Life is all about experience

WELCOME TO LINKED TO ASIA

Linked to Asia is nonprofit organization working to improve learning outcomes for students in underprivileged communities around the globe. We strive for greater equity and inclusivity in education by providing support to learners fighting to overcome substantive challenges such as learning disabilities, limited access to resources and information, or lack of enrichment opportunities through cross cultural exchange and collaboration.

We work directly with teachers, administrators, caregivers, and students on pedagogy, curriculum optimization and behavioral strategies for k-12 students in both general and special education settings. Our diverse team is comprised of education specialists and university professors with doctoral degrees, advanced expertise and years of experience in their fields. Linked to Asia is 501c3 registered/accredited.

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These are some of our past and current initiatives.

1. We train educators and administrators in identifying and supporting students whose learning outcomes can be significantly improved by informed, targeted accommodations and interventions in the classroom through Helping Educate All Learners project (Project HEAL).     

2. We coordinate the Sprout Excellence Project (SEP), a 2-week summer camp for underprivileged K-12 public school students in rural areas of China. Faculty and student volunteers from US institutions of higher learning participate in this cultural exchange by designing their own 2-week educational program. This initiative is a collaboration between Linked to Asia and the Chinese Red Cross Foundation (CRCF).

3. We manage an international academic exchange program by sending qualified ESL instructors to public schools abroad for one academic year through China Aid Program (CAP). Through CAP we offer additional opportunities for interested participants to experience authentic Chinese culture, learn the Mandarin language, become a member of a diverse, global community and a service-minded world citizen.

HELPING EDUCATE ALL LEARNERS
(PROJECT HEAL)

The mission of Project HEAL is to train educators and administrators in identifying and supporting students that could better achieve with accommodations and interventions in the classroom. Our belief is that all children hold value and that we will support any parent, administrator, and/or educator who wants to better serve children with special needs throughout the world.

The goals of HEAL are:

  1. To provide introductory training to adults that serve children in special education identification, classroom accommodations, and methods of support
  2. To continue working with those trained via distance learning to support and record growth of students served

SPROUT EXCELLENCE PROJECT (SEP)

Sprout Excellence Project is an educational support program operated directly by Chinese Red Cross Foundation (CRCF). Every year CRCF assists underdeveloped areas by improving educational development through building early childhood education programs, schools, clinics, libraries, setting up scholarships, creating curriculums, training local teachers, organizing summer camps etc. As a fully devoted partner of CRCF, Linked to Asia (LTA) focuses mostly on the SEP summer camp that aims at serving underprivileged primary to high school students in China. Volunteers from US universities, faculty and students, will participate in a cultural exchange by designing their own 2-week camp program within our general guidelines anytime during July and August.

If you are interested in SEP for next summer please feel free to contact us for details at team@linkedtoasia.org. Any support to improve the local education and help the underprivileged students is highly appreciated!

For a typical SEP schedule (CLICK HERE)

CHINA AID PROGRAM (CAP)

Life is all about experience

Teach English in China for one academic year. Our placements are in public k-12 schools with a salary of 8000 RMB per month, flight reimbursement up to 10000 RMB, free accommodation provided by the host school, free TEFL training and certificate, Chinese work visa, health insurance. Additionally, free Chinese language lessons provided, airport pick up and ongoing support in China and assistance of further career development in the education field. Our partner schools are located in the following provinces: Hunan, Jiangsu, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Beijing Shanghai, and Zhejiang.

The main qualifications for CAP are a passport of the following countries: United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland or South Africa, a Bachelor’s degree or higher (all majors welcome), adaptive and flexible, and positive attitude towards cultural and educational exchange.

FAQs for CAP (CLICK HERE)

Complete CAP Application (CLICK HERE)

Testimonials

I applied to LinkedToAsia because I wanted something different, and my experience has broadened my perspective on the world and teaching! There are schools for many different personalities and lifestyles. LinkedToAsia really cares about you from the beginning of the contract to the end. Would easily do it again!

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Steven Stern
2019 Teacher Cohort Zhejiang

Linked to Asia has been a delight to work with and collaborate together. Their extensive support systems have made acclimating to a new culture both smooth and exciting for all participants. It's great to have a program you can trust to be there when it's needed.

