AU School of Education Hosts Chinese Educational Delegation
In November, American University's School of Education (SOE) welcomed a distinguished delegation of 52 administrators and high school principals from across China. This collaborative initiative, organized in partnership with the China Education Association for International Exchange School of Education and the Embassy of China in Washington, DC, brought together educators from 11 provinces and municipalities.
SOE faculty members Dr. Jason Snyder, Dr. Sherita Flake, and Dr. Robert Shand provided a comprehensive overview of the US education system, tracing its historical development. SOE student Paige Abbott led a campus tour, offering the delegates a firsthand glimpse of American University's vibrant academic environment.
The event culminated at the Embassy of China, where principals and administrators from U.S. high schools, including those from Florida and California, joined the Chinese delegation. Panel discussions focused on critical topics such as STEM education, teacher preparation, and socioemotional learning, fostering insightful exchanges between American and Chinese educators.
Following closing remarks by the deputy secretary-general of the China Education Association for International Exchange, attendees enjoyed a tour of the embassy and a dinner prepared by the embassy's chef.
Dr. Carolyn Parker, Director of Graduate Teacher Education and Academic Programs at SOE, expressed optimism about the event's potential impact: "I hope this event inspires undergraduate applications from Chinese and US high schools whose representatives attended the afternoon event at the embassy. All attendees I spoke with were incredibly impressed by AU's faculty, students, and programs."
The seminar provided a platform for meaningful discussions on educational practices, innovations, and policies in the US. “The Chinese delegation’s insights and experiences greatly enriched our conversations and fostered a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the educational landscape,” said SOE Dean Cheryl Holcomb-McCoy.
This collaborative endeavor has deepened mutual understanding between the two nations' educational systems, promising to strengthen international connections and educational exchange.
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