修身，齐家，治国，平天下How Chinese Language and Culture Changed a

New Yorker and Can Build NYC's Communities

A Presentation by Morgan A. Jones for The Project for Developing Chinese Language Teachers (DCLT)

New York University's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development

Friday, April 8, 2011

Personal Definition of 修身，齐家，治国，平天下

First learned phrase in graduate school

Start from the inside, end on the outside, repeat

Go from small to big

修身

Interest in foreign language and culture began as a child

Father took Kung Fu

Built up interest in Chinese in High School

修身

Formally took Chinese at Middlebury College at 18 years old

Studied abroad in Beijing in 2002 after two years of intense study

Continued graduate studies at Johns Hopkins University/Nanjing University

齐家

Family a major support from beginning to now

Married in Shanghai

Starting a family intensified language growth

齐家

Became a better worker, especially at my first long term full-time job at Soulfire

Use same motivation during USA move and first job at YMCA

Heavily applies to my current job

治国

March 12 Bus Crash – AP Report

15 Dead, 19 Injured

Community Affairs Unit (CAU) immediate response to set up a Family Assistance Center (FAC)

治国

Translated for victims of the crash

Work with Federal, State, and City Agencies to directly deliver accurate information to families and media (if needed) – Police Commissioner Ray Kelly

Relay all updated info to our unit and perform post-FAC follow-up

治国

Mayor’s Office and city agencies contain an organizational structure under the city’s executive branch of government

High importance of language in city government due to our diverse communities

Build relationships with elected officials and community groups that represent the communities we serve

治国

Chinese community has grown in NYC, particularly in Queens

Chinese is being taught in public schools in NYC

Working with the Chinese community of new Mayoral initiatives

平天下

A goal to strive for

Build a deeper understanding of the communities around you in NYC

平天下

City Government Websites to Check Out:

NYC Government Official Website www.nyc.gov

Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit www.nyc.gov/cau

Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs http://www.nyc.gov/imm

NYC Service (offers volunteer opportunities)www.nycservice.org

Q&A

THANK YOU谢谢