Teaching & Admin Team
Little Tiger is a teacher-led school. All of our teachers possess extensive classroom experience. Most have master’s degree level training and specific expertise in early childhood and elementary education. Most importantly, our teachers are energetic, engaging, and love working with children.
Our teaching team works in a highly collaborative manner. All of our teachers know all of our students and vice versa. This creates a supportive, family-like environment.
In addition to academic training and professional experience, all Little Tiger teachers possess American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED – Pediatrics certification. School staff are also required to completed a background check with the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Fingerprint-based Applicant Clearinghouse of Texas (FACT).
Ms. Meggie
Founder + Head of School
Ms. Meggie founded Chinese with Meggie in 2006 and Little Tiger Chinese Immersion School in 2015. Originally from Taiwan, Meggie holds a BFA in Studio Art from the Art Institute of Chicago and an MFA from UT-Austin. She also attended Rice University’s Institute for Chinese Language Teaching. Meggie believes in the power of language education at an early age and is dedicated to creating a fun, productive and engaging environment where all students can thrive. In addition to overseeing Little Tiger, she also leads the teaching team in developing innovative programs and learning materials. She is the author of Diving into Chinese, a series of 40 books for young Chinese language learners, published by China Sprout and Higher Education Press.
Li Laoshi
School Director
Originally from Nanjing, Li Laoshi is the Director of Little Tiger and a teacher with many years of experience in Chinese immersion education. Prior to joining Little Tiger in 2015, she was a Chinese immersion classroom teacher in Minneapolis’ Xinxing Academy for 6 years. She has an MA in TESOL (teaching English as a second language) from University of Florida, and a BA in Elementary Education from Nanjing Normal University in China. She also holds a TESOL certificate from Florida, K-6 teaching licenses from both Minnesota and Texas, and a K-12 teaching license from China. Before moving to the US, she taught middle school English in China for 3 years. She is a passionate teacher and loves using her energy and creativity to make Little Tiger an exciting and engaging place for her students and colleagues.
Dr. Cao
Director of Admissions and Administration
Dr. Cao received her BA in English for Foreign Trade from NanKai University in China. She earned a MA in English (with a concentration in ESL) from University of Toledo and a PhD in Linguistics from University of Florida. Dr. Cao directs the school’s admissions and administration. In the past, she also led Adult Professional Classes at Chinese with Meggie. Prior to joining Little Tiger, Dr. Cao was a faculty member at the Defense Language Institute, Concordia University, and Schreiner University. While at Schreiner, she served as Coordinator of the Texas Learning Consortium between 2015-2019.
Mr. Mike
Co-Founder and Director of Operations
A graduate of Stanford University (BA) and the University of Texas at Austin (MFA), Mike co-founded Little Tiger in 2015 and oversees the school’s operations. He also works closely with the leadership team to shape the school’s mission and vision, particularly around the integration of technology as a tool for differentiated learning. Prior to Little Tiger, he was a Fulbright Scholar in Taiwan, a lecturer at the University of Texas at Austin, and a professor at Georgetown University. In addition to his work in education, he is an accomplished photographer whose work has been widely exhibited and published.
Han Laoshi
Upper Elementary Homeroom Teacher
Han Laoshi is a passionate educator who enjoys teaching and learning with her students. She graduated from Pennsylvania State University with an MA in Teaching English as a Second Language and Southwest University with a BA in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language. Prior to joining Little Tiger, she was certified in Washington State, where she taught for two years in a Chinese + Japanese dual-language elementary school. She is dedicated to practicing research-based teaching approaches to help children become lifelong learners. During her free time, she enjoys hiking, watercoloring, and spending time with her dogs.
Anqi Laoshi
Upper Elementary Homeroom Teacher
Anqi Laoshi was born and raised in Wuhan, China. After completing her undergraduate studies in education in her hometown, she pursued a Master’s Degree in teaching Chinese as an international language at the Education University of Hong Kong. During that time, she also served as a Chinese language teaching intern in the Netherlands. Upon graduating, Anqi moved to Shenzhen and began her teaching career. Over a period of seven years, she gained extensive teaching experience, instructing students at both Bromsgrove Mission Hills School and Avenues World School Shenzhen. At Little Tiger, Anqi aims to help young learners explore the world through the Chinese language and become responsible, engaged global citizens. In her free time, Anqi enjoys playing with her dogs, painting, and working on crafts projects.
