From June 24 to June 27, 2024, educators from diverse backgrounds and regions participated in the virtual East Asia Summer Institute for Middle School Teachers, hosted by the Stanford Program on International and Cross-Cultural Education (SPICE) in collaboration with the National Consortium for Teaching about Asia (NCTA). Designed specifically for middle school teachers, this year’s institute provided an overview of East Asian geography, cultures, religions, history, literature, and arts, as well as an introduction to the Asian diaspora in the United States and the diversity of the Asian American experience.

The four-day institute featured daily synchronous sessions with lectures from distinguished guest speakers, curriculum demonstrations from SPICE staff, and small group discussions, all designed to deepen participants’ understanding of East Asia and the Asian American experience, equip them with valuable instructional materials, and foster a community of learners committed to integrating Asian and Asian American studies into their curricula. Throughout the institute, participants also completed pre-assigned readings, shared resources, and contributed to collaborative discussions.

The agenda for each day featured insightful presentations as well as hands-on activities. The first day focused on the Silk Road and featured a guest lecture from Dr. Clayton Dube of the University of Southern California and a curriculum demonstration on the Silk Road by SPICE’s Naomi Funahashi and Rylan Sekiguchi.

The second day focused on religions and philosophies of East Asia, with a presentation by Dr. Julia Cross from Stanford University, followed by a curriculum demonstration of the SPICE curriculum unit Religions and Philosophies in China: Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism by SPICE’s Jonas Edman.

On the third day, attendees delved into Japan during the feudal period, starting with a lecture on Tokugawa Japan by Dr. Ethan Segal of Michigan State University. Karen Tiegel, Middle School Division Head at The Nueva School, then led a curriculum demonstration on the SPICE curriculum unit, Japanese Art in the Edo Period, which was followed by a group discussion.

The final day, titled “Asian Voices and Asian American Experiences,” featured a panel of authors—SPICE’s Waka T. Brown, Van Hoang, and Takami Nieda—who shared their perspectives on Asian and Asian American narratives and identities. The day concluded with a SPICE resource-sharing session, covering curricular titles such as Angel Island, Chinese American Voices, and the Chinese Railroad Workers in North America Project.

At the end of the institute, each participant developed and shared an original lesson plan inspired by the knowledge and resources gained throughout the seminar.

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SPICE’s collaboration with the NCTA is one of several teacher professional development seminars that SPICE offers. 

These moments are now treasured because they were instrumental in forming our close-knit cohort, cult . . . I mean, family . . . that not only defined our Stanford experience but also created a second home for us. This community has served an instrumental part of navigating this experience and provided a space of shared learning and friendship. We’ve shared unforgettable memories every quarter since.

We have been each other’s cheerleaders—figuratively, as we fill out the seats of presentations, performances, and promotion ceremonies, and literally, as we held up hand-painted signs for the MIP team that would become the 2023 Stanford Intramural Football Champions. Even as we spread out across the world, completing the foundational field research of our intensive, 6-month capstone projects, we were each other’s first responders.

Felipe, we’re glad you made it back from Sierra Leone—your life there would’ve been fulfilling but we and probably your wife would have missed you. Ibilola and Pamella, I would also ground a plane if you told me to.

But also, at every step of the way, the staff and faculty of MIP have been there to support us. We’d like to give a special thanks to Meghan, Jonathan, Patrick, Cheng, Chonira, Frank, Maeve, and Laleh for all of the work they do and the warmth they bring to the program. Professor McFaul, thank you for being a persistent champion of MIP, opening doors and courtyards on our behalf, and regularly welcoming us into your home.

As we move on from this part of our lives and many of us prepare to leave this university, it's impossible to ignore the invaluable skills, knowledge, and insights we've gained throughout our time here. Our learning has extended far beyond textbooks or the classroom. The interdisciplinary scholarship of this program and university has provided us experiences and insights gained through real-world policy applications, expert discussions, and collaborations with our professors and mentors.

While we enjoyed attending a world-class institution with renowned academics, many of the most important lessons we will take away from Stanford were from our peers and fellow graduates. Our cohort demonstrated a level of initiative that might make you ask: “When did you have time to sleep?”

You won’t be surprised to hear that Stanford comes with a rigorous course load, but it certainly makes our extracurricular commitment of that much more impressive. While rising to every deadline, our classmates spent their non-existent free time building community—Raul launching the Cyber Policy Dialogue for the Americas initiative, Dulgoon coaching caregivers at the Center on Early Childhood, Sebastian leading a weekly radio show on KZSU.

Our classmates have introduced their country’s leaders to Stanford, like Aya’s diplomatic engagement with Indonesian officials on campus, and represented the school abroad, including Tabatha in affiliated research at Peking University.

Even the youngest among us taught us more than we could have ever expected. Our two co-terms Hamzah and Dwight were generous in sharing their institutional knowledge and their network as dedicated researchers. We’re sure we’ll all be working for you one day.

For the parents in the cohort—Ashwini, Javier, Sarah, and Rosie L., we admire you and your partners for achieving this accomplishment today while raising your children, as some of us were barely able to take care of ourselves.

Today, we gather to celebrate a significant milestone in our lives, one that marks the culmination of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. As we reflect on our journey, it's essential to acknowledge the transformative power of this university. Stanford pushed us to explore complex problems, think critically, and innovate creatively. This program has prepared us to be leaders and change-makers, our own MIP co-president Sara Shah is going on to be… we’re not really sure but we think president? She keeps telling us to vote in November.

We have the tools to drive progress, foster innovation, and contribute meaningfully to our communities and beyond. And the Class of 2024 is wasting no time in applying what we’ve learned. By this time tomorrow, many of us on stage will be on our way to a new destination, starting exciting roles where we will continue to shine. To our classmates continuing their journey of military service, Fran, Justin, Chase: congratulations on a lifetime of boarding commercial flights early and free checked luggage. It really pays to be a hero.
 

To those of us taking leaps into emerging spaces—Elliot, Nickson, Poramin, and others—you have a chance to define what comes next in a landscape of rapidly evolving technological capabilities. Maybe you could pool together some cash and buy TikTok?

Congratulations also to those of you extending your time here for additional degrees—Rosie Ith, Thay, and Kelsey to name just a few. We hope continuing your advanced interdisciplinary learning at one of the world’s leading universities is worth what we see as a personal betrayal to our cohort. You’re traitors now.

In earnest though, it's an honor to be a part of such an incredible group of people and congratulate you today, your dedication, resilience, and camaraderie have been truly inspiring. We love and admire you all. The bonds we've formed and the support we've given each other have been invaluable and made this journey what is was: transformative, shaping us into individuals ready to make a positive impact.

As we step into a field where there is such a distinct and credible capacity for harm, let us pioneer solutions that uplift and empower our global communities, promote peace and stability, and ensure that the policies we champion reflect compassion, justice, and integrity. Let us use the knowledge and skills we gained here to address the world's most pressing challenges, from climate change to cyber risks, with innovative and ethical approaches that better humanity. Let us pursue our passions with unwavering determination, embrace lifelong learning, and strive for excellence in all that we do.

Together, we have built a foundation for success, and now, it is time to use it to make a difference. For the first time, potentially ever, the two of us are at a loss for words. This experience, this cohort, and everyone who supports it, have meant the world to us. We can’t wait to see the future we create together, and we can’t wait to stay in the guest rooms of your really nice houses.