Ted Yao Memory
In Memoriam
CLASS has created a special page in honor and memories of Professor Ted Tao-Chung Yao(姚道中), one of the greatest leaders and teachers in our field. Professor Yao was recognized with a distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award from CLASS at the 2014 ACTFL/CLASS Convention on his guidance and support of the K-12 Chinese teaching field, and particularly for his decade long involvement with the AP Chinese Program and Exam. Among other honors, Professor Yao was the recipient of the 2010 Cheng and Tsui Walton Lifetime Achievement Award. Throughout Prof. Yao’s illustrious teaching career, he co-authored a series of very popular textbooks Integrated Chinese, was involved with the ETS SAT II-Chinese Achievement Test, became the first Chief Reader for the Chinese AP Test, developed Computer-Adaptive Test for Reading Chinese, and wrote extensively on the history of Quanzhen Daoism. To us, the Chinese teachers and our world languages colleagues as well, the passing of Prof. Yao is an immensurable loss. He dedicated his life to the effort of promoting Chinese in the U.S. and mentored generations of Chinese teachers. He was someone we all look up to as an authority, and yet, he was someone most unassuming and approachable. We will forever remember him in our hearts and carry out his legacy.
I feel so fortunate to have met and worked with Yao Laoshi in my life. I worked with him on Chinese SAT II Committee, AP Chinese Development Committee as well as on the K-16 Chinese Standards Project. I will always remember his tireless guidance in my own work, his continued support for CLASS, his unfailing service for the K-16 Chinese Standards Project and his tremendous contribution for the entire field. The field of Chinese language learning and teaching throughout the world is forever indebted to him. I use Integrated Chinese both in my face to face classes and all my on line courses so I really feel that Yao Laoshi had been leading me forward in my work on a daily basis as I guide my students on their journey towards proficiency in Chinese language and culture. I can never thank him enough and the entire field can never thank him enough!
Dali Tan, President of CLASS
Professor Yao,
Your dedication to Chinese teaching will be remembered forever!
ChinHuei Yeh, Shrewsbury public schools
CLASS Board Member
MaFLA Board Member
Goodbye is not a right word at this moment. I still see your smiles; I still hear your voice. You are still here. You will always live in my heart.
Henry Ruan (A colleague of AP Reading)
Yao Lao Shi has left a legacy that will be remembered for a long time. There is no way around grief but through. We should feel comforted knowing that Yao Lao Shi is now in the hands of God and he will never be alone.
Lili Wong
AP Chinese
Clovis West High School
Yao Laoshi, you will never be forgotten! Your contributions to the Chinese language field are immeasurable! You will always be remembered and will forever remain in our hearts.
Lisa Podbilski
CLASS Board Member
AP Chinese Language and Culture Development Committee Co-Chair
Yao Laoshi was a pioneer and leader in the education of Chinese language and culture. I am blessed to have worked with him at AP Chinese Reading. He was always so patient, kind, gracious, and approachable. Yao Laoshi has set a superior role model for all of us. His legacy will be passed down for generations.
Jen Pan
CLASS Board Member
AP Chinese Reading colleague
The news of Yao Laoshi’s pass saddened me. But as it slowly occurred to me I have realized that Yao Laoshi indeed lived his life wonderfully. He was well-loved and he had done so many things on earth and I’m sure he’ll do much more in heaven. I will forever be grateful to have known Yao Laoshi. All the memories I have shared with him during the summers at AP reading will forever be cherished and remembered. He is a mentor and dear friend, a man of integrity and discipline. He will forever live in my heart… In our hearts. I know this is not the time for us to grieve his death but it’s our time to celebrate his life.
Joy Betz
President of OK-CLTA
President of Chinese American Association of Tulsa
Director of International Language Center, Tulsa Community College