Greetings From Former Teaching Staff

Mary McKenna Canada, Teacher,1999

I fondly remember the first English Immersion program run by the Peace Club. It was in July, 1999. I came over from Vancouver, Canada to teach and was joined later by Michelle from Wisconsin and other teachers from around China. We were living together by the seaside and buses took us on outings around Zhuhai. The environment was fun and relaxed and students made great progress. While the students learned English, I was learning about life in China and I loved the experience. I sometimes think about the youngest students that came to study English that summer (like 'Sunny') and wonder what they are doing now, almost 10 years later.

When I came back to Zhuhai in 2001, I was impressed with how the school had grown. A lot more students were studying at GLV and the school was attracting students from all over China. The new facilities were great for the teachers and students alike. That summer, I also studied Mandarin at GLV for two weeks along with many other foreigners and I really enjoyed that opportunity. In 1999 and 2001 I met many GLV students who had plans of going abroad to university. Three former students I have been in touch with since leaving GLV have settled in Canada, the U.S. and England. Ally Feng is now living and working in Victoria, BC. Amy Deng is doing an MBA in San Francisco and Mianhua Fan got her accounting designation and lived in London for 8 years (she's now relocating to Malaysia). It was because their ability to communicate in English was always improving during their time at GLV that they did well in universities abroad and subsequently found good employment opportunities there.

Happy 10th anniversary GLV!! I would love to be at the 10th anniversary gathering on Dec. 20th in Zhuhai, but unfortunately, due to work commitments in Canada, I am not able to make it. Enjoy the celebration! I extend my best wishes to the friendly staff at GLV, to Ping and his family, to Gordon and his wife Maureen, and to all the teachers who give their best every day. I look forward to coming back to GLV in the future and seeing everyone.

Michelle Dammon USA, Teacher, 1999

Thanks for your invitation. Unfortunately I won’t be able to attend the celebration, but please send my best regards to everyone there, especially Ping. The only other person I can think of who was a big part of the start up was Ruth Campbell. It sounds like it will be a great party!

BJ Blumenthal Canada, Teacher, 2000

“Congratulations to GLV on 10 years of successful English language training. Over the years I have watched the school grow from a very small language centre to a nationally recognized institution for learning English in Zhuhai and Hangzhou. I wish I could be there to help celebrate this wonderful occasion but am unable to do so as I am overseas. All the best to GLV and I wish the school and everyone associated with it continued success.”

Pingfang Zhang China and USA, Teacher, 2000

I witnessed GLV's early childhood and “salad days”. Now it is in its prime and I am a student again. GLV is a magic place for great teaching and serious learning. I will always remember the freedom I had in my lesson planning and teaching. I am sure the students who we have had will continue to appreciate the opportunities.

Sheryn Smith Canada, Teacher, 2000

Thank you so much for including me in the GLV's 10th Anniversary Party plans. Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend, but surely will celebrate in spirit with you. I worked for the GLV in 2000. The school, at that time, was located in what was formerly a karaoke club. There were a wonderful group of people working there then, Kelly Morine, being one of them. I remember Bruce and his morning feast of “baozi” (Chinese dumplings) that he often brought for us. There were Helen Chen, who worked in the reception area, Denny, Ping's nephew and "go to guy" if you wanted something taken care of. And there was the iron nerved driver of the Toyota van who ferried us back and forth from the Hot Springs resort to the Ningxi office, and my room mates and fellow teachers, Stephanie, Heather and Heather's Mom Rita. I can remember the fanfare around the building of a western toilet at the school and my horror at almost being arrested for having an expired visa. Our graduation ceremonies and talent nights in those days were true experiences! There were so many interesting moments it would take pages to share them all. I came to the GLV a teacher and left there a student. The footprint of my experience and the people who I met during that time remain deeply imprinted on my heart. My very best wishes to all!

