ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Jenny Tan
Head of School
Meet Jenny Tan, the Head of School at Eastside Children's Academy. Originally from Shanghai, China, Jenny moved to the U.S. in 1990 where she met her husband, and they began to grow their family and careers. In addition to being a very involved owner, Jenny also volunteers within the community for local schools, such as Lakeside where her daughter went.
Jenny enjoys spending quality time with her own family by swimming some laps at the local club, playing pickleball, and listening to classical piano music & classic Chinese songs. In addition, her own belief in the value of community and dedicating herself to ensuring that Eastside Children's Academy is not just a school in Bellevue, but a school FOR Bellevue, is the keystone to delivering the highest caliber of support as an early childhood education program. "This belief", Jenny says, "it pervades everything we do - from our partnerships with other organizations, to ensuring that each of our families feel valued and included in the collaborative culture of their child's classroom. We are committed to serving the families of Bellevue."
With such a strong woman at "the helm of the ship" Eastside Children's Academy continues to thrive as an exceptional bilingual school here, in the heart of the Bellevue.
Man Wai Chiu
Center Director
Hello! My name is Man Wai Chiu, Center Director at Eastside Children’s Academy. It is my pleasure to join this community. I am the first generation in my family to travel thousands of miles to America in pursuit of educational opportunity and a democratic society. I earned my Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and have dedicated more than 25 years to serving children and families through roles as a dual language instructor, participatory researcher, dual language teacher, and site director with programs including Head Start, Seattle Preschool Program, and preschool education settings.
I speak Cantonese and English, and I am currently learning both Spanish and Mandarin alongside the children and families in our community. My multilingual journey continues to strengthen my understanding of cultural identity, language development, and the importance of building meaningful connections across diverse communities.
Throughout my career, I have been committed to advancing high-quality, inclusive, and culturally responsive early childhood education. I believe dual language education is a powerful foundation for children’s cognitive, social-emotional, and academic growth. My goal is to cultivate an inclusive learning community that honors and supports each child’s and family’s culture, language, identity, and beliefs. I am passionate about creating equitable learning environments where children feel seen, valued, empowered, and inspired to become confident lifelong learners.
As both an educator and community member, I actively participate in community engagement opportunities that strengthen partnerships between schools and families. I am deeply committed to respecting and preserving each individual’s cultural heritage, home language, values, and sense of cultural pride while fostering appreciation and empathy for others.
Outside of the office, I enjoy taking walks with my family and our puppy, Rory. If you would like to know more about me, please feel free to stop by the office. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve you, your child, and your family.
您好！我是赵文慧，是易思达幼儿园的中心主任。非常荣幸能够加入这个社区。
我是家中第一代远赴美国追求教育机会与民主社会的人。我获得了幼儿教育硕士学位，并在过去23年以上的时间里，致力于通过双语教师、参与式研究员、双语教育老师以及校区主任等角色服务儿童与家庭。我曾在 Head Start、Seattle Preschool Program 以及多所学前教育机构工作。
我会说粤语和英语，目前也正在与我们社区中的孩子和家庭一起学习西班牙语和普通话。我的多语言学习之旅不断加深我对文化认同、语言发展的理解，以及在多元社区中建立有意义联系的重要性。
在我的职业生涯中，我始终致力于推动高质量、包容性及具文化回应性的幼儿教育。我相信双语教育能够为儿童的认知、社会情感以及学术发展奠定坚实基础。我的目标是建立一个包容性的学习社区，尊重并支持每位孩子与家庭的文化、语言、身份认同和信念。我热衷于创造公平的学习环境，让每位孩子都能感受到被看见、被重视、被赋能，并受到启发，成长为自信的终身学习者。
作为教育工作者和社区成员，我也积极参与社区互动与合作机会，加强学校与家庭之间的伙伴关系。我深深重视并致力于尊重和保护每个人的文化传承、母语、价值观以及文化自豪感，同时培养彼此之间的欣赏与同理心。
在工作之余，我喜欢与家人和我们的宠物小狗 Rory 一起散步。如果您想进一步了解我，欢迎随时到办公室与我交流。感谢您给予我机会，为您、您的孩子以及您的家庭提供服务。
Joey Yang
Program Manager
Hello,
My name is Xuelan Joey Yang, and I am the Program Manager at Eastside Children’s Academy. I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education from the Open University in China. Over the past 20 years, I have provided high quality early childhood education for children ranging from 6 weeks to 6 years old.
