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Chinese

More Than Just A Teacher, Beyond the Classroom

August 16, 2013 by The Inside Press

The Relationship That Goes Beyond the Classroom

By Ashley Grund

Julia Fortier and Mr. Houser
Julia Fortier and Mr. Houser

Teachers: an essential part of the life of a high school student. Many Chappaqua residents love our school district for one thing in particular–outstanding teachers. The importance of the relationships built between students and teachers in high school cannot be stressed enough. Our teachers become not merely just the adults seen every day in the classroom, but mentors that have a lasting impact. This type of relationship may be rare for some students, but it exists in and throughout the Greeley community.

Senior Julia Fortier knows what it is like to have this profound connection with a teacher. Julia had Mr. Steven Houser from ninth through eleventh grade as both a history teacher and cross country and track coach. Sadly, this past school year marked Mr. Houser’s last year at Greeley after teaching there for 34 years. When asked to describe the relationship he has with Julia, he said that he and Julia have been “buddies since ninth grade.” The connection that they have emanates when they are together; Julia feels lucky to have had someone who has had such an impact on so many students throughout his teaching career.

Julia’s appreciation for Mr. Houser has grown both in the classroom and on track. She enjoyed the three classes she had with him and described him as a coach who is “very supportive and didn’t put too much pressure on anybody.” Mr. Houser recognizes that this relationship doesn’t come with every student. “It takes a special person that can go beyond ‘I have to do this for my next test.’ When this happens, it is extremely fulfilling, and it happened with Julia,’” Houser said, with a big smile on his face.

For Senior Noah Weissman, Mrs. Jacqueline Abair helped him to channel the confidence that was hidden within himself. As a sophomore in a freshman/sophomore English class, Noah took it upon himself to form relationships with the younger students. Mrs. Abair noticed this, and it is one of the many reasons she loved having Noah in the classroom. “It really impressed me how Noah welcomed the younger students,” beamed Abair. Noah was at first not a particularly strong English student, but always reached out for help, met with Mrs. Abair, communicated his ideas and eventually succeeded. “Mrs. Abair gave me the confidence I needed going into the peer leadership program tryouts. She noticed these qualities in me and knew that those evaluating me would be able to notice those qualities as well,” explained Noah.

Making a Difference

Mrs. Abair feels very humbled knowing that she has had an impact on Noah, and this relationship serves as a reminder of just how rewarding teaching can be. “Teaching is an honor, as is being able to work with children and knowing that you can make a difference,” she added.

Hearing both Julia’s and Noah’s stories made me reflect on the bonds I have had with my teachers. After freshman year, I discovered a unique opportunity in Greeley’s Chinese program. Since the beginning of sophomore year, I have been learning Mandarin Chinese and have loved every minute. People have often asked me, “Why Chinese?” The answer to this question lies in our teacher, Mrs. Ping Li, or “Li laoshi,” as we call her in class. Whether we are learning the correct way to say the tones on all the eccentric characters, or having a “culture day” with a Chinese food celebration, there is never a dull moment in class. As I approach my third year of Chinese with Mrs. Li, I am thankful for having such a great opportunity to learn this unique language in such depth and breadth. We are constantly reminded of the exact question that I often hear from all my friends: Why Chinese?

Instilling Confidence

Mrs. Li tells us that our learning of Chinese will stretch beyond the doors of the classroom. Chinese opens the door for many career paths, study abroad opportunities in college and other opportunities that one would not otherwise be able to take on. Mrs. Li has also instilled confidence in me that I carry over into other areas of my life. She constantly reminds us that by learning Chinese, we are going to make a difference in the world.

No matter how students feel about their teachers, there are always those that we will remember and tell our children and our children’s children about. For some, teachers may even affect the choice of career path or courses in college.

When a student can finally get past some of the frustrations of the high school workload and dig deeper into what is really important, teachers are always there for them at the end of the day. They are the ones that make school more than just school, and turn it into something extraordinary and life changing.

goodnight moonAshley Grund is a senior at Horace Greeley High School. Growing up, her favorite book was Goodnight Moon.

Filed Under: Cover Stories Tagged With: Chinese, confidence, Teachers

China Through the Eyes of an American High School Student

October 23, 2012 by The Inside Press

By Tim Bloom

chinahighschool2Madam Secretary, if you are reading this, I want to thank you wholeheartedly for the Department of State NSLI-Y program. I spent six weeks immersed in Chinese language, culture and society and cannot recommend the experience highly enough. When people ask me what I liked best about the program, I answer that there were three things that made it so great. The first was the other students in the program; they were from all over the country, from very different backgrounds, and were all very smart and really interesting. Some were first generation Americans, some had parents who worked for the Federal government, and some were from tiny towns in the Midwest and others from big cities in the South and on the West coast.  I now understand why diversity is something we should all try to have in our lives. People who are not the same as us can add different perspectives to every conversation. They see things differently, and those opinions can open your mind to ideas that are different than your own.

The second thing that made the experience so great was the Chinese language immersion, lessons, tutoring and cultural programs. While it was a lot of time in the classroom, it was OK because it is so hot in Shanghai over the summer that we all appreciated the excellent air conditioning! I had done a pre-trip language interview for placement in a language class and even though I had taken three years of Chinese at Greeley, the language is so hard to learn I really wasn’t conversant before the trip. I also did a post-trip interview to assess how much I had learned and I was amazed at how much better I could communicate. We heard a presentation from a Chinese filmmaker, had lunch at a culinary school and even did Tai Chi!

The third element that made the trip so great was the home stay. For most of the trip I lived in a dorm with a roommate and the other students on the same floor. But for two weeks I moved in with a Chinese family. I lived in my own room in their apartment, ate breakfast and dinner with them every day, went shopping with them, watched TV with them and sometimes just sat and talked about life in the US and life in China. We even made dinner together, and I learned how to make traditional Chinese dumplings, totally different as the kind we eat in American Chinese restaurants.

Gaining Perspective
I learned that families are really not that different in other countries. My Chinese family tried to make time every day to sit and talk to each other, they took turns preparing and cleaning up dinner, and they worried about their son in the same way American parents worry about their kids.

China is an amazing country. While I spent most of my time in Shanghai and Beijing, I am hoping to go back soon so I can continue to study Mandarin and see even more of this country of 1.3 billion people. It’s the kind of place that will feel different every time you visit and every person you meet will give you another perspective on what China is really like.

Tim Bloom is a senior at Horace Greeley High School.

Filed Under: Local Goes Global Tagged With: Chinese, lessons, NSLI-Y program, tutoring

Chinese Language Instruction for Children: CHILDNESE

October 23, 2012 by The Inside Press

GLOBAL WISDOM FROM OUR SPONSORS

States Peiling Liu, owner: Everyone knows Chinese language skills are important in a global economy, and the best way to attain those skills is to begin learning at an early age. CHILDNESE teaches Chinese in a fun, creative, effective atmosphere integrating games, stories, songs, art, and culture to reinforce Chinese language concepts.

CHILDNESE focuses on educating youngsters; however teens and adults will find programs tailored to their needs as well. Class sizes range from 4-6 students, assuring excellent personal attention. Try it!

CHILDNESE is currently offering a free trial lesson. Contact us at www.childnese.com, Facebook.com/Childnese, or call (914) 328-8818.

Filed Under: Words & Wisdoms From Our Sponsors Tagged With: children, Chinese, language skills

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