Orlando Charter School Principal Invited to China
Article Submitted by Marilyn McClain
Principal Kongaiju of Aiju Primary School and Principal Smith
By invitation from The International Reading Association, Dr. Barbara McLean-Smith, Principal of Rio Grande Charter School of Excellence in Orlando, FL, attended The People’s Republic of China as a People to People Ambassador for Education and Literacy. Dr. Smith visited three cities; Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai. She also visited six educational institutions to include the Comparative Education Institution at Beijing Normal University, Beijing Language and Culture University, the Experimental Secondary School, affiliated with the Beijing Normal University in Xi’an, the Xi’an Foreign Languages School; the Nansuo Village Primary School and the Aiju Primary School in Shanghai.
There were many similarities between Rio Grande and Aiju, although the Aiju Primary school is much larger with over 1000 students. Primary students ages 3-10 years old attend school for 9 hours each day and may also attend on some Saturdays. All students learn English once they enter school. The focus of the Aiju School is “Green”. The relationship between man and nature is the core of all subjects. Children learn from an early age that the environment must be protected in order to secure a long and healthy life.
Dr. Smith shared information about our reading curriculum and teaching strategies with Aiju’s teachers and principal. The teachers had many questions, all of which had to be interpreted by People to People’s national guide. The students and teachers exhibited their love for learning and talked about their responsibility in the learning process. The learning exchange was invaluable.
“Education is a fundamental cultural value among the people of China supported by their Government”. - Dr. Smith