My expertise is in classroom management and creating nurturing learning environments where children feel safe, valued, and connected. I believe children learn best through meaningful relationships with caring educators and through everyday interactions that support their social emotional, cognitive, language, creative, and physical development.
As a bilingual educator, I value the importance of maintaining each child’s home language while supporting the development of new languages. I believe bilingual education strengthens children’s cultural identity, communication skills, and appreciation for diverse communities. My goal is supporting teachers’ skills and knowledge from where they are, guiding them with practical strategies that help them create an inclusive environment where children and families feel welcomed, respected, and celebrated.
In my spare time, I enjoy swimming, planting flowers, and participating in Zumba dance classes.
I look forward to partnering with you and your child at Eastside Children’s Academy and creating a year filled with learning, growth, discovery, and joyful experiences together.
LEAD TEACHING STAFF
Ella Lao
Infant Lead Teacher
Hello, my name is Xiaoxiong (Ella) Lao. I graduated from Guangxi Normal College in 1999 and have more than eight years of experience in early childhood education in China. I also earned a Certificate of Mandarin Proficiency during my teaching career. Since coming to the United States in 2014, I have continued to grow through hands on experience and ongoing learning in early childhood education.
I am proud to be part of the team at Eastside Children’s Academy, and I am excited to continue my fourth year in the infant classroom. I believe young children learn best through play, exploration, and caring relationships. My goal is to create a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment where every child feels valued and supported.
I am a positive and calm person, and I spend a great deal of time building relationships and trust with the infants in our classroom. I believe strong emotional connections are very important during early childhood. When infants wake up from their naps and know that I am there for them, it shows the bond and trust we have built through daily care, comfort, and interaction. Seeing children feel safe, loved, and connected is one of the most rewarding parts of my work.
Bolorerdene Shura
Waddler/Toddler Lead Teacher
Hello, my name is Bolorerdene Shura, and my friends and colleagues call me Bogi. I am originally from Mongolia and have lived in the United States since 1999. I am also a proud mother of two wonderful children.
I have over a decade of experience in early childhood education, and it is truly my passion to work with young children. I take great joy in watching children grow, learn, and discover new abilities. I strive to create a safe, warm, and joyful classroom where children feel supported, engaged, and inspired to explore. I believe learning happens best through hands-on opportunities, where children can try, practice, and develop skills at their own pace. By trusting children as capable individuals, I help them build confidence, independence, and a strong foundation for future learning.
Outside the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my family, hiking, camping, traveling, and sharing special moments with my daughter during our movie nights. I am proud to be part of the Eastside Children’s Academy team and look forward to continuing to provide meaningful, engaging, and joyful learning experiences for every child.
Vicky Chuang
Early Preschool Lead Teacher
Hello everyone! My name is Vicky, originally from Taiwan. I moved to the United States in 2008 with my family and relocated to Seattle in 2021. Before coming to the U.S., I worked as a campus advocate promoting life education, visiting many schools and encouraging children and teens to value life, kindness, and every precious individual.
After becoming a mother of three, I devoted many years to raising my children while continuing to learn about child development, love, and education through community programs and online learning. As my children became more independent, I felt it was the right time to follow my passion for working with young children and begin my journey in early childhood education.
I truly love being with children and feel so much joy watching them grow, discover new things, and build confidence each day. I believe every child is unique and full of potential, and I am passionate about creating a warm, caring, and encouraging environment where children feel safe, loved, and excited to learn. Seeing their smiles, curiosity, and daily progress brings great meaning to my work and inspires me to continue growing as an educator.
I am very grateful to be part of the ECA family, where teachers support children through love, daily routines, and meaningful learning experiences. I strongly believe that teamwork, communication, and understanding one another are very important in creating the best environment for children’s growth and development.
This is now my fourth year at ECA, and I am thankful for the opportunity to continue growing professionally and personally while supporting children and families every day.
Mei Hua (YouYou) You
Preschool Lead Teacher
Hello, my name is Mei Hua You, and I am also called YouYou. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Education from China and have 30 years of experience as a primary school teacher. I have been part of Eastside Children’s Academy for the past four years and am very happy to contribute to this community.
