HEARTLAND CHINESE TEACHER AWARD CELEBRATES TEACHERS AND BRIDGES CULTURES FOR ITS FOURTH YEAR
February 28th, 2026
The U.S. Heartland China Association (USHCA) is proud to once again present the Heartland Chinese Teacher Award in recognition of the many extraordinary and dedicated Chinese language teachers in our region. Ten outstanding Finalists, and 5 Award Recipients were honored during a special virtual Ceremony on February 28th at 11:00 am CT. Watch Below.
In 2022, USHCA launched the Heartland Chinese Teacher Award to recognize excellence in Chinese language teaching in our region, and the many educators who have built cultural bridges through language learning. These teachers, often working with limited resources, are critical to developing the next generation of global leaders.
While this award is foremost about celebrating the significant contributions of Chinese language teachers, it is also meant to raise awareness for the broader significance of world language education in the context of the U.S.-China relations. Approximately 16% of the world’s population speak Chinese. In the U.S. that number is less than 1%. It is imperative we continue to invest in Chinese language learning to promote cross-culture understanding, respect, and collaboration.
Over the past four years, this award program has garnered significant community support, and been met with incredible enthusiasm from teachers, students, parents, and local leaders alike. Award recipients have expressed their own appreciation, emphasizing how meaningful it is to have their dedication acknowledged.
This year, USHCA received nominations from 17 cities across 14 Heartland states. The Selection Committee included past awardees, such as Yan Wang, who teaches at Dixie Magnet Elementary School in Lexington, Kentucky and Dr. Xinying Alpha Zhang, Applied Assistant Professor of Chinese at the University of Tulsa. Each nominee was assessed based on 3 main criteria: effectiveness of instruction, impact on students, and contributions to the community.
2025-2026 Heartland Chinese Teacher Award Recipients
*Listed in alphabetical order by last name
Jing (Jean) Chen
Sunrise Christian Academy
Bel Aire, Kansas
Jean Chen is a Pre K–5 Chinese language teacher at Sunrise Christian Academy, a nationally ranked basketball powerhouse and a Christian private school in Bel Aire, Kansas. She believes children learn through meaningful examples and creates an immersive language environment that blends arts, music, and games. Chen leads hands-on programs such as an annual Chinese food shop and a Chinese New Year celebration, fostering cultural appreciation and practical language use. Her classes have produced over hundreds of bilingual Chinese–English children’s books. She coordinates Sunrise’s international student program, offering care and support to international students and their families. In addition to classroom work, she contributes to the local community through Chinese calligraphy and charitable Chinese New Year dinner auctions.
Chunmei Guan
Logansport High School
Logansport, Indiana
Chunmei Guan, 关春梅, taught Mandarin Chinese for about 20 years in Elementary, High schools, Universities and weekend Chinese School in the USA. She is the current Mandarin Chinese teacher at Logansport High School, Logansport, Indiana and teaches Chinese I, II and IV with the Dual Credit Chinese Program. She is also sponsoring Chinese, Global Ambassadors, Society of Asian Culture and Ping Pong Clubs besides the Advisor of Logansport Chapter of National Chinese Honor Society. She received Chinese Teacher of the Year Award by CLTA-IN in 2016 & 2023, the Pillar Award of Logansport Community School Corporation in 2022, the Teacher of Year Award by IFLTA in 2023, Minority Educator of the Year Award by ISTA in 2024, the Regional Teacher of the Year Finalist by CSCTFL in 2025 and the Global Learning Fellow Cohort 2026 by NEA. And she is serving as a Planning Committee member of LAD since 2023 organized by JNCL-NCLIS, Advocacy Committee Member of IFLTA, NNELL and CLTA. She is the Board Member of CLTA from 2024 to 2027 and the leader of the K12 Committee and K12 Classroom and Methodology SIG, ACTFL LILL Cohort 4 member, Member of NCSSFL, and was one of the Lead Contributors to Cheng & Tsui’s textbook series, Go Far with Chinese.
Qin Tian
Middleton High School
Madison, Wisconsin
Qin Tian is a high school Mandarin teacher at Middleton High School in Middleton, Wisconsin. With over 13 years of experience in education, she has taught students at all levels, from entry-level Mandarin through AP Chinese. Her students consistently demonstrate excellence in both academic achievement and language proficiency. In the past years, her heritage learners have earned Second Place honors, while her non-heritage students have earned First and Second Place awards in speaking contests at state-level competitions.
Beyond academic success, Qin is deeply committed to enriching her students’ learning experiences through authentic cultural engagement. She collaborates with the University of Wisconsin–Madison Department of Asian Languages and Cultures and partners with the Chinese American Museum of Chicago to provide students with meaningful, real-world connections to Chinese language and culture. Qin is the 2024 Wisconsin Chinese Language Teacher of the Year and a 2025 Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Teacher Fellowship finalist. She is dedicated to empowering every student to succeed and preparing them to become confident, globally minded citizens.
Hong Yan
AXIS International Academy / Huaxing Chinese Sunday School
Fort Collins, Colorado
Hong is a dedicated founding Chinese language teacher at AXIS International Academy, where she teaches PreK through 5th grade and helped build the school’s Chinese program from its inception. She serves as Chair of the Chinese Sunday School Board and used to teach 6th grade through Pre-AP classes in Chinese Sunday School. Hong is passionate about building strong connections. She creates meaningful opportunities for students and families to engage with Chinese language and culture through adult Chinese classes, Sunday School, and community programs. Her professional journey—from university teaching to elementary education, and from teacher-centered to student-centered learning—demonstrates her ability to adapt instruction to diverse student needs. Hong is also committed to leadership and collaboration, she supports colleagues through mentoring and team leadership. She fosters curiosity, confidence, and cultural understanding, and her enthusiasm for education continues to positively impact both her school and the broader community.
Ying Zhang
Montgomery Bell Academy
Nashville, Tennessee
Ying Zhang is an award-winning Chinese language educator with over 15 years of experience fostering student engagement through language, culture, and community connection. At Montgomery Bell Academy, she has built a nationally recognized Chinese program known for strong proficiency outcomes and meaningful intercultural experiences. Named the 2023 CLASS Teacher of the Year, Zhang is especially passionate about bringing learning beyond the classroom. She has established long-standing exchange partnerships with schools in Beijing, Shanghai, Xiamen, and Hsinchu, leads student travel programs, and organizes host-family and cultural events that connect students, families, and the wider community. An AP Chinese Exam Reader and frequent ACTFL presenter, Zhang believes deeply in using language education to build bridges and connect hands and hearts across cultures.
About USHCA
Through organizing people-to-people exchanges in culture, education, and business; USHCA, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, promotes a stable and productive U.S.-China relationship to protect and advance the interests of the American Heartland community.
Want to be involved in next year's Heartland Chinese Teacher Award?
Visit our HCTA webpage to become a partner, sponsor, or to nominate a teacher in your community.