"The voices of immigrant children and adults should not be silenced just because they have yet to learn English. When a child's home language and culture is not accepted or respected, that child feels valueless. Schools are suppose to be safe havens and therefore should not continue to give these messages of non-acceptance to non-English speaking children."
- Dr. Gay Q. Yuen
Dr. Gay Q. Yuen's involvement in education was a direct result of her own educational experience as a 1st-grade student at Castelar Elementary School in Los Angeles' Chinatown. Although she had just arrived from Hong Kong and knew little English, teachers often scolded and forbid her from speaking her native tongue at school, contributing to her sense of confusion and alienation growing up.
Now, Dr. Yuen has made it her life's mission to make the educational experience of immigrant children a positive one. She's a professor of California State University's Charter College of Education, where Dr. Yuen directs the Pacific Rim Institute. Dr. Yuen is also one of Southern California's first bilingual Cantonese educators and regarded as a leading authority of bilingual education, second-language development, and minority education. Throughout her 30-year career, Dr. Yuen has instructed elementary school students to graduate students, coordinated and managed bilingual programs for LAUSD and the Alhambra Unified School District, and was instrumental in drafting the writing standards that has helped guide the education and assessment of students and teachers, bilingual teacher certification standards, and EL standards for instruction.
In addition to her professional work, Dr. Yuen volunteers her time and resources to community organizations such as Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics (LEAP), where she raised funds for scholarships for Asian American students, Asian Youth Center (AYC), East West Players and the Chinese American Museum of Los Angeles (CAM). She has also served on national and state professional organizations such as Asian Pacifics in Higher Education (APAHE), California Associate for Asian-Pacific Education (CAFABE) and National Association for Asian and Pacific Education (NAAPAE). Dr. Yuen was appointed to the Los Angeles Mayor's Council of Education Advisors to help lower dropout rates and truancy in the public schools.
Dr. Yuen was recognized with the "Teachers Making a Difference Award" in 2008 from the Cherry Blossom Festival of Southern California. In 2007, CSULA's Charter College of Education named her a "Distinguished Educator" and in 2005 CSLU recognized Dr. Yuen as its 2005 "Distinguished Woman of the Year." Congresswoman Hilda Solis named Dr. Yuen as one of the twelve "Phenomenal Woman" of the 32nd Congressional District in 2004.
Dr. Yuen has published articles in the National Forum of Teacher Education Journal, Diversity in Teacher Education, and the Journal of California Politics and Policy.
Gay Yuen plays a vital role in making sure that the Asian strand is weaved into the cultural fabric of our country. I cannot thank her enough.
In addition to the achievement mentioned in the above article, specifically, I would like to say a few words on the mentoring efforts she consistently offers to her students and her dedication to promote minority teaching professionals to realize their dreams by supporting them in breaking through barriers such as language and color.
Gay is an exceptional individual who has boundless energy and a passion for her community.
Dr. Yuen is an exemplary colleague and friend in preparing generations of Chinese bilingual teachers. This recognition is so well deserved.
As a Chinese guest teacher, I could not feel more grateful that I always have someone to turn to whenever I have a question. Her encouragement and her suggestions are always valuable to me and have guided me to the right direction.
Gay sets high standards and raises the bar each and every time she's involved in a project. She's a born leader and definitely deserves recognition for her work with students from the elementary all the way up to the university level. Not only that, Gay is active and a valuable asset in her community and many organizations. Wherever Gay is, she leaves a valuable footprint. I've always known her as a hardworking, caring, kind and loving individual! I am proud of who she is and what she has done to inspire others.
In addition to the many professional and volunteer activities described above, Dr. Yuen has also been a valued member of the Advisory Board of the UCLA Confucius Institute since its inception 2 years ago. Under her leadership and boundless energy, our institute is helping to bring new opportunities for foreign language study and cultural exchange to the children of our city. Bravo to KCET for recognizing Dr. Yuen's ongoing commitment to community and support for global education.
Gay, this is wonderful. You had a dream and you have fiercely devoted your time and effort to make it come true. I am very proud of your success and to have you as a friend. Your support and encouragement helped me greatly when I, as a new immigrant, started my study and work in Bilingual Education in Berkeley. Keep up your good work. Best wishes for your continuing achievements!