Little Panda Preschool and After School's Staff
Xiaoping Johnson, PhD
Principal
Teaches: Little Panda Preschool -- mornings (Mon. - Fri.), and After School Classes (Tues. and Thurs.)
A native Mandarin Chinese language speaker, Xiaoping was born and raised in China. She received her BS and Master degrees from China and her PhD degree from the US. She has many years of experience teaching Mandarin to children and adults. Her expertise was recognized recently by the US government when she was asked to develop its Mandarin teaching curriculum -- a program currently in operation. Xiaoping and her husband live in Cary with their son and they fund Durham Chinese School.
Julie Huang, MBA
Vice Principal
Teaches: Little Panda Preschool -- mornings (Tues. - Fri.)
A native Mandarin Chinese language speaker, Julie was born and raised in Taiwan. She received her BS in Taiwan and MBA degree in the US. She also has many years of experience teaching Mandarin to children and adults. Julie's proficiency in Mandarin teaching has also lead her to establish the curriculum for local Chinese schools in the US. Julie lives in Durham with her husband and two daughters.
Mandy Wu, BS
Teacher
Teaches: Little Panda Preschool -- mornings (Mon. - Fri.), extended day and Afternoon Preschool (Mon. and Wed.)
A native Mandarin Chinese language speaker, Mandy was born and raised in China. She received her BS in nursing. Mandy is currently attending Duke University where she is also a Duke Dance Club member. Mandy lives in Durham with her husband.
Nancy Mapps, BS
Teacher
Teaches: Little Panda Preschool -- mornings (Mon/Tues/Thurs/Fri)
A native Mandarin Chinese language speaker, Nancy was born and raised in Taiwan. She graduated with a BS degree from Tainan College and has many working experiences as a kindergarten teacher, sales manager and business owner. Nancy has lived in Durham with her husband since 2000.
Miao Chen, MA
Teacher
Teaches: Little Panda Preschool -- mornings (Tuesday and Thursday)
A native Mandarin Chinese Language speaker, Miao has a BA from China's Scientific and Technology University and her Masters in Computer Science here in the US. Miao lives in Durham with her husband and son.
Jing Chen, BA
Teacher
Teaches: Little Panda After School (Thursdays) and Adult Mandarin Language Programs
A native Mandarin Chinese language speaker from Beijing, China, Jing received his BA from China in Chinese history and literature. He has been teaching Mandarin Chinese in China and in the US for many years. Jing lives in Durham with his wife and their son.
Melissa Gedachian Zemon
Administration and Marketing
A former magazine executive and corporate communications specialist, Melissa has joined the staff at DCS to assist in the school's growth and development. She received her BA in Journalism at Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and went on to work as an editor, associate publisher and corporate communications director in New York, Washington DC and Miami. Melissa currently lives with her two children, who attend Little Panda Preschool, and her husband in Chapel Hill.