Sharon Laoshi
Lower Elementary Lead Teacher
Sharon Laoshi is a lower elementary lead teacher at Little Tiger. Before beginning her career in education, she received her Master’s Degree in Landscape Architecture from Harvard University, and later worked as a landscape designer in Taipei, Taiwan. While in Taipei, she co-founded and led a TESL after-school program for eight years. Sharon holds certificates for TCSL from National Taiwan Normal University, and LOTE Chinese writing and oral proficiency from ACTFL. Sharon is passionate about using pedagogical methods grounded in science to create fun and effective learning experiences.
Elly Laoshi
Lower Elementary Lead Teacher
Elly Laoshi holds a Master’s degree in Education and Learning Technology from National Tsing Hua University 國立清華大學 in Taiwan. She also holds official K–6 teaching certifications for both kindergarten and elementary school and is recognized by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education as a certified bilingual educator. Before joining Little Tiger, she worked for seven years as a certified public school teacher in Taiwan. During this time, she specialized in language and mathematics instruction and led interdisciplinary, project-based learning units. She is committed to fostering creativity, critical thinking, and cultural awareness in young learners and is thrilled to be working with students and colleagues at Little Tiger.
Xuan Laoshi
Elementary Subject Teacher
Xuan Laoshi earned her master’s degree in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages (TCSOL) from Nanjing University, as well as a graduate certificate from the Johns Hopkins University–Nanjing University Center for Chinese and American Studies. She holds a teaching license for elementary Chinese language education in China, along with an International Baccalaureate teaching certificate for the Primary Years Programme. Prior to joining Little Tiger, she taught for several years in Kentucky public schools.
Anny Laoshi
Early Childhood Division Lead and Montessori Teacher
Anny Laoshi has worked with students in Little Tiger’s Early Childhood Division for nearly a decade. Prior to her teaching career, Ms. Anny was based in China and worked as head of Asian market expansion for a large clothing retailer. She received her BA in International Trade from Tunghai University, Taiwan, in 2004. Between 2013 and 2014, she was awarded a scholarship in the EMBA program at Hult International School. In 2016, she received her certificates in TCSOL (Teaching Chinese to Speakers Of Other Languages) and EDI (Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language). More recently, Anny received her Montessori certification from the American Montessori Society via the Gulf Coast Montessori Teacher Education Center in Houston. At Little Tiger, Anny uses her Montessori expertise to help our youngest students develop essential skills, strong foundational working habits, and a sense of independence and pride.
Eva Laoshi
Math Coordinator and ECD Teacher
Eva Laoshi is an Elementary Math Coordinator and also works with the Tiger Cub teaching team. She holds Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Special Education from the University of Texas at Austin, where she focused on early childhood language development and behavior analysis. As an undergraduate in Taiwan, she majored in Child and Family Studies, while also interning at early learning institutions in Taipei, Shanghai, and Beijing. Whether working with young children or upper elementary students, Eva aims to inspire her students by combining a compassionate approach with evidence-based instructional practices.
Pei Pei Laoshi
Early Childhood Division Teacher
Pei-Yu was born in Taiwan and earned her degree in Early Childhood Education from National University of Tainan 國立台南大學. She holds a Preschool Teacher Certificate from Taiwan and an Early Childhood Educator certification from Singapore. Since completing her education over a decade ago, she has worked as a preschool teacher, gaining experience with a range of approaches including Montessori and Reggio Emilia. She is especially passionate about creating immersive learning experiences in international settings, which is why she was drawn to Little Tiger. Students affectionately call her “Pei Pei Laoshi.”
Ms. Maya
English Language Arts Teacher
Ms. Maya is a born-and-raised Texan and comes from a long line of teachers. In 2018, she graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. Over the next several years, she taught 5th-grade English Language Arts in public schools in the Dallas area. She moved to Austin (the best city in Texas!) in 2023 and served as a 5th-grade English Language Arts teacher for the past two years. During her career, Maya has served as a grade-level team lead, a member of district curriculum planning committees, a mentor teacher, and a coordinator for a variety of extracurricular clubs—leading student and family book clubs being her absolute favorite. She has a passion for literature and writing and is always finding ways to make learning engaging, rigorous, and student driven. In her free time, she loves reading, exploring vintage stores and farmers markets, listening to live music, and enjoying all the amazing food Austin has to offer.
