Hello, everyone! My name is Ryan Mason. I’m 41 years old and originally from Canada, but for the past 14 years, China has been my home. I’ve lived and taught in several incredible cities — Hangzhou, Suzhou, Shanghai, Ningbo, and Guangzhou — and each place has left a lasting impact on me. Living here has given me the opportunity to embrace Chinese culture, language, and traditions, all of which have become an important part of my life.
I’m married to a wonderful Chinese woman, and together we’re raising two amazing kids. My son is 6 years old, and my daughter is 4. Both are dual citizens of China and Canada, and we’re raising them to appreciate the best of both cultures. I love watching them grow up curious, bilingual, and adventurous — always eager to explore the world around them. They’ve taught me just as much about life as I’ve taught them!
A Passion for Teaching and Learning
I’ve been teaching for nearly two decades, and my passion for education grows stronger every year. As an educator, I believe it’s essential to create a classroom where students feel safe, curious, and inspired. Teaching isn’t just about facts and figures; it’s about guiding students to think critically, ask questions, and develop their own ideas. My time in China has taught me that education is a two-way street — I learn as much from my students as they do from me.
In the video you’re about to watch, I’ll be teaching my 1st graders a fun lesson about myself. The goal is to help them get to know me better in an engaging and interactive way. I love using storytelling and personal experiences to make learning more meaningful. For example, I share stories about growing up in Canada, the sports I love, and even funny cultural differences I’ve experienced while living in China. These personal connections help build trust and make learning more relatable for my students.
Life Outside the Classroom
When I’m not teaching, you’ll find me outdoors or exploring new places. I’ve always been passionate about traveling and discovering new cultures, especially through food. I love trying local dishes and hearing the stories behind them. Food is such a powerful way to connect with people and understand their traditions.
I’m also very active and love playing sports. Growing up in Canada, I was a huge hockey fan — it’s practically a way of life there! I also love snowboarding, skateboarding, surfing, and scuba diving. I’ve always believed that sports teach important life lessons like teamwork, perseverance, and pushing yourself to achieve your goals. These lessons have shaped who I am and influence how I teach.
Bringing My Values into the Classroom
One of the core values I bring to my classroom is helping students see the world through a global lens. My life experience as both a Canadian and a long-term resident of China has given me a unique perspective that I love sharing with my students. Whether we’re learning about cultural traditions, environmental issues, or global events, I encourage my students to think about their role as global citizens.
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about me! I’m excited to continue this journey of teaching, learning, and making meaningful connections. Now, let’s jump into the video, where I’ll be introducing myself to my 1st graders. I hope you enjoy the lesson!
大家好!我是Ryan Mason,今年41岁,来自加拿大。在过去的14年里,我一直生活和工作在中国。多年来,我有幸在杭州、苏州、上海、宁波和广州等多个城市工作和生活。这些城市不仅丰富了我的经历,也让我更好地理解了中国的文化和传统。这段旅程让我真正把中国当成了我的第二故乡。
我有一个非常优秀的中国妻子,我们一起养育了两个可爱的孩子。我的儿子今年6岁,女儿4岁。他们是中加双重国籍,能同时感受到两种文化的熏陶。作为父母,我们希望他们能从小就学会欣赏不同的文化,尊重多样性,并保持对世界的好奇心。看到他们成长为好奇心强、能说双语、喜欢探索的小孩子,这让我感到非常自豪。这也是我生活中最幸福的部分之一。
教学热情与教育理念
作为一名教师,我从事教育工作已经接近二十年了,但每一年我对教学的热情都在增加。我认为教育的核心不仅仅是传授知识,而是帮助学生学会思考,提出问题,并培养他们独立解决问题的能力。在课堂上,我注重与学生建立信任关系,鼓励他们表达想法,勇敢地探索未知的领域。
在接下来的视频中,我将给一年级的学生上一个关于“认识老师”的互动课程。这节课的目的是通过一个有趣的自我介绍,让学生们更好地了解我。课堂上,我喜欢用讲故事的方式把课程变得生动有趣。例如,我会分享我在加拿大成长的故事、我喜欢的运动、以及我在中国生活中遇到的一些有趣的文化差异。这种教学方式可以让学生们更容易建立联系,同时提升他们的学习兴趣。
课堂之外的生活
在课余时间,我喜欢旅行和探索新地方。我对不同文化和美食有着浓厚的兴趣。我相信食物不仅仅是味道的享受,它也是了解文化和传统的重要途径。无论是在繁忙的街头市场,还是在偏远的小村庄品尝当地特色菜,我总能感受到食物背后的故事和情感。
此外,我还是一个非常热爱运动的人。从小在加拿大长大,我非常喜欢冰球,这几乎是加拿大人的“国民运动”!我还喜欢滑雪、滑板、冲浪和潜水。这些运动不仅仅是我的兴趣爱好,更让我学到了许多人生的宝贵经验,比如团队合作、坚持不懈,以及不断挑战自我的重要性。这些宝贵的经验也渗透到了我的教学理念中。
将个人价值观融入课堂
作为一名长期生活在中国的外国人,我希望我的学生能够拥有全球化的视野。我希望他们不仅了解本地的文化和传统,还能意识到自己在全球社会中的角色和责任。在课堂上,我会鼓励学生思考全球问题,比如文化交流、环境保护以及社会责任,让他们成为具有国际视野的学习者和未来的世界公民。