NYC Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña to Speak at China Institute Educators Event
NEW YORK, September 29, 2015 – New York City Schools Chancellor, Carmen Fariña, will deliver opening remarks at China Institute’s Educator Open House, the first event for educators in the Institute’s new downtown location, from 4pm this afternoon.
Chancellor Fariña has championed a commitment to respecting and honoring student diversity in New York’s public schools, for example by adding Lunar New Year as a holiday in the public school calendar, and expanding dual-language programming for public elementary, middle and high school students, including in Chinese. Her remarks will address the vital role educators play in cultivating global awareness among their students.
Chancellor Fariña is an inspiring advocate for quality social studies-based education, and is passionate about the power of language and cultural education to connect communities in a unique way. A Brooklyn native and the daughter of Spanish immigrants, Fariña was the only Spanish-speaker in her kindergarten class, and learned English through immersion in school. She became the first member of her family to attend college, and earned three masters degrees.
“We are honored to have Chancellor Fariña opening this event, inspiring New York City educators to recognize the valuable role they have in inspiring the next generation of globally-minded and culturally engaged citizens, core to China Institute’s mission. Our hope is that educators feel supported with information and resources from China Institute,” said Shenzhan Liao, China Institute’s director of education and Dean of the Confucius Institute.
This summer, China Institute opened its new expanded facility in downtown Manhattan, which will allow the Institute to serve more educators, students, and schools in New York City with the addition of six new classrooms, a multi-function room and expanded programming in language and professional development. The Educators Open House welcomes all K-12 educators to experience the new modern space and learn more about the Institute’s programs and resources.
Educators are a key constituency for China Institute, which is chartered by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York as a school of continuing education. The Institute takes an interdisciplinary approach consistent with city, national, and state standards to help educators incorporate the teaching of China in all subjects and grade levels, and in adult education, including Chinese language learning, social studies and the arts.
Through courses, workshops, study tours and the creation of curriculum materials, China Institute’s primary education program, “Teach China,” provides K-12 educators with the means to enhance their knowledge of China. This past academic year, China Institute also offered professional development programs in alignment with the city’s new social studies standards to over 500 educators, and brought Chinese cultural themed workshops to hundreds of New York City public school students at no cost to the school. Over the years, China Institute has also reached out internationally for its education programs. In 2006, China Institute started the first Confucius Institute in New York City to provide professional development for Chinese language teachers in the U.S., partnering with the premier East China Normal University, located in Shanghai, China.
To learn more about China Institute’s program offerings, visit www.chinainstitute.org, and to learn more about the Open House or register to attend, contact Aaron Nicholson by phone at 212-744-8181, x138 or by email at anicholson@chinainstitute.org.
About China Institute:
Founded in 1926 by renowned scholars and educators, including Dr. John Dewey, China Institute is the oldest non-profit organization in America solely dedicated to advancing a deeper understanding of China. The Institute is chartered by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York as a school of continuing education, and its School of Chinese Studies, founded in 1933, is the oldest educational center of its kind in the United States.
Press Contacts:
Aaron Nicholson
212-744-8181, x138
anicholson@chinainstitute.org
