By Edward Van Embden, Patch Staff
A group of educators from China toured several stops during a two-week trip to the U.S., including the Summit school.
A group of Chinese educators recently completed a tour of the United States in an effort to gain insight into the current trends of American independent schools, including best practices and innovative teaching models. Among there stops was Bilingual Buds in Summit.
In all, 21 elementary school principals and university professors from Shanghai, China spent two weeks visiting various education institutions as part of a visit hosted by the Asia Society and led by Professor Zhang Junhua, Deputy Director of the National Center for Principal Training and Development of the Ministry of Education at East China Normal University.
The tour included stops at Bilingual Buds, a school offering immersive education in both Mandarin Chinese and Spanish, as well as other well-recognized day and boarding schools in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Kentucky.
The Summit school was approached because of its innovative approach to education and the high language outcomes of its students, according to a release. Both attributes were showcased during the delegation's four-hour visit. Elementary students served as hosts by offering tea, distributing gifts, and answering impromptu questions, in Mandarin, of course.
"Our students are our best Ambassadors," New Jersey Director of Bilingual Buds Renee Reyes said. "They were able to make meaningful connections with our guests because they are confident in their language skills and excited to share their school."
The visitors and school officials also discussed ideas for future collaboration opportunities, including curriculum development, teacher training and online learning tools.
School officials plan on returning the favor. According to a release, the founders of Bilingual Buds will travel to Shanghai this June to continue the dialogue about possible partnerships.
A group of educators from China toured several stops during a two-week trip to the U.S., including the Summit school.
A group of Chinese educators recently completed a tour of the United States in an effort to gain insight into the current trends of American independent schools, including best practices and innovative teaching models. Among there stops was Bilingual Buds in Summit.
In all, 21 elementary school principals and university professors from Shanghai, China spent two weeks visiting various education institutions as part of a visit hosted by the Asia Society and led by Professor Zhang Junhua, Deputy Director of the National Center for Principal Training and Development of the Ministry of Education at East China Normal University.
The tour included stops at Bilingual Buds, a school offering immersive education in both Mandarin Chinese and Spanish, as well as other well-recognized day and boarding schools in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Kentucky.
The Summit school was approached because of its innovative approach to education and the high language outcomes of its students, according to a release. Both attributes were showcased during the delegation's four-hour visit. Elementary students served as hosts by offering tea, distributing gifts, and answering impromptu questions, in Mandarin, of course.
"Our students are our best Ambassadors," New Jersey Director of Bilingual Buds Renee Reyes said. "They were able to make meaningful connections with our guests because they are confident in their language skills and excited to share their school."
The visitors and school officials also discussed ideas for future collaboration opportunities, including curriculum development, teacher training and online learning tools.
School officials plan on returning the favor. According to a release, the founders of Bilingual Buds will travel to Shanghai this June to continue the dialogue about possible partnerships.
