Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/83243
WE ARE AEA! • WE ARE AEA! • WE ARE AEA! • WE ARE AEA! AEA mEmbEr ViSitS chinESE VocAtionAl School Donna Youdelman, a special education teacher from Tucson, Arizona, visited Beijing Jinsong Vocational High School as an NEA Foundation- Pearson Foundation Global Learning Fellow this past June. The Global Learning Fellows got an up-close look at some aspects of Chinese education. They started the afternoon with a tour of Beijing Jinsong Vocational High School, one of the National Key Schools and a model for vocational education in China. After touring the state-of- the-art facilities, they had a cultural exchange with a selection of the school's faculty and staff. Following the school visit and discussion, they were honored with a presentation from Julia Zhu of Intel, the world leader in computing innovation, to learn about the skills students need to succeed as learners, workers, and citizens in today's global economy. Donna Youdelman works in a district where very few students are able to gain first-hand access to different cultures, but she is excited to be able to incorporate this experience into her special ed curriculum across all subjects. "They will get a chance to learn and see different cultures and experiences in all levels: writing, language, music, and even cooking, enriching them while they are staying at home, which makes them more prepared for the world at large. Sometimes we have to travel outside our towns, and if we're travelling, we need to be aware of different cultures, be aware of what's proper, and how to behave in this global world. The international aspect of the professional development program not only makes school more interesting for students, but also helps teachers prepare them to be successful global citizens." She also remarked on the similarity between Jinsong school and her own state's developing vocational program. "We've recently started vocational education program in Arizona, so students can go into vocational training, and they graduate from high school with a skill, with a certificate, and with the ability to gain employment. It's great because not all students have the capability to go to college, and so it's great because we need to address the needs of all the learners." ✒ lAkE hAVASu EA mEmbEr'S Work honorEd by boArd Marie Hendry, Career Technical Education (CTE), Early Childhood Education, and Rigorous Programs of Study (RPOS) Instructor and Little Knights Preschool Director at Lake Havasu High School, was recently recognized along with her fellow Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) advisors by the Lake Havasu Unified School District governing Board for the work they do. Hendry's students work with the Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), a community service-based national organization focused on family, leadership, and making a difference in the community. This year the group provided free babysitting services for teachers during in-service week, raised money for the Arizona's Children Association Christmas party decorations, adopted Angels of Hope, collected money and donated items for the Humane Society's pet drive, raised funds to attend Phoenix Fashion Week, hosted a free fashion show highlighting garments made by the students, and provided free babysitting for Parents Day Out. In addition, three student 32 Fall 2012 ❘ AEA Advocate members competed at the National FCCLA Conference in Florida this year. Hendry has always wanted to be a teacher and loves working with children. She believes the CTE program provides personal growth and leadership to students. "It brings the relevancy piece for my students. The kids are in the classroom doing and learning about what they have a passion for in life and whether they go to college or into the workforce, these classes prepare them for both worlds after they graduate." ✒