Gongshu Zhang

Biography

Dr. Gongshu Zhang was born on January 20, 1944, an only child, in Shanghai, China. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Physics with a perfect 4.0 GPA from Shanghai Teachers University in 1965. He subsequently served as a professor and then a chairman in the Department of Physics at the Changning Educational Institute. He served as a Director for the Shanghai High School Physics Education Center, a Director for Changning District High School’s Education Research Center, was a member of the Changning District High School Teacher’s Evaluation Committee, and was an Editor for ‘Changning Education’ magazine. During this time, he also published eight textbooks. According to his colleagues, he was a popular physics professor and a leading teacher and researcher in teaching methodology in Shanghai. He had 26 years of teaching and research experience in physics prior to moving to the United States in 1991.

He was initially invited to the United States as a visiting professor to the University of Chicago. Later, he served as an assistant director in the Office of Research, Evaluation, and Policy Studies at Northern Illinois University. Dr. Zhang also earned his Masters of Science in Educational Psychology and Doctorate of Education from Northern Illinois University in 1996. He was hired by the North Carolina State Department of Public Instruction in Raleigh, NC the same year. He excelled in his job and was quickly promoted from a Senior Research Consultant to the Co-chair with the State Deputy Superintendent. In 2005, Dr. Zhang was recruited to serve as an Executive Accountability and Research Officer for North Carolina’s Guilford County Schools and promoted to Chief Officer for Accountability and Research in 2007. He remained as Chief Accountability and Research Officer until 2013. During his 18-year career in the United States, he was personally in charge of more than 20 major academic researches. His works have been presented throughout the United States and Canada. He also published six research papers and one book in the United States.

Dr. Zhang received numerous professional recognitions and outstanding awards throughout his illustrious career, with the most recent one being the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Research and Assessment Leadership Award in 2010. This award is considered the nation’s top honor in research and assessment in urban education. Dr. Zhang was a rare powerhouse in the academic data analysis and helped transform data into guidance and directions for teachers and principals to improve students’ learning process and strengthen their achievements.

Dr. Zhang retired in June 2013. A farewell party given in his honor was well-attended by his co-workers, school principals and superintendents from almost all school districts in Guilford County. From the book presented to Dr. Zhang during the party, you can find countless heart-felt well wishes and his own sayings being made known among his peers such as his famous “Fuji to Fuji, Apple to Apple” that was created by him to delineate the importance of distinguishing even insignificant or easily overlooked differences when making comparisons and drawing conclusions. Dr. Zhang was not only greatly admired for his ability to handle the complexities of data and arrive complicated but user-friendly conclusions, he also made data fun and personal. One of the education board members recalled that Dr. Zhang had always cautioned them to look at each piece of data as a window into the soul of a child they are seeking to serve and use the data to help derive insights and solutions to meet the needs of the diverse demographic groups in their district. His creativity, efficiency, and thoroughness in data analysis were unmatched. He inspired his co-workers to seek and deliver only the best for those they serve. His works will impact many generations to come and provide the foundation for scores of opportunities.

Dr. Zhang was not only a well-respected and accomplished scholar, he was also a lifetime passionate classical music enthusiast, a talented photographer, master bridge player and avid traveler. In addition to his professional achievements, family was very important to him. Dr. Zhang adored his granddaughter Yue, age 4. He tried to visit her in Shanghai whenever possible and always appreciated the time they spent together. When he returned from visits, his face beamed as he shared stories of their nightly walk to Häagen- Dazs for a scoop of her favorite ice cream. Even though they were separated by distance, Dr. Zhang maintained his daily rituals -- maybe the most important one, in his opinion -- of calling his granddaughter via Skype from his home in Greensboro.

He was baptized into Christ in November 2014 and remained a devoted Christian until his death on May 8, 2015. Above all else, his genuine care for people and his generosity and delightful hospitality will be fondly remembered by his colleagues and friends alike. He was truly irreplaceable and will be forever missed.

Dr. Zhang is survived by his beloved wife, Yimin Wang; his son Patrick, and his granddaughter Yue.