Visiting American mainstream schools and universities is one of the vital tasks of the Education Division at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles (TECO-LA). The face-to-face interaction and contact builds up good partnerships and friendship between Taiwan and local Southern California educators.
Dr. Liang Li-Ling, Director of the Education Division at TECO was invited by the California State University at Long Beach to attend the 2017 Spring Awards Reception on April 24. The event was organized by the CSULB Department of Asian and Asian American Studies. TECO provided sponsorship for CSULB to hold a Taiwan Essay Contest to help enhance CSULB students’ awareness of Taiwan. All interested students, regardless of their majors, can submit a 2-page essay in Chinese or English on any aspect of Taiwan, such as its culture, history, politics, economy, education, or social life. First place received $200; second place $150; and third place $50.
Dr Liang then visited ABC Unified School District on April 25 to attend a luncheon at the ABC Unified School District (ABCUSD). Superintendent Dr. Mary Sieu gave a presentation to the community of Artesia, Bellflower, and Cerritos cities regarding the directions of the ABCUSD educational strategic plan and its achievements so far. ABCUSD is a highly diverse school district encompassing students from Asian/ Pacific Islander, Hispanic, white and African American families.
The strategic plan has five directions: 1. academic achievement for all, 2. professional growth for employees, 3. family and community engagement, 4. a system to support student success, and 5. effective resource management.
Dr. Mary Sieu has been selected as the Association of California School Administrators 2017 “Superintendent of the Year” for Region XIV. Four ABC schools are finalists for the California Gold Ribbon Award which is sponsored by the California Department of Education. Haskell Middle School STEM Academy has been selected as a 2017 School to Watch. Middle schools selected as Schools to Watch are high performing model schools that demonstrate academic excellence, responsiveness to the needs of young adolescents, and social equity.

From left: Felix Lopez, founder and CEO of Piony Insurance Company; Parimal Shah, founder and CEO of Pioneer Mony; Manu Patel, founder and CEO of Manu Patel Insurance; Dr. Pao-Ling Guo, President of Artesia Chamber of Commerce & principal of ABC Adult School; Dr. Mary Sieu, Superintendent, ABCUSD; Dr. Liang Li-Ling, Director of the Education Division; Larry Caballaro, President of Democrat Party, Cerritos Chapter; and Gurpal Sood, founder and CEO of Sood Real Estate, ) at Ross Middle School in the ABC Unified School District