From China to Linden: Visiting Teachers Begin Weeklong Classroom Exchange

Eleven English teachers will observe instruction, connect with educators and experience daily life in Linden’s schools

LINDEN, N.J. — Eleven English teachers from China began a weeklong visit to Linden Public Schools on Monday, Oct. 5, to observe classroom instruction, connect with local educators and experience daily life in American public schools.

Union County Interim Executive County Superintendent Kyle Anderson joined Superintendent Dr. Atiya Y. Perkins, members of the school board and district administrators for an 8:30 a.m. welcome at the district’s administration building.

Dr. Perkins connected the exchange to the district’s mission and vision, emphasizing the opportunities it creates for students and educators.

“It’s to ensure that diverse voices are appreciated, innovation flourishes, and each student has the opportunity to showcase their unique potential,” Superintendent Perkins said. “And so we are so excited that you’ll have that opportunity to immerse right into our culture and have a good time.”

The exchange is being coordinated by Highland Park Mayor Elsie Foster through her Aunt Elsie’s Homestays & Educational Services. Mayor Foster attended the reception alongside Assistant Superintendent Annabell Louis; Business Administrator and Board Secretary John A. Serapiglia Jr.; Board of Education President Malaysia Thomas; Vice President Dr. Marlene Berghammer; and board members Antoinette Pino and Craig Halloran.

After the welcome, the visiting educators divided into three groups to begin visits to School No. 1, School No. 5, School No. 8, McManus Middle School and Linden High School. The groups will continue their classroom visits through the rest of the week.

Learning Across Cultures

Anderson recalled his own 11-day visit to China in 2019, when he visited more than 20 schools. The experience, he said, reinforced how much educators can gain from seeing their profession practiced in another country.

“What I found was that we all can learn very much from each other in different ways to educate our children,” Anderson said. “And we’re so pleased that you’re here today that we can learn from you and you can learn from us.”

He described the exchange as a chance to look beyond familiar classrooms and understand the relationships among schools, students and families elsewhere in the world.

“We’re not truly educated until we see how the other side of the world operates in education, how our families value education, and how our students appreciate those who educate them,” Anderson said.

Foster, who said she has organized international education programs since 2010, emphasized the role of cultural understanding in those exchanges. Bringing teachers and students together creates opportunities to recognize differences, share experiences and develop respect for one another.

“We need to understand each other,” Foster said. “We need to understand our culture.”

Throughout the week, the teachers will observe Linden’s K–12 Chinese language classes and explore instructional methods, classroom management and student engagement. Their rotations will also offer a look at recess, school activities and the routines that shape each school’s culture and climate.

The three smaller groups are intended to give visitors more opportunities for interaction with Linden teachers and students.

A Partnership With a Personal Connection

Dr. Perkins said Linden’s partnership with China spans more than a decade. More than 1,000 district students are currently studying Chinese, from elementary school through high school, she said.

For Board President Thomas, those opportunities have a family connection. She visited China about 11 years ago, an experience that influenced her encouragement of her son, now a sixth grader studying Chinese in Linden.

“I’m so thankful for that partnership with you all,” Thomas said.

Louis said the week would allow visitors to see students engaged in instruction and developing social and emotional skills. Linden educators would also learn from their guests.

“That’s the key to education,” Louis said. “Learning from one another.”

Opening Doors Through Language

Danie Orelien, the district’s multilingual director, recalled encountering different classroom expectations while teaching French in China. Students initially became quiet when she entered the room. She encouraged them to speak and participate, explaining that discussion and supported disagreement were welcome.

Her experience illustrated the kinds of differences educators can explore during the visit, from how students participate to how teachers encourage discussion.

Orelien also discussed her vision for a summer Mandarin enrichment program, particularly for fifth graders preparing to enter middle school. The proposed program would encourage students to continue studying Mandarin when they have the option of choosing another language.

Expanding language instruction, she said, helps prepare students for opportunities in a global economy.

A Linden Welcome

“We are Linden Tigers, and we have a roar like no other,” Perkins told the visitors.

She connected that welcome to the district’s ROAR initiative, which emphasizes resilience, opportunities, achievement and relationships. She encouraged the educators to ask questions, share ideas and immerse themselves in the school community.

“That’s what we hope that you’ll see, you’ll feel, and you’ll take back with you,” Perkins said.

After thanking Foster and district staff for coordinating the exchange, Perkins offered the visitors a final challenge: Before the week ends, they will be asked to share their own Linden Tiger roar.