I bring enthusiasm, dedication, and a responsible approach to teaching. I believe children learn best through active participation, interaction, and meaningful experiences. In my classroom, I strive to create a lively and engaging environment where every child feels confident and successful. I believe classroom structure is very important, so children can understand expectations, learn what is right, and develop positive learning habits. At the same time, I value the balance between structure and joy, including meaningful playtime and fun shared experiences that support social development and happiness.
I have a strong focus on teaching Mandarin, helping children build confidence through everyday communication and engaging activities that connect language learning to real-life experiences. With teamwork, dedication, and a passion for education, I aim to support each child’s development while contributing positively to the school community.
Sarah Carlson
Preschool Lead Teacher
Hello, my name is Sarah Semegn Carlson. I am a teacher who wants nothing more than to see every student reach their full potential. I am beyond excited to bring my experience of teaching for the past three years. I currently hold an associate degree from Skagit Valley College and have taken several courses at Central Washington University in Psychology and Sociology. I have also completed my first year of the Early Quality Learning Certificate program. Most importantly, I am a mother, which is the most meaningful part of my life and a major reason why I chose to become an educator. My goal is to teach in the same way I would want my own children to be taught.
My studies in psychology and sociology have deeply influenced my approach to early childhood education. They have helped me better understand how children grow, learn, interact, and develop within their social and emotional environments. This foundation guides me in supporting each child’s overall development, not only academically but also socially and emotionally.
In my classroom, I focus on each child’s individual interests, strengths, and needs. I believe that when learning experiences are connected to what children are naturally curious about, they become more engaged, confident, and motivated. I carefully plan and set up classroom activities that support different learning styles and provide meaningful opportunities for exploration, discovery, and growth.
My goal is to create a classroom environment that is safe, fun, and full of rich learning opportunities where every child feels supported and valued.
Yue Wang
Yue WangPre-Kindergarten Lead Teacher
Hello, my name is Yue Wang, and you can also call me “Xiao Yu.” I originally come from Hawaii and moved to Seattle in December 2022. I live with my family. I hold a two-year degree in Criminal Justice.
In my free time, I enjoy reading, watching movies, listening to music, spending time with family and friends, and traveling to explore new places. I chose to work with children because I have always loved kids, and since I was young, I dreamed of becoming a teacher. When I arrived in Seattle, I decided to follow that dream.
This is my third year working at Eastside Children’s Academy. I am very grateful and happy to be part of this team and to serve as a Lead Teacher. I understand how important it is to recognize each child’s individual needs. Every child is unique, and I focus on observing and understanding their behavior to learn why they act in certain ways. This helps me find effective ways to support them, guide them, and help them become successful in their learning and development.
I am also very glad for the opportunity to communicate with families. I understand that families want to know what is happening in their child’s day. I value building strong communication with parents, sharing updates, and working together to set goals that support each child’s growth and learning journey.
I find inspiration every day through working with children and being part of their first school experience.
Lei Wang
Lei WangPre-Kindergarten Lead Teacher
Hello, my name is Lei Wang, and you can also call me Lei or Lay. I am originally from Hawaii and moved to Seattle in 2024. I have more than five years of experience working with children and teaching Mandarin, English, and culture in fun and engaging ways.
I believe early childhood is an important time for building curiosity, confidence, and a love of learning. My goal is to create a safe, caring, and inclusive classroom where children feel comfortable expressing themselves, exploring new ideas, and building strong relationships with others.
As a male teacher, I enjoy bringing a caring and gentle presence to the classroom. I help children with everyday routines, including brushing and braiding their hair, reading stories, and engaging in nurturing interactions that support their sense of comfort, belonging, and trust. I value spending time connecting with each child every day to better understand their needs, feelings, and interests. I believe children develop important social and emotional skills through daily interactions, and I use open-ended questions to help them express their feelings, solve problems, and work together with kindness and respect.
I also believe strong relationships with families are essential in supporting each child’s growth and development. I am grateful to be part of Eastside Children’s Academy and look forward to building meaningful connections with children and families every day.
