Mandarin Teacher Bo Feng is retiring this year after ten years at CCHS. Mr. Feng not only teaches Chinese but is also a presence in the arts. Earlier this year, Mr. Feng exhibited in the school’s gallery. He enjoys wood burning and drawing.

Mr. Feng’s most memorable moments at CC are teaching students art. Mr. Feng encourages his students to draw or explore the art of wood-burning.

Mr. Feng grew up in China during the cultural revolution and was luckily able to move to the United States. In another world, he might have become a computer graphics designer, but he chose to be a Chinese teacher due to high demand.

The main thing he will miss about being a teacher is the students. During COVID-19, Mr. Feng said that the main challenges were online learning and not being able to see the students. It was also difficult for the “[switch] back to the normal teaching environment not to be impacted.”

Above: a portrait by Mr. Feng of Social Studies teacher Mr. Joseph Bodenrader.

After retirement, Mr. Feng is interested in more art projects: “I’m interested in more and more types of media.” He hopes to continue wood burning, “and I’m planning to pick up watercolor. Actually, I’m learning from the teacher [at CC] how to do ceramics.”

Mr. Feng is also planning on adding to his backyard zen garden, such as “a small stone fountain, and trying to build… a backdrop for the [concrete] tiger.”

The Voice is very grateful to have talked with Mr. Feng and wishes him the best of luck during retirement!