Yanbo Zhao

Biography My name is Yanbo Catherine Zhao, and I am currently teaching 6th Grade Mandarin Dual-Immersion and Social Studies at Plymouth Elementary in Monrovia Unified School District. This is my first year in a California public school, and I am excited to continue growing as an educator through the Teacher Induction Program. I bring over 20 years of teaching experience, including 14 years at Beijing No. 171 High School in China, where I taught English and Mandarin and served as Director of the Foreign Language Department. During this time, I also spent one year teaching Mandarin at Santa Monica’s RC High School in Manchester, UK, which expanded my perspective on international curriculum and classroom practices. More recently, I taught Mandarin at St. John’s Episcopal School in California, where I designed student-centered, project-based curricula aligned with ACTFL proficiency standards. I hold a Master’s in Media-Assisted Language Teaching and Learning (MALT) from the University of Brighton, UK, and a Bachelor’s in English Education from Northeast Normal University, China. I currently hold a California Single-Subject Credential in Mandarin, and I am working toward clearing my credential, earning the Bilingual Authorization (BCLAD), and adding a Multiple Subject Credential. My teaching philosophy emphasizes student-centered, culturally responsive instruction. Through the induction program, I hope to refine my practice, strengthen strategies for biliteracy, and grow as a reflective teacher committed to supporting all learners.