Moore Social Studies Department Chair
Participates in Cultural Teaching Experience

Some teachers go to the beach; some go to the mountains or some exotic location; and some even teach summer school. This past summer, Dr. Jerry Frazier Social Studies Department Chair at Moore MST Magnet, went to Qujing, China, to teach college seminars on the western style of teaching. Dr. Frazier was part of a team of teachers and recreation consultants who went over to Qujing as part of the Tyler/Qujing Sister City Cultural Exchange Program.  Dr. Frazier was sent to Qujing Normal University to talk to students and faculty about how to transition from a “teacher centered classroom” to a “student centered classroom.”  Dr. Frazier incorporated some of the Tyler ISD curriculum lesson strategies which included “Five E” teaching model, “SQ3R” (a reading strategy), and classroom discipline strategies.

In an interview about the experience, Dr. Frazier commented, “I thought American classrooms were overcrowded and teachers were overworked until I had the opportunity to talk to some Chinese teachers about their experiences. The teachers I talked to averaged 70 high school students per classroom, worked about 300 days a year, and made about 1,500.00 a month which is the national average for a salary in China. I’ve stopped complaining about my situation since then! 

In addition to his shared teaching experience, Dr. Jerry Frazier was allowed to enjoy some of the Chinese Culture with the U.S. education team.  “The city was wonderful, the people were friendly, and my time spent in China was life changing. I walked on the Great Wall, shopped in Beijing, and ate foods that I could neither pronounce nor begin to explain what they were. Overall it was an experience that I will cherish. I hope to return next year to continue teaching others about the American teaching experience.”

The Cultural Exchange Program with Tyler/Qujing Sister Cities has allowed for two visits to Tyler ISD.  The Moore campus received city officials from Qujing on the first visit a couple of years back and this spring were privileged to receive college education majors preparing to be teachers.

“With Dr. Sun, the V.P. of Qujing Normal University”		“With Some of My Students”
	“On the Great Wall of China”
	University”
“We Look Just Alike, Don’t We?”		“Teaching a College Seminar at Qujing Normal