I am trained as an ESL teacher, or English as a Second Language. In the past few years Houston has become an international city, and students enter the schools there speaking many different languages and no English. To meet the needs of these student, they are placed in my classes before being placed in regular classes. I have been trained to teach them English as quickly as possible.

    The English Department, headed by MS. Bai, is filled with dedicated teachers. Head teacher for Grade One is Ms. Sun, who not only is excellent in English, but also is a dedicated and talented teacher. Each of her student teachers is dedicated to learning from this wonderful example and has been very helpful in teaching Chinese to my boys. Cathy and Mr. Lei have made sure everything we need is provided including friendship. Emily has also been very helpful to us. So often when speaking with the English teachers of #24 I forget English is their second or perhaps third language. That shows the high quality of  English taught here.

    Mr. Hou is the one of the best leaders that I have worked with. I have heard leadership defined as the ability to create a community-and if  that is the criteria Mr. Hou is truly a superb leader. Everyone is an important part of this school from the drivers to the teachers and students even the newest teachers from half way around the world. From just walking into the school you can see the level of excellence Mr. Hou inspires. I invite you to walk by the Foreign Teachers Office and look at the proud display of Grade 3’s accomplishments. The strength of a community lies on the shoulders of the leader-and Mr. Hou is a very strong leader.

    Last of all, the students of #24 are simply the best. I already love them. My favorite part of each class is the time we spend in questions and answers. They are willing to take a risk and ask tough questions. That’s when I get a chance to know the students as young people. I tell my students that I am not only here to teach them English, but also to share my culture with them, that I am like a library of American information that they may check out anytime. In the spirit of exchange the students of #24 have taught me many new things about China’s history and culture. Each class is full of curiosity, a surprising amount of wisdom for such young folk, and determination to do their best. I have nothing but respect for them all.

    No matter where I go for the rest of my life I will always take a part of Dalian #24 Senior Middle school with me and be the richer for it.

译文：

从在机场我和我的家人收到美丽的鲜花那刻到现在为止，大连二十四中学已经显示出一个一流学校的风范。我是玛丽·兰汀汉姆，一个在拉玛中学及二十四中学文化交流项目中来访的外藉教师，侯校长及全体教职员工的行为向我诠释了友好的真谛。做为一个来访教师，这是一段在我教学生涯甚至一生中最美好的经历。我将从我的背景谈起，然后说说我在这里与全体教职工、侯校长、特别是学生的美好经历。

    我是受训成为ESL老师的，就是教那些英语为其第二语言的学生。在过去的几年里，休斯顿已成为一个国际性都市，许多来到我校的学生讲不同的语言而非英语。为了这些学生的快速提高，他们在进入正常班之前进入我的课堂学习，我知道怎样尽快地教他们英语。

    以白老师为组长的外语组都是很敬业的老师，一年组组长孙老师不仅英语好，也是一名敬业智慧的老师。她的每一个徒弟都视之为榜样，在努力学习的同时在教我两个儿子汉语方面有很大帮助。雷主任和平老师在给予我们友情的同时，安排好了所需一切。张颖也给予我们很大的帮助。在我同24中英语老师交谈时，我常常忘记英语对他们是第二甚至是第三种语言，这充分证明了这里英语教学水平很高。

    侯校长是我与之共事的最好领导之一，我听说领导的水平取决于创建一个团体的能力，如果以此衡量，侯校长的确是一名优秀的领导，学校中每个人从司机到学生，甚至是我们这样跨越半个地球而来的新教师都在学校中起着重要作用。只要你走进校园你就会看到侯校长所提倡的高水准。我邀你走过外教办公室，看看高三所取得的成就展览。团体的力量重在领导肩上，侯校长的确是能力极强的领导。

    最后我要说二十四中的学生是最好的，我很爱他们。我最喜爱让学生提问题我回答的那段课堂时间，他们勇于探索，愿意问难题，这让我有了了解学生做为年轻人的机会。我告诉我的学生，我不仅来教他们英语，同时要与他们分享我的文化。我可以像美国信息资料馆一样，他们可以随时查询。在这种交流过程中，二十四中学生也让我了解了许多中国的文化和历史。每个班都充满了求知欲，每个孩子身上都有非凡的智慧和努力进取的精神，对他们我只有尊敬。

    不管我今后走到那里，二十四中都将在我心中，使我的生命更加丰富。