Middleton High School Mandarin teacher Qin Tian has always enjoyed helping people connect through language.
“My interest in teaching Mandarin was sparked by a love for sharing my language and culture with others,” she said. “Teaching gives me the chance to inspire students to explore a whole new world.”
She has earned recognition for her dedication to her students, including the 2024 Wisconsin Chinese Language Teacher of the Year award from the Wisconsin Association of Chinese Language Teachers. She joined Middleton High School after winter break last year.
“Before that, I taught one year at Verona High School and two and a half years at Badger Ridge Middle School in the Verona Area School District,” said Tian, who has worked in education for 13 years in China and the United States.
Tian said it’s rewarding to see her students’ confidence grow and watch them discover how meaningful learning Mandarin can be. She likes teaching at the high school level because of the opportunities for students to get involved and grow outside of the classroom.
“I love how high schoolers can engage in so many exciting events, like our upcoming international trip to Taiwan, our Chicago Chinatown trip in April, the 2026 Chinese speaking contest, and club fundraisers,” she said. “It’s wonderful to help prepare them for the real world through these fun and meaningful experiences.”
She’s excited to connect with her students through these events this school year.
“It’s so rewarding to see students dive into their learning and have fun while gaining real-world experiences,” Tian said. “My goal is to inspire a love for Mandarin and its culture while helping students build confidence and skills they can carry with them beyond school. Teaching is a journey we take together, and I’m grateful to be part of each student’s growth.”
She has advice for younger students considering studying Mandarin: “Stay curious and be patient with yourself.”
“Learning a new language is like opening a door to a whole new world – it takes time, but every little step is worth it,” Tian added. “Have fun with it, don’t be afraid to make mistakes, and enjoy the journey of discovering a beautiful language and culture!”
Check out a short video of Tian sharing a bilingual welcome message in Mandarin and English.