Walnut parent Ceping Chao wins Partner in Education Award

Walnut Elementary parent volunteer Ceping Chao was honored with the Partner in Education Award with Board President Cindy Ruiz. (5305) Shown family members, Board President Cindy Ruiz, Principal Janet Green and staff members.

Walnut Elementary parent volunteer Ceping Chao was honored with the Partner in Education Award with Board President Cindy Ruiz. (5305) Shown family members, Board President Cindy Ruiz, Principal Janet Green and staff members.

Walnut Elementary parent volunteer Ceping Chao was introduced as the school’s Partner in Education.

“She is a founding parent of our Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Mandarin program and her two daughters are currently in DLI Kindergarten and Grade 2,” said Principal Janet Green.

“Ceping is a behind-the-scenes motivating force in our Dual Language Immersion Program. Four years ago, she trusted us enough to enroll her daughter Jianlan in Walnut Valley’s first pre-kindergarten Mandarin DLI class,” Green added.

She liked the program enough to continue enrolling her younger daughter Meilan in DLI Kindergarten class this year.

“Ceping volunteers her time in the classrooms and the teachers say that she is always ready to lend a helping hand.  They love her because she is so patient with students.  She attends parent education meetings and convinces more parents to become involved.  She has even taken on the task of revamping and revising our school website – I believe there were 5 pages of changes to be made!” said Green.

“On a personal note, I can depend on Ceping to give me honest feedback and ask probing questions about the future of our entire school, not just DLI.  She is a true partner and I have learned a lot from her.  Thank you, Ceping, for your dedication to our school,” Principal Green said.

“Her dedication to the DLI program and Walnut Elementary is evident in the amount of hours she spends here as a volunteer, researcher, website overseer, and parent workshop attendee.  What I appreciate the most about her are the quietly probing questions she asks about the structure and future of dual language in our district.  She is a constant reminder for us to do what is best not just for her children but for ALL Walnut Elementary students,” said Green.