Ms. Divya
English Language Arts Teacher
Originally from India, Ms. Divya holds a BA and MS in Education from Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar University, along with an MBA from Dayalbagh Educational Institute at Deemed University. Divya has had a distinguished teaching career in India and brings over a decade of experience instructing students across various grade levels and subjects, including English, Science, Social Studies, and Math. In addition to her teaching roles, Divya has held administrative positions such as Managing Director and Vice Principal. She has also trained students in Speech and Debate, preparing them for extracurricular competitions. In her spare time, Divya enjoys music, dancing, cooking, sports, and exploring Austin with her husband and daughter.
Ms. Cat
English Language Arts Teacher
Originally from San Francisco, California, Ms. Cat holds a BA in Chinese and Philosophy from Williams College, and an MA in Chinese with a focus on Teaching Foreign Language from Middlebury College. She is also a recipient of a Fulbright fellowship to Taiwan. Prior to joining Little Tiger, she worked with students from elementary school to college in the US, China, Taiwan, and Indonesia. As a passionate learner and teacher of languages, she believes that language education is most effective and enjoyable when it is student-centered, communication-based, and accessible. Outside of work, her interests include literature, music, and arts and crafts. Though her primary role at Little Tiger centers on English, she also speaks excellent Chinese.
Chloe Laoshi
Early Childhood Division
Chloe Laoshi received a BEd. in Early Childhood Education and Special Education from National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU). During her undergraduate studies, Chloe was also the inaugural NTNU-Little Tiger summer intern in 2022, joining our team to learn about language immersion. After graduating from NTNU, she served as lead teacher in a bilingunal and multicultural preschool in Taipei. Chloe believes children embody limitless possibilities and potential, and she is grateful for the opportunity to work with them each day. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her cat, Ohana, and playing Monster Hunter Now!
Gu Laoshi
Elementary Teacher – Math & Computers
Originally from Shanghai, Gu Laoshi graduated from University of Minnesota with a MEd in Dual Language and Immersion Education. She holds K-6 teaching licenses in Minnesota and Illinois. Before moving to Texas, she was a lead teacher and intervention teacher at Xinxing Academy, a Chinese immersion school in Minneapolis. At Little Tiger, Gu Laoshi contributes to our upper elementary program, teaching math, and providing support in our Chinese and computer science classes. Passionate about continuous growth, she is currently teaching herself a variety of computer programming languages, including Python, JavaScript, React, HTML, and CSS. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, taking photographs, and spending time with her German Shepherd.
Yi Laoshi
Early Childhood Division Assistant Teacher
Yi Laoshi earned her undergraduate degrees in literature, music, and performing arts from Zhejiang Teaching University and is certified as a K-12 teacher in China. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Chinese Linguistics and Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language from the University of Arizona. She has been teaching Chinese to children in the US for well over a decade and currently leads the Tiger Cub class at Little Tiger.
Jennifer Laoshi
Lower Elementary Assistant Teacher
Jennifer Laoshi is a lower elementary assistant teacher at Little Tiger. She received her master’s degree in economics from Tufts University. Prior to her teaching career, she was based in Shanghai, China, where her work in human resources focused on career planning and development. Jennifer’s passion for teaching comes from her eagerness to help young people grow their talents and meet their potential. At Little Tiger, she collaborates with colleagues on curriculum development and enjoys providing classroom support in Chinese, Math, and Science.
Renee Laoshi
Early Childhood Division Assistant Teacher
Renee Laoshi is an assistant teacher in Little Tiger’s Early Childhood Division. She started her teaching career by hosting a Chinese language enrichment club at her daughters’ Austin-area Montessori school. This experience of sharing Chinese language and culture with non-native speakers kindled an interest in immersion education that drew her to Little Tiger. Her experience as a parent also led her to independently research the Singapore math curriculum, which is also utilized at Little Tiger. Originally from Shanghai, Renee received her Master’s degree at the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics. Prior to embarking on her career in education, she was an experienced consultant in the field of international business development.
Mr. Richard
Computer Science Instructor
Mr. Richard has a BS in Mechanical Engineering and currently works as a computer programmer. Previously, he taught a software course at the University of Texas as an adjunct professor, and he has presented at over 33 conferences in 17 countries. A father of two LT students, Mr. Richard helped to design an innovative Computer Science and Robotics course for the school’s upper elementary students. He currently teaches the fourth grade section.
Mr. Michael
Computer Science Instructor
Mr. Michael has a BFA in Computer Animation with a minor in Game Art + Design. He has worked in the videogame industry for over a decade at companies such as EA and Bandai Namco. He has been running his own company, Studio Bean, for the last 12 years, acting as the sole artist, programmer, and designer on most projects. Michael is currently an Art Director for Chuhai Labs, working remotely with his team in Kyoto, Japan. Creativity and problem solving are his driving forces, and he enjoys sharing his passion with the students at Little Tiger!
