This past Saturday, 22 October, as part of our Teacher Training Program, ABC hosted in collaboration with Multiple Intelligences Institute (MII), the first of a series of training seminars on multiple intelligences theory and its implementation in the classroom. A total of 65 educators from 5 migrant schools in Beijing travelled on average 2-2.5 hours to attend the one-day event, which featured an enlightening and engaging two-hour keynote lecture from Professor Zhilong Shen, credited with introducing multiple intelligences theory in China. 

In his speech, Professor Shen gave a short historical overview of multiple intelligences theory and the 9 intelligences it espouses (naturalist, musical, logical-mathematical, existential, interpersonal, bodily-kinetic, linguistic, intrapersonal, spatial).  Here, he commented on how ABC programs are already incorporating the principles of multiple intelligences and bringing them into the schoolrooms.  Rising to his feet at one point, Professor Shen emphasized the importance of complementing traditional education with arts and/or sports – the need to develop all nine of a student’s potential intelligences in order to help them succeed in life.  Specifically, he cited the example of himself – it was his musical intelligence that helped him get into Peking University, not the logical-mathematical intelligence that traditional education shortsightedly focuses on. 

Below is a detailed list of the speakers, their lecture topics and bios.

Professor Zhilong Shen: “Multiple Intelligences Theory and Opening Students’ Potentials”

Special Consultant at MII, Chemistry professor, Arts educator.  Professor Shen graduated from Peking University in 1967. From 1984-1986, he was a Chinese government-sponsored chemistry scholar sent to Liverpool University. Upon returning, he became Head of the Chemistry Department of the School of Environmental Engineering at Beijing Technology and Business University.  In 1999, he translated and published Howard Gardner's  "Multiple Intelligences”, having a great impact on education reform in China.  Since 1994, he has also given more than 300 lectures, at universities in 24 provinces and abroad in the US, to a combined audience of more than 150 thousand listeners.

Since 2002, Professor Shen has published more than ten books including "Experiences at Harvard", "Music in Life", "Gardner, Talent, Multiple Intelligences”, “Rethinking Multiple Intelligences” and “Changing Perspectives”. 

Londi Carbajal: “Multiple Intelligences Theory and Practice”

Special Consultant at MII, Chief Education Officer at Ivy Group.  Londi grew up in Southern California and began her career there.  She has worked in early childhood education since 1968 and possesses a vast expanse of experience.  She came to Beijing in 2005, joining the cause of early childhood education in China. 

Kaitlin Cheng: “Classroom Management”

Kaitlin worked as an oral English teacher at New Oriental School Shanghai for a year. She later joined Elite Learning, a subsidiary company of New Oriental Group, serving as Director of Studies. Kaitlin received her B.A. in English Literature from Fudan University in Shanghai and M.A. in Marketing Communication from Emerson College in Boston.

Sunday 16 October was an eventful day for ABC. 

The afternoon was devoted to our  “A Silent Auction of Migrant Children Artwork” event held at Lanson Place Central Park Residences.  The event highlighted 21 pieces of artwork drawn and painted by migrant students participating in our TALENT Art Program which offers weekly art courses at four migrant schools throughout Beijing.  In addition, free on-site spa treatments were provided by Hummingbird Therapeutic Retreat. Vouchers to Hummingbird Therapeutic Retreat and the Fitness Club of Central Park were also given to winning bidders.

In the evening, ABC was selected as the charitable beneficiary of the October meal hosted by Beijing Foodies at Spice Factory.  Over 80 people attended the dinner featuring an array of mouth-watering dishes including Sonin Law Eggs, Duck and Lychee Salad, and Chicken Peanut Curry.  Jennifer Kim, our Associate Director, was on hand to provide a brief introduction about ABC.  

All proceeds from these two events will go towards continued improvement of our TALENT and DREAM Programs.  We thank everyone who made these two events such great successes for all their dedication and support.  A special thanks for Lanson Place, the British School of Beijing, the Hutong, Yew Chung International School of Beijing, Hummingbird Therapeutic Retreat, and the Fitness Center of Central Park for sponsoring our auction event. Additionally, we would like to thank Beijing Foodies for designating ABC as their charitable beneficiary.

