Middleton High School Mandarin Teacher Qin Tian was honored with the 2026 Heartland Chinese Teacher Award from the U.S. Heartland China Association (USHCA).
The award recognizes educators for excellence in Chinese language teaching in 21 states across America’s heartland. Selection criteria includes creativity and effectiveness of the class curriculum, the positive impact on students, and contributions to Chinese language learning and culture in the wider community.
Tian has worked in education for more than a decade in China and the United States. Her earlier accolades include being named the 2024 Wisconsin Chinese Language Teacher of the Year and a 2025 Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Teacher Fellowship finalist.
Tian has a strong reputation for making an impact in the classroom and engaging students and community members with field trips and special events outside of class. The video submission for Tian’s nomination includes her students describing the impact she has made in her classroom and beyond.
“We’re thrilled to see Qin earn this well-deserved national recognition,” said Middleton High School Principal Bobbie Reinhart. “She makes a meaningful impact on her students, who describe her as passionate, charismatic and encouraging. She also connects students, staff and our larger community through events she organizes such as the Chinese program’s annual Lunar New Year celebration to share Chinese culture, food and traditions.”
“Receiving this award means a lot to me as a Chinese teacher,” Tian said. “It reflects not only my own efforts, but also the curiosity, dedication, and growth I see in my students every day. Teaching Chinese is more than just language instruction; it’s about sharing culture, building connections, and helping students see the world from a broader perspective. I feel incredibly grateful to be part of a community that values language learning and cultural understanding. This recognition encourages me to continue supporting my students and creating meaningful learning experiences for them.”