 |
|
June 16, 2010
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH – As China’s role in world affairs continues to grow, our District is preparing students for a future where they have to work with, and compete against, their peers in other nations. Along with several other initiatives and programs, the Cleveland Heights–University Heights City School District is also focusing on helping teachers and administrators gain insights into the Chinese educational system so that they can better educate and prepare our students.
The most recent example was from June 12 to June 22, when a team of teachers and administrators, most from Roxboro Elementary, visited several cities in China to meet and work with Chinese educators, build relationships, and immerse themselves in the Chinese educational system. The group included, from Roxboro, Principal Tara Grove, Valerie Arnett, Monica Rogers, Sue Miracle, Amy Miracle, Debbie Hirsch, Jennifer Steiss, Betsy Neylon, Sheri Fried, and Melissa Garcar. Also traveling with the group were Dr. Joseph Micheller, Director of Educational Services, and Assistant Superintendent Jeff Talbert.
“In recent years, the District has formed important partnerships with the Confucius Institute at Cleveland State, East China Normal University in Shanghai, Capital University of Economics and Business in Beijing, and the Shanghai Ministry of Education,” Dr. Joseph Micheller said. “These partnerships are a crucial part of our PASSAGE Initiative and, more specifically, converting the Roxboro campus, over time, into a K-8 International Academy with the International Baccalaureate curriculum and Mandarin as the primary foreign language. Every year we build stronger relationships with our Chinese counterparts, and this is already paying off for our students.”
“While in China, we will participate in conferences, visit schools, and further dialog with teachers and administrators,” Assistant Superintendent Jeff Talbert said. “We will sign partnership agreements establishing sister schools for Roxboro Elementary and Roxboro Middle School, and set up technological systems to remain in contact with those schools throughout the school year. We’re looking forward to future initiatives that may include teacher exchanges and joint curriculum projects.”
“This is a great opportunity for our teachers, but our students are the ones who will really benefit,” Roxboro Principal Tara Grove said. “Our staff will bring back photos, videos, and many cultural artifacts to share with our kids. We will be corresponding with our students, and they will be able to see our journey online at Roxboro during our trip. Teachers will be making presentations in their classrooms upon returning. This is another way for us to open up the world to our students and help them look across the globe for sources of knowledge.”
|
| 
| 
| 