Principal: Mr. Fred Luo
Profile: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Fudan University; Master's degree in Computer Science from the University of Kentucky. Previously taught foundational computer courses at the university level. Has worked for many years in system software and application software development and management at companies like HP, AT&T, and Wall Street.
Active in community service activities for Chinese organizations. Formerly served as president and chairman of the board of the New Jersey Chinese Computer Association, dedicated to establishing a platform for communication and mutual learning among Chinese computer professionals.
Seeing the confusion and struggles of his own children and other Chinese heritage children in learning Chinese, he founded the Koo Chinese Academy in 2014. The academy established a teaching philosophy of "learn for fun, learn by doing", allowing students to learn joyfully and master skills through practice.
The academy has successfully provided high-quality Chinese courses and immersive summer camps for over a thousand children learning Chinese. Students in grades six and seven have successfully passed the independent reading assessments and can read Chinese novels and articles of various genres on their own. Additionally, all fifth-grade students have smoothly passed the Chinese version of the TOEFL exam—Level 4 of the International Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK), seventh-grade students passed Level 5, and ninth-grade students achieved the highest level, Level 6.
Profile: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Fudan University; Master's degree in Computer Science from the University of Kentucky. Previously taught foundational computer courses at the university level. Has worked for many years in system software and application software development and management at companies like HP, AT&T, and Wall Street.
Active in community service activities for Chinese organizations. Formerly served as president and chairman of the board of the New Jersey Chinese Computer Association, dedicated to establishing a platform for communication and mutual learning among Chinese computer professionals.
Seeing the confusion and struggles of his own children and other Chinese heritage children in learning Chinese, he founded the Koo Chinese Academy in 2014. The academy established a teaching philosophy of "learn for fun, learn by doing", allowing students to learn joyfully and master skills through practice.
The academy has successfully provided high-quality Chinese courses and immersive summer camps for over a thousand children learning Chinese. Students in grades six and seven have successfully passed the independent reading assessments and can read Chinese novels and articles of various genres on their own. Additionally, all fifth-grade students have smoothly passed the Chinese version of the TOEFL exam—Level 4 of the International Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK), seventh-grade students passed Level 5, and ninth-grade students achieved the highest level, Level 6.
Ms. Helen Tu
Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree from the prestigious Tongji University in Shanghai; completed a course in Child Psychology at East China Normal University; completed a program in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language at East China Normal University. Courses Taught: Chinese classes for middle and upper grades, online graded writing classes, private Chinese tutoring, and immersive Chinese summer camp. Teaching Style: Excels at creating an enjoyable learning environment that integrates education and fun. Friendly, patient, and focuses on inspirational teaching. Teacher's Resume: One of the earliest teachers at Koo Chinese Academy, joined in 2016. Previously served as a Chinese teacher in an immersion bilingual preschool. |
Ms. Ding
Educational Background: Visiting scholar at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Master’s degree in Journalism and Communication from Jinan University; Bachelor’s degree in Chinese from Jiangxi Normal University. Courses Taught: Advanced Chinese literature and writing courses. Teaching Style: Clear and engaging, adept at guiding students gently, talented, and capable of sparking interest. Teacher's Resume: Previously worked as a journalist, editor, and associate professor in a university media department in China. Currently teaches Chinese at a high school in the U.S. and holds a U.S. teaching certification. |
Ms. Yan
Educational Background: Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Law from a prestigious university in China. Courses Taught: Chinese classes for middle and lower grades, immersive Chinese summer camp, private Chinese tutoring. Teaching Style: Class content is lively and engaging, blending education with enjoyment. Highly approachable and skilled in designing multimedia lesson plans. Teacher's Resume: Has served as a Chinese teacher at an immersion bilingual school in the U.S. for many years and holds a U.S. CDA (Child Development Associate) credential. A corporate lawyer in China. Start teaching at Koo Chinese since 2020. |
Ms. Iris Guo
Educational Background: Master's degree in Foreign Language and Literature with a focus on Culture from Colorado State University. Courses Taught: Chinese classes for middle and lower grades. Teaching Style: Committed to making a difference in the classroom. Believes that teachers have an irreplaceable influence on each student’s growth and strives to positively impact students, encouraging and supporting them to reach their full potential. Aims for students' learning to extend beyond the classroom, benefiting them for a lifetime. Teacher's Resume: Has taught Chinese, Spanish, and other subjects at universities and K-12 public and private schools in the U.S. for over a decade. Holds a U.S. teaching certification. Her classes have been recognized by Asia Society as demonstration lessons for effective teaching (using the Total Physical Response method) (https://youtu.be/IRecVutSuR4?si=7S7ByR8tzgHPpNUL). |
Ms. Zhang
Educational Background: Bachelor's degree in Chinese Language and Literature from Beijing Second Foreign Languages Institute; Master's degree from Northeastern University’s College of Education. Courses Taught: Chinese classes for lower and middle grades. Teaching Style: Excels at creating an enjoyable learning environment that blends education and fun. Friendly, patient, and focuses on inspirational teaching. Teacher's Resume: Holds a U.S. teaching certification and an IB (International Baccalaureate) certificate; previously worked at an International School in the U.S. |
Ms. Dong
Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Master's in Elementary Education and Special Education from Rutgers University Courses Taught: K-8 Chinese classes, CogAT math classes, beginner reading classes, Singapore math classes. Teaching Style: Emphasizes the simultaneous development of students' listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, utilizing personalized group instruction. Teacher's Resume: Holds a U.S. teaching certification. Former immersion bilingual Chinese teacher; previously served as a special education teacher in kindergarten. |
Ms. Cai
Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree from Tianjin Medical University. Courses Taught: Chinese classes for 2nd, 5th, and 6th grades, private Chinese tutoring, HSK Level 4 training, and immersive Chinese summer camp. Teaching Style: Excels at creating an enjoyable learning environment where education is both fun and applicable. Strives to develop a unique, engaging, and effective teaching method that reflects Teacher Cai's own style. Friendly and patient, treats students as if they were her own children. Teacher's Resume: Previously taught at a weekend Chinese school in the U.S. Started teaching at Koo Chinese since 2022. |
Ms. Tiffany Ma
Educational Background: Graduated from Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, major in Chinese language and literature. Courses Taught: Chinese classes for second and third grades, Chinese Immersion Summer Camp, private Chinese tutoring. Teaching Style: Focuses on combining teaching with real-life applications, emphasizing practical use of knowledge, incorporating entertaining games into lessons, and creating a friendly and humorous atmosphere. Teacher's Resume: Has worked as a private Chinese tutor in various regions. |
Mr. Liu
Educational Background: Graduated from Shanghai University of Technology with a major in Book Design. Courses Taught: Chinese classes for upper grades and creative painting classes. Teaching Style: Uses heuristic teaching methods tailored to the characteristics of overseas Chinese students, creating an interactive learning environment that integrates the beauty of Chinese phonetics, form, and meaning into immersive Chinese teaching. Teacher's Resume: Former visiting professor at Shanghai University of Technology. After immigrating to the U.S. as an outstanding talent, taught at a weekend Chinese school in America. Start teaching at Koo Chinese since 2015. |
Ms. Jingjing Luo
Educational Background: High school student at Pingry School. Courses Taught: Chinese immersion summer camp, Chinese as Second Language, Chinese pictographs, comparison of ancient pictographs from around the world. Teaching Style: Integrates Chinese culture into global culture, engaging students in a fun and creative way of learning. Teacher's Resume: Outstanding graduate of Koo Chinese Academy, achieved high scores on the highest level (Level 6) of the China's National Chinese Proficiency Test. Started teaching at Koo Chinese in 2021. |