With nearly 20 percent of the world’s population, the People’s Republic of China faces tremendous education challenges. There are 200 million children of primary and middle school age, which is almost two-thirds of the total population of the United States. In urban areas, China has almost reached its goal of providing nine years of school for every child, but there is still a gap in rural areas where 80 percent of the people live. In 1993, Peace Corps volunteers were invited to work with Chinese colleges and universities to prepare future English teachers and other professionals. The first group of Peace Corps volunteers arrived in China as part of a pilot education project in Sichuan province. Today, Peace Corps volunteers teach English at over 60 Chinese universities, including five medical colleges and three vocational colleges.
China Peace Country Director Bonnie Thie Discusses Critical Need for Educators
Visiting Peace Country Director Discusses Critical Need for Educators PDF Print E-mail
Monday, 08 December 2008
With assignments in over 70 countries around the globe – China, Mongolia and South Africa to name a few – the Peace Corps is currently experiencing a critical need for educators. Bonnie Thie, the Peace Corps’ country director in China, will be flying in from her office in Chengdu to provide Seattle area locals with a first-hand, up-to-date look at what it’s like for Peace Corps volunteers currently serving in China – a country that happens to be undergoing rapid growth as it positions itself more prominently on a global stage.
WHAT:
Eileen Conoboy, who oversees Peace Corps recruitment activities across the Pacific Northwest region states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Alaska, will be making opening remarks and helping to field audience questions. Anyone who is interested in learning more about the Peace Corps experience is welcome to attend this free event.
WHEN AND WHERE:
Monday, Dec. 15
6:30 - 8 p.m.
Peace Corps Speakers Series:
A Spotlight on Education Assignments in China
With Visiting Peace Corps Country Director Bonnie Thie
at REI (Flagship Store in Downtown Seattle)
222 Yale Ave. N
Seattle, WA 98109
SUPPORT:
The Peace Corps, founded by President John F. Kennedy in 1961, is an independent agency of the federal government devoted to world peace and friendship.
With nearly 20 percent of the world’s population, the People’s Republic of China faces tremendous education challenges. There are 200 million children of primary and middle school age, which is almost two-thirds of the total population of the United States. In urban areas, China has almost reached its goal of providing nine years of school for every child, but there is still a gap in rural areas where 80 percent of the people live. In 1993, Peace Corps volunteers were invited to work with Chinese colleges and universities to prepare future English teachers and other professionals. The first group of Peace Corps volunteers arrived in China as part of a pilot education project in Sichuan province. Today, Peace Corps volunteers teach English at over 60 Chinese universities, including five medical colleges and three vocational colleges.
There are currently seven Peace Corps volunteers in China from the state of Washington.
Bonnie Thie, the Peace Corps’ country director in China, began her career with the Peace Corps as a volunteer in Afghanistan, where she served for three years in the 1970s. She served 18 years with the Environmental Protection Agency most recently as the director of policy, communications and resource management in the Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds in Washington, D.C. and in the EPA’s Seattle Air Quality Office, working with states, tribes and Environment Canada to protect and improve air quality in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. She also served as assistant regional counsel for EPA, enforcing environmental laws. She is most proud of her work to develop the Federal Air Rules to protect air quality on Indian Reservations in the Pacific Northwest. After attending law school at the University of Oregon, she practiced law in Alaska, first in private practice and then as assistant attorney general for the state of Alaska, working on oil and gas leasing, as well as a range of municipal law and use issues. Her undergraduate degree is in history from the University of Washington, which is currently the #1 producer of Peace Corps volunteers in the nation.
The Peace Corps is a 27-month commitment, during which time all living expenses are covered. The Peace Corps provides round-trip transportation, complete medical and dental care, a monthly stipend in the local currency to cover housing and other basic needs, three months of in-country language, technical and cross-cultural training, 48 vacation days, a $6,075 readjustment allowance upon successful completion of service, one year of non-competitive eligibility for federal jobs, eligibility for student loan deferment or forgiveness and graduate school opportunities during or after Peace Corps service.
While you do have to be at least 18 to serve in the Peace Corps, there is no upper age limit. People have served, and continue to serve, well into their 80’s.
For additional information about Peace Corps, prospective applicants are encouraged to visit peacecorps.gov and contact a recruiter at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 800.424.8580.
WHY:
The Peace Corps has extraordinary opportunities in over 70 countries around the globe. Peace Corps volunteers work in the areas of business, education, information technology, agriculture, health, the environment and more. And applications are currently being accepted at peacecorps.gov/application.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to plan ahead – allowing enough time for the Peace Corps’ entire application, screening and placement process – and apply roughly nine to 12 months from the date they expect to be available for departure.
