Teachers of Critical Languages Program Participant Biographies

Chinese Teachers

Fu Ailing

Fu Ailing is from Shandong, China and holds a Bachelor of Arts in English at Shandong Teachers University. In 2010, she entered Shandong University to study for a Master of Arts Degree in Teaching Chinese to Foreigners as a Second Language. There, she gained both theoretical knowledge and practice in teaching Chinese to foreigners. For almost 10 years, she has been teaching English to various students, acquiring many rich teaching experiences. Ms. Fu is married with a seven-year old daughter. Her hobbies include traveling, dancing and writing. She is interested in Chinese traditional culture and hopes to share this interest with her American students and fellow colleagues. Her purpose for participating in the Teachers of Critical Languages Program is to help students improve their level of Chinese and to enhance the communication between Chinese and Americans.

Hosted by Correia Middle School in CA.

View blogs. View resources. View Photos

Hu Baojie

Hu Baojie is from Ji Yuan, China and holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the English Department of Zheng Zhou University. Since graduating, she has been teaching English in Ji Yuan No. 1 Middle School (8,000 students and 500 teachers). During this time, she has been named one of the top teachers in the school. Ms. Hu has played on her apartment’s female basketball team while at university and also enjoys running, swimming, camping, and doing volunteer work. Her primary objective in participating in the Teachers of Critical Languages Program is to bring Chinese culture to America and to learn advanced American classroom management and teaching methodologies. She looks forward to building lasting relationships based on the friendship and trust that will connect the two cultures.

Hosted by Fine Arts Interdisciplinary Resource (FAIR) Downtown in MN.

View blogs. View resources. View Photos

Tang Beiyi

Tang Beiyi is from Sichuan, China and holds a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Methods of Teaching English from the Department of Education at Sichuan Normal University. Tang has won the First Prize in the National English Teachers' Contest for Skills and Ability. She taught at Mianyang Foreign Languages School from 2001-2007. She has since been teaching English at Huaxi Middle School in Chengdu (4,500 students and 300 teachers). Tang has previously won the National Scholarship for Excellent English Teachers and participated in a Teacher Training Project at Nottingham University, UK, where she had the opportunity to gain experience with current teaching methodologies, critical thinking, communicative language, and the teaching of writing. Ms. Tang has one son who currently studies at the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC). Her hobbies include table-tennis and music. Her goal for participating in the Teachers of Critical Languages Program is to bring innovative Chinese teaching methods to the U.S. and to explore student assessment techniques in the United States.

Hosted by Willmar High School in MN.

View blogs. View resources. View Photos

Yu Bo

Yu Bo is from Beijing, China and holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Language from Capital Normal University of China. He has been teaching English at Beijing No. 4 High School (2,100 students and 150 teachers), one of the most prestigious high schools in China, since 2008. In addition to the English Language courses that he teaches, he conducts elective courses on Chinese Traditional Culture, as well as Beijing Tourism. He believes that family is very important, and in his spare time he enjoys singing, playing traditional instruments, badminton, and traveling. Mr. Yu’s goal for participating in the Teachers of Critical Languages Program is to bring traditional Chinese culture to U.S. classrooms. He is also looking to learn about American teaching methodologies, as well as U.S. customs and traditions, from his new colleagues.

Hosted by Arlington High School in MA.

View blogs. View resources. View Photos

Fan Caiping

Fan Caiping is from Taiyuan, China and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Teaching from Shanxi Teachers’ University in 2006. She has taught English at Taiyuan No. 48 Middle School (3,000 students and 246 teachers). Between 2007 and 2011, Ms. Fan won many prizes in nationwide teaching competitions, which helped her to improve her teaching skills. Her hobbies include watching movies, listening to music, traveling, hosting, giving lectures, reading and playing badminton. Through the Teachers of Critical Languages Program, she hopes to help American students learn about Chinese language and culture. Ms. Fan also wants to explore American techniques in classroom management, student motivation, and student assessment.

Hosted by Niskayuna High School in NY.

