(Photo by Alice Flores)

The CLTA-WA board just held its annual board retreat & June board meeting on June 26, 2016 in Chunman Laoshi’s beautiful house. After the by-laws familiarization and the new member orientation, the CLTA-WA board and its members brainstormed CLTA-WA’s vision & tasks, as well as discussed the next steps in the upcoming 2016-2017. There was also a small PBL workshop in the afternoon. Wu Jing, the presenter, is from the International School of Beijing. She shared the tested and proven very successful authentic PBL that she and her partners made with us.

The whole day went by so fast, but was an absolute blast!

(Photo by Alice Flores)

Last Thursday, Sarah Yao, our Networking & Advocacy Committee member, hosted a hike with CLTA-WA members at Poo Poo Point to celebrate the start of summer. They hit the trail well prepared and paused for taking pictures of beautiful flowers. It was a short steep hike but with big rewards on the top. Everyone enjoyed the breathtaking views on the top! After the good workout, they had lunch in Yea’s Wok, one of the best Chinese restaurants. There was also some good creative discussion about teaching. We can’t wait to try their creations!

There will be more CLTA-WA networking events coming up. Stay tuned for details.

Recipient of “Distinguished Teaching Award”

Dear CLTA-WA community,

I had the immense pleasure and honor today to sit in the 46th Award of Excellence Ceremony today at the University of Washington. Please allow me the great pleasure to share this very exciting news and invite you to join me in extending a big shout out and congratulations to our Board Advisor, Nyan-Ping Bi of the Asian Language and Literature Department at the University of Washington. Bi Laowhi was one of the 7 outstanding recipients of the “Distinguished Teaching Award” recognized and honored at the ceremony today. Recipient of “Distinguished Teaching Award”

When introducing Bi Laoshi to the guests today, the UW provost pointed out that Bi Laoshi’s classes are extremely engaging and she effectively gets her students to learn the Chinese language well, so much so, among her accomplished students, one is now engaged in selling Washington State wine to China! He also shared that students had said that a litmus test of a good teacher is asking if one would want one’s children to be taught by this teacher. Without doubt or reservation, the answer to whether one would choose to have Bi Laoshi as teacher to one’s children is a resounding Yes!

Many of you, like me, have had the good fortune of learning from and being inspired by Bi Laoshi’s expertise and professional excellence in the field of Teaching Chinese as A Foreign Language. We have been gifted by her immense generosity in sharing her wealth of knowledge and skills in pedagogical practices and instructional strategies. We also benefited greatly from her engaging public service in connecting our community with the services and support of the East Asia Center of the University of Washington, in organizing AP workshops, and in serving in the Education Advisory Board of the Confucius Institute of the State of Washington. As one of the principle authors of Integrated Chinese textbook series, and an officer in the AP Chinese Assessment team, Bi Laoshi also personally leads many workshops in local and national conferences as well as hosts webinars for the benefit of the Chinese teaching and learning communities. I am always touched by her energy, expertise, dedication and generosity in sharing and helping teachers of Chinese to advance professional skills, especially in her role as advisor to CLTA-WA.

We, at CLTA-WA, are truly fortunate and proud to have Bi Laoshi as our advisor. We offer our sincere congratulations to Bi Laoshi for her accomplishment and shall draw inspiration from her exemplary role as a Chinese teaching professional and a caring individual with a big heart in the community.

Respectfully sharing,

Chunman Gissing
CLTA-WA Advisor

On Saturday June 4^th 2016 CLTA-WA held its annual general meeting at the Kirkland library. Approximately 30 members enjoyed a half day full of stories, prizes, ideas and laughter.

The AGM started off by a light lunch. CLTA-WA 2015-2016 President, Cheyenne Matthewson, then made an opening presentation and shared the highlights of the past year. After a 5 minute slide show the members were enlightened to a welcome presentation by Xiaofeng Foster, 2016-2017 president. She also proudly announced CLTA-WA’s new Executive and Board members. After a fun raffle section, five CLTA-WA teachers shared great teaching ideas/resource.

It takes countless time and effort to put something like this together so it is important to recognize and thank the board and out advisors. Special thanks to Chunman Gissing and Tracy Ge for donating awesome raffle prizes. As well thanks for the presence of our members today.

Finally CLTA-WA is looking forward to holding the Summer Workshop in August and seeing you there! Keep your eyes open for details in the upcoming months!