Innovations
in Mandarin Education Workshop Showcased Great Success of Collaboration between
Education Division-Houston and Asia Society Texas Center
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Photo: (From Left) Ms. Sophie
Chou, Director of Education Division; Mr. Greg Meyers, Trustee of HISD Board of
Education; Dr. Terry Grier, Superintendent of HISD; Ms. Kelly Kleinkort, Director
of Educationa Program of Asia Society
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To promote Mandarin education
and to bring together communities and schools working collaboratively in making
better education to children, Education Division of Taipei Economic and
Cultural Office in Houston (Education Division of TECO-Houston) together with
co-sponsor Asia Society Texas Center (Asia Society) presented a three-hour
workshop that invited experts, teachers, and leaders in education to address
the growing presence of Mandarin education and implementation in local school
curriculum, 6 pm to 9 pm, Friday, November 14, 2014 at Asia Society.
Featured keynote speaker Dr.
Terry Grier, Superintendent of Houston Independent School District (HISD) is
recently awarded for the National Superintendent of The Year 2014 by the
American Association of School Administrators this October as well as “State
Superintendent of the Year” for California and North Carolina in the past. He
shared his language learning experience in Taiwan and insight on how
multi-language proficiency can lead students to future success in global
competency with participants. Director-General of TECO-Houston, Mr. Louis Huang
delivered opening remarks to welcome all of the speakers and participants
noting that Taiwan is no stranger to the importance of international education,
innovative teaching techniques, and yet preserved the tradition of Mandarin
education through the use of Traditional Chinese Characters that have existed
for thousands of years. In addition to the distinguished speakers, the workshop
was completed by a panel of language experts that discussed Mandarin education
in the digital age, the usage of language tools through singing, and
collaboration to help foster a stronger community in Mandarin education.
In addition to the
presentations, the workshop included a variety of interactive activities
simultaneously, including exhibition booths, hands-on activities for the
classroom such as paper folding, calligraphy, a tea ceremony, and teaching
materials/textbooks networking opportunities.
The event was wrapped up by
raffle prizes drawing sponsored by Education Division of TECO-Houston while 120
participants were contained with hors d'oeuvres to their stomach and happy
smiles on their faces. Last but not least, each registered participant got to
bring home 2-credit certificate for their professional development when
completing this 3-hour workshop.
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Photo: (From Right) Mr. Jr
Shi Tseng, General Manager of Lu Feng Technology Inc.; Ms. Sophie Chou, Director
of Education Division; Mr. Louis Huang, Director-General of TECO in Houston; Ms.
Annie Lee, Advisor of Mandarin Daily News
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