Derek Yang
Connecting With Students Beyond the Lesson of the Day
When Middle School Chinese instructor Derek Yang came to Breck, he literally assumed a new identity. He changed his birth name of Decheng to Derek, to make it easier for his new community to pronounce, and he switched from high school, which he’d taught in China, to Middle School.
The soft-spoken Derek says he’s never looked back. “I like living in Minnesota very much,” he remarks. “I like the people here and I am so comfortable at Breck. I can’t believe how fast the time has passed.”
Born in Shanghai as the youngest of six siblings, Derek was teaching Chinese language and literature at Shanghai Technical High School when China “opened its doors to the world,” he recalls. Some friends had moved to Minnesota, and Derek was intrigued by the opportunities. He took ESL classes and enrolled at St. Mary’s College (now University) and moved here to pursue a master’s degree. When the Middle School job became available at Breck, Derek was happy to return to teaching.
“I think my students can relate to me as an example,” he laughs. “I’m still learning English.”
He has come to love Middle School students for their energy and sense of fun. “My classroom here is so different from the one in China. There the teaching is totally teacher-centered. At Breck, I’m happy that my students find me approachable. It’s so rewarding to watch them develop socially and academically. It really makes my life a pleasure.”
Working with Derek is a pleasure for his colleagues as well. Says Lora Opsahl, “Derek is a great colleague, teacher, and friend who loves being part of the Modern Language Department and the Middle School. He has worked hard and successfully to establish a strong Chinese program as a bridge from Lower to Upper School in the K-12 Program. Open in his expression of appreciation of the contributions of others, he is always eager to lend assistance wherever he can. He has wonderful sense of humor and an amazing capacity to connect with his students beyond the lesson of the day. He understands the students well and uses this knowledge to guide them through each stage of Middle School life as they study Chinese. Upper School students often come back to chat, ask advise, or listen to his wise counsel.”
Middle School Health teacher Debby Rye says, “Yang, Decheng is a fantastic father and husband, and a wonderful teacher. He is concerned about his students and works hard to help them be successful, not only in Chinese language, but also in life. He is a good friend of mine. I appreciate his honesty and he is truly a genuine person. Derek has a great sense of humor and I don't think a lot of people know that about him. We can count on each other and often help each other out both at work and socially. I truly appreciate his friendship and consider him to be one of my best friends.”
When he’s not at Breck, Derek enjoys reading (both in English and Chinese), watching sports, working on art projects and enjoying his family. His wife Wei Cheng works at the Radisson Hotel in Minneapolis. He tries to get back to Shanghai to visit his family every two or three years, and he talks to his mother weekly on the phone. Daughter Lainey, who graduated from Breck in 2003 and Wellesley College in 2007, was a good student. “Breck provided the best education for Lainey,” says the proud father. “She learned that studying hard could bring her a bright future.
“I am so happy to be at Breck,” Derek says. “I’ve had such wonderful opportunities here. I have caring, supportive colleagues who let me know they’re behind me whenever I need them. And I have the kids who keep me young!”
