Teachers

Phoebe Wang / Assistant Director

I graduated from Chinese Culture University in Taiwan with a Bachelor degree in Foreign Language & Literature, in Taiwan I worked 10 years as a teacher and administrator in the early childhood education field. I moved to the US in 2015. I believe that love and method are the best way to stay with kids in their growth. I love to perform on the stage since I was little, such as singing, drama and Chinese traditional cross talk. I’m so glad to be a part of Sleepy Tigers and hope to share more joy with everyone.

Work hours: Monday-Friday, 8:15am-5:15pm.

Wenjun Wang / Lead Teacher

I’m from Xi’an, China. I graduated from the Eastern New Mexico University with a bachelor degree in Early Childhood Education. After that, I graduated from the University of Kansas with a master degree in the TESOL program. I have been teaching Chinese to global students at all ages with different learning goals online and in person for more than two years. I was also an assistant teacher in the Children Development Center of the Eastern New Mexico University, where I learned rich interaction skills with children. I’m a people person, have a passion for teaching Mandarin, also have a soft spot for children.

Work hours: Monday-Friday, 7:15am-4:15pm. Rainbow Room

Siwen Xue / Assistant Teacher

I have more than 4 years experience teaching / tutoring children and adults in Mandarin for both everyday and business purposes. I graduated from Zhejiang Wanli University with a Bachelor degree in Chinese Language and Literature in China. I love children, the growth in a child always amazes me. In my free time, I like riding bike, boxing, reading and cooking.

Work hours: Monday-Friday, 8:45am-5:45pm. Rainbow Room

Amber (Liming) Wang / Teacher

I graduated from University of Pittsburgh with a master degree in Foreign Language Education. I also enrolled in course of Early Childhood Education during my study at University of Pittsburgh. Besides, I participated in an Early Childhood Education program in Florence, Italy and visited Reggio Emilia teacher training center and several local preschools. I have been a volunteer Chinese teacher in Carnegie Library in Pittsburgh for two years, and I also was an assistant teacher in Pittsburgh Chinese School where I taught children in different ages. In addition, I was a volunteer in an national early education organization-Jumpstart in University of Pittsburgh for one year, in which I read storybooks for children each week. My experience helps me learn children development theories and rich interaction skills with kids. I believe every child is a unique individual, and I am making efforts to explore each kid’s potential and qualities.

Work hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:30pm. Butterfly Room.

Xiaoqi Tian / Assistant Teacher

I am from Shandong, China. I graduated from Qingdao University with a bachelor degree in English Education. After that, I graduated from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities with a Master of Education degree in the Second Langauge Education program. I have been teaching language to all ages students in person for more than three years. I worked in the Child Development Center of the University of Minnesota Twin Cities from 2017 – 2019. I also was a Chinese tutor for the Chinese Flagship program at University of Minnesota Twin Cities from 2018 -2019 which help students to become the Chinese learners who can achieve the superior proficiency level according to ACFEL assessment standards. In early 2019, I also taught English in Hubbs Lifelong Learning Center, St.Paul Public School. I’m the person who has a passion for teaching, also love working with children.

Work hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:30pm. Butterfly Room

Yang Yang / Teacher

I am from Shanghai, China. I graduated from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities with a bachelor degree in Visual Arts (primarily ceramics) and a master degree in Art Education with MN K-12 teaching license. I have been working with students from Pre-K to high school age during my master program by using DBAE(Discipline Based Art Education) method. Besides, I also taught preschool kids art as an assistant teacher in Shanghai for around two years. I love to use art as a visual tool to facilitate kids’ learning process and I believe understanding is the key to build up the relationship with them.

Work hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30pm-5:30pm. Jungle Room.

Nico Dornemann / Assistant Teacher

I native of Minneapolis, I graduated from Macalester College in 2005 with a degree in philosophy. In 2006 I moved to China, where I spent 9 years, during which I taught English in a variety of settings, learned Mandarin, met my beautiful wife, had my children and received a master’s degree in applied linguistics from the University of Nottingham, Ningbo, China. I currently work during the school year as an educational assistant at the Twin Cities German Immersion School in St. Paul, and am working toward my teaching license in special and gifted education (emotional and behavior disorders) from the University of St. Thomas. I began working with the school-age children last summer at Sleepy Tigers. It was an absolute blast to teach a wonderful group of kids in a language I love. My life’s mission is to work with children in developing life skills, compassion, and kindness.

Work hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-1:30pm (summer only). Jungle Room

Angela (Yingwei) Wu / Assistant Teacher

I am from Shanghai, China. I pursued studies in international management at both Shanghai Jiaotong University and the Antwerpen School of Business in Belgium, where I earned my Master of Global Management degree. I owned my teaching certificate from ICA , the Certificate of Accreditation in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language in 2013. After I immigrated United States with my family, I started work as a community education instructor & Mandarin translator from March 2013 to 2016 in Sioux Falls School District, South Dakota. I love help kids to develop their curiosity, learning and social skills, and really enjoy the beautiful connection with them.

Work hours: Monday-Friday, 11:30am-5:00pm. Jungle Room

Yahui Shi / Substitute Teacher

I graduated from Changchun Normal University in China with a Bachelor degree. I spent four years studying Elementary Education with a minor in Chinese-English bilingual education. I got the Chinese teaching certificate and national Mandarin certificate in 2015. During the fourth year of my degree program, I proudly joined the Confucius Institute at St. Cloud State University in America as an intern Chinese teacher. I was assigned to co-teach 1st grade students in the Chinese immersion program. Now, I am a graduate student in Saint Cloud State University and my major is TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language). I am confident that I am prepared to start a promising teaching career and guide more students on their journey of Chinese learning.

All classrooms.

Sandy Mei / Food Service

I have been teaching preschool age children in China for over 17 years, I moved to the United States 3 years ago. I like kids and love to taking care of them. In my leisure time, I love to read and cook. I believe have a healthy body and healthy mind are the most important things for young children. My biggest accomplishment is the satisfaction from the parents and have children to grow healthy and happily in our school.

Work hours: Monday-Friday, 9:30am-6:30pm.