SHAWNA LAI
Irvine
Summary
With 25 years of professional experience, I possess strong problem-solving skills and key strengths in creativity, flexibility, quick learning, open-mindedness, patience, and the ability to work with diverse people. Passionate about teaching, learning, and engaging with others, I bring a proactive approach to everything I do. Skilled language educator with a strong command of Mandarin and cultural fluency excelling in creating engaging lesson plans, fostering inclusive learning environments, and adapting to varied educational needs. Focus on team collaboration and achieving measurable outcomes complemented by excellent communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Experienced in teaching Mandarin to diverse groups of students of various ages and backgrounds utilizing innovative teaching methods and culturally rich materials to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes while demonstrating effective classroom management and strong communication skills.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Mandarin Teacher
OXFORD PREPARATORY ACADEMY Middle School
08.2023 - Current
- Directed highly attended Chinese New Year and International week event for world language department.
- Taught students from TK through 8th grade (approximately 500 students)
- Launched the Chinese language student club
- Have successfully supervise students to connect to Mandarin class in high school, and even skipped level one to level 2.
- Assist, supervise, and support new world languages teachers since 2015
- Collaborated with fellow teachers for curriculum development, sharing best practices and innovative teaching techniques.
- Adapted teaching methods to accommodate diverse learning styles and language proficiency levels of students.
- Fostered a positive learning environment by incorporating cultural activities and authentic materials in lessons.
- Established clear objectives for each lesson, ensuring students understood expectations for success.
- Promoted cross-cultural understanding by introducing elements of Chinese culture into lessons and classroom activities.
- Organized extracurricular events like field trips and cultural exchanges to enhance students'' understanding of Mandarin language and Chinese culture.
- Motivated students to develop competency in speaking, reading and writing Chinese by hosting cultural activities.
- Boosted overall class performance by implementing creative teaching strategies focused on active learning.
- Enhanced student retention by developing engaging and interactive lesson plans tailored to individual needs.
Mandarin Teacher
OXFORD PREPARATORY ACADEMY SV Campus (TK-8th)
09.2016 - 06.2023
- Directed highly attended Chinese New Year and International week event for world language department.
- Taught students from TK through 8th grade (approximately 700 students)
- Launched the Chinese language student club
- Have successfully supervise students to connect to Mandarin class in high school, and even skipped level one to level 2.
- Assist, supervise, and support new world languages teachers since 2016
- Collaborated with fellow teachers for curriculum development, sharing best practices and innovative teaching techniques.
- Provided one-on-one tutoring sessions for struggling students or those seeking additional challenge outside normal class hours.
- Promoted cross-cultural understanding by introducing elements of Chinese culture into lessons and classroom activities.
- Organized extracurricular events like field trips and cultural exchanges to enhance students'' understanding of Mandarin language and Chinese culture.
- Motivated students to develop competency in speaking, reading and writing Chinese by hosting cultural activities.
Mandarin Teacher
OXFORD PREPARATORY ACADEMY SOC Campus (TK-8th)
09.2015 - 06.2016
- Directed highly attended Chinese New Year and International week event for world language department.
- Taught students from TK through 8th grade (approximately 700 students)
- Boosted overall class performance by implementing creative teaching strategies focused on active learning.
- Fostered a positive learning environment by incorporating cultural activities and authentic materials in lessons.
- Assessed student progress through regular quizzes, tests, and oral presentations, providing constructive feedback for improvement.
- Promoted cross-cultural understanding by introducing elements of Chinese culture into lessons and classroom activities.
- Organized extracurricular events like field trips and cultural exchanges to enhance students'' understanding of Mandarin language and Chinese culture.
- Motivated students to develop competency in speaking, reading and writing Chinese by hosting cultural activities.
Mandarin Teacher, and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs
MEI-ZHOU CHINESE SCHOOL
09.2018 - Current
- Company Overview: (Heritage Chinese school)
- Associate Dean of Academic Affairs
- Teacher of 1st grade
Summer camp
PACIFIC ACADEMY
06.2019 - 01.2021
- Mandarin immersion summer camp teacher
Mandarin Teacher
OXFORD PREPARATORY ACADEMY
09.2015 - 01.2016
- Directed highly attended International Day event with OPA community.
