2026 - 2027 Heartland Chinese Teacher Award
China is the world’s oldest surviving civilization, and the Chinese language is often credited for its longevity. Today, close to 1.3 billion people, approximately 16% of the world’s population, speak Chinese. In the United States, that number is less than 1%.
Studying Chinese is important not only for gaining a greater understanding and deeper appreciation of Chinese culture but also for building bridges of understanding and friendship between the U.S. and China.
With much appreciation for the many teachers who teach Chinese in the Heartland region, often with few resources, USHCA launched the Heartland Chinese Teacher Award in 2022 to recognize the hard work of those teachers who build cultural bridges through language learning.
The 2026-2027 Heartland Chinese Teacher Award will once again recognize exceptional Chinese language teachers in the 21-state heartland region based on the following criteria:
- Creativity and effectiveness of their curriculum
- Impact on students
- Contribution to Chinese language learning and cultural dissemination in their community.
Nominate a teacher now!
Reflections from USHCA Leaders
“World languages are best taught early, but few American schools make it part of their K-12 curriculum. For this reason, we are proud to honor the teachers who have championed and built successful Chinese language programs at their schools and districts across the heartland region.”
Bob Holden
USHCA Chairman of the Board of Directors
Former Governor of Missouri
“Language is crucial to understanding other cultures. These teachers work hard every day to make this journey exciting and accessible for their students and they demonstrate clearly their passion for being a bridge between the United States and China.”
Susan Thornton
USHCA Vice-Chairman of the Board
“As a Chinese American who grew up in China and came to this country when I was a college student with broken English, I can’t emphasize enough what a special gift these teachers are offering to their students and their community. Learning Chinese will open a world of opportunities to these students.”
Min Fan
USHCA Executive Director