Bishop Noll Institute’s Mandarin Chinese teacher, Guijuan “Julie” Niu, has been nominated by the Indiana Chinese Teachers Association as the state’s top high school Chinese teacher for 2014.
“Mrs. Niu is an outstanding teacher, and we are very lucky to have her at Bishop Noll Institute. Our Chinese program is rigorous, and offers our students a unique opportunity to immerse themselves into the Chinese language and culture. I am very proud of Mrs. Niu and thrilled that she is being recognized for her hard work,” principal Craig Stafford said in a May 6th press release by Bishop Noll Institute.
Besides teaching classes full time, Niu also encourages previous Noll graduates as well as current students to participate in contests for speaking and writing Chinese. Fifteen of Mrs. Niu’s Chinese students have won awards for speaking and writing in Chinese, including current students Nick Anglin and Sienna Gonzalez. All of the hard work Mrs. Niu has put in for her students benefit–and continue to benefit–each individual’s education.
“Mrs. Niu really pushed her students to succeed and encouraged them along the way. It was because of her that I was able to be placed in the intermediate Chinese level classes at Valparaiso University and feel confident with my Chinese speaking and listening abilities,” said 2013 valedictorian Tommy Abbott. “Mrs. Niu also gave numerous opportunities outside of the classroom for her students to improve their Chinese, such as the Great Lakes Writing and Speaking competition held at Valpo each year. I learned the importance of hard work and dedication while taking Chinese with Mrs. Niu, which has really helped me in transitioning from high school to college. I don’t think my transition would have been as smooth if it was not for teachers like Mrs. Niu who constantly went above and beyond to educate her students.”
Many current students are using high school Chinese as a stepping stone for college. Two seniors in particular, Daniel King and Sienna Gonzalez, plan to major (or minor) in the Chinese language. Both of these students credit Mrs. Niu for their decision to study Chinese in college.
“I plan to major in international business and minor in Chinese,” senior Daniel King said. “Mrs. Nui is not afraid to push you to do your best, and thanks to her, I’m continuing my Chinese studies at the collegiate level.”
Niu inspired both King and Gonzalez as well as many other current Bishop Noll students. The Chinese program is growing in enrollment every year. Mrs. Nui currently has 39 students enrolled and 3 foreign exchange students from China.
“Taking Chinese throughout high school with Mrs. Niu has prepared me for college by teaching me all about different cultures and customs,” said Gonzalez who is planning to major in Chinese.