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).
Meggie Chou
Founder + Head of School
Meggie Chou 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.
Jiao Li
Director of Little Tiger
Originally from Nanjing, Jiao Li 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.
Rui Cao
Director of Admissions and Administration
Dr. Rui 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.
Yuxia Liu
Lower Elementary Lead Teacher
Yuxia Liu 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.
Anny Chen
Early Childhood Division Montessori Teacher
Anny Chen Martinez 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.
Sharon Lin
Lower Elementary Lead Teacher
Sharon Lin 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.
Ms. Shanna Flores
English/ESL Teacher
Shanna Flores graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio with bachelor’s degrees in Anthropology and Sociology, focusing on different cultures, ways of life, and societies. This academic experience sparked a passion for teaching in international settings. Ms. Shanna has taught children in America, South Africa, Kenya, and China. Prior to joining Little Tiger, she spent five years in Shanghai, where she was an early years teacher at a renowned British international school, Dulwich College Shanghai Pudong. Although she misses Shanghai very much, she is grateful to be back in Texas, closer to loved ones, and part of the Little Tiger family, where she and her daughter can continue to be immersed in Chinese language and culture. In her free time, Ms. Shanna enjoys traveling the world, learning Mandarin, fostering rescue animals, and reading.
Han Zhong
Upper Elementary Class Four Homeroom Teacher
Han Zhong 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.
Jingmin Wei
Early Childhood Division Montessori Teacher
Originally from China, Jingmin Wei holds American Montessori Society (AMS) Credentials in Early Childhood and Elementary I-II. In addition to her Montessori training, she is a graduate of Houston Baptist University, where she earned a Master of Education, Curriculum and Instruction. Prior to joining Little Tiger, she taught in Montessori schools in the United States and China in both early childhood and elementary classroom settings. Ms. Wei is passionate about finding creative ways to combine Montessori pedagogies with traditional teaching methods, utilizing new ideas and approaches to inspire her students. Ms. Wei is committed to creating and fostering a loving and nurturing environment, in which her students can grow and learn to the best of their abilities. Watching students progress through the years gives her the greatest joy, and it is that unique experience which she finds professionally rewarding.
Teacher Kason
English Language Arts Teacher
Teacher Kason graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a BA in International Relations & Global Studies, as well as a BA in Asian Cultures & Languages. She was born in Nairobi, Kenya, but her earliest childhood memories stem from the years she lived in Korea. As a child she traveled to many countries around the world. As an adult she returned to Korea to study the Korean language at Seoul National University. Upon returning to the United States she immersed herself in nonprofit work in the Austin area. She comes from a very mixed background and takes great pleasure in sharing, learning from, and experiencing other cultures. She recently served for two years as a Reading Specialist at local public schools where she found joy in helping cultivate a love for learning in children. She will be joining the Little Tiger family in the Fall of 2023 to teach ELA. In her free time, she enjoys strength training, riding her motorcycle, watching period dramas, and cuddling with her dwarf bunny, ‘Bun Bun.’
Xiaohong “Kitty” Li
Elementary Art Teacher
Kitty Li 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.
Mark Kendhara
Upper Elementary Homeroom Teacher
Mark Kendhara 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.
Mengyu Hu
Curriculum Developer and Administrator
Mengyu Hu earned her BA in Philosophy at the University of Hong Kong and an MA in Philosophy at the University of Connecticut, where her research focused on philosophy of language, semantics, and logic. She is currently completing a PhD dissertation on the nature of logic of non-representative language. At Little Tiger, she works as a Curriculum Developer for Chinese Language Arts as well as assisting with administration. Before joining the Little Tiger team, she taught undergraduate level philosophy courses, leading small-group discussions for symbolic logic classes.
Dr. Wanchun Tseng
Elementary Math Teacher
Originally from Taiwan, Dr. WanChun Tseng 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.
Yesica Perez
Teacher Support and Aftercare Staff
Yesica Perez 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 6 years, she and her husband have provided daily custodial services to the school. Yesica is bilingual in English and Spanish, and she is now picking up some 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.
Stephen Donnellan
Physical Education Coach and SEL Instructor
Coach Stephen Donnellan 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. In addition to his work on the field, Stephen serves as an SEL instructor at Little Tiger.
Richard Schneeman
Computer Science Co-Instructor
Richard Schneeman 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, Richard co-teaches an innovative Computer Science and Robotics course for the school’s upper elementary students.
Kalia Crowder
Computer Science Co-Instructor
Kalia 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 course in English, Ms. Crowder also speaks Mandarin beautifully.
Dr. Hyun-Woo (Jade) Jung
Music Instructor
Originally from Seoul, South Korea, Hyun-Woo Jung is an accomplished pianist with Masters and Doctorate degrees in Piano Performance from UT Austin. As a performer, Dr. Jung is the recipient of many accolades and has played at many esteemed venues, including Carnegie Weill Hall in New York. He maintains an active performance schedule, playing at venues in the US and Asia and collaborating with various string and wind ensembles. In his role at Little Tiger, Dr. Jung works to introduce his students to basic musical concepts and to inspire an appreciation for the beauty of music.
Neil (Yutao) Pan
Music Instructor
Neil (Yutao) Pan is a music teacher with a passion for helping his students develop an appreciation for the power of music. Neil 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, Neil emphasizes not only learning pieces but also understanding how to approach and interpret music. Neil attended the Central Conservatory of Music in China from a young age and is currently pursuing his studies in musical performance at the University of Texas at Austin.
Jie (Jennifer) Shi
Lower Elementary Assistant Teacher
Jennifer Shi 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.
Hongchun (Olivia) Gu
Elementary Assistant Teacher – Math & Computers
Originally from Shanghai, Olivia Gu 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, Olivia contributes to our upper elementary program, teaching math, and providing support in our Chinese and computer science classes. Passionate about continuous growth, Olivia 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.
Xiaoting Wang
Chinese Language Arts Instructor
Xiaoting Wang is a dedicated educator with a deep love for teaching. Originally from China, her academic journey began at Peking University, where she majored in Chinese Language and Literature. Later, she received her Master’s degree in East Asian Studies from UT Austin, with a primary research focus on contemporary Chinese literature. While at Peking University, she participated in educational support programs, working with primary school students in Beijing. At UT Austin, she had the invaluable experience of serving as a TA for Chinese language courses for two years. At Little Tiger, Xiaoting focuses on Chinese language arts and literacy in elementary grades and in the ECD reading program.
Renee Chen
Early Childhood Division Assistant Teacher
Renee Chen 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.