They also spent a morning at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education listening to talks by Dr. Claudia Bach, Director of Educator Policy, Preparation and Leadership, and Dr. Shen Anping from Student Assessment Services.

Principals from Shaanxi pose with President Siri Khalsa and Head of School Lance Conrad at the CHCH School.

In order to see the American School system in action, the administrators visited Medfield High School and the Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall School (CHCH), a public and private school respectively. At CHCH, President Siri Khalsa gave a lecture on the multiple types of intelligence and how teachers at his school have diversified their teaching styles to benefit all students. The Chinese administrators learned more about an exchange student’s experience through a question and answer session with Chinese students currently studying at CHCH. They were all very impressed with CHCH’s beautiful and top-notch facilities. At Medfield, they attended a panel discussion that included school officials, school board members, counselors, department heads, PTSA members, and students. Thus giving the visiting Principals a

comprehensive view of all the organizations involved in running an American school and how responsibilities are divided among them. The Chinese administrators did also have some time for fun during their stay in Boston. Principals soaked in Massachusetts’s history, visiting the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Copley Plaza, and Faneuil Hall, and toured the John F. Kennedy Museum. They also swung by the Kinsale Pub to sample an authentic American burger and spent their last evening outlet shopping, stocking up on designer bags and Mac products to bring home as gifts for friends and family.

Principals from Hebei enjoy the scenery around the

John F. Kennedy Museum

Unfortunately, several areas felt the full force of Super-storm Sandy’s wrath at the beginning of the Shadowing week, and in some districts schools were closed for the entire week. The American administrators, however, were very quick on their feet and were able to arrange alternate plans to tour schools in other towns that were fortunate enough to have power. The Chinese principals were very impressed with the confidence and happiness of American students and the high level of teacher-student interaction in the classroom. They felt American schools foster student’s’ innovative thinking from a very young age and the flexibility of the education system really tailors a students education to their ability. They complimented all the hardworking teachers and administrators and were very impressed with the

politeness of debates that took place in the school board meetings and classrooms. Many hope to quickly establish a teacher and possibly even a student exchange program. Outside of school activities, the Chinese administrators also got a taste of American culture while living with their host families. Many accompanied their hosts trick-or-treating, attended holiday parties and sporting events, and toured the sites of their towns. Everyone spoke of the overwhelmingly warm reception they received from their host districts and the strong friendships they have made with their host families.

3

During the professional development week in Boston, the Wisconsin Department of Education also hosted a second delegation of Chinese administrators in Madison. The American administrators from Wisconsin traveled with CEI to China in the spring of 2012 and now the arrival of their Chinese counterparts marks the completion of the exchange. The Chinese delegation included eight school administrators and principals from Hebei Province. While in Madison, they attended lectures at the University of Wisconsin Madison School of Education and the University of Wisconsin Whitewater, met with administrators at the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators and at the Madison Metropolitan School District, and visited a local high school and elementary school.

Ron Welch takes Zhang Xiaohua on an aerial tour of

Wisconsin Administrators also toured around Madison, visited the State Capital Building, and got a taste of American music when they attended a jazz concert featuring the Birdland Big Band. The shadowing week was also immensely successful. Principals gained a new perspective on learning after observing the diversity of American classes, from advanced placement to special education. They met with district personnel and attended conferences on education. After school, they visited museums, attended sporting events, went trick-or-treating, and learned more about religious life in America by accompanying their hosts to religious services. The Wisconsin administrators are all very eager to strengthen their connections with their partner schools and many already have plans in the works to establish a teacher exchange. Two especially fast working principals, Julie Zenz and Li Yunhong, have already sent their inaugural group of exchange students. This fall Principal Zenz welcomed four students and one teacher from the Shijiazhuang No. 40 Middle School, who accompanied her partner principal to the States. While Principal Li shadowed Principal Zenz, the Chinese students also shadowed American students in their classes and lived with host families. On the weekends they went camping and kayaking, and carved pumpkins for Halloween. The Chinese students were treated as members of the family

Principal Dong rides a tractor while visiting his

partner, Joe Stutting

and even helped out with chores around the house. Students left with a deeper understanding of American culture and education and fond memories of their second home on the other side of the world. This is a wonderful example of the true goal behind our ASP program: to create new opportunities for our students that bring them to places they otherwise could only have imagined.

