The passionate educator

During his growing up years, Mark Ecklesdafer was gifted with a seemingly boundless curiosity. He had a knack for the sciences and everything that had to do with outer space. He aspired to be an astronaut. He wanted to explore the unknown.

Things didn't change much when he was in college. In 2004, he was presented with the opportunity to visit Shanghai for a study abroad program with his peers from Grand Valley State University in the United States. Ecklesdafer didn't think twice about participating.

He was in Shanghai for only six weeks, but that was enough to get him hooked on Chinese culture and the city's effervescent nature. He loved the experience so much he even returned the next year to participate in an extended 12-week program.

He bought a one-way ticket. He was convinced that Shanghai was where he wanted to be.

Following his graduation, Ecklesdafer went on to begin his career as an educator in Shanghai. He worked at two educational institutions before joining the prestigious Soong Ching Ling School in 2009.

"I was born in a small town near Grand Rapids in Michigan that has a population of only about 200,000 people. It doesn't have a lot of diversity. Here in Shanghai, I get to work with people from different parts of China and all over the world, and the challenges this brings is exciting. I don't think I would feel as challenged at home. In fact, I'd probably feel bored," said Ecklesdafer.