View blogs. View resources. View Photos

Qi Ji

Qi Ji is from Shenyang, China and holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Shenyang University Normal College. He has been teaching English to students ages 14-16, for eight years. He is currently teaching at Shenyang Experimental School in the High School Department, which is a top 10 school in Shenyang (6,000 students and 500 teachers). In 2007, Mr. Qi participated in a Teacher Training program called TIPS from which he gained experience in teaching methodologies and became more proficient in course organizing and designing. During the past academic years, he has received several awards. Mr. Qi is married and he enjoys both indoor and outdoor activities in his spare time. His hobbies include playing badminton, photography, and traveling. While participating in the Teachers of Critical Languages Program, he plans to provide both his U.S. and Chinese students with the chance to learn more about the language and culture of each respective nation.

Hosted by Phelps Architechture, Construction and Engineering High School in DC.

View blogs. View resources. View Photos

Zhang Jing

Zhang Jing is from Beijing, China and holds a Master of Arts Degree in Applied Linguistics from the Department of Foreign Languages at Dallan Maritime University. Since receiving her Master of Arts in 2005, she has been teaching English at Beijing Experimental High School (2,800 students and 280 teachers). In the past 6 years, she has participated in several training programs and workshops through the Foreign Affairs Department. Throughout her teaching career, she has actively given lectures, attended seminars, and communicated with colleagues and students with ease. She believes that additional classroom experience will help her to reach her best possible potential as a teacher. Ms. Zhang’s objectives for participating in the Teachers of Critical Languages Program are to incorporate Chinese teaching methods in U.S. classrooms, as well as learn from U.S. teaching methods. She is looking to explore student motivation, classroom management and student assessment techniques in the United States.

Hosted by La Paloma Elementary School in CA.

View blogs. View resources. View Photos

Gao Jinghua

Gao Jinghua is from Beijing, China and holds two Bachelor of Arts Degrees, one in Education from the Faculty of Primary Education, and another in Chinese Language and Literature from the Department of Literature, at Capital Normal University. She has taught English at Beijing Qinghe No. 4 Primary School (930 students and 56 teachers) since 2007. Between 2008 and 2009, Ms. Gao was selected to be an Assistant of Young Pioneer Instructor, which organizes and manages students’ after-class activities. Here, she was able to practice her skills of organization, coordination, and management. Ms. Gao’s hobbies include reading, attending concerts, and reading dramas. Her primary objective for participating in the Teachers of Critical Languages Program is to bring Chinese teaching methods to U.S. classrooms, to introduce Chinese culture to American students and to increase their interest in Chinese language and culture. Ms. Gao also hopes to learn from her colleagues how to motivate students, how to manage classrooms, and how to become an exceptional teacher.

Hosted by Gavilan Peak K-8 School in AZ.

View blogs. View resources. View Photos

Qiong Li

Li Qiong is from Yichang, China and graduated from Three Gorges University with a major in English Teaching and later studied at Wuhan University majoring in English Literature. For over 10 years, she has been teaching in No. 6 Middle School of Yichang, a local key junior middle school. In 2002, she was recommended to take part in the Youth Exchange Program between China and Canada, and she was assigned as the group leader of the Chinese participants; during her stay in Canada, she had the opportunity to improve her skills in cross-cultural communication. Ms. Li has attended many contests for English teaching and has been awarded many prizes including the first prize of the entire province. Additionally, she has received many provincial and national prizes in speech. Ms. Li enjoys traveling and has visited Australia and New Zealand. Her goals for participating in the Teachers of Critical Languages Program are to give Americans a chance to learn more about Chinese culture, and to give Chinese people an opportunity to learn about American culture outside of Hollywood pictures. She hopes to develop a better understanding and friendship between these two nations.

Hosted by Sonoran Trails Middle School in AZ.

