CCHS Social Studies Teacher Part of Delegation of Area Educators to Visit China

Posted november 17, 2011

Colonie Central High School social studies teacher was part of a delegation of area educators traveling to China in November in an effort to further the educational and cultural ties between the two countries.

Erin Lasky joined 18 other educators from several area school district, as well as Capital Region BOCES and Questar III BOCES, on the trip to the Far East. Their goal was to build upon the memorandum of understanding that was reached between Tech Valley High School and Tianjin High School No. 41 in Tianjin, China.

"Before I left for China, one of my students asked me to find out, 'Why are the Chinese students beating us at everything?'" Lasky said. "After my trip, I can say that we both have things to learn. I truly look forward to more Americans being able to see a Chinese school and the dedication of the students and teachers as well as the amazing cultural and historical sites. At the same time, I look forward to more Chinese coming to the United States to see our schools and culture. We learn about ourselves through comparison to others, and a future relationship with a Chinese school will provide us both with the tools to improve our teaching and learning."

This trip came on the heels of last February when Colonie Central High School hosted a delegation of 32 students and four educators from Tianjin High School No. 41 in China, along with their hosts at Tech Valley High School, as part of a week-long visit to the Capital District. The visitors had an opportunity to attend the last class of day with CCHS students – some taking in a music class, others a technology class and still others history and computers classes.

The Chinese came to America because they want to experience the U.S. educational system and see what public schools have to offer. Colonie Central High School was attractive to the group because of its diverse student population and its unique array of Technology courses and college-level offerings that accent project-based learning and foster creativity.

November presented an opportunity for Capital District educators, including Lasky, to reciprocate, traveling to China to witness that country’s educational system firsthand. While there, the American delegation met with educators in Tianjin, Guangzhou and other schools. Visits to the schools and observation of Chinese classes were also on the agenda prior to the delegation’s return to the United States.

Joining Colonie Central High School and Tech Valley High School on the trip included educators from schools in Catskill, Schoharie, Schodack, Schalmont and Cobleskill-Richmondville.

The educational and cultural exchange with China also presented vast potential for things like videoconferencing, Chinese language study, and even teacher and student exchanges.

CCHS Social Studies teacher, Erin Lasky (right), and her colleagues on the trip, meet with Chinese educators and students from the Zengcheng city schools.