The new US Ambassador to China and a famous Chinese children's author were among the guests at A Bridge for Children International's fundraising event in Beijing in September 2011.

Gary Locke and Zheng Yuanjie gave up time on a rainy Saturday during a holiday weekend to meet some of the migrant children and teenaged orphans we work with and donate materials and books.

US Ambassador Gary Locke (left) and children's author Zheng Yuanjie chat to 10-year-old Shou Tianjing, a pupil at a Beijing migrant school, about his artwork during an ABC fundraising event. (Courtesy of US Embassy, Beijing)

Ambassador Locke and his family and author Zheng Yuanjie (right) take part in an art activity with migrant children (sitting) in Beijing, September 2011. (Courtesy of US Embassy, Beijing)

The ambassador, whose grandfather emigrated from China to the US and whose father was also born in China, arrived in the Chinese capital city a few weeks ago. He was the first Chinese-American Governor and first Chinese-American Commerce Secretary;  he is now the first Chinese-American US Ambassador. He spoke to the youngsters about perseverance and aiming high.

"If you work hard your dreams can come true. You do not have to be born into families with lots of money; many of the most successful and richest people are people who have come from nothing. Believe in yourself and you will succeed."

Ambassador Locke, who worked in his father's grocery store when he was in the state school system in Seattle, added: "You have come from difficult backgrounds, you have overcome difficulties and are now experiencing new challenges and new opportunities. We believe that with the help of A Bridge for Children (ABC) you are well on your way to success. Whatever you want to do, seek to be the best. Have big dreams."

Mr Zheng's books have been read by millions of Chinese people, both adults and children. He also spent a lot of time talking to youngsters at the ABC event.

The author, now in his 50s, dropped out of primary school after four years and joined the army aged 15. At the fundraiser he told a group of teenaged orphans, who live in an ABC foster home, about some of the challenges of his own background and explained that some teachers did not believe in him. He continued to write until finally he began to get published. "Don't give up," he said, jokingly adding that he had lost face ("Wo meiyou mianzi!") when some of the youngsters said they did not know who he was. One of them, 11-year-old migrant school pupil Fan Xiaoming, said she was really happy to be at the event, held at an art gallery in 798 District. She said it was great to "draw and chat and have photographs taken." She said she hoped that "in the future people in all countries can be happy together and not argue." Xiaoming's teacher Yan Cuiping said the children enjoyed the activity. "I hope this kind of event will allow them to express their talent." She added: "We should let them grow up so their eyes are open."

Author Zheng Yuanjie (left) and US Ambassador Gary Locke pose with migrant children and their "Peace" artwork. Some of the art was later given to the US Embassy in Beijing. (Courtesy of US Embassy, Beijing)

Jennifer Kim, ABC's Associate Director, said the event was a huge success in spite of the rain and holiday traffic. "The gallery filled up quickly with past and present volunteers and supporters, as well as those who had only learned of ABC for the first time," she said. "Whether it be high-profile supporters like Ambassador Locke and Mr Zheng or members of the public, all of us there had a certain thing in common --  the desire to help children who are less fortunate."

The fundraiser, called "Out of the Shadows – Bringing Migrant Children’s Artwork Into the Light,” also featured 50 pieces of art by the disadvantaged youngsters, displaying their courage, happiness, hopes and dreams. Some of the work was sold to guests in a silent auction.

The event took place at Tangart Gallery in Beijing's 798 District and was sponsored by Agenda Magazine. Guest speaker Frank Sun -- restaurateur, architect and philanthropist -- talked about the importance of volunteering and philanthropy.

All the money raised will go to our TALENT CAI (才) Program which runs art and sport programs for migrant children with the '4Cs' in mind -  Care, Courage, Confidence and Commitment.

ABC would like to thank all guests as well as cellist Song Zhao, Tangart Gallery,  Art of Wine and Mughal’s Restaurant. Many thanks as well to Kro’s Nest, Hummingbird Retreat Spa, Three Shadows Photography and Crepanini.