Ms. Gloria
Computer Science Instructor
Since childhood, Ms. Gloria has been intrigued by understanding how things are built, and equally so – how to break them. She self-taught coding and basic electronics; in her military service, she served as a software engineering and cyber security professional; and in her civil career she contributed to technological and security efforts within the financial, communication and fraud detection industries. At Little Tiger, Ms. Gloria enjoys simplifying complicated concepts and helping kids reach “Aha!” moments in the process of coding. She currently co-teaches the third grade cohort.
Mr. Siamac
Computer Science Instructor
Pan Laoshi
Music Instructor
Pan Laoshi is a music teacher with a passion for helping his students develop an appreciation for the power of music. He creates an engaging and enjoyable learning environment, encouraging students to explore and experiment with music while also developing an understanding of foundational concepts. As a piano instructor, he emphasizes not only learning pieces but also understanding how to approach and interpret music. Pan Laoshi attended the Central Conservatory of Music in China from a young age and received his undergraduate degree in musical performance from the University of Texas at Austin.
Coach Stephen
Physical Education Coach
Coach Stephen is originally from the Republic of Ireland. He received his BA in Psychology from the National University of Ireland Galway and is certified to teach ESL, having received his CELTA credential from Cambridge University. Stephen has over ten years experience teaching both English and Physical Education in China, South Korea, The Czech Republic and Ireland. Stephen is passionate about sports and has played for and coached teams in soccer, gaelic football, field hockey and basketball.
Ms. Yesica
Early Childhood Division Classroom Assistant
Ms. Yesica is a classroom assistant who provides support in our ECD program and supervision in our after-care. Yesica is a long-time member of the Little Tiger community. For the past 8 years, she and her family have provided daily custodial services to the school. Yesica is bilingual in English and Spanish, and she has picked up quite a bit of Chinese, too, through her daily exposure at Little Tiger. In addition to her work at LT, Yesica is a mother of two boys.
Lana Laoshi
Early Childhood Division Classroom Assistant
Lana Laoshi is a classroom assistant in Little Tiger’s Early Childhood Division. Originally from Beijing, she graduated from the English Department of Beijing Oriental University of Finance and Economics. She obtained further professional language training at Peking University. In addition to her studies, Lana has a rich array of life experiences. While in Beijing, she worked in the Classic Arts Department of The Forbidden City for more than 15 years. She has also been involved in preschool education for many years, having served as an administrator and assistant teacher at a children’s center in Beijing. She loves working with children, is a firm believer in the value of multilingualism.
Nancy Laoshi
Early Childhood Division Classroom Assistant
Nancy Laoshi was born and raised in Hebei, China, and graduated from Suzhou University. After graduation, Nancy has been engaged in IT technology and management work in Beijing for many years. Since moving to the US, Nancy has found great joy in teaching Chinese and mathematics to pre-k and lower elementary students. In her spare time, Nancy is a diligent gardener and enjoys tending to her plants.
Mabel Laoshi
Elementary Classroom Assistant
Mabel Laoshi was born and raised in Guangzhou, China. She graduated from Guangdong University of Finance and Economics 广东财经大学. Mabel’s first career was in China’s real estate sector, where she developed a strong passion for interior design. Since moving to the US, she has taught Chinese to preschoolers, finding joy in the laughter and warmth of young children. In her free time, she enjoys reading, listening to music, playing sports, and exploring good food.
Ms. Melissa
Support Staff
Julie Laoshi
Support Staff
Originally from Hunan, China, Julie Laoshi graduated from Hunan Police Academy. After relocating to Texas in 2016, she continued her education through ESL courses at Houston Community College and Austin Community College. As a mother, Julie brings a natural understanding of children’s curiosity and learning needs. She is committed to creating engaging, interactive, and joyful learning experiences. Outside of her professional work, Julie enjoys yoga, hiking, exploring nutrition, and preparing healthy meals for her family and friends.
Xinli Laoshi
Support Staff
Xinli Laoshi has over 13 years of experience teaching Chinese, dance, and music in public schools in China, and has also worked for a regional television station. She graduated from Guangxi Radio and Television University with a degree in Chinese Language and Literature, and studied music and dance at Guangxi Normal University. Xinli is proficient in various Chinese ethnic dances, Tai Ji Chuan (Tai Chi Chuan), and other traditional Chinese arts. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, reading and writing, playing table tennis and badminton, and swimming.