By Patrick Bray
DLIFLC Public Affairs
Zhenshuai Liu, a chairperson in the Chinese Mandarin School, is honored as the teacher of the year for 2016 during a ceremony March 23. (Photo by Sal Marullo)
MONTEREY, Calif. – Zhenshuai Liu, a chairperson in the Chinese Mandarin School, is the teacher of the year for 2016 at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center. His success has also earned him the 2017 Allen Griffin Teaching Award, given in May by the Community Foundation of Monterey County to outstanding educators for secondary and post-secondary education.
Liu was recognized for exceeding excellence based upon several criteria.
Liu arranged target-language-only cultural classes to discuss Chinese history, culture and current events in Chinese. He also prepared authentic teaching materials by collecting the most-updated Chinese news and most-current materials for students. He then carefully organized the materials into a recommendation list for reading on a daily basis for students.
From playing games to graphic stories, Liu contributed to students’ motivation through engaging learning activities. His excellent lesson designs inspired one student to comment, “Every class of his is so elaborately prepared that every session is a masterpiece.”
Liu tailored everything he could for his students, including tailored homework, quizzes, and one-on-one activities.
Liu’s professionalism proceeds him as eight out of 12 students graduated with honors or high honors, including the Commandant’s Award.
Liu also received the Army Achievement Medal for Civilian Service.
