Beijing Royal School Principal Visits Millbrook Magnet High
March 24, 2011 - Wang Guangfa, businessman, philanthropist, educator and the driving force behind the Beijing Royal School of Beijing, China, visited Millbrook Magnet High today. Wang visited classrooms as part of his research on US teaching styles and discussed an possible exchange program with a group of interested students.
 Wang Guangfa with Milllbrook principal Dana King and his translator talk about exchange opportunities with students. |
Audio Podcast This is a 7.5 minute mp3 file |
Click to listen to Wang Guangfa with the help of his translator address the WCPSS students This is a 7 minute mp3 file |
“Mr. Wang came today to look at programs and classrooms at Millbrook,” said principal Dana King. “He’s looking to emulate some of the teaching styles that are happening in the United States. He believes there needs to be some modifications in some of the schools that he operates and he came here to look at our Chinese language class, our Advanced Placement Biology class, and seemed to be very impressed with teaching methodology, student engagement and the resources available to our students.”
Wang visited the Chinese II class taught by Jing Shen and then met with Shen, some of her students, King and other WCPSS administrators.
“For many years, we have accepted exchange students to our campus,” said King. “Typically, we don’t send students abroad during their high school years. In the United States, most recognize that as an activity that happens at the collegiate level. Mr. Wang would like to open that door to high school students.”
Six Millbrook students took part in the discussions with Mr. Wang after expressing an interest in exchange study in China.
Dr. Grant Holley, executive director of the International Distance Education Alliance for the College of Education at NC State University, has visited the Beijing Royal School and believes WCPSS students could benefit from studying abroad.
“I was so impressed with the level of dedication from his teachers and from his students,” said Holley. “I did see eastern principals of learning, but I also saw western pedagogues. They were interacting in such a delicate dance that you could easily see this was going to be one of the next evolutions of education.”
WCPSS students would be able to continue their instruction at the Beijing Royal School, with all instruction in English and the opportunity to take Advanced Placement classes. Students will benefit by being immersed in Chinese culture and language.
“As the relationship between the United State and China begins to cultivate and starts to grow, these kids from the Wake County Public School System will be the bridges,” said Holley. “They’re going to help us go into this next stage. They are going to be the ones that have an understanding of both cultures.”
The students asked Mr. Wang about the length of an exchange, where they would stay and what they would eat. They also asked about opportunities to play sports. Dr. Holley said a number of details remain to be worked out to provide the exchange opportunity.
The Beijing Royal School, regarded as one of Beijing’s top ten educational brands, has earned recognition for combining teaching methods of the East and the West with the goal of educating exceptional students qualified for the world’s best universities.
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