4

ASP 2012 Participants in the Press Many of our participants were lucky enough to have their Chinese visitors featured in the local media, some even before their guest’s feet had touched down on U.S. soil. The earliest, the East Aurora Bee, ran an article on August 23rd in anticipation of Li Jie’s visit with James Hoagland, describing the US-China Administrator Shadowing Program and the preparations being made for Principal Li’s stay. Door County Daily News also ran an article on October 13th in anticipation of principal Zhang Xiaohua’s visit with Ron Welch, who was especially excited to show principal Zhang the physics classes and technical education program in Algoma. Amy Flannery planned an elaborate welcome assembly for Principal Mi Shuxian, which was featured on Readingeagle.com on November 1st. Each grade had a special presentation prepared for their guest. They sang Chinese songs, made scrolls of Chinese calligraphy, and compared Chinese and American opera

Chinese principals visit a pottery class at Medfield High

School

masks. The Green Bay Press Gazette interviewed Joe Stutting and his guest, Dong Yangcheng, on November 2nd, discussing the differences between the Chinese and American education system. Principal Dong was surprised by Sturgeon Bay School District’s interactive style of teaching and impressed by how clearly the students’ personalities showed through class discussions. On October 30th Living Lake Country highlighted principal Guo Zhenzhou’s visit with Brian Stuckey, principal of Dousman Elementary School. Principal Guo visited many classrooms, observed reading lessons and students building their math skills with card games, and he also gave presentations about China for the students.

On November 5th the Press Republican interviewed Steve Gratto and his guest, Li Jingkao, who talked about the warm welcome he received from his hosts in the US and how impressed he was with the art, music, and sports classes offered at Northeastern Clinton Central High School. On November 6th, NuggetNews.com interviewed Zhang Lianying’s about his visit with Jim Golden at the Sisters School District 525. Mr. Zhang spoke at length about his impression of America and the American school system, complimenting Sisters schools hands on learning techniques. When he returns home, he hopes to merge the best tactics of both education systems into the curriculum at his school. Also on November 6th, Hood River News covered Xiao Jumei’s visit to Hood River Valley High School with principal Karen Neitzel. Principal Xiao was very impressed with the small class sizes and high level of teacher-student interaction. She hopes to introduce new elective classes into her school in Xi’an. Julie Zenz and her six Chinese guests were featured in the Madison Catholic Herald on November 15th. The article describes the students’ experiences and the warm friendship that has sprouted between the two schools. The School Administration Association of New York State also featured Wang Diansheng’s visit with Harry Leonardatos in their Executive Viewpoint article for the month of November, summarizing their discussion about China’s student examination system.

5

2012-2013 U.S.-CHINA ASP MATCHING LIST

Pennsylvania Hebei Dr. Edward Albert, Superintendent Tulpehocken Area School District Bethel, PA

Mr. Xia Qiang, Principal No. 44 Middle School of Shijiazhuang Shijiazhuang, Hebei

Amy Flannery, Principal Mt. Penn Elementary Center Reading, PA

Ms. Mi Shuxian, Principal Huaibei Road Primary School Shijiazhuang, Hebei

Jennifer Holman, Assistant Superintendent Northwestern Lehigh School District New Tripoli, PA

Ms. He Lining,Vice Principal Shijiazhuang No.17 Middle School Shijiazhuang, Hebei

Deborah Jumpp, Principal Bodine High School of International Affairs Philadelphia, PA

Ms. Zhang Ruihua, Principal Shijiazhuang No.4 High School Shijiazhuang, Hebei

Janice Nuzzo Director of Student Achievement Allegheny Valley School District Cheswick, PA

Ms. Yang Lin Deputy Principal Shijiazhuang No.42 High School Shijiazhuang, Hebei

Joseph Padasak, Jr., Superintendent Chambersburg Area School District Chambersburg, PA

Mr. Yang Youbin, Principal Shijiazhuang No.25 High School Shijiazhuang, Hebei

Dr. Margaret Petit, Assistant Superintendent Pen Argyl Area School District Pen Argyl, PA

Ms. Zhong Zhaomei, Vice Principal Shijiazhuang No.24 High School Shijiazhuang, Hebei

