University of Pittsburgh
School of Education 5300 Wesley W. Pasvar Hall
Department of Instruction and Learning 230 South Bouquet Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
412-624-7254
Fax: 412-648-7081
April 20, 2011
To Whom It May Concern:
This letter is in support of Yian Ming Rui's application for a teaching position with your school district. During the fall semester of the 2010-2011 academic year, it was my distinct pleasure and privilege to be assigned as Ms. Rui's university supervisor. As the year progressed, I was able to both observe and evaluate Ms. Rui's work in many areas.
To her Chinese classes Ms. Rui brought a true commitment to education, a mature perspective and a warm and caring personality. All of these traits will serve her well in her own classroom. Her university class presentations reflected her creativity as well as her understanding of learning strategies and current methodologies. Through both her class work and assigned projects, Ms. Rui repeatedly demonstrated her love of her chosen profession and a sound grasp of the instructional strategies that are appropriate to the foreign language students. I would also be remiss if I did not mention how receptive she was to constructive criticism. Ms. Rui always strives for excellence.
As a part of Ms. Rui's participation in the Professional Year Program offered by the Department of Instruction and Learning, she was required to complete a full semester of student teaching. Throughout the course of this semester, I watched the personal and professional development of a woman who was truly born to be a teacher. Her high school students benefited from lessons that were totally engaging and adapted to their individual needs. Ms. Rui utilized both whole group and small group instruction in ways that were both meaningful and helpful to her students. Her creativity in designing lessons for her Chinese classes along with her knowledge of pedagogical methods and learning theories set the tone for a classroom where students were encouraged to fully participate in the learning process. Ms. Rui's daily lessons provided numerous opportunities for her students to communicate in the target language. Ms. Rui is to be especially commended for her ability to incorporate culture in her daily lessons. She is able to contrast and compare Chinese and American cultures in ways that are both meaningful and relevant to high school students. There is no doubt that the students liked and respected Ms. Rui. Her classroom management style is one of a firm kindness. She was definitely the teacher and the person in charge. It should also be noted that Ms. Rui's professional relationships with the administration, faculty and staff of Pittsburgh Allderdice School exceeded my expectations. She is, without a doubt, one of the most professional student teachers with whom I have ever worked.
I feel certain that the professional growth and development that I witnessed in her university classes and in her student teaching experience will continue throughout the course of her career. Ms. Rui is an exceptional teacher and will someday be a master teacher. It is my belief that your school district will not only gain a gifted teacher, but one who has the potential to be an educational leader. I urge you to give her application for employment with your school district every consideration.If you require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me at home at 412-823-0428.
Sincerely yours,
M. Renton
Adjunct Professor University of Pittsburgh
Graduate School of Education
Department of Instruction and Learning
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Catherine Aceto
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January 12, 2010
To Whom It May Concern:
This letter is being written to inform anyone with an interest in learning about the Chinese language primarily, but also about Chinese culture, that there is a wonderful native Chinese teacher right here in Pittsburgh named Y. Ming Rui. Of course, if you are not in the Pittsburgh area, Ms. Y. Ming Rui can teach you through her website: www.mingscenter.com. But speaking as someone who has been lucky enough to know her and benefit from her teaching in person, I can say for sure you are in for a treat if you want to take Chinese lessons from her.
My daughter has accelerated her knowledge of the Chinese language immensely just in the last seven months through once-a-week, one-hour lessons with Ming. The learning aides Ming has developed are great, and my daughter recites them from memory all the time.
I am an American, English-speaking mom of a daughter who was born in China. I cannot give her what I feel is her birthright – to learn the language of her ancestors. But Ming has understood our need to fulfill this void, and she has been a wonderful help to us in trying to achieve this goal. I can recommend her in the most heartfelt way to you – whatever your needs and dreams are to learn about China or the Chinese language, Ming will help you get there in a very happy way!
Please feel free to email me at: “mnmulroy@verizon.net” with any questions.
Sincerely,
Marianne Mulroy
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Please read the article about Ming's teaching and Chinese after school programs on 1/15/09 in Tribune Review: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_606939.html.
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April 22, 2009
After sitting in on Ming Rui’s introductory Mandarin classes, I can say what a pleasure it is to be her student, and what a pleasure it is to watch Ming teach. Children in Ming’s care, like my two young daughters, have a wonderful time. Ming’s way of teaching is to approach her first language through rhymes and songs. She opens her language gradually. Exercises, when she uses them, like learning the Pingyin, never feel tedious and are not droned out, but have all the rudiments of music. The children sing their Pingyin. And they remember their rhymes and songs, their alphabet and numbers with so much delight in the new sounds, and in their growing capacity to make them, that they bring them all home and share them. Vignettes about making friends and sailing boats and bumble bees spontaneously come out in their play. How delightful to see children stand in a circle and sing “Head, shoulders, knees and toes” in Mandarin. How delightful to see the children prepare colorful craft projects and treasure their time with her. Ming encourages, challenges gently, and always supports the children’s work. She is a consummate teacher.
Lawrence Wray
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April 25, 2009
I am so very pleased with the progress both of my children have achieved in Ming’s class.
Ming’s style of teaching is very child oriented. She understands how to break down a complex subject – and the study of any language is a complex subject – into components that a child can readily understand.
In addition to other resources, Ming makes use of carefully structured poems, songs and games to give the children a sense of mastery of vocabulary and pronunciation.
What is most impressive is how willingly the children will challenge themselves to try, or even construct, new sentences. Ming makes these new challenges a part of the fun. The children want to please her and never feel overwhelmed.
