Chinese Exchange Teacher Needs A Home For Final Stretch Of Three-Year Visit

By Eliza Hallabeck

Newtown High School foreign exchange teacher Ding Hong, who is about to enter the third year of his visit to the Unite States, is looking for a host family or families for the next school year.

Since arriving in August 2009 to teach the Chinese language program at the high school during the 2009-10 school year, Mr Ding has worked with Newtown’s China Initiative and more.

“He has been just incredible in terms of sharing the language and culture with not just our school, but with the district,” said NHS Assistant Principal Jason Hiruo.

Mr Ding said this week that he has both enjoyed and learned from his past host family experiences, and that he hopes to continue learning from others in the community.

“I think Newtown is a good place, and I really enjoy working here,” said Mr Ding, who most recently has been staying with NHS physical education teacher Kathleen Davey’s family.

“It’s been a wonderful experience for all of us,” said Mrs Davey this week.

Mrs Davey has also been supportive of the high school’s China Initiative since its inception.

“I believe in the program, what it is doing for Newtown and for the community in general,” said Mrs Davey.

While Mrs Davey said she volunteered her home for Mr Ding in support of the high school’s Chinese language program, it was also a “selfish decision” to bring the experience of Chinese culture home to her family. Mrs Davey said her daughter, Kai-li, now 10 years old, was born in China, and the family tries to experience the culture as much as possible.

In order for Mr Ding to gain experiences himself, he lives with different families through the exchange program. During his first year at the school Mr Ding stayed with the Brown family, Carole and James and their two sons, Canaan and Colby.

During his time with the Daveys, Mr Ding became a member of the family, according to Mrs Davey.

“He just does what a family member is supposed to do,” Mrs Davey said.

To any family thinking of hosting Mr Ding for the next or part of the next school year, Mrs Davey said she would do it again in a heartbeat without questioning the decision.

The exchange teacher has high hopes for the coming year and many things he would like to accomplish, he said.

Mr Ding said he wants any interested host families to know that he will also share his knowledge of Chinese culture with the family he stays with, along with interacting with the family on a day-to-day basis.

“I will become part of the family,” said Mr Ding, “and will be involved with everything in the family.”

Mr Ding’s time in Newtown is covered through the Hanban-Asia Society Confucius Classrooms Network and the College Board, according to Mr Hiruo, and is limited to three years.

Any families interested in hosting Mr Ding can contact Mr Hirou at hiruoj@newtown.k12.ct.us.