Shi Gendong wrote this essay in response to the topic "Even Laureates Were Beginners Once: Lessons Learned Along the Way," which was the title of the Laureate Panel at the Kappa Delta Pi Convocation in October 2017.

The themes of adult learning, cross-cultural learning, and transformative learning are common to many continuing educators working at universities across Canada. In this essay, I narrate my experiences as a mature, adult learner returning to university. Following a literature review and discussion of methodology, I begin this autobiographical…

Compares backgrounds and aspirations of teachers in China with teachers in America. Concludes that Chinese teachers generally come from less privileged backgrounds and are less likely to make teaching a lifelong career. Urges both Chinese and American policy makers to revise policies and practices in order to recruit and retain qualified teachers.…

Reviews achievements of Asian Americans in higher education, the importance of family in the drive to succeed, attitudes toward education, Asian American predominance in technical fields, and some stereotypes about Asian Americans. Also discusses comparative studies of Asian and American newborns and Asian and American childrearing. (CMG)