Students from Shaanxi Normal University are in the midst of a 3-week training program on the American elementary and secondary education system, as well as content based English language training. The 14 students are on full scholarship at their home university – outstanding students who strive to be outstanding teachers in the near future. The program is a partnership between the College of Education, ILTC, and Springfield Public Schools.
The group has mixed academic interests, including Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, English, Chinese, and Ideological and Political Education. Dr. Cathy Pearman (College of Education) has developed professional development workshops and helps students get into local classrooms, chosen based on what the students want to learn. Special English language training based on education-related content was developed by Dr. Yuan (Helen) Zhuang and Dr. Kelly Cabrera (ILTC).
Students have visited Glendale High School, Wolf School, Health Science Academy, and Cherokee Middle School. Next week, they’ll continue site visits at the John Thomas School of Discovery and Greenwood.