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Irvine Chinese Immersion Academy

Rooted in Growth, Reaching for the Sky.

Educators & Support

Our Instructional Team

At Irvine Chinese Immersion Academy, we're not just building classrooms—we're shaping futures with a team that's as passionate as it is pioneering. Our educators aren't simply teachers; they are mentors, champions of curiosity, and architects of your child's success.

What truly sets our team apart is their relentless dedication to crafting a vibrant and immersive learning experience. Here, education goes beyond textbooks. Our teachers weave language mastery, cultural richness, and holistic growth into every lesson, ensuring that your child doesn’t just learn—they flourish. With innovative teaching strategies and the latest educational tools, we make learning an adventure that’s both engaging and impactful.

When you join us at ICIA, you're choosing a path where our immersion model and extraordinary team create a transformative educational journey. Together, we’ll help your child unlock a world of possibilities, one inspired step at a time.

Liz Hsueh

CLA, Kindergarten University of Illinois Chicago

10 Years of Classroom Teaching

Master of Sciences in Curriculum and Instruction, California State University, Fullerton

Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Literature, Tunghai University, Taiwan

Teacher’s Certification, Taiwan

 

  msLienTeacher                    msLienTeacher

6 Years of Classroom Teaching

Masters of Arts in Education, Chapman University

Bachelors of Science in Mathematics, Univeristy of California, Santa Barbra

 

3 Years of Classroom Teaching

Master of Education in Education, University of California, Santa Barbara

Bachelor of Arts in English, Shanghai Jianqiao University

 

mschenteacher

10 Years of Classroom Teaching

Master of Arts in Teaching, University of California, Irvine

Bachelor of Arts in International Studies – Chinese Studies & Education, University of California, San Diego

Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, University of California, Irvine

Ms. Chou has extensive experience within the Irvine Unified School District, where she has served in a variety of roles including elementary teacher, site coordinator, and program leader. She is dedicated to creating a positive, engaging classroom environment that supports all learners. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys reading everything from historical fiction to fantasy, traveling with family and friends, and all things related to Disney, Harry Potter, and Marvel.

 

mschouteacher             mschouteacher

10 Years of Classroom Teaching

Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts, California State University, Fullerton

Multiple Subject Clear Credential, California State University, Fullerton

Ms. Goodale has taught students across Orange County in a variety of settings, including preschool, kindergarten, and first grade, and has spent the past five years teaching in a Mandarin immersion environment. She is dedicated to creating a nurturing and engaging classroom where young learners can build strong foundations and a love of learning. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys traveling to new places, spending time in nature, and reading great books.

Bachelors of Arts in Economics, University of California, Los Angeles

Montessori Credentialed

Ms. Yiu has taught in Montessori settings for many years, including at multiple campuses of Montessori Schools of Irvine, and has continued her teaching journey at ICIA. She is dedicated to fostering independence, curiosity, and a love of learning in her students while creating a supportive and engaging classroom environment.

 

Ms.YiuTeacher     Ms.YiuTeacher     Ms.YiuTeacher

 

4 Years of Classroom Teaching

Masters of Arts in Chinese Language and Literature, Soochow University, China

Bachelors of Arts in Chinese Language and Literature, Soochow University, China

Multiple Subject Teaching Program, California State University, Long Beach

Mandarin World Language Authorization, California State University, San Jose

 

1 Year of Classroom Teaching

Master of Sciences in Curriculum and Instruction, California State University, Fullerton

Bachelor of Arts in Education Sciences, University of California, Irvine

10 Years of Classroom Teaching

Master of Arts in Bilingual Education, New York University

Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood and Childhood Education, SUNY Geneseo

 

MsZhouTeacher             MsZhouTeacher

7 Years of Classroom Teaching

Master of Arts in Bilingual Education, Loyola Marymount University

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of Connecticut

Gate Certified, University of California, San Diego

 

mslianTeacher

Peiyao Wang

CLA, Grade 1 Pepperdine University

5 Years of Classroom Teaching

Master of Arts in Education, Boston University

Bachelor of Arts in English Education, Shenzhen University

Business Leadership Program, Harvard University

Teacher Credential Program, California State University, East Bay

 

MsXuTeacher

Olivia Yu

CLA, Grade 1 USC

4 Years of Classroom Teaching

Masters of Arts in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Los Angeles Pacific University

Bachelors of Arts in Psychology, Brigham Young University

Ms. Suitor has served as a college instructor for group dynamics and has extensive experience supporting students of all abilities, including teaching physical development classes for special needs students for seven years. She has also worked as a gymnastics coach, church director, substitute teacher, and online first grade teacher. Outside of the classroom, she is a proud mother of two daughters and enjoys bringing her passion for working with children into everything she does.

