We As One Teacher Mentorship Coalition

Zhuo Li holds a M.Ed. in Second Language Education from University of Minnesota, and a M.A. in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language from Guangdong University of Foreign Studies.  Her professional journey has taken her across multiple countries and cultural contexts, where she has combined theoretical study with extensive classroom practice. These experiences have shaped her conviction that language education serves as a critical bridge for fostering empathy, cultural understanding, and respectful dialogue. Since relocating to the United States in 2019, Zhuo has been teaching as the MYP Chinese Teacher at Camden High School, Minneapolis, working with a highly diverse student body.  Currently in her fourth year in this role, she continues to advance her commitment to equity and global awareness in language education. Most recently, she has initiated a program to bring students from low-income backgrounds to China for summer language and cultural immersion, broadening their perspectives and deepening their understanding of the world.

Xiaogong Pan is an Upper School Chinese Language Teacher at Lakes International Language Academy (LILA) in Forest Lake, where he teaches within the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP). He previously taught for seven years in LILA’s Primary Years Programme (PYP) Chinese immersion program.

Xiaogong holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Education from Nantong University in China and a Master of Education in Elementary Education, with a specialization in language immersion, from the University of Minnesota. 

He is committed to fostering students’ curiosity and global perspectives through inquiry-based learning and believes that language acquisition is a powerful pathway to developing critical thinking skills and intercultural competence. He is passionate about creating meaningful, engaging curriculum that empowers students to become lifelong learners and responsible global citizens.

Sirui Chen 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 Chinese, Math and Social Studies at  Minnetonka Middle School East. She 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.  She will be teaching our kindergarten and 1st Grade class at our Visitation site this summer.

Lin Niu 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.