Emily brings over 20 years of experience in education, specializing in preschool and afterschool programs. She has served as a teacher and, for the past 10 years, as a preschool director. In Emily's own words: "I am passionate about fostering learning and building meaningful connections with others, valuing engaging conversations with both parents and students while sharing a positive, uplifting attitude. Outside of professional life, I enjoy reading articles that inspire and uplift, capturing life’s special moments through photography, and experimenting with new recipes. After work, I love leisurely walks in my neighborhood, and on weekends, I enjoy hiking in local parks and trails—finding joy in life’s little adventures. Music and audiobooks are my go-to for relaxation, and I’m always eager to discover something new to listen to."

Lydia Lin is a dedicated learning specialist with over 18 years of experience working with young students and their families. At Menlo Chinese School, Ms. Lin is known as a standout teacher, especially skilled in introducing the Chinese language to young children in a fun, engaging way. Her students adore her, and her classes are filled with enthusiasm, as she incorporates interactive activities and Mandarin storytime to make language learning enjoyable and accessible. Lydia brings a wealth of insight and empathy to her work. As a mother of two, she deeply understands the unique challenges and joys involved in supporting children’s learning journeys. Outside the classroom, Lydia enjoys traveling and spending quality time with friends, bringing her passion for learning and exploration into all aspects of her life.

Carol was born in China and moved to the United States over 20 years ago. With years of child-care experience, a deep love for young children, and insights into Chinese language education, she decided to join Menlo Chinese School to help the community thrive. As a mother of two, she faced the common challenge of encouraging her children to embrace their Chinese heritage, language, and culture. She firmly believes that Chinese language education needs a revolution in teaching approaches to better engage children in the United States. Carol graduated from the University of Hawaii and previously worked as a consultant for Deloitte and IBM.

With more than twenty years of teaching experience, Dan comes to the classroom with patience and a love for working with young students. Dan came to the U.S. after having taught for nine years at Beijing Foreign Studies University-the top language instruction university in China. Since 2015 she has taught Chinese to K-12 students, as well as AP Chinese courses. She received a Master’s degree in Education from the University of San Francisco and holds a Chinese Middle School Teaching Credential and two California Single-Subject Credentials in Mandarin and ELD.

Ms. Zhu brings over a decade of experience in Mandarin education and has a proven track record of success leading after-school programs in the bay area. She is passionate about STEM education and uses hands-on experiments to make learning fun while developing students' logical thinking skills.

Sylvia was born and raised in China. She earned her Master's degree from the University of Queensland after five years of study in Singapore and Australia. Before moving to the U.S., she worked for several years at leading internet companies. Her decision to change careers comes from her love for working with children and her passion for Chinese language. With professional certifications in both hard-tip calligraphy and piano, she aspires to share the beauty of traditional Chinese culture with all her students. Sylvia is thrilled to bring her expertise and enthusiasm to Menlo Chinese School, where she strives to inspire each child to discover and reach their full potential.

Aiyuan is a cherished educator among students and families alike. With several years of experience in Chinese language tutoring and children’s speech training in China, she brings deep expertise in pronunciation, articulation, and expressive speaking. Aiyuan is known not only for her teaching skills but also for her genuine care and dedication to every child she works with. Her warm and attentive approach helps students feel supported, encouraged, and excited to learn. She also leads our highly popular Cooking Class, where language learning comes to life through hands-on culinary experiences. Under her guidance, students explore Chinese culture while learning Mandarin in a fun, engaging, and deeply memorable way. Aiyuan is passionate about creating joyful learning moments and is committed to helping each child build confidence and a meaningful connection to the Chinese language.

Jingli was born in China and spent a year in the United States, where she developed a deep appreciation for the challenges of preserving cultural heritage abroad. As a mother of a three-year-old boy, she understands firsthand the importance of inspiring young children to embrace their Chinese language and culture. With four years of child-care experience and a passion for early childhood education, Jingli is dedicated to making Chinese language learning engaging and accessible for children in the United States. She believes in revolutionizing traditional teaching methods to foster a more immersive and enjoyable learning experience. Jingli is excited to bring her expertise and enthusiasm to Menlo Chinese School, where she hopes to help the community thrive by nurturing a love for the Chinese language and culture in the next generation.

Anda was born and raised in China. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Art Design from Nanjing Normal University. Before moving to the U.S., she taught kindergarten in China for five years. Anda also holds a Master’s degree in Art Education from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. After graduation, she began her career at Yew Chung International School of Silicon Valley, working as a digital art teacher and Chinese assistant teacher in 2017. In 2019, she joined the Silicon Valley International School as a Chinese Learning Assistant. Currently, she serves as an Elementary Art/STEM teacher at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley Lower School in Sunnyvale. Anda also serves as an Art Specialist at Menlo Chinese School, where she loves sharing the joy of art with the Chinese-learning community. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, cooking, and traveling.

Carol holds a Master's degree from the University of Science and Technology of China (中国科技大学). In addition, she has a strong background in Child Psychology. Before becoming a teacher, she worked for many years in the finance industry. Her desire to change career paths was an outgrowth of her own experiences as a young mother. Born and raised in China, Carol has a true love for the Chinese language, and loves sharing its beauty with eager young learners. She believes in the unlimited potential of every child to succeed. For Carol, education is not just about imparting knowledge; but is a process by which each child learns how to develop and grow their innate abilities.