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 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. The books are published by China Sprout and Higher Education Press; e-books for the iPad are available through the iTunes Bookstore.
Li Laoshi
Director of Little Tiger
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, 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 Texas, 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. Prior to Little Tiger, he was 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 young children. 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 the past seven years, she has gained extensive teaching experience, instructing students at both Bromsgrove Mission Hills School and Avenues World School Shenzhen. At Little Tiger, Anqi helps young learners explore the world through the Chinese language and become responsible 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.
Liu Laoshi
Lower Elementary Lead Teacher
Liu Laoshi received her Masters Degree in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language from Jinan University in Guangzhou, and she holds K-12 teaching certification in China. Before joining the Little Tiger team, she taught for three years in China and abroad. Among her previous teaching positions, she was a Chinese teacher for the Confucius Institute in Bangkok, where she also learned to speak Thai. Her passion for teaching is equally matched by her passion for learning.
Daisy Laoshi
Early Childhood Division Lead Teacher
Daisy Laoshi holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Sichuan Normal University and a Master’s degree in TESOL (Teaching English of Speakers of Other Languages) from Deakin University in Australia. Originally from China, she brings over 8 years of experience in Chinese-English bilingual schools including, most recently, the King’ School Shenzhen (a British international school) where she worked as a lead classroom teacher for 5 years. As a teacher, Daisy integrates inquiry-based and play-based learning methodologies, fostering student autonomy and a love for hands-on learning experiences. Her pedagogical approach emphasizes the cultivation of critical thinking skills, cultural appreciation, and global awareness among students.
Anny Laoshi
Early Childhood Division Montessori Teacher
Anny Laoshi works with students in Little Tiger’s Early Childhood Division (PK2-4), drawing on her training as a Montessori guide. 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 Language) and EDI (Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language). 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.
Yi Laoshi
Early Childhood Division 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.
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. Regardless of her age, Eva aspires to inspire her students by combining a compassionate approach with evidence-based instructional practices.
Mr. Mark
English Language Arts Teacher
Mr. Mark is a (mostly) lifelong Austinite who graduated from the University of Texas with a BS in Microbiology. Before joining the Little Tiger team, Mark was a research consultant at a local financial firm. In 2007, his love of education led him to Anyang, South Korea, where he taught kindergarten through 3rd grade at a Canadian Language Institute. He later became the Academic Director of that institute, wherein he implemented teacher training, developed summer camp programs, and created and adapted curricula across various grade levels. Upon returning to Austin, Mark continued teaching by volunteering as an ESL teacher for adult immigrants for a local non-profit. Mark has many hobbies, including running, reading, cooking vegetarian food, and spending quality time with his family.
Ms. Divya
English Language Arts Teacher
Originally from India, Mr. 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 12-year-old daughter.
Tseng Laoshi
Elementary Math Teacher
Originally from Taiwan, Tseng Laoshi earned her BA in English from National Kaohsiung Normal University and MA in Applied English from Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology. She received her PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from Texas Tech University. She holds an English teacher’s certificate issued in Taiwan and as well as several Texas teacher certifications related to English, Mandarin-Chinese, and Mathematics. Before moving to the United States, she taught high school English for 9 years and also served as an administrative coordinator. After receiving her doctoral degree, she taught in a public elementary school for 3 years, supporting intervention and enrichment in math and English as well as teaching Chinese as a foreign language. Prior to joining Little Tiger, she taught math in a middle school setting for two years. All of these experiences have developed her growth mindset and driven her to keep exploring and learning various creative ways to provide quality education for kids.
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.
Kitty Laoshi
Elementary Art Teacher
Kitty Laoshi was born and raised in Shaanxi, China. She graduated from the prestigious Xi’an Foreign Language University with a bachelor’s degree in English (International Trade). After earning her degree, Kitty taught high school and college English in Shanghai for seven years. Kitty has extensive experience working as a certified translator and simultaneous interpreter of English and Chinese. Kitty first moved to the U.S in 2010 to teach Chinese. Since then she has gained spent over a decade teaching Chinese to students of diverse age groups and backgrounds. Before joining Little Tiger, Kitty taught Chinese at Montessori schools for 6 years in the Austin area. In her spare time Kitty enjoys her many hobbies, including hiking, biking, painting, sewing, and playing music instruments.
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, and project-based learning activities.
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 certification 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.
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.
Ms. Crowder
Computer Science Instructor
Ms. Crowder has an MS in Electrical Engineering and a BA in Chinese, and has spent the majority of her career as an electrical and systems engineer in space systems research and development. In her current role as Principal Systems Engineer, she focuses on satellite networking technology. She is passionate about multilingual education and has experience working with students from preschool-age to college undergrads. At Little Tiger, she enjoys introducing upper elementary students to the exciting worlds of computers, programming, and robotics! While she teaches her courses primarily in English, Ms. Crowder also speaks beautiful Mandarin Chinese.
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 co-teaches an innovative Computer Science and Robotics course for the school’s upper elementary students.
Ms. Rudy
Teacher Support and Aftercare Staff
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.
Ms. Yesica
Teacher Support and Aftercare Staff
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 husband 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 elementary age boys.
Ms. Lana
Early Childhood Division Classroom Assistant
Ms. Lana 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, and is excited to contribute at Little Tiger.
Ms. Nancy
Early Childhood Division Classroom Assistant
Ms. Nancy 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.