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 goes.
Jenny enjoys spending quality time with her own family by swimming some laps at the local club, playing tennis, 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." She is so dedicated to achieving this belief that she has returned to school to pursue her Early Childhood Education degree.
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 Bellevue.
Jun Wang
Assistant Director
I am Jun Wang and have been in USA for almost 20 years. In China, I got my BA degree in Chinese language and was a middle school Chinese teacher. After moving to USA, I pursued the Master of Education and taught Chinese at several language schools/daycares for many years.
I love to work with children. Singing songs, playing games, reading stories and rhymes and Chinese classic poems, making crafts with children always make me happy. My favorite children book is “Leo the Late Bloomer”. Every kid is a shining star. As a teacher, I would like to offer kids’ a joyful and safe environment fulfilled with love and to grow their potential with stimulating their emotional, physical, language and cognitive development.
Zoe Han
Office Manager
Hello, my name is Zoe Han. I enjoy being at Eastside Children's Academy because the school promotes creativity in learning as well as social, cognitive, and emotional development. It is the perfect place and environment to let children regularly engage and socialize with their peers. As their teacher, there's never a dull moment for my class. I like to be entertaining, engaging, and creative with my lessons. I try to make every day unique. Children learn best when they are having fun. Preschool is often a child’s first time away from their parents for an extended period. It can be intimidating for young children; however, as a positive and calm preschool teacher, I can help alleviate some of the stress and anxiety often associated with this milestone. My favorite children's story is 'The Boy Who Cried Wolf', I like the moral of the story because liars will not be rewarded; even if they tell the truth, no one will believe them.
LEAD TEACHING STAFF
Lisa Zhang
Lead Infant Teacher
Hello, my name is Lisa Zhang. I am very happy to join the ECA family. I like children very much. Playing games with the children and talking to them always make me very happy. I enjoy to see their cute smiling faces and very happy to see them growing up here.
I have a lovely daughter who is in Grade 6. While raising her, I learned a lot of parenting skills. These skills make me feel confident to work as an early childhood educator.
Tons of children songs, picture books and activities will be offered to kids in my class. I will give kids a safe and fun environment with unconditional love to grow.
In my free time, I love traveling, hiking, and watching movies in the sofa with my family.
Ella Lao
Lead Waddler Teacher
Hello. My name is Xiaoxiong Lao. I graduated from Guangxi Normal college in 1999. I have eight years' working experience in preschool education, and I have obtained a certificate of Mandarin Proficiency Level estimate during my teaching career. I so honored to be a member of teaching team at the Eastern Children's Academy.
As a teacher, I will carry out children's teaching work and help children's learning. Encourage children to learn to be independent and actively participate in various activities. I will try my best to finish the education work.
Based on my 8-year working background in early childhood education in China, and my continuous self-learning experience after coming to the United States., ever since 2014. I believe I can hold the attention and interest of all children in the class. Let children learn new skills through playing. Accompany the children to grow up everyday.
Bolorerdene Shura
Lead Toddler Teacher
Hello, my name is Bolorerdene Shura. My friends and colleagues call me Bogi. I am originally from Mongolia; my family and I came to the U.S. in 1999. We lived in San Francisco for the first 7 years and moved to Washington 2006. We’ve been here ever since. I am a mother of two beautiful kids.
I have over a decade of experience early childhood education. I love teaching young children. Watching children grow gives me great joy. I also love incorporating fun learning activities into my lesson plans to keep them engaged and having fun. When I work with kids I try my best to give them my full support. I strive to foster a safe, warm, and happy environment.
Some of my hobbies and things I enjoy doing are spending time with my family, hiking in the outdoors with friends, camping, traveling, doing makeovers and beauty services for my friends, and watching movies with my daughter during girls night. I am happy to teach young children and be a part of the Eastside Children’s Academy team.
Amaya Cantu
Lead Early Preschool Teacher
Hello, my names Amaya. I have 4 dogs, 2 English bulldogs, and 2 miniature schnauzers (who think they’re bulldogs). In my free time I enjoy hanging out with my family, going on road trips, or just having a good read by the lake with a cold drink in hand… Starbucks that is.
I am very excited and happy to be apart of the Eastside Children’s Academy. I believe that as a teacher of any kind, we have a big role in a child’s life, especially at this age because it builds the foundation of learning. When I was in high school I was a junior cheerleading coach and I enjoyed helping the kids improve and watching them grow into their own person. I have always been a natural nurturer, or how my friends would say “the mother of the group” so I decided to pursue a career of teaching and will be furthering my education into the early educational program.
Bing Liu
Lead Early Preschool Teacher
Hi, my name is Bing Liu. I can the United Stated in 2014 and have been an early childhood educator for 7 years.
For me, early childhood education is to warm kids with a sincere heart and accompany them to grow up. In my class, I will offer kids tons of songs, stories, crafts and activities based on their age. Meanwhile, I will encourage kids to explore new things, to be creative and to freely express themselves.
Love is the soul of education. Educators who give pure love to kids are true educators. I hope every kid in my class will have a happy childhood in my love.
