On Wednesday, Sept. 29, Dave Scherping and Bill Miller from Polk County Schools Administration spoke to the Tryon Kiwanis Club about their visit to China.

Scherping and Miller were participants in a partnership between the Center for International Understanding at UNC Chapel Hill and the College Board. They recommended two books, China in the 21st Century and The Post-American World, as resources for understanding China.

As a result of their visit and the partnership, Polk County Schools was chosen to host a Chinese teacher, Fung Lay. She began teaching Oct. 11 and is spending time in the elementary schools telling students about Chinese culture.

Lays primary job is at Polk Middle School where a few students will learn some Mandarin language. Lay will also spend six weeks at a time with a large group of students giving them exposure to culture, history and some Chinese.

A childrens book will be donated to a local school in honor of Scherping, Miller and Lay.