9 Years of Classroom Teaching

Master of Arts in Dual Language Education, San Diego State University

Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics, University of California, San Diego

Ms. Chen has been embracing the philosophy of teaching students to be creative, life-long learners and independent thinkers. She strongly believes that students not only need to be equipped with academic knowledge but also socio-emotional well-being. By providing ownership for students to grow and reach their best potentials. Ms. Chen supports and challenges students with scaffolded and individualized curriculum. To ensure learning by doing, she is passionate about creating theme-based and interdisciplinary activities, in order to foster a joyful learning classroom environment for students. During her free time. she enjoys singing, fashion, and exploring new travel spots.

 

mschenteacher                 mschenteacher

4 Years of Classroom Teaching

Master of Arts in Education, University of California, Davis

Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, California State University, Long Beach

Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, BCLAD, University of California, Davis

3 Years of Classroom Teaching

Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, California State University, Fullerton

3 Years of Classroom Teaching

Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, Pepperdine University

Bachelor of Arts in Applied Linguistics, University of California, Los Angeles

9 Years of Classroom Teaching

Bachelor of Arts in Cognitive Psychology, University of California, Irvine

Master of Arts in Teaching, University of California, Irvine

With her background in understanding how students think and learn, Ms. Huynh is dedicated to creating thoughtful, engaging lessons that support academic growth and foster confidence. She strives to build a positive classroom environment where students feel challenged, supported, and motivated to reach their full potential.

 

LynnaHuynhTeacher

As a first year teacher, Ms. Hsiao is excited to begin her teaching journey at ICIA.

Bachelor of Arts in Communication, University of California, Santa Barbara

Master of Arts in Teaching, Multiple Subject and Special Education Concentration, University of Southern California

Ms. Hsiao has experience teaching across a wide range of grade levels, from Kindergarten through 7th grade. She has a specialized background in Special Education, having worked in self-contained Special Day Classes (SDC) and delivered targeted interventions aligned with Individual Education Program (IEP) goals. Outside of the classroom, she has also coached for girls basketball team, where she focused on communication and inclusive coaching techniques.

 

mshsiaoteacher

2 Years of Classroom Teaching

Master of Education in Education Leadership, Organizations, and Entrepreneurship, Harvard University

Bachelor of Arts in Education in Elementary Education (Educating Multilingual Learners), Arizona State University

Ms. Wang is dedicated to creating an inclusive, student-centered learning environment where every child feels supported, empowered, and inspired to grow academically and personally.

 

AngieWangTeacher             AngieWangTeacher2

16 Years of Classroom Teaching

Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), San Francisco State University

Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and Music, Concordia University Irvine

Ms. Ma is a National Board Certified Teacher and has taught students from preschool through fourth grade. She has also served as a summer camp director, further demonstrating her commitment to nurturing and guiding young learners. Ms. Ma loves teaching English, social studies, and music, and she is dedicated to making third grade a joyful, engaging, and truly memorable year for her students.

15 Years of Classroom Teaching

Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, University of Southern California

Bachelors of Arts in English Language Arts, Taiyuan University of Science and Technology, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China

GATE Certificated

Ms. Tan values strong partnerships with families and colleagues and is dedicated to nurturing the whole child. She considers it a privilege to guide students as they grow into thoughtful, capable, and compassionate learners. She designs meaningful interdisciplinary learning experiences that connect language, inquiry, creativity, and real-world application, helping students build strong academic foundations, a lasting love of learning, and the skills to thrive as global citizens.

 

MsTanTeacher                MsTanTeacher2

As a first year teacher, Ms. Allan is excited to begin her teaching journey at ICIA.

Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, California State University, San Bernardino

Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, California State University Fullerton

GATE Certificated

Ms. Allan served as a student teacher and substitute teacher for three years in the Irvine Unified School District, where she developed her skills in supporting diverse learners and creating engaging classroom environments. She looks forward to fostering a welcoming, supportive space where students feel confident, valued, and excited to learn each day. Beyond the classroom, Ms. Allan enjoys ballet, exploring fashion and thrifting, reading science fiction, cats, and playing video games.

8 Years of Classroom Teaching

Master of Arts in Educational Technology, California State University, Los Angeles

Bachelor of Arts in Chinese, University of California, Los Angeles

GATE Certificated

Ms. Situ creates engaging and meaningful learning experiences that support student growth and curiosity. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys traveling to new places and discovering new matcha spots, bringing her sense of exploration and enthusiasm into her teaching each day.

 

YuQiSituTeacher               YuQiSituTeacher2

7 Years in Classroom Teaching

Master of Arts in Education, Claremont Graduate University

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Creative Writing, Pitzer College

GATE, ELD, and STEAM certified

In addition to his classroom experience, Mr. Lim has served as a camp counselor, ultimate frisbee coach, and tutor, and he enjoys creating educational, kid-friendly music “Lim Music” to make learning engaging and fun. He is dedicated to building a positive classroom community where students feel inspired, supported, and excited to learn each day.