Vicky Chuang
Lead Early Preschool Teacher
Hello everyone! I am Vicky, and I come from Taiwan. In 2008, I moved to the San Francisco Bay Area with my two daughters due to my husband's job transfer. In 2009, I gave birth to my youngest son, and in 2021, we relocated to Seattle. In Taiwan, I worked as a campus advocate for promoting life education, spending five years visiting tens of thousands of elementary, middle, and high schools. Cherishing life and valuing every precious soul that came into my life has always been my belief.
Even though I became a full-time mother raising three children for fourteen years after coming to the United States, I continued to learn about topics related to life and love through online courses and gatherings. I have a deep love for children, and in them, I can feel the wonderful creation of the divine. Each child is so unique and precious, and through our interactions, I always find great joy.
Therefore, when I felt it was time to let go and allow my own children to grow independently, I hoped to devote myself to early childhood education. I am very grateful to be a part of the ECA family, where every teacher wholeheartedly guides each child to grow in love, everyday routines, and learning. I also aspire to nurture every precious child who comes before me with steadfast love every day, helping them prepare themselves for the next stage of life.
Lisa Deng
Lead Early Preschool Teacher
Hi everyone, my name is Lisa Deng. I came to America in early 2000 from China. I was working in hospital and practicing in pediatric physical therapy inChina. After moving to America, I got an opportunity to work at a bilingual daycare center with kids age from 2-3 years since 2006. I enjoy playing, reading, and making crafts with children. I also like outdoor activities and planting and enjoy doing these with children at school. As a teacher I will provide a safe and loving environment to all children. This will help the children to thrive to their best by stimulating their emotions, body language and cognitive learning.
Wei Li
Lead Preschool Teacher
Hello! My name is Wei Li. I'm delighted to be your child's preschool teacher. I have a deep passion for early childhood education and believe that these formative years are the foundation for a lifetime of learning and growth.
I have had the privilege of teaching young children ranging from 1-year-old to 6-year-old for ten years. My experience includes teaching in various preschool settings, from private early childhood centers to family preschool programs. Throughout my career, I've had the opportunity to witness the incredible growth and development that occurs during these early years and have been dedicated to fostering each child's social, emotional, and cognitive growth.
My teaching philosophy revolves around creating a safe, happy, and inclusive classroom environment where children feel valued, nurturing, and empowered to explore, experiment, and express themselves.
I have two lovely daughters. The older went to university this Fall; the younger is in high school. My hobbies are listening to music and cooking.
Ian Wu
Lead Preschool Teacher
Hello. My name is Ian Wu. I am thrilled to join the ECA family, and it is my honor to be the lead teacher in Preschool 9. I was born and grew up in China. My family moved to the United States when I was 16 years old.
Male teachers are rare nationwide in early education programs. Studies show that students benefit when they are surrounded by a diverse group of teachers. And their conceptions of gender roles and identity are rapidly forming at age 3-4. I want to be a male role model for the young kids. I get a great deal of satisfaction by playing a meaningful role in the development of children. I really enjoy the unique sense of pride a child displays after learning something new as the direct result of an activity that I have planned for them.
Personally, I love to work out at gym. I transformed my garage into a home gym when the pandemic hit. I also enjoy hiking, music, video gaming, and spending time with my family. Currently I am training on weekends to finish my very first half marathon run.
Yuanli Wang
Lead Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
Hi , my name is Yuanli Wang. Kids love to call me Lily laoshi . In China , I got my Advanced High School Teacher Certification and was a high school English teacher there. After moving to Bellevue since 2009, my new journey of teaching bilingual learners began . I have been teaching different grades at a Chinese school and different preschools as well as kindergarten in Bellevue.
My daughter is in 6th grade and my son is in 5th grade now . As a mother and teacher , I know how important the early childhood education is . It is far more than academic preparation for primary school. It aims at the holistic development of a child’s social, emotional, cognitive and physical needs in order to build a solid and broad foundation for lifelong learning and wellbeing. I believe a teacher is a compass that activates the magnets of kindness, curiosity, knowledge, and wisdom in young kids.
They say the most precious jewels you will ever have around your neck are the arms of children. The amount of hugs I get everyday is insane! Working with young kids is such a joyful experience for me. Each day is an amazing adventure we can explore together!
Ping Wu
Lead Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
Hello, my name is Ping Wu. I am very glad to be a teacher here at ECA. I come from Shanghai, China. My major was Instrument and Meter Engineering.
I came to States in 1994 and have been working in childcare industry since then. I love kids, hand craft and science.
As a mother, I believe that every child should have wonderful memories of their childhood. As an early education teacher, I will do my best to teach every child to be kind to others and to help them become the best that they can be.
Yvonne Lin
Lead Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
Hello. My name is Yvonne Lin. I’m originally from Guangdong, China. I studied and lived in Sydney, Australia for the last 7 years and recently moved to the States. I am very excited to join the team at Eastside Children’s Academy and wish to build a strong and collaborative relationship with the team members and the families.
I started my career in the Early Childhood Education field since 2018 during my Master of Teaching degree study. I became an early childhood educator because I really enjoy spending time with children to see their development and learning.
"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