View blogs. View resources. View Photos

Li Shumeng

Li Shumeng is from Changchun, China and holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Changchun University. She received her Master of Arts Degree in English Language and Literature from Northeast Normal University in 2006. She has since been teaching at Northeast Normal University’s affiliated middle school (4,526 students and 202 teachers), one of the most respected middle schools in Changchun City. Ms. Li has received a number of awards including first prize for the 7th National Contest in Combining Information Technoloy and Course Unification, as well as Excellent Young Teacher award. Ms. Li has attended several national education training forums over the years. She has also previously done Investigation Trips abroad to both New Zealand and Australia. She is married, and enjoys sports and music. As a teacher with the Teachers of Critical Languages Program, she plans to bring Chinese culture and history to U.S. classrooms, and to explore the U.S. educational system.

Hosted by Cullowhee Valley School in NC.

View blogs. View resources. View Photos

Xiaona Wang

Wang Xiaona is originally from Dalian, China and holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the Foreign Language Institute at Liaoning Normal University. She graduated with honors, and has since been teaching at one of China’s prestigious high schools, Dalian Yuming Senior High (more than 2,000 students and 166 teachers). She has achieved many teaching honors in her career, and is very popular with her students. She enjoys singing, dancing, watching movies and playing table-tennis. Ms. Wang is happily married and has a 6-year-old daughter. As a teacher with the Teachers of Critical Languages Program, she looks forward to teaching Mandarin and Chinese culture in the United States. She is also looking to promote cultural exchange between the two countries.

Hosted by Hopkinton High School in MA.

View blogs. View resources. View Photos

Chen Xiaodi

Chen Xiaodi is from Beijing, China and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Chinese from the Faculty of Arts at Hubei University for Nationalities. She received her M.A. degree in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics from the International Sinology Institute at Shaanxi Normal University in 2008. She has taught Chinese at The International Montessori School of Beijing (370 students and 85 teachers) since 2009. Ms. Chen enjoys playing badminton and dancing. By participating in the Teachers of Critical Languages Program, she hopes to help the students in the U.S. learn the Chinese language and discover more about Chinese culture. She hopes to help build a connection between the U.S. and China, to learn more about American people and culture, and to develop her teaching skills and managerial ability.

Hosted by Walnut Street School in IA.

View blogs. View resources. View Photos

Lu Xin

Lu Xin is from Anshan, China and holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Liaoning Normal University. Mr. Lu has been teaching English at Anshan No. 1 Senior Middle School since 2004 (2,600 students and 259 teachers). He has participated in many essay and lesson planning competitions, which have exposed him to modern teaching theories and methodologies. This has further enhanced his language teaching skills that he is looking to utilize in the U.S. Mr. Lu’s hobbies include Chinese calligraphy, photography, and badminton. He is participating in the Teachers of Critical Languages Program with the intention of bringing Chinese language and culture to U.S. classrooms; he would also like to have the opportunity to learn more about American teaching methodologies, culture, and society.

Hosted by Berkeley High School in SC.

View blogs. View resources. View Photos

Cheng Ye

Cheng Ye is from Changchun, China and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Chinese Literature from Changchun Normal University. She has taught English at Changchun No. 1 Experimental Primary School since 1998. Between 2001 and 2004, Ms. Cheng attended Education Theory Courses to learn current teaching methodologies. Ms. Cheng is married with a four-year old daughter. She enjoys singing, dancing, cooking traditional Chinese food and playing sports. Her goal in participating in the Teachers of Critical Languages Program is to spread Chinese culture in American schools and to extend the teaching of Mandarin to more Americans. Ms. Cheng also hopes to build a bridge for communication between Chinese and American teachers, students, and schools.

Hosted by Discovery School at Reeves Rogers in TN.

View blogs. View resources. View Photos

Zhou Ying

Zhou Ying is from Yingkou, China and holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Shenyang Teacher’s College. She received her Master of Arts Degree in English Education from Bohai University in 2007. Ms. Zhou has been teaching English at Yingkou No.2 Senior High School (2,200 students and 150 teachers) since 1998. During her years of teaching, she has received training in teaching methodologies in the local Teaching and Research Center. She is married with a young son, and her hobbies include martial arts and ping-pong. As a teacher with the Teachers of Critical Languages Program, she intends to help increase the study of Chinese language in schools within the United States and convey the Chinese culture to American people. She also plans to learn more about U.S. teaching methodologies and American culture and society.

