About Me

As a teacher, I have followed a unique and unconventional path.

I earned my Ph.D. in sustainable agriculture and pursued postdoctoral research at Nanjing University and UC Davis for three years. After the birth of my second son, I chose to become a stay-at-home mom, dedicating six years to raising my two sons. This period was precious, filled with beautiful memories. During those years, I explored my interests in psychology, parenting, mind science, and personal development, almost forgetting about the necessity of a career. Then, my family returned to China, and I resumed research at Tongji University in Shanghai.

Although I was productive at work, I increasingly felt unfulfilled and even depressed. Two years later, in 2016, I returned to the U.S. and began teaching science for the Panda preschool class. This experience refreshed me and reignited my curiosity. I then became an associate teacher for the Panda class, teaching for two hours a day—those two hours became the happiest part of my day. When I was with the children, I felt transformed—active, imaginative, creative, and playful. At middle age, I made what seemed like a crazy decision: I embraced a low-paid, entry-level teaching job because it simply felt right. (Sigh! When will society truly recognize the importance of preschool years?) I decided to continue as a teacher.

After completing my preservice training for a teaching credential, I became the head teacher for the Dragons kindergarten class. That year was the most unbelievable of my life—my first year as a full-time teacher, transitioning from in-person teaching before March to online teaching for the remainder of the school year due to COVID. To me, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. With the pandemic, many conferences, institutions, and museums opened their resources for free. I attended several online conferences that I wouldn't have known about otherwise. I became a sponge, absorbing all kinds of knowledge and, fortunately, connecting with the "mycorrhizal network" of the teaching field. My kindergarteners were my angels, inspiring me to create interactive and diverse learning experiences during those challenging times.

With Dragons and Owls at Peregrine School, I faced both the most challenging and the most fascinating experiences—designing adaptive and progressive lessons that aligned with students' interests, the natural and cultural environment. Guided by SOAR (Science, Outdoor, Art, Responsibility), our curricula were rich and integrative. Often, we entered a flow state, exploring different ways to solve problems, experimenting, making art, singing, communicating with bugs and worms, cooking, and enjoying stories together.

I love kindergarteners! They are playful, curious, imaginative, flexible, and deeply connected. However, I observed that even at this young age, children had already formed mindsets—belief systems and attitudes about themselves, others, learning, and the world. Unfortunately, while we focus on managing behaviors, we often overlook these invisible mindsets. Many of these beliefs persist into adulthood, and limiting beliefs such as "I am not good enough," "I am not good at math," or "I must fit in to be liked and accepted" disempower students and hinder their full potential.

Since junior high, I have been fascinated by how humans learn and change. My studies in yoga and my experiences with students have led me to realize that science alone cannot answer my deepest questions. I have expanded my exploration beyond science and educational theories. Over the past few years, I have pursued extensive learning, including:

• Social and Emotional Learning Foundations Course – UC Berkeley School of Social Welfare & University Extension, August-December 2024

• Cultivating Connection: Mindfulness, Gratitude, and Awe – Greater Good Science Center, UC Berkeley, September-December 2024

• The Awakened Schools Institute – Collaborative for Spirituality in Education, Teachers College, Columbia University, August-December 2023

• Growing Whole Children in the Garden – UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education, 2021

• Teacher Credentialing Preservice Program (Multiple Subject) – Rex and Margaret Fortune School of Education, 2019

• Teaching Character and Creating Positive Classrooms – Relay Graduate School of Education, 2014

• Hatha Yoga (Upa Yoga, Angamardana, Surya Kriya, Yogasanas, and Bhuta Shuddhi), Inner Engineering (Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya), Bhava Spandana program,  Shoonya meditation and Shakti Chalana Kriya – Isha Foundation (2017-2024)

• Rise Summit – Tony Robbins, 2024

• Rewire Your Brain – Dr. Joe Dispenza, 2023

• Limitless – Jim Kwik, 2023

• Channeled Teachings from Higher Dimensional Beings – Bashar (Darryl Anka), Hathors and Arcturians (Tom Kenyon), Ryokah (Tyler Ellison), Pleiadians (Wendy Kennedy), 2023-present

• Paradigm Shift – Proctor Gallagher Institute, 2017

Through these experiences, I have undergone profound transformation and increased consciousness. I believe that humans are limitless and possess incredible superpowers—if we are willing to shift our mindset and update our beliefs about what is possible. By doing so, we can create not only a fulfilling life for ourselves but also a harmonious, joyful, and abundant society on this beautiful Earth.

The journey is the destination—true for both life and education!