Critical Reading Lessons: Greystone Secrets #1: The Strangers (One Month)

For the past three decades, teaching has been my journey. It’s been a journey full of deep fulfillment and continuous learning. I am dedicated to nurturing young minds – it’s been a consistent thread throughout my diverse professional background.

In my role as an educator, I have guided elementary, middle school and high school gifted students across a spectrum of subjects, including English, Math, and Mandarin. I love witnessing their moments of epiphany as they grasp new concepts and develop a richer comprehension of the world around them.

I believe in the power of education. It shouldn’t be a privilege; it’s essential for individual growth and societal progress. That’s why I am committed to high quality teaching – I’m constantly seeking ways to improve and innovate.

Learning Mandarin doesn't need to be difficult. I foster an engaging and interactive environment for learning Mandarin, utilizing storytelling and visual imagery alongside memory strategies and study tips. In addition, I use various techniques such as: chunking, clustering or grouping, spaced repetition, keyword mnemonics and associations, distributed practice, visualization and imaging, active recalling, note-taking, drawing and writing, game playing, and more.

I've introduced the concept of "world-building" into my lessons, drawing inspiration from popular gaming strategies to connect with young people. We immerse ourselves in the eras of ancient China, utilizing new vocabulary as imaginary tools to navigate challenges in that world. We advance knowledge levels by pretending using our senses to listen, speak, and write in ancient China. This approach has led to what I fondly refer to as the hidden title of my class, "How Not to Die in Ancient China!"

I received an MBA from the University of Chicago's Booth Business School and a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Southern California. Although I’ve worked professionally in Fortune 100 corporations, Hollywood entertainment firms, and Silicon Valley startups, the allure of teaching has always drawn me back.

My family is full of educators – from college professors to principals and math teachers.  They have inspired me by their impact on students' lives. I am committed to do the same.

My life bridges across the Chinese and American worlds – from Taiwan to Los Angeles to the Bay Area and the Midwest – each place making me a stronger communicator with people from diverse backgrounds. I’m now back in Los Angeles, where I share my life with my husband and our two sons, who remind me of the importance of education and learning.