Faculty
Xiaoyan Xu
Fifth-Eighth Grade Mandarin Teacher
Xiaoyan Xu is a native Mandarin speaker who has been in the teaching field for over 20 years. She earned her B.A. in English at Beijing International Studies University in China and her M.A. in education at San Francisco State University. Xiaoyan has received various teaching certificates and training throughout her career, both in China and in America, such as the International Baccalaureate teaching certificate, Reggio Emilia teaching certificate, Cambridge language teaching certificates, and TPRS. Before joining Black Pine Circle School in 2013, Xiaoyan taught Mandarin at both Shu Ren International School in Berkeley and at Presidio Knolls School in San Francisco. She also worked in San Francisco Guadalupe Elementary School and Mira Vista Elementary School. Before coming to the U.S., Xiaoyan taught multiple subjects in both English and Chinese to students ranging from pre-k to 12th grade, as well as adults, for eight years in Beijing. During the same time period, she founded and ran her own ESL school. When she is not teaching, she enjoys hiking with her family and friends, watching movies, and reading novels in Mandarin.
Why I Work with Children
Children are our future; I want to be part of it.
A Favorite Book
Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg. It’s a very inspiring and interesting book.
Quick Fact
Once ate deep-fried silkworms