Hosted by Mountain Range High School in CO.

View blogs. View resources. View Photos

Arabic Teachers

Ayman Abdelkhalek

Ayman Abdelkhalek is from Monofyia, Egypt and currently lives in the village of Kamshish. He received a license of arts from Monofyia University in 1999 and a post graduate diploma in English Methodology in 2004. He has been working at Kamshish Prep School (650 students and 45 teachers) since 2005. In 2002, he participated in the Communicative Reflective Methodology (CRM) training implemented by AMIDEAST. Through this training, he was able to acquire modern assessment techniques, as well as active methods for teaching language skills. He also received the ICDL certificate in 2009. He is married with two sons and he enjoys chess, swimming and social activities. Mr. Ayman is looking forward to teaching in the United States to help American students enjoy the beauty of the Arabic language and to portray the real image of Arabs. He hopes to acquire more professional development with modern technology for active learning.

Hosted by Central Academy in MI.

View blogs. View resources. View Photos

Mohamed Abdelsamad

Mohamed Abdelsamad is from Samannoud, Egypt and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education. He received a diploma in school management in 1996. He currently teaches at Hellgate High School, Missoula, Montana. He is a member of the Arabic Advisory Council for MCPS. He has collaborated with the University of Montana in some events and conferences. He has participated in many training courses, including TTI at Georgia State University, CRM at Tanta, INSET, INTEL, and ICDL. In 2003, he attended COTE at the American University in Cairo. Mohamed has presented at a number of national conferences about education and CALL. He has also published a number of articles and poems of Egyptian literature. Mr. Mohamed also enjoys writing poetry and novels. As a teacher with the Teachers of Critical Languages Program, he looks forward to enhancing American students’ awareness of the Arabic language and culture.

Hosted by Hellgate High School in MT.

View blogs. View resources. View Photos

Mohamed El-Dwiny

Mohamed El-dwiny is from Damietta, Egypt and holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Damietta Faculty of Education at Mansoura University. Currently, Mr. Mohamed holds 21 classes a week. He has been teaching English at Elshahid Abo Elfadle School in Damietta (385 students and 35 teachers) since 2002. He also works at another educational institution, Elshahid Saad AlAsmar No. 2 (450 students and 50 teachers). He has attended many training courses about teaching strategies and methodologies. Mr. Mohamed has worked as a trainer in the School Team Excellence Awards Program 2, and attended a Level 7 conversation course with AMIDEAST in 2008. His hobbies include reading, searching the internet and teaching. His goals for participating in the Teachers of Critical Languages Program are to promote cultural exchange between the U.S. and Egypt, as well as to improve his English and teaching methods.

Hosted by Safford Engineering and Technology Magnet School in AZ.

View blogs. View resources. View Photos

Kamel Gadallah

Kamel Gadallah is from Zifta, Egypt and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English. He has taught English in several secondary schools in Egypt and worked in Oman for two years, where he taught secondary school students. Kamel is currently a teacher at El Shahid Mukhtar Secondary School for Girls, where he has been for 26 years. In addition to his regular English classes, he tutors students in english on a weekly basis. Mr. Kamel also enjoys playing an active role in the school broadcasting, magazine, and debate committees. Mr. Kamel is an accredited trainer by the Ministry of Education and has participated in several Egyptian national conferences on education. He participates in the TESOL conference every year. He is married with one daughter and two sons, and he enjoys art and reading. As a teacher with the Teachers of Critical Languages Program, he hopes to enhance Arabic language learning in the U.S. and to explore the American educational system.

Hosted by Buckingham Browne & Nichols School in MA.

View blogs. View resources. View Photos

Walaa Habib

Walaa Habib is from Cairo, Egypt and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Language from Al-Alsun Ein Shams University. She previously taught English at the Rajac American School. In 2007, she started teaching at Green Valley School, and in 2008, Ms. Walaa joined a training program at Berlitz, working as an English Language Instructor. She is accredited with a certificate to Teach Arabic as a Foreign Language (CCTAFL). Ms. Walaa’s hobbies include reading, painting and traveling. As a teacher with the Teachers of Critical Languages Program, she will help more students learn Arabic by implementing new and fun methods of teaching and contribute to spreading the learning of the Arabic language in the U.S.

