Madison Reporter

Middleton High School’s Mandarin teacher Qin Tian is focused on helping students connect through language. She said her passion for teaching Mandarin comes from a desire to share her language and culture with others. “My interest in teaching Mandarin was sparked by a love for sharing my language and culture with others,” she said. “Teaching gives me the chance to inspire students to explore a whole new world.”

Tian has been recognized for her commitment, receiving the 2024 Wisconsin Chinese Language Teacher of the Year award from the Wisconsin Association of Chinese Language Teachers. She began teaching at Middleton High School after winter break last year.

“Before that, I taught one year at Verona High School and two and a half years at Badger Ridge Middle School in the Verona Area School District,” Tian said. She has spent 13 years working in education in both China and the United States.

She finds it rewarding to see her students gain confidence as they learn Mandarin. Tian appreciates teaching high school students because of their ability to participate in activities outside of class. “I love how high schoolers can engage in so many exciting events, like our upcoming international trip to Taiwan, our Chicago Chinatown trip in April, the 2026 Chinese speaking contest, and club fundraisers,” she said. “It’s wonderful to help prepare them for the real world through these fun and meaningful experiences.”

Tian looks forward to connecting with students through these activities this school year. “It’s so rewarding to see students dive into their learning and have fun while gaining real-world experiences,” she said. “My goal is to inspire a love for Mandarin and its culture while helping students build confidence and skills they can carry with them beyond school. Teaching is a journey we take together, and I’m grateful to be part of each student’s growth.”

For younger students considering studying Mandarin, Tian advises: “Stay curious and be patient with yourself.” She added, “Learning a new language is like opening a door to a whole new world – it takes time, but every little step is worth it,” Tian added. “Have fun with it, don’t be afraid to make mistakes, and enjoy the journey of discovering a beautiful language and culture!”

A short video featuring Tian delivering a bilingual welcome message in Mandarin and English is available online.