FOREVER CHANGED

A conversation with Margaret Wong

» Instructor of Chinese Language and Culture, Director of International Education 1979–2015

Today, Breck’s Chinese program is known as one of the most well-established and successful world language programs in the entire country. But, without Margaret Wong, Breck wouldn’t even be teaching Chinese.

Over 36 years, Wong enthusiastically built Breck’s Chinese program — and the school’s International Education Program — from the ground up. Her passion was unmistakable. First, it was only Upper School students who could learn Chinese, but before long, Wong was in the Middle School, and then the Lower School. Teaching Chinese in kindergarten was revolutionary, but Wong did it. And Breck was forever changed for the better.

What brought you to Breck and why do you think your work is seen as so groundbreaking here?

The Breck Headmaster John Littleford read about me in the newspaper. I was teaching Chinese in the public schools. He invited me to Breck and said, “You have got to teach here.” He really did a fantastic job of initiating a new program at a time when people were quite suspicious of China and Chinese.

Breck admissions rose because of our Chinese program. At the time, nobody was speaking Chinese. People had misconceptions about how difficult Chinese was to learn. Many thought I could teach in Upper School, but in Middle School, nobody’s gonna get it. But after we were so successful in Middle School, Head of School Samuel Salas said, “Why not kindergarten?” Mr. Salas really understood that learning language at a young age is so important. When Breck started teaching Chinese in kindergarten, we were the first in the country to do that.

I eventually started Chinese language programs at other schools around the Twin Cities, too, and I also became a consultant around the country for schools that wanted to start teaching Chinese. They all wanted to know: “How did you do it?”

What are you most proud of that you were able to accomplish during your tenure?

I am proud of establishing the complete 13-year Chinese program starting from kindergarten. We were pioneers in this area throughout the country, and I think Breck really got a lot of credit for doing something so innovative. I’m proud that the program never waned during my 36 years at Breck. It was always getting stronger. At the beginning of the school year, I would have kindergarten couples who would come by my room and say, “In 10 years, we’re going to China with you. How can we sign up today?” And they did.

When I was teaching seniors, I knew that 99 percent of them would continue with Chinese in college. And when they would come back after they graduated, they would always come and tell me they knew more Chinese than their college classmates. I’m very proud of that.

I’m also so proud of my international program, which was, originally, not even a job. It started very informally, but I had the support of so many parents, who were host families and became lifelong families to our international students.

Why do you think you were so successful at Breck?

What’s so wonderful about the school is I had the most supportive parents in the world. I had this fantastic group of parents on what was called the East Asian Studies Board. I was also so supported by the headmaster. I could not fail as a teacher.

I’m proud that the Chinese program never waned during my 36 years at Breck. It was always getting stronger.

It was the right combination: to have the right parents, support from the headmaster, and then, of course, I was enthusiastic. I’m an enthusiastic teacher, just because that’s my nature. I love teaching my own culture.

I was a pioneer in a very, very new thing. People were persuaded by me because I was so enthusiastic. I think they saw the passion that I had. I didn’t care how hard I had to work. And I did work hard. But I didn’t mind it, because I was achieving something. I was changing lives every single day. B