- Taught students from TK through 8th grade (approximately 800 students)
- Transferred to new campus in lake forest to help to build the new program
Mandarin & English Teacher, Mentor, Dean of Academic Affairs
YU-WEN EDUCATIONAL CENTER
08.1998 - 04.2001
- Single handedly grew the business from 2 to 100 students (TK-12th grade) in one year in a very competitive environment
- Responsible for teaching and managing all aspects of the business
- Developed teaching curricula and team-building activities for elementary, middle school and high schools’ students
- Conducted parent-teacher conference
- Supervise pre-service teachers for three years
Mandarin and English Teacher, Bilingual teacher
YONG-FU & TU-CHEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
08.1998 - 06.1999
- Taught English in elementary school (approximately 200 2nds to 6th grade students)
- Identified improvement areas and create development programs for the students
- Coordinated English speech contests and debates for students to maintain their enthusiasm
Sales & banquet coordinator
TAIPEI INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTER
07.1997 - 08.1998
- Compiled clients’ corporate event needs to facilitate hosting them at the convention center
- Planned and implemented various programs tailoring to clients’ needs – programs typically involved serving 500-1000 guests in scope
- Acted as key communication point person coordinating various internal departments to ensure smooth delivery on clients’ expectation
Educational Training Specialist, Human Resource
CAESAR PARK HOTEL
06.1996 - 07.1997
- Responsible for the entire Training Department
- Created training programs focusing on hotel operating efficiency and customer satisfaction
- Led monthly presentations to Sr. Management on proposals for training programs
- Managed new employee training programs including allocating new employees to various departments to develop new talents. Approximately 40 new employees were inducted into the company every year.
- Supervise new employees to their new positions.
- Managed the student outreach program providing housing and on-the-job training to 100 college students majoring in hotel management each summer and winter.
- Led the successful ISO certification process for the Human Resource department
Education
Clear Credential - Education in Inspired Teaching and Learning, Mandarin
National University
05.2022
Master of Education - Inspired Teaching and Learning Emphasis, English Language Learner Education Distinction
National University
01.2022
Single subject credential - Education in Inspired Teaching and Learning, World Language Mandarin
National University
06.2021
Bachelors of Art - Chinese Literature
PROVIDENCE UNIVERSITY
06.1996
Skills
- Taiwanese, Chinese, Mandarin, and English
- Canva, Pear deck, Gimkit, Zoom meeting, i-Movies, and YouTube channel, Eight multiple Intelligence theory, and Thinking Map
- Pedagogical skills
- Motivational techniques
- Event planning
- Design and project, Chinese Calligraphy, and art
- Good at creating a Project based learning
- Host a school big event, like Lunar New Year and International Week
- Collaborative teamwork
- Student engagement
- Teaching experience
- Interactive teaching
Accomplishments
- Achieved Lunar New Year school celebration event every year
Affiliations
- Pi Lambda Theta-Graduate (A National Honor Society for Educators)
- SCCCS: Southern California Council of Chinese Schools
- NCACLS: National Council of Chinese Language Schools
Certification
- Thinking Map Training - 2020-2024
Languages
English
Professional Working
Chinese (Mandarin)
Native or Bilingual
Taiwanese
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Mandarin Teacher
OXFORD PREPARATORY ACADEMY Middle School
08.2023 - Current
Summer camp
PACIFIC ACADEMY
06.2019 - 01.2021
Mandarin Teacher, and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs
MEI-ZHOU CHINESE SCHOOL
09.2018 - Current
Mandarin Teacher
OXFORD PREPARATORY ACADEMY SV Campus (TK-8th)
09.2016 - 06.2023
Mandarin Teacher
OXFORD PREPARATORY ACADEMY SOC Campus (TK-8th)
09.2015 - 06.2016
Mandarin Teacher
OXFORD PREPARATORY ACADEMY
09.2015 - 01.2016
Mandarin & English Teacher, Mentor, Dean of Academic Affairs
YU-WEN EDUCATIONAL CENTER
08.1998 - 04.2001
Mandarin and English Teacher, Bilingual teacher
YONG-FU & TU-CHEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
08.1998 - 06.1999
Sales & banquet coordinator
TAIPEI INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTER
07.1997 - 08.1998
Educational Training Specialist, Human Resource
CAESAR PARK HOTEL
06.1996 - 07.1997
Master of Education - Inspired Teaching and Learning Emphasis, English Language Learner Education Distinction
National University
Single subject credential - Education in Inspired Teaching and Learning, World Language Mandarin
National University
Bachelors of Art - Chinese Literature
PROVIDENCE UNIVERSITY
Clear Credential - Education in Inspired Teaching and Learning, Mandarin
National University
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