Hui Xu Cheng:
"Bridge Builder" to Chinese culture
"Bridge Builder" to Chinese culture
| Heidi M. Pascual* Publisher & Editor * 2006 Journalist of the Year for the State of Wisconsin (U.S.-SBA) |
“We’re all Chinese teachers so the children will learn firsthand about our rich cultural heritage and see positive Chinese role models
through them. I select the best teachers around!”
When Hui started MHCS, she was the only teacher and had a handful of students, but it didn’t deter her from pursuing her goal: teaching
Chinese children their culture so they won’t lose their Chinese identity even if they grew up in the U.S.
Hui graduated from a teaching university in SuZhou, China in the early ‘80s, taught in China for 10 years, and then taught Chinese
language in England for several years. So it wasn’t surprising that she became a teacher when she moved to Madison, Wis. with her
husband in the latter part of the ‘90s. “Teaching is natural for me,” Hui said, confident that it would always be the case, regardless of place
and time. “And I’m a good teacher.” This fact, plus the minimal fee that she charges enrollees, spread quickly among American parents
with adopted Chinese children that in no time, Hui’s school enrollment got bigger than she alone could handle.
Much to Hui’s surprise, volunteer parents have come forward to help organize and coordinate school activities, as well as give feedback on
improving programs. Many of them, whose children “grew up” in MHCS, have found a “sister” and a “best friend” in Hui, who has developed
curriculum that blends Chinese tradition with the best of American culture.
Perhaps the most visible achievement of MHCS students is their public dance performances. They are frequently invited to perform at
various community events every year, including Celebrating Youth at Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center; International
Adoption Citizenship Day at the Wisconsin State Capitol and at the Henry Vilas Zoo; UW-Madison Chinese New Year at the Memorial
Union Theater; “Call for Peace Drum and Dance Company” performances for Kids for Peace at the Capitol; and the Children’s Art Festival
at the Overture Center for the Arts. Hui provides all the colorful costumes for the dance numbers, directly from the mainland. She doesn’t
take credit for the dance classes, though. “I don’t teach dancing, I have a teacher who teaches dance to the children because I don’t
dance,” Hui laughs, brushing aside her achievement as the choreographer of the local adult Waist Drum Dance and Ribbon Dance
performers (under the Madison Area Chinese Cultural Organization umbrella) during community celebrations at the Overture Center and
elsewhere.
Hui credits the students, the parents and the teachers for the success the MHCS dance classes are reaping today. “They are so
interested and enjoying what they learn,” Hui said, pointing to several photos of her students performing at various Madison events all
memorialized in two big photo albums in her office. “And I’m so proud of them.”
Because of her work at MHCS and how she has helped Chinese children connect to their Chinese heritage, parents honored Hui and
thanked her profusely during the MFCC Chinese New Year celebration last February. In tears, Hui was speechless, unaware of the special
recognition the parents had prepared for her. In addition to a bouquet of flowers, Hui received a framed art work of a girl with stretched
arms toward the sky. The message on the art work, written by a parent who has two children at MHCS, reads: “Dear Hui, This little girl looks
like she could do anything, even fly. She reminds me of you and all you’ve done. Thank you for helping a girl learn to fly. – Dale Wilson”
Indeed, Hui has built a strong foundation for Chinese children in America — to understand their identity, embrace it, hone their potentials,
and soar.
The frame now decorates her office at Keller Williams Realty, a new job that “earns” to support Hui’s “baby,” the MHCS. A top sales
executive who grossed more than $6 million for the company last year, Hui says she has to support her only vice, her school, and the
growing number of Chinese children who seek to be part of the cultural bridge that Hui has started.
In addition to leading MHCS and being a full-time real estate agent, Hui is Madison Area Chinese Community Organization (MACCO)
Program Coordinator; Madison Chinese Waist Drum Team Leader; and Tai Chi Instructor.
