Where it began · In loving memory
A former US principal who made five self-funded visits to Taiwan and touched countless schools. He passed away in 2025; his kindness still travels through every classroom he loved.
Michael Dishnow — a former guidance counselor and school principal in the United States — began more than a decade ago by coaching Changhua’s children to speak English through video calls, at a time when the whole county had only about six foreign teachers.
When he made his first self-funded visit, students and teachers felt they already knew him. Schools welcomed him with performances, singing, dancing — even lion dances. He embraced Taiwan in return: he studied Chinese, kept records of every friend’s name and address, and faithfully mailed handwritten calligraphy and cards from the US every Lunar New Year.
Back home he taught virtual classes five days a week, wrote articles urging Americans to volunteer in Taiwan, and over ten years shipped boxes of cards, pens, and T-shirts printed “Learn English with Grandpa Mike.” He traveled without complaint to schools as far away as Penghu and Pingtung.
Humble, kind, endlessly encouraging, and quick with a wonderful sense of humor — he never promoted himself.
Taiwan’s tireless spokesperson in the US — writing books and articles and giving his own resources to support Taiwanese schools.
“People change their views because of your actions, not because of what you say.” He lived it every day.
From Changhua to Penghu and Pingtung, he went wherever students needed him — without complaint.
Campus News
The video series he and the schools made together, school by school — from Changhua to Penghu. Every video plays right here.
The 2019 Tour
In 2019 Grandpa Mike traveled the length of Changhua, walking into one school after another. Here are the films from that tour — and a closing word of thanks, in his own voice, to the volunteers and members he loved. Every video plays right here.
