By Lara Sokoloff

Two teachers will visit Beijing No. 12 during spring break as part of a relationship first forged two summers ago by Head of School Jeanne Huybrechts and President Thomas C. Hudnut.

Math teacher and chair of Upper School Faculty Academic Committee Kent Nealis and science teacher Narae Park will represent Harvard-Westlake in China. Nealis was approached by the Chinese teachers who visited in February, while Park volunteered to participate.

While here, teachers from Beijing No. 12 observed classes and heard lectures from teachers about “Their Approach to AP.”

Park said she and Nealis will be visiting schools in Beijing and Shanghai where they will train teachers, attend seminars and observe classes. They will also meet with the European Union Education Foundation staff to discuss World Leading Schools Association high school curriculum.

Associate Head of School Audrius Barzdukas has piloted the program, working to both bring teachers here and send our representatives there.

“I’m very curious to see how the Chinese education system is different from and similar to ours,” Park said. “It would also be interesting to see how their classroom mirrors their culture. I’m most excited about just observing how differently [their classes] are conducted.”