Zhen Yu
Austin,Texas
Summary
A motivated, trilingual specialist fluent in Chinese, Tibetan, and English, with a strong background in education and public administration. Possesses deep knowledge of Chinese and Tibetan languages and cultures, with a proven understanding of effective teaching strategies for Chinese as both a first language and a foreign language.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Chinese Instructor
Albuquerque Academy
Albuquerque, NM
01.2023 - Current
- Developed comprehensive course materials aligned with educational standards.
- Provided personalized academic support through regular office hours, while designing and administering weekly assessments to track and improve student performance.
- Promoted Chinese language and culture through school-wide initiatives, fostering cultural appreciation within the community.
Chinese Language Instructor
New Mexico Chinese School of Arts & Language
Albuquerque, NM
01.2021 - Current
- Facilitated engaging weekly classes for both heritage language students and native English speakers, utilizing interactive teaching methods and incorporating cultural activities to enhance language learning.
- Developed task-based syllabi and detailed instructional plans, ensuring alignment with educational goals and student needs.
- Managed lesson and assignment postings on the school website while consistently assessing and tracking student progress to inform personalized feedback and instructional adjustments.
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Department of Languages, Cultures, and Literatures, University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM
08.2020 - Current
- Instructed Intensive Beginner Chinese courses, keeping student retention high by fostering an engaging and supportive learning environment through personalized feedback, interactive lessons, and cultural immersion activities.
- Utilized Canvas Learning Management System and other technologies for instructional delivery and course management.
- Designed assessments, evaluated assignments and tests, and maintained accurate records of student performance.
- Held regular office hours and managed administrative tasks related to course and student management.
Curriculum Design, Department of Internal Medicine
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM
01.2020 - 05.2021
- Designed and administered pre- and post-training assessments using the Redcap online platform.
- Collected, organized, and analyzed assessment data to enhance the training program's effectiveness.
- Conducted comprehensive curriculum reviews to ensure relevance and value to current practices.
Graduate Assistant, Community Engagement Center
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Engaged with community stakeholders to enhance involvement and delivered training and resources to develop skills among community members.
- Promoted ownership and empowerment in local projects and established networks for knowledge sharing and collaboration.
Facilitator
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Contributed to the National Science Foundation interdisciplinary project within the STEM program at UNM.
- Instructed students in Python programming, facilitating hands-on activities that explored practical applications of mathematical and engineering concepts.
- Enhanced out-of-school learning in mathematics and engineering for middle school students, with a particular focus on bilingual learners.
Education
Ph.D. Candidate - Language, Literacy, and Sociocultural Studies
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM05.2026
Master of Public Administration - Education Policy
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM01.2019
Bachelor of Law -
Xiamen University
Xiamen, China01.2016
Skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Skilled in Adobe Acrobat for document management
- Design expertise using Canva for visual and instructional materials
- Basic web design and content creation
- Integration of interactive learning tools, such as Kahoot and Quizlet, in teaching
- Experienced in applying gamification techniques to enhance student engagement
- Knowledgeable in using educational technology platforms, such as Canvas and Google Classroom
- Strong collaboration and teamwork abilities
- Adaptable to diverse learning needs and classroom environments
- Time management
- Organization
- Effective classroom management
Professional Service
- Conducted various extracurricular events for the Chinese Program at Albuquerque Academy.
- Treasurer at College of Education Graduate Student Leadership Association.
- Secretary, New Mexico Organization of Language Educators (NMOLÉ), 09/23, Present
- Website Developer, Chinese Language Teachers Association of New Mexico (CLTA-NM), 09/21, Present
Conference Presentations
- Multimodality, Digital Technology, and Chinese Heritage Language Learning in a Community-Based Elementary Classroom., AERA Roundtable Session, Denver, 04/25
- Culture-Responsive Insights: Decoding Tibetan Identity in Tibet's High School English Textbooks, Research-in-Progress Roundtable, AERA Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, 04/24
- From Fear to Fascination: Reframing Barriers in Language Learning through the IECC, Southwest Conference on Language Teaching, Honolulu, 02/24
- Developing Reflective Teaching Practices to Make Teaching and Learning Less Stressful, Spring Teaching Conference, University of New Mexico, 2023
- Social Justice Counter storytelling: Celebrating the Lived Experiences of #CRT Educational Superheroes, AERA Annual Meeting, San Diego, 04/22
- Leveraging the Local in Literacy Learning, Annual Conference of the Association of Educators and Researchers, Santa Fe, 11/22
- Sueña con Nosotros: Reimagining Educational Spaces as Beacons of Hope and Transformation, NCTE 2022 ELATE-Social Justice Roundtables, 11/22
Awards Fellowships Certificates
- College of Education International Scholarship, 2019 - 2020
- UNM Amigo International Graduate Scholarship, 2018 - 2021
- UNM Critical Race Award Scholarship, 2021 - 2024
Professional Development Courses
- Evidence-Based Practices for Teaching Online, 2024
- Graduate Teaching, 2022
- Curriculum Development in Multicultural Education, 2020
Languages
- Chinese
- Tibetan
- English
Timeline
Chinese Instructor
Albuquerque Academy
01.2023 - Current
Chinese Language Instructor
New Mexico Chinese School of Arts & Language
01.2021 - Current
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Department of Languages, Cultures, and Literatures, University of New Mexico
08.2020 - Current
Curriculum Design, Department of Internal Medicine
University of New Mexico
01.2020 - 05.2021
Graduate Assistant, Community Engagement Center
University of New Mexico
01.2019 - 01.2020
Facilitator
University of New Mexico
01.2018 - 01.2019
Ph.D. Candidate - Language, Literacy, and Sociocultural Studies
University of New Mexico
Master of Public Administration - Education Policy
University of New Mexico
Bachelor of Law -
Xiamen University
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