Hosted by Carver K-8 School in CA.

View blogs. View resources. View Photos

Mohamed Hassan

Mohamed Hassan is from Qena, Egypt, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts and Education from the English department at South Valley University in Qena. He also received his vocational diploma in teaching technology in 1999. He has been teaching English at Qus Prep School for Girls (600 students and 40 teachers), a position he has held since 2005. He also teaches Arabic to non-native speakers in a Worldwide Academy in Luxor. Mohamed is married and has 3 children. He is interested in reading, traveling, and browsing the internet. As a teacher with the Teachers of Critical Languages Program, he hopes to get experience in American teaching methodologies and techniques. He also looks forward to learning more about American culture. Finally, he wants to positively reflect the Egyptian culture to his American students in teaching Arabic through mutual understanding.

Hosted by Bell High School in CA.

View blogs. View resources. View Photos

Heba Houzaien

Heba Houzaien is from Cairo, Egypt and holds a Bachelor of Arts and Education from Ain Shams University since 2001. She has taught English since 2003, and is now a teacher at Talae’ El Mostakbal Experimental Language School in Cairo (550 students and 44 teachers). Between 2007 and 2008, Ms. Heba participated in a teacher training program by The Egyptian Ministry of Education, which was held at Strathclyde University in Glasgow, Scotland. Her goal for participating in the Teachers of Critical Languages Program is to bring the Arabic language and culture into U.S. classrooms, as well as to improve her own teaching skills and English language proficiency.

Hosted by Renaissance Academy in UT.

View blogs. View resources. View Photos

Salah Ibrahim

Salah Ibrahim is from Sohag, Egypt and holds a Bachelor of Arts from the Faculty of Arts at Asuit University. He has taught English at Al Shaid Tayar Secondary School for Girls (249 students and 45 teachers) since 2006. In 1998, he traveled to the U.K. where he attended a three month training course for Egyptian teachers at the University of East Anglia. In 2002, he attended a one month training course at Georgia State University for Senior Teachers of English in Atlanta, GA. Mr. Salah is married with one daughter and one son. His hobbies include swimming, traveling, and playing ping pong. Through TCLP, he aims to bring innovative Arabic teaching methods to the US classrooms and learn more about American society and culture.

Hosted by Plymouth Comprehensive High School in WI.

View blogs. View resources. View Photos

Eman Mansour

Eman Mansour is originally from Manalla El-Kobra, Egypt. She holds an Master of Arts Degree in English literature from Ain Shams University’s Women’s College. She has been teaching English for Prep stage at Salah El-Deen Experimental Language School in Mahalla. Throughout the years, she has participated in several language professional development programs for English. Ms. Eman occasionally works as a language trainer at her school, and is also responsible for the English language training unit. She most enjoys reading, meeting new people, and traveling. Through participating in the Teachers of Critical Languages Program, she hopes to teach her students Arabic using the latest teaching trends. She also hopes to better her English and develop on a professional level as a teacher.

Hosted by Pratt Community School in MN.

View blogs. View resources. View Photos

Alshimaa Salama

Alshimaa Salama is from Alexandria, Egypt and holds a Bachelor of Arts in English (Language and Translation section) from Alexandria University. She pursued her postgraduate studies and obtained a number of diplomas in Translation, Applied Linguistics and Education, as well as a professional diploma in Curriculum and Learning Programs. She teaches English at the Elnasr Girl’s College (5,000 students and 785 teachers). Since 1999, Ms. Alshimaa has been responsible for extracurricular activities in her school, has acted as a student mentor, as well as an advisor. She has conducted workshops for her colleagues on methodology, classroom management, and positive attitude. Ms. Alshimaa enjoys reading and walking in her spare time. Her main objective for participating in the Teachers of Critical Languages Program is to introduce U.S. students to the Arabic Language and to the Arab culture, traditions, and customs.

Hosted by Southern Lehigh High School in PA.

View blogs. View resources. View Photos