WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Education Association – America’s largest teachers union – thinks American teachers have something to learn from their Chinese counterparts. So much so, they’re sending a Wisconsin science teacher — to learn Mandarin.

FDLReporter.com reports:

Theisen Middle School science teacher Ted Eischeid is traveling to China this week as a 2014 NEA Foundation Global Learning Fellow.

Eischeid, who teaches eighth grade, was among 32 public school educators chosen as a Global Fellow by the National Education Association. The group will spend a year learning about world issues and sharing ideas.

Eischeid said the teachers will act as global education leaders.

“My experience in China will be all about learning about commonalities between teachers and education,” he said. “As an ambassador I will be bringing all kinds of new knowledge back to my classroom.”

The international field study in China June 20-28 includes visits to schools in Beijing and Xi’an to provide educators with opportunities to observe instruction and interact with Chinese teachers and administrators. It also offer a chance to learn about China’s historical and cultural significance.

Over the course of the year, Eischeid will complete online course work on global competence and country-specific concepts and participate in webinars, Mandarin language learning, professional development workshops and the field study.

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Perhaps the problem with American schools is that they’ve been too focused on politically correct “world issues” and not enough on shoring up their own American foundation.