Graduate Students Attend International Institute in China

WACO, Texas - Rather than basking on a beach or relaxing at home during spring break 1996, several Baylor University graduate students and faculty in the Department of Educational Administration participated in a 10-day international institute in China and Hong Kong.
The group, led by Dr. James L. Williamson, the Fred Hale Professor of Education and chair of educational administration, visited schools and colleges in Beijing, Xi'an and Hong Kong and delivered professional papers at a seminar for 300 students in teacher education at the Shaanxi Education College in Xi'an. They also attended lectures by scholars at Shaanxi Teachers University in the same city.
The Baylor group was hosted by Beijing Second Foreign Language Institute, the Shaanxi Provincial Education Commission in Xi'an and Hong Kong Baptist University.
An international experience is required of all graduate students seeking degrees in educational administration. The out-of-country experience includes extensive reading and preparation of a comprehensive paper. Inherent in Baylor's program to prepare educational administrators is the belief that school leaders of the future will need to have a world view and understanding of many cultures. The international experience is designed to help students and faculty establish networks with educational and political leaders in various parts of the world.
Among the graduate students in Baylor's educational administration program who participated in the visit were Andreia Foster, teacher in Waco ISD; Glen Teal, teacher at China Springs Middle School; Katina Kelly, teacher at Dean Highland Elementary School; Alfredo Loredo, vice principal of University Middle School; Cheri Tull, principal of Waco Baptist Academy; Nancy Phillips, Director of Special Education in the Corsicana ISD; and Cheryl Clark, specialist in educational technology at WISD.
Other participants included Kim Combs, doctoral student in Baylor's curriculum and instruction department; Dr. Betty Jo Monk, associate professor of educational administration and associate dean of the School of Education; Ann Preston, teacher at Amarillo High School, Kathy Combs of Bend, Ore., and Williamson.
For more information, contact Williamson at (817) 755-3117.