Heather Piperato, Principal Brandywine Heights High School Topton, PA

Ms. Fan Ru, Vice Principal Shijiazhuang No.5 High School Shijiazhuang, Hebei

Connie Skipper, Program Administrator, Office of Professional Development and Curriculum

Berks County Intermediate Unit Reading, PA

Ms. Ma Yuan, Program Officer Hebei Province Bureau of Education Shijiazhuang, Hebei

Oregon Shaanxi Sheldon Berman, Superintendent Eugene School District Eugene, OR

Mr. Wang Juncai, Vice Principal No. 2 High School of Chang’an District Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province

Colin Cameron, Program and Licensure Director

Confederation of Oregon School Administrators (COSA)

Mr. Guo Wei, Deputy Secretary-General Shaanxi Education Association for International Exchange

Gregor Dinse, Associate Principal for Mr. Kang Junjie, Vice Principal

6

Curriculum and Instruction Tualatin High School Tualatin, OR

Xi’an No. 66 Middle School Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province

Jeff Fuller, Principal Agnes Stewart Middle School Springfield, OR

Mr. Feng Yunpeng, Principal Xi’an Yuandong No. 1 Middle School Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province

Jim Golden, Superintendent Sisters School District 525 Sisters, OR

Mr. Zhang Lianying, Principal Xi’an Yucai Middle School Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province

Dr. Karen Fischer Gray, Superintendent Parkrose School District Portland, OR

Mr. Zhang Keqiang, Principal Xi’an Middle School Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province

James K. Hiu, Deputy Superintendent of Secondary Education and Operations

Gresham-Barlow School District Gresham, OR

Mr. Shi Jiankui, Principal Xi’an No. 1 Middle School Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province

Kathy Ludwig, Assistant Superintendent West Linn-Wilsonville School District Tualatin, OR

Mr. Liu Junbo, Principal Xi’an No.26 Middle School Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province

Karen Neitzel, Principal Hood River Valley High School Hood River, OR

Ms. Xiao Jumei, Principal Xi’an No. 8 Middle School Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province

Jeff Rose, Superintendent Beaverton School District Beaverton, OR

Mr. Liu Linlin, Vice Principal Weinan High School Weinan City, Shaanxi Province

New York Hebei Michael Dardaris, Principal CS Driver Middle School Marcellus, NY

Mr. Lu Huili, Principal LuQuan Experimental Middle School Luquan City, Hebei

Stephen Gratto, Principal Northeastern Clinton Central High School Champlain, NY

Mr. Li Jingkao, Deputy Principal Xinji Senior High School, Xinji City, Hebei

James L. Hoagland, Jr., Principal East Aurora High School East Aurora, NY

Mr. Li Jie, Principal The Gaoxin Campus of the High School

Affiliated with Hebei Normal University Shijiazhuang, Hebei

Harry Leonardatos, Principal Clarkstown High School North New City, NY

Mr. Wang Diansheng, Deputy Principal Luquan No.1 Middle School Shijiazhuang, Hebei

Denise Rainey, Principal Frank Fowler Dow School No. 52 Rochester, NY

Ms. Li Liying, Principal Shijiazhuang Yudong Primary School Shijiazhuang, Hebei

7

Massachusetts Hebei Patience Berkman, History Department Chair Newton Country Day Newton, MA

Wang Yuan, Principal No. 27 Middle School of Handan City Handan City, Hebei Province

Ron Griffin, Director of Teaching & Learning Foxborough Regional Charter School Foxborough, MA

Wang Zhizhong, Principal No.1 Middle School of Handan County Handan City, Hebei Province

Walter Landberg, Executive Director Innovation Academy Charter School Tyngsborough, MA

Pei Yaolin, Vice Principal Handan No.31 Middle School Handan City, Hebei Province

Robert Moore, Director Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School West Tisbury, MA

Wang Kuishen, Principal Experimental Primary School of Hanshan District Handan City, Hebei Province

Phillip Saisa, Principal Overlook Middle School Ashburnham, MA

Li Ruixue, Vice Principal No.3 Middle School of Handan County Handan City, Hebei Province

Karmala Sherwood, Executive Director Smith Leadership Academy Charter School Dorchester, MA

Cao Gaiying, Vice Principal No. 23 Middle School Handan City, Hebei Province

Charmaine White, Chief Executive Officer New Leadership Charter School Springfield, MA

Kang Yuelan, Principal Guangtai Middle School Handan City, Hebei Province