COVINA, CA – South Hills High School English Language Development teacher Tiffany Liang has been recognized by Disney Imagination Campus as one of 100 teachers from across the country who empower and inspire the next generation of creative thinkers. Liang not only teaches English language skills to students new to the country, but also crafts inventive lessons to help them adapt to a new culture and build meaningful relationships.

Liang, who was selected from more than 7,900 applicants, was celebrated alongside fellow educators from across the country at Disneyland Resort from May 4-7, just ahead of National Teacher Appreciation Week. Liang was recognized by the Disney Imagination Campus panel for a classroom assignment she uses that has her students conducting personal interviews with classmates and creating a digital book to help them get to know each other better, promoting meaningful connections and communication.

“I love this assignment because it helps my students break out of their comfort zone, as I usually pair together kids that don’t speak the same language,” Liang said. “By the end of the assignment, my students have a better understanding and appreciation of their classmates, and their classmates’ cultures.”

During her 23 years at South Hills High School, Liang has taught students from more than 34 different countries, building bridges across multiple languages and cultures so that her students can connect with each other and build relationships while they work toward mastery in English.

“It is always amazing to see students from different cultural backgrounds interacting with each other,” Liang said. “I love my students and am always looking for ways to make learning more imaginative, meaningful, and fun for them.”

Disney Imagination Campus’ mission is to inspire the next generation of creative thinkers and leaders through imagination-powered learning. As part of their recognition of innovative teachers at the Disneyland Resort, Liang attended workshops led by Disney leaders and Imagineers and was celebrated alongside other teachers in a parade down Main Street.

“Our teachers at Covina-Valley Unified go above and beyond to impact student learning by implementing creative and fun assignments into their curriculum every day,” Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Eminhizer said. “Mrs. Liang is an outstanding example of our Covina-Valley teachers who dedicate themselves to helping students develop vital skills that are instrumental to their future success. Her recognition by Disney is so well deserved.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

CVUSD_TIFFANYLIANG1: South Hills High School English Language Development teacher Tiffany Liang is among 100 teachers honored by Disney Imagination Campus in recognition of her use of wonder, creativity, and imagination in her curriculum. Liang was invited to attend workshops and events over four days at Disneyland Resort.

CVUSD_TIFFANYLIANG2: South Hills High School teacher Tiffany Liang was celebrated alongside fellow educators from across the country in a parade down Main Street at Disneyland from May 4-7, just ahead of National Teacher Appreciation Week.

CVUSD_TIFFANYLIANG3: South Hills High School teacher Tiffany Liang helps students adapt to a new country, language, and culture in her English Language Development class by teaching them reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills using innovative practices. Liang was recognized by Disney Imagination Campus – one of 100 teachers nationwide to be selected – for her success in sparking students’ creativity while helping them to connect and learn about each other’s cultures.