As we celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, we reflect with deep appreciation—our school wouldn’t be the same without the extraordinary contributions of our AANHPI families, faculty, and students. The International School of Denver thrives because of the invaluable influence of our AANHPI community.

At ISDenver, celebrating AANHPI Heritage Month goes far beyond recognition—it’s an invitation to deepen our understanding of the stories, traditions, and voices that enrich our daily lives. I’m proud of how our Chinese program contributes to that richness. It’s not only a gateway to language learning, but also a bridge that connects students to culture, history, and global perspectives.

This month—and every month—offers us a meaningful chance to celebrate the diversity that makes our school community so vibrant. I’m honored to be part of it.

-ChangTsui Chang (Ms. Tracy), ISDenver Faculty

Why We Celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month at ISDenver

At ISDenver, we believe that every student’s cultural heritage is a vital thread in the fabric of our community. Celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month gives us a special opportunity to honor the diverse identities, languages, and traditions that make our school such a vibrant place to learn and grow. This month is not only about acknowledging the contributions of our Chinese program, but also about uplifting the voices of all our AANHPI students and families—whether they are part of our Chinese, French, or Spanish programs. By providing a platform to share their stories, languages, and cultural practices, we invite all students to see that their heritage matters, and that their unique backgrounds enrich our community in meaningful ways. Celebrating this diversity helps us build a stronger, more inclusive school where every child feels seen, valued, and empowered to shine.

The addition of our Chinese program in 2003 was a pivotal moment in our journey, and in 2005, the Education Department of Guangzhou, China, formally recognized the excellence in Chinese language education. Today, our Chinese program is recognized by the Confucius Institute Headquarters of China, whose goal is to promote the Chinese language overseas, deepen the understanding of the Chinese language and culture among people of the world, promote educational cooperation and cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and enhance international understanding. 

Join us in celebrating these voices by watching this special video, Celebrating AAPI Voices at the International School of Denver, produced by Steven Lamb.