 

JordonTeacher                       JordonTeacher2

 

Na Bai

CLA, TK University of Pacific

Phebe Lo

CLA, TK Cal Poly Pomona

2 Years of Classroom Teaching

Bachelor of Arts in Education, Psychology, William Jessup University

 

Yan Zhang

CLA, TK Shenyang Normal University

28 Years of Classroom Teaching

Masters of Science in Education Technology

Bachelors of Science in Psychology

Ms. Fong holds both multiple subject BCLAD and single subject teaching credentials and has taught in a variety of settings, including private and public school districts. In addition to her classroom experience, she has worked as a behavioral therapist, further strengthening her ability to support diverse student needs. Ms. Fong was honored as an Elementary Teacher of the Year in the Capistrano Unified School District and was also nominated for Orange County Teacher of the Year. She is dedicated to creating a supportive, engaging learning environment where all students can thrive.

MsFongTeacher                         MsFongTeacher

4 Years of Classroom Teaching

Bachelors of Music in Music Education, California Baptist University

With a background in teaching music at multiple private schools and providing private lessons for over five years, Ms. Sparks has been dedicated to music education since high school. Additional experience includes leading summer music camps and developing a successful after-school music program. Ms. Sparks is committed to fostering a love for music in all students and believes that music can fully support the California Arts Standards while remaining engaging, creative, and fun.

7 Years of Classroom Teaching

Masters of Science in Educational Technology, California State University, Fullerton

Bachelors of Science in Liberal Studies, California State University, Dominguez Hills

Computer Science Supplementary Authorization

Ms. Duran-Sibucao has extensive experience teaching upper elementary students and supporting STEM education across K–12 settings, and she is trained in Project-Based Learning (PBL) and recognized as an Apple Teacher. Her skills include curriculum development, 3D printing, and coding in Python, Swift, and block-based languages. She is dedicated to creating engaging, hands-on learning experiences that inspire curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving in all students.

 

6 Years of Classroom Teaching

Masters of Science in Educational Technology, California State University, Fullerton

Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology, California State University, Fullerton

Single Subject Credential PE K-12, California State University, Long Beach

Leadership

Estefania Castro

Head of Operations UCI, APU, USC

Candy Lin-Huang

TOSA LMU, USC

Carin Truong

Special Education Coordinator Concordia University, CSUF, National University

Celine Chang

Instructional Coach and Curriculum Coordinator UCLA

Dr. Benson Kwok

Executive Director APU, USC

Student Support Services

Jasmine Balladares

Counselor Chapman University

Michelle Dominguez

Library Tech Long Beach College

Whitney Gonzalez

Health Assistant CSN, UNLV

Laura Oliveros & Andrea Segura

Nutrition Service Coordinators CSUF

Alieska Ruiz

Health Assistant CSULB

Charlotte Tu

After School Program Coordinator UCI

Helen Wu

SLP CSUF

Front Office

Nicole Lam

Office Assistant UCI

Maria Loera

Attendance Clerk CSULA

Maribel Paz

School Community Coordinator CBU

Olivia Shih

Office Assistant Emerson College

Support Staff

Owen Chavez

Custodian CSUF

Irvine Garcia

Custodian

Jose Ramirez

Custodian

Micah Vinh

Technology Services Intern CSUF

Joseph Wong

HR Tech UCLA

Instructional Aides

Luhan Cao

Afterschool Aide Saddleback College

Evelyn Castro

Campus Monitor/Afterschool Aide CSULB

Elizabeth Chae

Afterschool Aide Biola University

Jennifer Chu

Art Instructional Aide Shanghai Theatre Academy

Saul Diaz

Afterschool Aide

Anastasiia Dovhal

Mandarin Instructional Aide CSULB

Ryan Ehara

Campus Monitor/Afterschool Aide UCI

Jaden Fong

Campus Monitor/Afterschool Aide Cal Poly Pomona

Grace Huang

Music Instructional Aide Tianjin Conservatory of Music, Westcliff University

Vivian Jiang

Mandarin Instuctional Aide NAU, Chapman University

Cassie Kao

Mandarin Instructional Aide Concordia University Irvine, UCR

Alice Liao

Mandarin Instructional Aide CSUF

Weina Li

Mandarin Instructional Aide Inha University, CSULB

Emily Liu

Mandarin Instructional Aide BNU, ECNU, UCLA

Jasmine Liu

Mandarin Instructional Aide University of Houston

Monica Mejia

Instructional Aide UMass Global

Anthony Suazo

Afterschool Aide CSUF

Sirena Sun

Mandarin Instructional Aide UCI, LMU

Zoe Sun

Mandarin Instructional Aide JWU, FIU

Sophia Wang

Mandarin Instructional Aide SISU

Silvie Wong

Mandarin Instructional Aide

Sherry Xu

Mandarin Instructional Aide

Jaqueline Zambrano

Campus Monitor Lead CSUF

Jen Zeng

Mandarin Instructional Aide Saint Louis University

Vickie Zhang

Mandarin Instructional Aide CSULA, HIU