WHO WE ARE

Sirui is a seasoned educator with over a decade of experience. She holds a Master of Education degree from the University of Minnesota with a focus on dual immersion education.  With a passion for multilingual education, Sirui brings a wealth of expertise and enthusiasm to our team.  Sirui currently teaches at the Chinese immersion program in Minnetonka Public Schools and previously worked as a Middle School teacher at Yinghua Academy then a kindergarten homeroom teacher at XinXing Academy.   She strongly believes that integrating various linguistic and cultural perspectives into the curriculum not only broadens students' understanding of the world but also cultivates empathy, respect, and interconnectedness across cultural boundaries.  Sirui has been part of We As One's Team since 2021 and previously served as President on We As One Education's Board in 2024 and 2025. 

Lin is a second-grade teacher at XinXing Academy in Hopkins Public Schools, where she has been teaching the district’s Chinese immersion program for over 12 years. She is passionate about fostering an engaging and inclusive learning environment, helping students build strong foundations in literacy, math, and inquiry-based learning. Through hands-on activities, cultural exploration, and real-world connections, Lin makes learning meaningful and encourages student agency, empowering children to take ownership of their education.  Beyond the classroom, Lin actively collaborates with families, colleagues, and the broader school community to promote language immersion education. She plays a key role in organizing cultural celebrations, leading field trips, and supporting students in extracurricular activities. Lin holds a Master’s degree in TESOL and is a certified Yoga Calm instructor for youth. Her dedication to teaching and student success was recognized when she was named a semifinalist for the 2023 Minnesota Teacher of the Year award.  Lin also serves at We As One Education's lead teacher and helps refining curriculum and with the We As One Camp daily operations. 

Jieming is a second-grade teacher Chinese immersion homeroom teacher from Minnetonka Public Schools.  She finished her second master's program (M.Ed) at the University of Minnesota, majoring in Second Language and Culture Education. She also completed her B.A. and M.A. in Chinese Language and Literature at Shanghai University in China. Before moving to the U.S., she was a full-time Chinese teacher at an international high school in Shanghai. She has been teaching Chinese as a foreign language at different levels for over 15 years.  Jieming was recently named as the recipient of the Bradley G. Board Award for Excellence in Elementary Education from Minnetonka Public Schools. This award recognizes excellence and achievement in an elementary teacher or mentor who has a great impact on children.  Jieming has been teaching at We As One Camp Blake School site since 2024. 

Xuyang Zhang (Fiona) is a dedicated and experienced educator with 12 years of experience fostering a dynamic and engaging learning environment for students in Chinese immersion schools.  She holds a Master's degree and a K-6 teaching license in dual language and immersion education from the University of Minnesota. Currently serving as the Kindergarten Team Lead and Mentor Teacher at Yinghua Academy, Zhang Laoshi is passionate about supporting her colleagues and guiding them in creating enriching learning experiences.  Zhang Laoshi has represented Yinghua and their excellent immersion program on multiple occasions, sharing her expertise and teaching experiences through public speaking engagements.  Her commitment to excellence was recognized when she was awarded "Teacher of the Term" for the 2024-2025 school year.  Fiona has been teaching at We As One Camp Blake School site since 2024. 

Hui is a dedicated educator with over a decade of experience in world language and special education. She holds a Master’s degree in Curriculum Design from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and K–12 licenses in Chinese, ESL, and Learning Disabilities. Hui launched the Chinese program at White Bear Lake Area Schools, inspiring students with a deep appreciation for language and culture. Her teaching spans elementary to high school, from beginner Chinese to college-level courses. Currently a Special Education Teacher at White Bear Lake Area High School, Hui draws on her deep understanding of cultural, linguistic, and individual needs to foster connections among diverse learners. She mentors new educators and advises Link Crew, a program supporting freshmen and student leaders. Hui believes in the power of education to promote unity, equity, and belonging—values at the heart of her teaching.  Hui has been teaching at We As One Camp Visitation School site since 2024. 

Meng is currently a Chinese language teacher at Wayzata High School in Minnesota. She holds both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language, and brings over 12 years of experience in teaching.

Meng began her teaching career as a Chinese instructor at Angeles University Foundation in the Philippines. Upon moving to the United States, she continued her work in Chinese language education, teaching both Chinese immersion and world language programs at Hopkins West Middle School and Hopkins High School. During her time in the Hopkins School District, she also served as a CIS (College in the Schools) instructor, offering college-level Chinese courses to high school students. With a passion for language instruction and cross-cultural communication, Meng is dedicated to fostering global citizenship and language proficiency among her students.  Meng serves at We As One Education's webmaster and manages our social media platforms.  She will also be teaching the Middle School class at We As One Camp Blake School site in the summer of 2025.  

Jing has been an educator since 2010, with extensive experience in both immersion and traditional English language programs. She currently teaches at the Chinese immersion program at  Minnetonka Public Schools.  She holds multiple teaching certifications such as K-6 Elementary and ESL. In addition to classroom instruction, she has numerous years of participation in summer programs at national language and culture camps, including Concordia Language Villages and the Middlebury-Monterey Summer Intensive Language Academy.  Jing is dedicated to promoting critical thinking about language and content while engaging students in exploring relevant learning themes. Her approach encourages learners to examine related identities, cultures, and self-reflection. She is committed to supporting students’ character development and the enhancement of higher-order thinking skills. Jing values collaborative learning and strives to learn alongside her students.  She has been teaching at We As One Camp Visitation School site since 2024. 

Neil Bray currently teaches middle and upper school Chinese as world language and culture at Saint Paul Academy.  In his 31 years of teaching, he has taught elementary, middle and high school students in public, private, and international schools settings.  Neil taught at Shanghai Community International School, one of the top IB schools for a few years before he moved to Minnesota with family.   He has been the World Languages Department Chair and currently serves as the Smith Endowed Chair for World Languages at St. Paul Academy.  Neil is also the school Fellow for Intercultural Life, focusing on the K-12 student experience and student programming through the lens of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.  He lives with his family in St Paul.  Neil will be teaching the Middle School class at We As One Camp Visitation School site in the summer of 2025.  

Ning is an experienced Chinese Immersion educator with over seven years of classroom teaching across multiple grade levels, including four years in kindergarten, two years in first grade, and one year in fourth grade.  She previously taught Kindergarten at Jie Ming Mandarin Immersion Academy and currently serves as a first-grade Chinese immersion teacher at Old State Elementary School in Delaware.  Ning holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in education, and she is deeply committed to fostering bilingualism and cross-cultural understanding. Her teaching approach centers on creating engaging, age-appropriate lessons that promote both language acquisition and academic achievement.  With a strong foundation in student-centered learning and effective classroom management, Ning excels at building meaningful relationships with students and their families. Her passion for education is evident in her dedication to helping young learners thrive in a bilingual environment.  She will be teaching at We As One Camp Visitation School site in 2025.