A warm welcome (03/03/2009)

"This is really a great experience for our communities," Jay Schools superintendent Tim Long said Monday evening as he welcomed two Chinese school administrators to east central Indiana.

About 60 people were on hand for a reception on behalf of He Yuchun and Du Naiqui, school principals from Anshan, China, who are now visiting Jay and Delaware counties.

They have already toured four area schools, including Jay County High School.

Long, Muncie Southside principal Becky Thompson, and six other U.S. school administrators will visit China in April as part of the exchange, which is sponsored by China Exchange Initiative.

Thompson said her educational philosophy was shaped by her own experiences as an exchange student in her youth. "It changed my life," she said. "We have to be ready to compete globally."

Du said this is her first visit to the U.S.

"I will share my experiences in America after I go back to China," she said.

"American people are sincere and enthusiastic," said He. "In April, they are coming to China, and I want to treat them as well as I can."[[In-content Ad]]