Journal-News.com

As Heritage Elementary School Principal Marco Pangallo greeted students Tuesday, Nov. 11, visitors at the Lakota district school watched closely.

As part of an exchange program sponsored by The Confucius Institute and the Department of Educational Leadership at Miami University, seven Chinese principals toured several area districts — including Lakota, Mason, Butler Tech and Talawanda — to gain a first-hand view of American schools.

"Through talking with teachers and principals, and through observation, the Chinese principals gained insight into the teaching practices, educational programs, student conduct, extra curricular programs, facilities and how American principals serve as leaders of their schools," said James Burchyett, exchange organizer and Miami University emeritus professor for the department of education leadership.

Observing the interaction between students and Pangallo was intriguing to the Chinese guests.

"In China, we don't do that," said middle school principal Wenlong Shen. However, he may adopt the practice of greeting students in the morning.

"It is very good to develop a relationship with the students and the authority," he said through the translator, Ming Wen, a Miami University student.

Wenlong said there is a lot to be learned from schools in the United States, specifically the advanced class teaching and individual-based education.

While he would have to adapt some of the ideas, he said there are many worth-while teaching methodologies.

"The class is kind of a social market guided," he said of career-based teaching. "The school can translate what the market and society need and they can guide the students in that direction. In China, in this aspect, we are only text book based. You ask students to learn for development, but in China you learn for tests."

Elementary school principal Yifang Wang said the biggest difference between education systems in her country and the United States is the teaching style that is "thought provoking," and individual based.

"They think that (Butler Tech) curriculum is very practical," the translator said. "And they can say the curriculum is very comprehensive. They are very impressed by your vocational education. All the differences between the U.S. and China intrigue them."

Showing the guests all aspects of a principal's day was important to Pangallo, who said he wanted to put himself in their shoes.

"If I was in their country, not knowing the language at all and trying to get a feel for the schools, I would be looking at ideas of what positively impacted the kids," he said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5067 or lhilty@coxohio.com.