NHS 2010 Chinese Delegates Reflect On Their Spring Break Trip

By Eliza Hallabeck

After arriving back to the state hours before school began on Monday, April 26, the 27 members of the 2010 Newtown High School Chinese Delegation reflected on their trip.

Superintendent of Schools Janet Robinson, who traveled to Liaocheng, in the Shandong Province of China, for the second time, but for the first time as a representative of the Newtown Public Schools, said the trip was successful on a number of fronts.

“The teachers had the opportunity to really get to know the teachers in other departments that they seldom have a chance to talk with,” said Dr Robinson on Monday. “Secondly, this relationship with our sister school, Liaocheng No. 3 Middle School, really accelerated having the teachers interact with their Chinese counterparts and to teach classes of Chinese students.”

Dr Robinson said it was a true learning experience for all members of the delegation, who paid for their own costs for the trip. Next year, according to Dr Robinson, NHS students will be involved in a delegation to the sister school.

The delegation left for China on Friday, April 16. During its stay, the group toured the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall of China, the US Embassy in Beijing, and had a meeting with the US ambassador to China.

Attending delegates on the trip were Assistant Principal and Program Coordinator Jason Hiruo, NHS Principal Charles Dumais, Dr Robinson, Assistant Superintendent of Schools Linda Gejda, NHS teachers Tom Brant, Jennifer Davidson, Tim Dejulio, Jennifer Dellasala, Candace Dietter, Diane Dutchick, Jason Edwards, Kristen English, David Foss, Amanda Friedman, Lori Hoagland, Jeanette Manfredonia, Doreen Marcucilli, Susan McConnell, Norm McConnell, Rachelle Myllymaki, Edward Obloj, Steve OShana, Carol Pelligra, Amy Repay, Daria Richardson, Kristin Violette, and Elizabeth Ward DeLeon.

Multiple departments from the school were represented within the delegation, including social studies, art, science, culinary, foreign language, and English.

Principal Dumais also said the trip was a huge step in building the sister school relationship. Since the start of the relationship, it has been similar to the bond between distant cousins, he said, but the spring break trip broke down some of the formalities to create a working relationship.

Mr Hiruo said the trip was successful on many levels.

“The partnership has been furthered by leaps and bounds after this last trip. Nowhere in the state nor in the region has a school placed a delegation of 27 educators into a sister school solely to teach in classrooms and discuss instruction,” said Mr Hiruo. “The teachers from both schools quickly came together to forge friendships and collegial relationships that are already taking root over the Internet through email and Skype.”

According to Mr Hiruo, delegates witnessed Chinese culture and shared the experience with their NHS colleagues. Now, back from the trip, Mr Hiruo said plans will start to form to send student ambassadors to China next year.

An Unforgettable Experience

English teacher Amanda Friedman said she was grateful for the opportunity of traveling to the area during the school’s spring break. She was also one of multiple teachers who said the Great Wall of China and visiting the Forbidden City were highlights of their stay in China.

“Traveling to China, seeing the wealth of ancient history, culture, and joy of its people is truly an experience I will never forget,” said Ms Friedman. “Reaching the top of the Great Wall was a personal triumph and a favorite moment for me. However, having the chance to forge lasting friendships with my colleagues was just as great.”

Sociology teacher Amy Repay also said the Great Wall of China was a special part of the trip.

“I really enjoyed learning a lot about myself, too,” said Ms Repay. “I did things on this trip that I had only dreamed of doing. I think the coolest moment of my life thus far was climbing the Great Wall, and even though I am afraid of heights, as a group of teachers from different departments that do not get to spend a lot of time together, we bonded and got through it together.”

Being immersed in Chinese culture, according to science teacher Susan McConnell, elevated the groups’ knowledge of China, and was the ultimate in experiential learning.

“Their hospitality and respect for us was unmatched,” said Ms McConnell. “Hopefully, the lessons we presented, which differ greatly from theirs, will allow for continuing dialogue and exchange of ideas.”

French teacher Jennifer Davidson said the trip provided an opportunity to share information and exchange ideas.

“One of the Liaocheng teachers wanted to know what differences we saw between their students and ours,” said Ms Davidson. “I explained that I saw only similarities, from what they wore to how they acted. That thread of ‘sameness’ continued throughout our trip. It’s fascinating to travel halfway around the world to a country that seems, on the surface, so different from ours, just to see that people are people. I would go back in a heartbeat.”

As a school psychologist, Tom Brandt said the trip was interesting to learn the comprehensive support a lead teacher in Liaocheng provides.

“Not only do they provide high quality academic instruction,” said Mr Brandt, “but they also are integral in home school communication, all forms of discipline, and the social/emotional welfare of the student.”

It was exciting to work with teachers and students at the sister school for social studies teacher Rachelle Myllymaki.

“The dialog we had about how we teach was the beginning of a great partnership,” Ms Myllymaki said. “Most importantly, we made friends with teachers, students, and administrators from a different culture.”

Science teacher Norm McConnell said it will be interesting to see what grows from the seeds that were planted during the trip.

“The Liaocheng teacher translators were extraordinary in their efforts to help us navigate through our teaching assignments,” said Mr McConnell. “Their efforts and diligence made this trip a true learning experience both personally and professionally. We exchanged emails and will no doubt communicate in the future. The Chinese teachers we met were truly interested in learning about us as US citizens, as well as our teaching strategies and methods.”

The time spent visiting sights was great, according to social studies teacher Dave Foss, but, he said, visiting Liaocheng was better.

“We were treated like royalty/rock stars,” said Mr Foss. “They rolled out the red carpet and we had very meaningful exchanges with the students and teachers. The cultural differences were stark at times, but at other times the similarities were just as noteworthy.”

Art teacher Carol Pelligra said the trip was remarkable.

“As an art teacher, I had the opportunity to discuss art teaching practices with art educators from China,” said Ms Pelligra. “It was also an opportunity to view Ancient and contemporary Chinese art and culture which I can then integrate it into my art lessons. I could go on forever, but this is the most important info.”

A jade factory made science teacher Doreen Marcucilli think of Newtown when she saw an ornate rooster.

“One of the stops we made was to a jade factory, jade being more precious than diamonds to the Chinese. Master jade carvers traditionally pass their techniques to their sons. Women may carve simple pieces, otherwise they use specific tools for cleaning the jade. As of yet, they are not able to become master carvers,” said Ms Marcucilli.

Social studies teacher Jason Edwards said he cannot wait for a chance to go back.

“It was inspiring to learn about another culture, and to witness the sense of wonder and welcome for our delegation at our sister school in Liaocheng,” said Mr Edwards. “Despite any cultural differences, teachers love to teach and learn, and students are more alike than different across the world. I am only beginning to realize how my present and future students will benefit from these experiences.”