It took great deal of searching – with a fair amount of trial and error – before I found Ming’s class. Once I found it, however, I knew it was the right one for my family.
Bess Adams
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January 26th, 2009
To Whom It May Concern:
Ming is my shining example of what a teacher can be. Always well prepared, Ming commands attention in the classroom, vigilant with purposeful direction toward a solid language foundation, yet light-hearted and appreciative of her students.Ming consistently presents in such a good humor that her students' feathers are not ruffled when, with well-tempered patience, she directs their attention for the umpteenth time to an overlooked or disregarded fundamental.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Valentino
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March 6th, 2008
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing to recommend Yian Ming Rui as an instructor of Mandarin.
For the past year, Ming has taught my 8-year-old son, and in that time, he has learned quickly, easily, and happily. I attribute this to Ming’s calm, thoughtful instruction.
Ming’s classes always include a variety of carefully selected, age-appropriate activities that engage her students fully and target all 4 skill areas—reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
As a language instructor, myself, I’ve been especially interested to observe her unique approach; as a parent, I’ve been thrilled to see how well it works.
When asked what he enjoys about Ming’s classes, my 8-year-old says, “I like the humor in the class. I also like being able to [use the vocabulary I’ve learned to] make ridiculous sentences like ‘My yellow dog eats my green cat’s apples.’”
With her kindness, knowledge of the subject, and strong teaching skills, Ming is an excellent teacher who has opened up a whole new world to my son. I can’t recommend her highly enough.
Sincerely yours,
Mrs. John Vresilovic, Owner of Edits International and US-China Information
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March 6, 2008
I highly recommend Yian Ming Rui as a Mandarin instructor.
Ming
has been the Mandarin instructor for my children’s homeschool
enrichment group for several years. I have attended her classes weekly
and observed first hand her outstanding knowledge and teaching
abilities. Ming has a special talent for teaching.
Ming has
demonstrated her talents by engaging and challenging students of all
ages, from preschool age to adult, whether new to Mandarin or with
prior experience. Ming’s classes are nothing short of delightful. Her
engaging manner results in students who are enthusiastic about tackling
a language that can be challenging for native English speakers. It is
not uncommon for my children to remark that each successive class is
“the best Chinese class we’ve ever had!”
In fact, Ming’s
engaging style, mastery of the subject matter, thoughtful preparation,
patience and her readiness to understand her students, capture their
interest and encourage their success, has made her one of the most
popular teachers in our group. Ming is one of a handful of teachers in
my experience who has the ability to immediately connect with her
students and make them want to succeed.
Ming likewise is a
person of great integrity, who is devoted to education and the joy of
learning. By reaching out to the community in sharing her knowledge
and enthusiasm with us, she has shown a willingness to use her special
gifts to enrich us all.
Stacey L. Jarrell
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February 14, 2008
To Whom It May Concern,
For a year now, my four year old son and I have been studying
Mandarin with Ming Rui. Other lessons have come and gone. But, his
enthusiasm for Chinese has remained constant. Ming's lessons validate my
educational theories about directed autonomy. (As home educators, we
believe in child-led learning. However, we also believe that some amount
of guidance is appropriate and necessary.) If a subject is presented in
a manner that resonates with a child, the child will be eager to learn.
My son's behavior and attitude towards Mandarin prove this to be true. He
is eager to attend class; practices without coercion; and incorporates his
lessons into undirected play. Over the summer, I often found him in the
garden singing his Pinyin. It was heartening to hear him out in the sun-
shine counting rocks in Mandarin. Sometimes, he would feel ambitious and
test himself by counting in Mandarin, Spanish and English simultaneously.
Finally, one of his favorite games involved standing at his chalkboard and
playing "Mandarin Class."
As an educator, I understand how hard it is for a teacher to
recognize and honor different learning styles. It takes extra thought,
creativity and the desire to connect meaningfully with each individual.
My son is what I call a private learner. He prefers to master material
alone or with me. He doesn't like to make mistakes in public. Since this
is a language class, some amount of speaking in front of other people is
necessary. This should have been enough to make my son never want to
attend class again. However, he thrives in Ming's class because she takes
the time to see my son as an individual. She finds ways for him to feel
courageous enough to speak confidently. It has made a tremendous impact
on him in regards to his ability to speak up in other lessons and classes.
I feel that there are very few master teachers left. By master
teacher, I mean someone who is able to empower a student enough to
instill a passion for the subject. Ming is definitely a master teacher.
Thanks for taking the time to share our experience and enthusiasm
about Ming. We hope your experience with her is as rich and meaningful as
ours.
Sincerely,
Christina Springer
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March 10, 2008
To whom it may concern,
I would like to take this opportunity to express our family's wonderful
learning experience with Ming Rui our children's Mandarin Chinese teacher.
We began classes with Ming in the January of 2007 through an Enrichment
program in Pittsburgh, PA. My children at the time were ages 2&1/2 and 5.
The class she provided was well organized, interesting and engaging. She
instructed the children on tonal sounds via pinyin, taught Chinese
children's poems and songs that provided language exposure in a fun and
rhythmic way and introduced the children to various cultural points
including indigenous foods, all of which was well received by the children.
We have taken two sessions of classes through the Enrichment program and
now have transitioned to an one-hour private session that includes all of
the wonderful structures as the class as well as additional time for
culture crafts. Ming is extremely organized and is very good at creating
lessons plans that are age and level appropriate.
We submit this letter with high regard.
Sincerely,
Binh and Lorie Truong