Yanzi Zhou

Yanzi was born and raised in Xi’an, China, one of the most historic cities. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Russian and Ukrainian Language and Literature before pursuing a Master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) at New York University. Following graduate school, Yanzi spent three years teaching Mandarin Chinese and Latin, where she discovered the joy of helping children develop confidence and curiosity through language. She is currently completing her Early Childhood Montessori credential through the West Side Montessori School Teacher Education Program. Yanzi has always been fascinated by languages and the ways they are connected. She loves exploring the similarities and differences between languages and cultures, and hopes to share that sense of wonder with every child. She believes that learning is a mutual journey—just as one tree awakens another tree and one cloud gently moves another cloud, children and teachers inspire one another to grow. She hopes to nurture children with warmth, curiosity, and respect as they grow into lifelong learners. Outside the classroom, Yanzi enjoys singing, playing the ukulele, and weaving language into music, stories, and art. She loves reading books of all kinds, with “The Little Prince” remaining her lifelong favorite. She hopes to continue drawing inspiration from children, allowing their imagination and joy to remind her how to remain a curious and playful adult. When she isn't in the classroom, Yanzi can often be found practicing ballet or creating new dishes in the kitchen. She especially likes creating her own recipes. Although not every new dish turns out to be delicious, she believes that every creative process is meaningful, joyful, and always worth exploring.