Eva Lynne USA, Teacher, 2000

On November 17th 2000, I was lucky to realize a life-long dream by coming to China to teach English at Gateway Language Village. I always brag that I was the 2nd foreign teacher hired, and although this is actually true as far as I know (Kelly being the first in my recollection), this doesn’t really tell the whole story. In the early days, there were so many people who gave freely of their time and energy with no thought of reward or payment. People like Kevin Morton who actually worked another teaching job but volunteered evenings for us so that the Peace Club, (as GLV was first known) would have a foreigner for Chinese club members to talk to. When he was hired, he, along with the rest of us dedicated himself to doing whatever it took to keep GLV running smoothly.

People like Roger Lei and Jimmy Tan, who worked for free and then for small salaries, invested their time and talents in the possible future and success of GLV. People like Sandra Lee, who after working full shifts as a teacher for GLV, would then donate her time to work tirelessly on pulling together a resource library for the teachers, which would thereby benefit the students. This resource library then became part of the GLV model being replicated in the Hangzhou GLV. People like Gina Zhang who began at the front desk and worked her way up to Human Resources Director. People like Pearl Feng who is an amazing teacher that has taught us all so much, and behind the scenes and through her fine example, has made so many people happy to know her and hold her in very high regard. People like my good friend Shon-tiyon Horton who broke the color barrier at GLV and became the first black teacher. He will always be known for his kindness and respect for everyone, and his example of high standards in living and teaching.

As I reflect on this time, these and so many more people come to mind. Of course, some are still with us and some have moved on. Then again, there are others who just keep coming back!

When I think of GLV, I think of a beautiful mosaic. Each person who has contributed to the success therein, has added at least one colorful tile to the total picture. Together these tiles have made the beautiful picture of what you see today and as you stand back to look you can no longer see the individual tiles that were carefully added over the years and all play an important part because you see the proud, full picture, and that is what takes you over.

One such tile that has long since been forgotten, but is such a warm memory, is my friend Joan Tan. Joan was my first introduction to Chinese kindness and friendship. Through Joan I learned so many things. My Joan came to GLV when it was still the Peace Club. She came to the Peace Club a few months before I arrived. She heard we were hiring and she showed up at the front door. Day after day she came back saying she would work for free if she could just be a part of an English environment. She was a young girl and had no work or life experience to share, but her persistent determination got her the job while others, who were degreed and experienced, were refused. I’m not really sure what her job title was and I don't think Joan knew either, but Joan seemed to be asked to do whatever needed to be done and whatever anyone else couldn’t find time to do or want to do. One of Joan’s duties was to look after me - the new teacher - or so I thought, because every day she arrived on my doorstep to walk me to school, and every evening she walked me home. She stayed at my side all day, most days, answered all of my endless questions, and took me to all the places I needed to go. It was not until years later that I learned that Joan was not paid to take care of me. She did this out of the kindness of her heart and perhaps a little curiosity regarding foreigners. All of the foreigners grew to dearly love Joan and she became everyone’s Joan. When she left GLV it would have been a sad day for us all except we were so excited to see this beautiful young Chinese girl further her life.

When I arrived, the Peace Club was holding children’s classes on the weekends. I had been working 3 jobs in the USA. My children were raised and it was time to turn the page and start a new chapter. To come to China and work a mere 20 hours a week was making me crazy so I begged for more work. Ping contracted with local schools and sent me out into the community to local kindergartens and primary schools. At that time there were so few foreigners in Zhuhai. Through all these different ‘outside’ jobs I made amazing Chinese friends who have gone on to be directors of studies, owners, and principals of the schools in and around Zhuhai, Doumen, and Zhongshan, and we remain good friends today.

Over the past 8 years GLV has become the most global workforce in China hiring men and women of all ages and walks of life and from many different countries such as the Philippines, Brazil, Poland, Canada, Kenya, Australia, India, Uzbekistan, USA, England, Ireland as well as from many parts of China. When I came to China, I was coming for one year… last month I passed the 8 year mark. Time has just flown by. There are benefits and draw backs with every job but I would have to say, overall, that GLV has been a blessing in my life. In serving as a teacher in China at GLV, I have been given the opportunity to again become the student of life. In doing so, I have learned so much about myself and others. I have learned valuable things from each of you. Thank you everyone for all your special gifts. I will treasure them always.