Cross Case Features: Context

Kaiser Middle School: Community Context

China Exchange Program

Since Social Studies teacher Sherry Richman participated in the NCTA seminar several years ago, she has focused much of her attention on developing an exchange program as a key strategy for generating interest in Asia in her school. Sherry’s efforts to launch the exchange program began when she came across an e-mail from a school principal in China looking for a “ Sister School” in the U.S. After receiving the go-ahead from her principal, Sherry presented the idea to the faculty and the PTA, and talked to a district administrator about how to proceed.

In all, the process for establishing an exchange program has been underway less than a year, and is “moving very fast”—with ideas, enthusiasm, and Internet resources. She contacted her NCTA seminar leader and the NCTA national coordinating office that works with her state. They put her in contact with the China Exchange Initiative, a national program with experience in school exchanges, and she formed an Exchange Committee in her district. Major goals of the Exchange Committee include: expanding opportunities for students and educators in China and the U.S. to learn from each other; building multicultural understanding; identifying curriculum materials related to Asian studies; and sharing all of the experiences and materials broadly within the school, district and community.

Exchange Committee members include a science teacher, the media specialist, the technology specialist, a math teacher, and representatives from the PTA and Apple Computer. The technology resource teacher will use his technical skills for the purpose of marketing the exchange program. He plans to raise funds, to bring visibility to the program, and to create a DVD that will “make it personal” by bringing Chinese faces and classes back to Kaiser. The media specialist expresses the same sentiments, noting: “I want to get the feel of it so I can pass it on to students.” One of the media specialist’s goals is to increase Asian content in Literature courses and to promote a cross-disciplinary approach in general. The Exchange Committee members are interested in going to China on a fact-finding visit.

A recent informational meeting brought together teachers, administrators, community members, Seminar Leader Ronald Polk and representatives from the China Exchange Institute and NCTA. At the meeting, a plan was presented for identifying a Sister School and developing an exchange program. Representatives from the China Exchange Initiative advised that more teachers from the school should participate in the NCTA seminar to build up a committed core of teachers within the school to facilitate the exchange. Reactions ranged from exuberance over the opportunity to travel to China and bring the excitement of that experience back into the school, to awareness and interest -- even among those whose personal and professional commitments might keep them from participating.