Two days and counting...

---

Four teachers, a principal, and one incredible journey. Making final preparations for our trip to China, I don't think any of us can believe our departure date is so quickly approaching! In just two days our team from Jenison Public Schools in Jenison, MI will leave for Fengtai, China (part of greater Beijing). Here we will be teaching a fine arts camp to 28 fourth through sixth grade students of Fengtai First Elementary School.

Let me introduce our team.

Grant Carmichael is our music teacher who teaches at both Bursley Elementary and the Early Childhood Center. With his 6'6" stature and musical prowess, he will no doubt wow the students of Fengtai! Grant has always viewed music as a global language, and this perspective will certainly inform his teaching approach while in Fengtai.

Tobi Hoeker is a third grade teacher at Bauerwood Elementary who will focus on writing. Tobi brings a global perspective to our team and uses everything from classic childrens' literature to yoga to inspire her students!

Jen Tolson is a physical education teacher at Bauerwood Elementary. Jen uses PE to introduce not only traditional sports, but also includes a great deal of team building, strategy, and problem solving in her teaching.

My name is Emily Derusha and I teach visual art at Bursley and Pinewood Elementary. I immensely enjoy not only teaching creativity and the technical aspects of art, but also guiding students to make meaning through their artwork.

Finally, our fearless leader Crystal Morse. Crystal is the principal of Bauerwood Elementary and will be helping guide our team as we adjust to teaching in China. Additionally, Crystal will continue to build relationships with Fengtai First as we-- Jenison Public Schools & Jenison International Academy-- build a long term relationship between our districts.

I feel confident speaking for us all when I write that we feel incredibly blessed to have this opportunity. Simply traveling to China would be incredible, but the fact that we get to teach! What an opportunity! We are so looking forward to seeing the greater Beijing area, interacting with our students and building relationships with the students and teachers of Fengtai alike.

I will be continuing to update you on our travels and adventures throughout this journey. Enjoy!

---

Comments

[Dave Tchozewski]

JPS is Represented by Terrific Educators
Best of travels on your educational journey to China.

[Kathy Keehn]

Good Luck
Have an amazing trip. Looking forward to reading about your adventures.

[Ashley Hankamp]

Very Exciting!
What an exciting opportunity for the Jenison team! I can't wait to hear all about it and see plenty do pictures! Safe Travels!

[Jim Strohmer]

May you catch up on jet lag!
Hi Grant, Thanks for the quick response as I know you were getting ready. I am not sure what your communication arrangements are but would believe you have a i pad or equivalent. I will drop a line anyway. First , I will support all of you through prayer and daily thoughts while you are there. (I do know the time from Emily's blog) Certainly in Beijing you are in the center of the most active city on the world with their 20 million population. Maybe they rank 15-16th? The Chinese people ove their Beijing. I did read Emily's blog post so do know the object and parameters of your trip. A great enterprise to be sure. It should lead to many years of connections with the school there at least. I have dozens of China students that I still correspond with and their teachers. I met many wonderful people there. I also have a director of ELIC that I keep intouch with there in Beijing at the MacClellan Center. The group I was with was the ELIC (English Language Institute for China ) out of San Dimas CA, that has hundreds of teachers both summer and year around teaching in many places in China as well as the far east (Nepal, Mongolia, etc) . It is a non denominational organization with a great support arm. I taught in the city of Changsha in Hunan Province. I'll keep this short to see if you have time to respond as I know how busy they will keep the Americans when they are there on a teaching basis. That zone is a heavy indiustrial area so I hope the air is decent while you are there. Enjoy the food, the people the customs and the children of course. I am sure you have been told of things to be careful about. God be with you each day. Blessings, Jim

[Betsy Price]

So glad that you arrived safely!
Hi JPS travelers! I am so excited for you on this amazing trip. I hope that all goes well and that you bring back some great stories to share with us. A special "hi" to Tobi and Crystal. Be safe and have fun!

[Betsy Price]

So glad that you arrived safely!
Hi JPS travelers! I am so excited for you on this amazing trip. I hope that all goes well and that you bring back some great stories to share with us. A special "hi" to Tobi and Crystal. Be safe and have fun!

[Joyce]

Departure
Emily thanks so much for the update. I'm looking forward to following your blog. I was tracking your flight and was so sorry to see you were delayed but glad the flooding subsided before you got to Beijing! Looking forward to your next post take care and sending everyone my best! Joyce