High School Welcomes New Foreign Exchange Teachers from Egypt and China

Alex Baca, Jacob Boyer, Ashley Zamichieli, and Casey Anthony

October 6, 2012

Ms. Gawdet, a principal at her home school in Egypt, is teaching Arabic at Southern Lehigh this year.

There are two new foreign exchange teachers here at Southern Lehigh High School: Ms. Zhang Lei, who teaches Chinese, and Ms. Hanan Gawdet, who teaches Arabic. This is the third year the school district has provided a new Chinese teacher and the second year for Arabic.

Both teachers applied through one-year programs. Ms. Zhang Lei, from China, is part of a program run by The Confucius Institute. Ms. Hanan Gawdet is from Egypt, and comes to Southern Lehigh as part of the Teachers of Critical Languages Program (TCLP), funded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the U.S. Department of State and administered by American Councils for International Education.

“A lot of other school districts do not have this opportunity,” Mrs. Christine Siegfried, Southern Lehigh High School principal, said. “It’s a great opportunity for us to learn about their cultures, their religions, their educations, and they get to learn about ours. It is beneficial for our students to learn from the exchange teachers about their countries.”

In coming to America the main goal for the foreign exchange teachers is to teach students about each of their respective languages and cultures.

“I want my students to have a good idea of the Muslim people,” Ms. Gawdet said, “[and] I want them to learn about the culture with their eyes, not their ears.”

Arabic and Chinese are not easy languages to learn, and they take time to comprehend. However, Ms. Zhang notes that “the kids are enthusiastic,” which helps make the learning process easier for students and teachers alike.

ZhangLei_WEB — Ms. Zhang is one of two teachers visiting Southern Lehigh this year from China.

There are many differences between classes in Egypt and China and in the United States. The behaviors of students, the smaller class sizes, and the decorated classrooms are all new to the teachers.

Experiencing a new culture can be an exciting experience, but that does not mean that being away from home is any easier.

“They sign up, knowing they’d be committed to being in the United States for one year,” Siegfried said.

Both teachers seem to be enjoying themselves so far.

Ms. Zhang thought at first that it would be difficult, but she is adjusting just fine. “Southern Lehigh is a beautiful place,” she said, “and I am very happy to be here.”

Mrs. Leah Christman, superintendent, is currently hosting both teachers in her home, but the district is looking for families to host the teachers throughout the year. If you or someone you know is interested in hosting either teacher for any time from a month to the full school year, please contact the superintendent’s office at 610-282-3121 or email Mrs. Christman at [email protected].

About the Contributors

Alex Baca, Web Editor

In his senior year as web editor, Alex Baca helped revamp our website and made sure that our online community stayed well-informed on all things Southern Lehigh. Alex joined The Spotlight staff as a freshman; however, he took a break from journalism his sophomore year and rejoined his junior year as a staff reporter.

“I love having informative conversations in the pub lab and interviewing people,” Baca said.

Next year, Baca plans to study cartography, which is the science of drawing maps, at Northampton Community College. He would eventually like to transfer Temple University to accomplish his dream of becoming a cartographer.

Outside of The Spotlight, Baca participated in wrestling for all four years of high school and played football for two years. In his free time, Baca likes to watch television, listen to music, surf the internet, and work out.

“I love [wrestling] and I plan on participating in club wrestling after high school,” he said.

Baca will miss seeing his friends, and his sociology class, but he looks forward to having more free time.

“Freshmen and sophomores, [get ready to] push yourself,” he said. “Juniors, get ready to relax.”

Jacob Boyer, Staff Reporter

Jacob Boyer was a member of the Spotlight staff for four years. Last year, he was video co-editor, and stepped up to become the sole video editor for the Spotlight his senior year. Jacob was also on the swim team and played an influential role on the morning announcements, either designing graphics or serving as director. Jacob will attend Kutztown University where he plans to major in electronic communications. He loves working in media, and pursuing this major will open the door to television news, online journalism, or possibly filmmaking. “I’m going to be completely original here and say that the whole high school experience goes by fast,” Boyer said about his reflection on high school. “It doesn’t seem like that when you’re living it, but once you get to the final weeks of senior year, it all sinks in.” Though four years did go by quickly for Jacob, he says that the best part of high school was allowing himself to be more open to meeting people. He says that making these new connections was one of the most valuable parts of his high school career. Jacob’s future plans are to make it in the movie business, and hopefully creating a film that makes it to theaters. Other than that, he just wants “to go with the flow.” His advice to underclassmen? “Do your work on time, because high school is already a big enough headache without having to owe work to people,” Boyer said. “Oh, and eat your veggies, don’t stay up late, and learn something new everyday.”

Ashley Zamichieli, News and Our World Editor

Ashley Zamichieli has been on the Spotlight staff for four years. Starting as a freshman staff reporter, she progressed to features editor in tenth grade, and in during her junior and senior years, she has served as editor of both the news and the our world pages. Ashley participates in many extracurricular activities. She is a member of National Honor Society, Key Club, Student Forum, and Student Council. She is also manager for the boys volleyball team. Playing on the girls volleyball team proved one of the most memorable aspects of her high school career. “Winning districts in 2013 and making it to state semifinals was an experience I’ll never forget,” she said. Ashley even received an honorable mention in AAA District XI in 2014 for volleyball. Outside of school, Ashley likes to spend her free time running, listening to music, going to the beach, traveling, and watching Netflix. Her favorite shows include “Scandal,” “Friday Night Lights,” and “Parks and Recreation.” Ashley’s favorite memory from high school was her experience in Spain in 2015, and wished the group could have stayed longer than 11 days. "If you get the chance to travel, go!” she said. “It was amazing, and I can’t wait to study abroad in college. Our group was so much fun and it’s something I’ll always look back on.” Ashley’s favorite thing about journalism was having the opportunity to write about things that pushed her out of her comfort zone. “I’ll miss staying after school and working really late on the paper right before publication with Dana, Cody, Kylie, and of course Mrs. Spritzer,”she said. She will also miss seeing familiar faces in the halls and the football and basketball games. But she admits that she will not miss getting up at six in the morning, not being able to have coffee in class, and sitting in freezing classrooms. Ashley has learned many lessons over the last four years, and leaves behind a piece of advice for underclassmen: “Hard work pays off, but don’t let the little things get to you-- and just remember that you’ll get to relax senior year!” In the fall, Ashley will attend Lafayette College in Easton. She plans to major in neuroscience on a pre-med track and is undecided about whether she will go to grad school or medical school. She plans to study abroad in places such as Germany, Switzerland, and England, and hopes to adventure through the rest of Europe too.

Casey Anthony, Editor-in-Chief

Casey Anthony has been a part of the Spotlight staff for all of her four years at Southern Lehigh High School. She was the features editor for her sophomore and junior year, and was promoted to the highest spot, editor-in-chief, for her senior year.

During high school she was a member of the robotics team, National Honor Society, teen counseling, and Key Club, where she was secretary during her senior year.

Following graduation, Casey will attend Juniata College in Huntingdon, PA. She will major in early childhood education and special education.

Casey is very excited about college. “I can’t wait for all the exciting new adventures,” she said. “I’m also really excited to live on my own.”

Although she is very excited to graduate, Casey is sad to be leaving her hometown dance studio behind. She plans to join the dance ensemble at Juniata where she will continue to dance and maybe even choreograph a little.

A random fun fact about Casey is that her favorite animal is a six-legged, long-eared zebra.