Lindsey Anderson
Pre-Kindergarten Assistant Teacher
Hello, my name is Lindsey Anderson. I am the Assistant Teacher for Pre-Kindergarten 3. I work every day with our students to instill values of empathy, kindness, and respect. I teach independence and creativity through weekly arts and crafts projects themed alongside weekly learning goals and reading activities. I also use phonics and early reading exercises to help children begin to sound out initial sounds and recognize common sight words.
I graduated from Gonzaga University in 2021 with a degree in English. During my undergraduate studies, I also studied Elementary Education and Special Education. Before coming to Eastside Children’s Academy, I worked as a soccer coach and program lead with Skyhawks Sports Academy, a program that helped children ages 3-12 develop soccer and basketball skills and understand the principles of teamwork. I also spent four years working with PASS (Para-Adaptive-Soccer-Skills), an organization that helped children ages 4-13 with physical and cognitive disabilities learn to play soccer with appropriate accommodations and understanding. In addition to my professional work with ECA, I am a staff writer for several small publications in Seattle. When I am not teaching or writing, I can often be found somewhere outdoors enjoying the sunshine with her dog.
Iris Su
Pre-Kindergarten Assistant Teacher
Hello, my name is Iris Su. I am excited to be part of the ECA family. I moved to the United States with my family in 2017, and I have been passionate about early childhood education for over six years. As a bilingual preschool teacher, I enjoy building relationships with children from diverse backgrounds and supporting them in developing language skills in both English and Mandarin. I believe in fostering a love of learning by creating a classroom environment where children feel safe, encouraged, and excited to explore new ideas.
In my teaching, I place a strong focus on Mandarin language learning with young children. I believe that early childhood is a wonderful time for children to be exposed to and learn multiple languages. Learning two languages at a young age can support their cognitive development, communication skills, and confidence. It also helps children understand their cultural identity, value their roots, and develop appreciation for other cultures and languages.
Outside the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my family and volunteering for my children’s school activities. I am looking forward to working with your child and supporting their growth in both language and learning.
Jianwei Liu
Jianwei LiuEarly Preschool Assistant Teacher
Hello everyone! My name is Jianwei Liu. I graduated with an associate degree in 1985 and spent over 25 years working as a college instructor in China, supporting and guiding students throughout their learning journey. Teaching has always been my passion, and throughout my career I was recognized for my dedication, enthusiasm, and love for education.
I truly enjoy working with children and feel grateful to be part of their growth and development each day. I believe every child is unique and deserves patience, encouragement, and genuine care. I am passionate about creating a warm, positive, and supportive environment where children feel safe, confident, and excited to learn.
I am a cheerful, positive, and responsible person who takes every responsibility seriously. Once I commit to something, I always give more than 100 percent of my effort to learn, practice, and do my very best. I value teamwork and enjoy building strong relationships with both children and colleagues.
This is my second year at Eastside Children’s Academy, and I am very thankful to be part of such a caring and professional team.
Outside of school, I enjoy Chinese dance, poetry, singing, and participating in cultural performances, which bring creativity and joy into my life.
Hongli Wang
Hongli WangWaddler/Toddler Assistant Teacher
Hello, my name is Hongli Wang. I was a mathematics teacher in China for 24 years and hold a degree in Electrical Engineering, which has helped me develop patience, problem-solving skills, and attention to detail. I moved to the United States in 2021 and have continued my passion for education by working with young children.
This is my second year at Eastside Children’s Academy, and working with Waddlers and Toddlers has been both joyful and inspiring. Even at just one year old, children’s curiosity, imagination, and eagerness to learn never cease to amaze me. I enjoy watching them explore the world, communicate their thoughts, solve problems in creative ways, and grow through play and meaningful interactions.
I believe young children learn best through patience, encouragement, and hands-on experiences. My goal is to support each child’s confidence, independence, and social skills while helping them feel safe, valued, and excited to learn every day.
I am grateful to be part of the ECA team and look forward to continuing to support children and families with dedication, care, and a love for teaching.
"We love ECA so much. We have had our daughter enrolled since it’s inception. Our daughter LOVES her teachers and has grown so much in her time here. I attribute her early math and social skills to her teachers thoughtful lesson plans. Jenny has made us feel welcomed into the community and worked alongside us to resolve age appropriate behaviors that popped up. From those experiences, we have high trust in her leadership and vision for ECA. I highly recommend ECA if you’re considering enrolling your child."
Elizabeth Waters