More about MHCS:
The two branches now have a total of 60 students. The two classes at Eagle Heights are conducted Mondays and Wednesdays; and
Tuesdays and Thursdays; while the class at Old Sauk Road is held every Saturday morning. There are now adult language classes offered
on Saturdays as well.
Mandarin Chinese is taught in the language classes - with much emphasis on tones and pronunciation. Songs are sung, stories are
read, and characters are written in a fun and relaxed learning environment – at an age when language acquisition is natural and
enjoyable.
Dance classes are active and fun and organized by age. Both traditional and contemporary Chinese dances are practiced and
performed. MHCS dancers have performed at many civic and cultural events in the area.
Art classes are engaging, creative and instructional - and taught by a talented and accomplished Chinese artist. Students improve
their artistic skills and create artworks suitable for framing.
MHCS attempts to keep school costs as low as possible. It is an informal, not-for-profit organization and rely heavily on volunteers to do
much of the planning and organizing. All classes at this time cost $55 per student, per session. Book and costume fees may also be added
during some sessions.
Tuition assistance may be available for children’s classes. Costume and book fees cannot be waived. There is a place to request
financial assistance on the registration form.
For more information about MHCS, contact Ruth Mueller at 608-832-1520, or by email at madisonhopechineseschool@gmail.com
through them. I select the best teachers around!”
When Hui started MHCS, she was the only teacher and had a handful of students, but it didn’t deter her from pursuing her goal: teaching
Chinese children their culture so they won’t lose their Chinese identity even if they grew up in the U.S.
Hui graduated from a teaching university in SuZhou, China in the early ‘80s, taught in China for 10 years, and then taught Chinese
language in England for several years. So it wasn’t surprising that she became a teacher when she moved to Madison, Wis. with her
husband in the latter part of the ‘90s. “Teaching is natural for me,” Hui said, confident that it would always be the case, regardless of place
and time. “And I’m a good teacher.” This fact, plus the minimal fee that she charges enrollees, spread quickly among American parents
with adopted Chinese children that in no time, Hui’s school enrollment got bigger than she alone could handle.
Much to Hui’s surprise, volunteer parents have come forward to help organize and coordinate school activities, as well as give feedback on
improving programs. Many of them, whose children “grew up” in MHCS, have found a “sister” and a “best friend” in Hui, who has developed
curriculum that blends Chinese tradition with the best of American culture.
Perhaps the most visible achievement of MHCS students is their public dance performances. They are frequently invited to perform at
various community events every year, including Celebrating Youth at Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center; International
Adoption Citizenship Day at the Wisconsin State Capitol and at the Henry Vilas Zoo; UW-Madison Chinese New Year at the Memorial
Union Theater; “Call for Peace Drum and Dance Company” performances for Kids for Peace at the Capitol; and the Children’s Art Festival
at the Overture Center for the Arts. Hui provides all the colorful costumes for the dance numbers, directly from the mainland. She doesn’t
take credit for the dance classes, though. “I don’t teach dancing, I have a teacher who teaches dance to the children because I don’t
dance,” Hui laughs, brushing aside her achievement as the choreographer of the local adult Waist Drum Dance and Ribbon Dance
performers (under the Madison Area Chinese Cultural Organization umbrella) during community celebrations at the Overture Center and
elsewhere.
Hui credits the students, the parents and the teachers for the success the MHCS dance classes are reaping today. “They are so
interested and enjoying what they learn,” Hui said, pointing to several photos of her students performing at various Madison events all
memorialized in two big photo albums in her office. “And I’m so proud of them.”
Because of her work at MHCS and how she has helped Chinese children connect to their Chinese heritage, parents honored Hui and
thanked her profusely during the MFCC Chinese New Year celebration last February. In tears, Hui was speechless, unaware of the special
recognition the parents had prepared for her. In addition to a bouquet of flowers, Hui received a framed art work of a girl with stretched
arms toward the sky. The message on the art work, written by a parent who has two children at MHCS, reads: “Dear Hui, This little girl looks
like she could do anything, even fly. She reminds me of you and all you’ve done. Thank you for helping a girl learn to fly. – Dale Wilson”
Indeed, Hui has built a strong foundation for Chinese children in America — to understand their identity, embrace it, hone their potentials,
and soar.
