YARMOUTH — As part of an expanded summer education program at North Yarmouth Academy, Yarmouth High School teacher Xiao Chunzhi will stay in Maine a few weeks longer than expected to teach students Chinese before returning to her family in China.

Xiao said she is happy to teach the students at NYA, and is looking forward to the new school and students.

“I want to share more with the students,” she said. “I will introduce as much as I can in one week.”

Xiao was able to teach students at Yarmouth High School through the Teachers of Critical Languages Program. She incorporated music, language, counting, culture and writing in her courses. The students have learned a lot in one year, she said, and she is proud of their efforts.

“I am so honored to be here. Everyone has been so professional, so helpful,” Xiao said. “I will use what I have learned here to teach in China.”

John Jaques, director of summer programs at North Yarmouth Academy, said he is excited to have Xiao share her knowledge with students at NYA.

He said the summer session has expanded to include 35 programs this year, including athletic camps, language programs, study skills and an SAT prep course. In addition to sports and academic offerings, the summer program also focuses on the arts and includes a Shakespeare class, folk music camp and art courses.

Jaques said there is still room to apply for the classes that will take place from June 21 to Aug. 13.

“This is an exciting program with a great selections of unique classes,” Jaques said. “There are classes for students from Kindergarten through grade 12.”

Most classes run in the morning, he said.

“North Yarmouth Academy is a great school and a fun place to learn,” he said. “Historically, the campus has not had a lot of use in the summer. This is a chance to expand the program from five or six courses to 35. We cover all the bases from sports to art to academics.”

Jaques said some of the sports programs, such as tennis and lacrosse, cost about $150 per session, while the “Mom won’t let you go” course is $700. It includes white-water rafting, sea kayaking and target shooting at L.L. Bean. It is just for high school students and is high adventure, he said.

Registration is still open, and interested people can sign up by visiting the North Yarmouth Academy Web site. 

Amy Anderson can be reached at 781-3361 ext. 110 or aanderson@theforecaster.net

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Yarmouth High School senior Evan Dunn, left, practices writing Chinese characters in January with Xiao Chunzhi, the school’s Chinese teacher, who will teach at North Yarmouth Academy from June 21-28 as part of a summer program.

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