Jeffery McNeil
Mr. Jeffery McNeil
Foreign Principal of Zhangjianggang Liangfeng International School

China has been an incredible experience for me. I’ve learned a lot about my own culture and Chinese culture while being close to several other Asian locations. This opportunity has helped me grow as both a teacher and an individual; I am thankful to CAP for the fantastic experience.

Bridget Miller
Bridget Miller
CAP 2017-2018 Jiangsu

After graduating university, I accepted a job opportunity as an ESL teacher through CAP in China and have since never looked back. Teaching has given me the rare opportunity to develop professionally and give back to the community, whilst opening my eyes to the rich culture and diverse landscapes China has to offer. I would fully recommend CAP, I guarantee you won't regret it. 

Jacob Eade
Jacob Eade
CAP 2018-2019 Zhangjiagang

PARTNERSHIPS

Art Green Island 

artgreenisland.com 

LinkedToAsia has partnered with Dr Junrui Garcia of Art Green Island to offer enriching arts classes and activities for children in local communities.

Southwest WomanCare OBGYN 

Swwobgyn.com

Southwest WomanCare OBGYN is a specialty physician office that supports LinkedToAsia mission and educational initiatives

Our team

Dr. Alexandru Spatariu

Founder & Executive Director

Dr. Spatariu started LinkedToAsia nonprofit education organization in March of 2018. He holds a doctorate degree in Educational Psychology from University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Dr. Spatariu has a definite desire to improve education worldwide in general and strengthen cultural ties between America and Asia in particular. He is leading LinkedToAsia with primary purpose of closing the achievement gap and promoting education equality of less privileged K-12 students around the globe. Prior to that he spent over 12 years as a professor at Georgetown College and Houston Baptist University teaching and researching in Education and Psychology. Currently, he lives in Houston, Texas with family.

Steve Straughter

Chief Strategy, Marketing, and Operations Officer

Mr. Straughter has managed some of the most amazing projects spanning industries from non-profit organizations to government projects to large-scale technical revolutions with some of Forbes top 50 companies. Mr. Straughter earned his Master of Arts in Psychology from Houston Baptist University and has taught college courses in Psychology for a few years. Mr. Straughter has also been in K-12 classrooms for various functions and has seen the great dissonance between learners and administrative policies. He is passionate about working with teachers and administrators to ensure ALL children are included in the learning process. He manages LinkedToAsia operations and partnerships and lives in Houston, Texas.

Aegean He

REGIONAL DIRECTOR - CHINA

Ms. He has a Bachelor of Arts from Beijing Yuanmingyuan College and has worked in the field of international cultural exchange and international education for nearly 20 years. She has helped thousands of young people from various countries travel, study and work globally. She has been with LinkedToAsia since the start of the organization. Prior to that she worked in cultural exchanges with major companies including Forbes Global Alliance and Ambright Group primarily with entities from United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada and Germany. Ms. He lives in China and develops partnerships in Asia for LinkedToAsia.

Sheila Ren

Regional Director – Europe

Ms. Ren received her Master in Business Administration from ICN Business School and has been working in the international education field for over 8 years. Ms. Ren has worked with numerous universities worldwide to build educational and cultural exchange programs. Currently, Ms. Ren lives in Germany and helps develop partnerships in Europe for LinkedToAsia. She believes sharing and exchanging education resources can benefit everyone – education should have no boundaries!

Dr. Christine Woodbury

Special Education Programs Consultant

Dr. Woodbury teaches special education graduate level courses at Southern Methodist University. Her Doctorate is from Texas Woman’s University in Special Education with emphasis in Educational Diagnostics. Working with teachers and administrators around the world to educate them about students with special needs is something she truly enjoys doing. She collaborates with LinkedToAsia on special education initiatives. Dr. Woodbury lives in Dallas, Texas with family.

Dr. Karen Heller

Teacher Professional Development Programs Consultant

Dr. Karen Heller is a highly respected and recognized expert in the field of organizational leadership, education and behavior management with over 35 years of direct and practical experience. Her doctorate is in Organizational Leadership. A former Nevada State College Assistant Vice President and special education program director, teacher and trainer, Dr. Heller’s diverse background and know-how help educators enhance current abilities and transfer skills to practical applications. Dr. Heller collaborates with LinkedToAsia on special education initiatives and pedagogy teacher trainings. She lives in Orlando, Florida.

CONTACT US

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