Third Grade Teachers

I was born and raised in San Francisco and am a product of SFUSD’s public school system. I attended Miraloma Elementary, Aptos Middle, and Lowell High. Growing up with immigrant parents meant learning Chinese was not optional for me. My sisters and I were expected to know English but also master Chinese. My parents relied on us to be their translators because they did not speak or read English, so the only language allowed to be spoken at home was Chinese. Learning Chinese seemed like a chore when I was young, but as I got older, I felt accomplished for knowing another language. In high school, I took Mandarin Chinese because I wanted to understand the main dialect spoken in China. My interest in learning Chinese grew as I went on to college majoring in Chinese. I am fluent in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin.

I have been volunteering and student teaching at CIS since 2011 and am very excited to OFFICIALLY be a part of this great family!

Hi! My name is Mei-Yi Yu (AKA Yau Lo Si), and I am very excited to return to the CIS Family! 

I have been with SFUSD since 1995 and had the wonderful opportunity to be a part of the team that founded Chinese Immersion School at De Avila in 2009. Throughout my 20+ years in education, I have taught students from kindergarten through 5th grade in Chinese bilingual, ELD, Chinese immersion, and STEAM classes. After taking a sabbatical, I joined the Multilingual Pathways Department to support the K-12 Chinese language programs in our district. I enjoyed collaborating with many teachers across the district, but I missed the children and the action in the classroom. Therefore, when the opportunity arose, I decided to return to the one place that makes me the happiest – working and learning with children in the classroom!  

I was born and raised in Taiwan and immigrated with my parents to the U.S. to attend high school. Growing up speaking only Mandarin, I had to learn both Cantonese and English after settling in San Francisco. As a multi-language learner, I understand the challenges and can identify with our students who are learning new languages. My goal is to create a safe and fun learning environment for all students!

During my spare time, I enjoy watching K-dramas, hanging out and trying different restaurants with friends, and playing Pokémon Go!  

Hi CIS Families!  I am thrilled to be part of the CIS community.  My name is Minyi (Katie) Chen. I was born and raised in Kaiping, a city in Southern China. Growing up, I primarily learned Mandarin at school, and picked up Cantonese through daily conversations, television, and movies, and began learning English in upper Elementary School. Being fluent in Cantonese, Mandarin and English has given me a deep appreciation for the opportunities in connecting people and teaching at immersion schools and programs. I believe in the value of bilingual education and am passionate about helping students navigate and thrive in our multilingual world.

Growing up, math was always my favorite subject. I enjoyed the process of learning new concepts and solving problems. I look forward to the opportunity to create a positive learning experience for all students. I believe that every student is capable of learning, and I always remind them that mistakes are not setbacks but valuable opportunities for growth and understanding.

I earned my BA in Child and Adolescent Development from SF State in 2020. Afterward, I taught at a Mandarin immersion private school for two years. I then decided to pursue a teaching credential and a master degree in Curriculum and Instruction. During this time, I completed my student teaching at West Portal and Starr King Elementary Schools. Last year, after obtaining my teaching credential, I worked as a long-term substitute teacher at West Portal Elementary School, where I taught second and third grade in the Chinese immersion program. I had the opportunity to learn from my mentor teachers at West Portal, where they started the first Cantonese immersion program in the city.

In my spare time, I enjoy hiking, exploring new places with my family and friends, and caring for plants. I look forward to working with you and your child this school year and to a year full of learning, joy and growth.