The frame now decorates her office at Keller Williams Realty, a new job that “earns” to support Hui’s “baby,” the MHCS. A top sales
executive who grossed more than $6 million for the company last year, Hui says she has to support her only vice, her school, and the
growing number of Chinese children who seek to be part of the cultural bridge that Hui has started.
In addition to leading MHCS and being a full-time real estate agent, Hui is Madison Area Chinese Community Organization (MACCO)
Program Coordinator; Madison Chinese Waist Drum Team Leader; and Tai Chi Instructor.
More about MHCS:
The two branches now have a total of 60 students. The two classes at Eagle Heights are conducted Mondays and Wednesdays; and
Tuesdays and Thursdays; while the class at Old Sauk Road is held every Saturday morning. There are now adult language classes offered
on Saturdays as well.
Mandarin Chinese is taught in the language classes - with much emphasis on tones and pronunciation. Songs are sung, stories are
read, and characters are written in a fun and relaxed learning environment – at an age when language acquisition is natural and
enjoyable.
Dance classes are active and fun and organized by age. Both traditional and contemporary Chinese dances are practiced and
performed. MHCS dancers have performed at many civic and cultural events in the area.
Art classes are engaging, creative and instructional - and taught by a talented and accomplished Chinese artist. Students improve
their artistic skills and create artworks suitable for framing.
MHCS attempts to keep school costs as low as possible. It is an informal, not-for-profit organization and rely heavily on volunteers to do
much of the planning and organizing. All classes at this time cost $55 per student, per session. Book and costume fees may also be added
during some sessions.
Tuition assistance may be available for children’s classes. Costume and book fees cannot be waived. There is a place to request
financial assistance on the registration form.
For more information about MHCS, contact Ruth Mueller at 608-832-1520, or by email at madisonhopechineseschool@gmail.com
by Heidi M. Pascual
“Tell me and I’ll forget; show me and I may
remember; involve me and I will understand.”—
Chinese Proverb
Hui Xu Cheng applies this proverb regularly as
she teaches adopted Chinese children who attend
the not-for-profit Madison Hope Chinese School
(MHCS), a school that she founded as soon as she
settled in Madison in 1998. For almost a decade
now, Hui has been working with them and their
American parents in getting involved in
educational activities that provide a deep
understanding and love of the Chinese culture.
“We teach children Chinese language and arts,”
Hui said in a recent interview with Asian
Wisconzine. “We want them to grow up
understanding their original culture.” “We” refers to
Hui and other instructors who joined Hui when the
school, which originally held classes in Eagle
Heights Community Center, had expanded to Old
Sauk Road.
“Tell me and I’ll forget; show me and I may
remember; involve me and I will understand.”—
Chinese Proverb
Hui Xu Cheng applies this proverb regularly as
she teaches adopted Chinese children who attend
the not-for-profit Madison Hope Chinese School
(MHCS), a school that she founded as soon as she
settled in Madison in 1998. For almost a decade
now, Hui has been working with them and their
American parents in getting involved in
educational activities that provide a deep
understanding and love of the Chinese culture.
“We teach children Chinese language and arts,”
Hui said in a recent interview with Asian
Wisconzine. “We want them to grow up
understanding their original culture.” “We” refers to
Hui and other instructors who joined Hui when the
school, which originally held classes in Eagle
Heights Community Center, had expanded to Old
Sauk Road.
| (Clockwise from above) Hui Xu Cheng; Hui with her first class at Eagle Heights Community Center in Summer 1999; (Below) with a group of adopted Chinese children and Joy Chen at the State Capitol in 2001 during the International Citizenship Adoption Day |
