An exchange teacher arriving in Maine in August, Lixian Yang of Beijing, China, sent an e-mail home to surprise friends.
“Now I’m in South China,” Yang, 31, wrote from Erskine Academy in China, Maine. “And they didn’t believe me.”
Yang, a high school English teacher in Beijing, recently visited Narragansett School in Gorham, where he’ll be an exchange teacher after February vacation. He’s recently been at Lakes Region High School. His first day at Narragansett School will be Monday, Feb. 26.
“I love Maine, a very beautiful place,” said Yang, who will live with a Gorham family.
Polly Brann, assistant principal at Narragansett School, said Yang would be sharing his time in Gorham with the middle and high schools. His stay in Gorham will be an opportunity for students to hear Chinese songs and fables, which he has translated into English.
Brann, who will serve as his mentor at Narragansett School, said Yang can teach Gorham students and teachers alike about traditional Chinese music instruments in addition to Chinese symbols, food, politics and health care in China. “I think he’ll be fantastic,” Brann said.
But the Gorham stay will be a learning experience for Yang, too. Brann said Yang is interested to learn how teachers here teach English and sharpen his language skills.
He’s interested in history, music and the English language. Brann said Yang would be invited to meet with a parents’ group.
He’ll participate in the Chinese New Year celebration Sunday in Portland. Yang also plans to visit New York this spring. Brann said winter in Maine would afford Yang some new experiences, like skiing.
Yang underestimated the cold of a Maine winter. Commenting on the recent icy blast, he said he didn’t bring along enough warm clothes.
Brann hopes the Gorham community would reach out to help support Yang, who doesn’t earn a salary while on his mission to the United States. Narragansett School will pay for his lunches at school.
“He has no income,” Brann said.
Gorham High School also has an exchange teacher, who is at the school for three weeks. Principal John Drisko said Naengnoi Yongchooyot – she’s called Noi – is from Phuket, which is the biggest island in the southern part of Thailand. “Noi has taught English full time at the secondary level for 30 years,” Drisko said.
Drisko said she is excited to be at the high school because her experience so far had been at the elementary level.
“We have had exchange teachers visit for a few days but not for three weeks, as in this case,” Drisko said.
Yang and Yongchooyot came to Gorham through efforts of American Field Service, an agency that arranges visits for students and teaches from other countries. Gorham has participated in the teacher exchange program in recent years.
Brann said a state theme for educators is to prepare students for the 21st century.
“That’s the direction we’re going,” Brann said. “It’s global literacy we’re looking for.”
Cutline (China teacher) . Send questions/comments to the editors.
