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Mandarin — Ms. Cao (25/26)
Ms. Liu will be taking a 1-year leave of absence during the 2025-26 school year.
Ms. Cao will be the Mandarin teacher for grades 5-8 for the year.
Ms. Cao will be the Mandarin teacher for grades 5-8 for the year.
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Ms. Cao's Mandarin ClassTop of Page
Liya Cao
5th, 6th, 7th & 8th grade Mandarin
Welcome to Mandarin Class!
Hello! My name is Liya Cao, and I am honored to be your child’s Mandarin teacher this year. I’m truly excited to begin this journey with your family. Thank you for trusting me with your child’s learning—it's a privilege I hold with deep respect. In our classroom, we’ll grow together, celebrate progress, and always remember to have fun along the way!
A little about me: I earned my Master’s degree in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language from Ludong University in Shandong Province, China. I began my teaching career in South Korea, where I taught Chinese language and culture for two years. After moving to the U.S., I spent three years teaching middle school Chinese in Kentucky before relocating to San Francisco. Since then, I’ve had the pleasure of teaching at Presidio Knolls Elementary and Yu Ming Charter School, where I worked in Chinese Immersion classrooms across subjects such as Math, Social Studies, and Language Arts. Most recent four years, I’ve taught Mandarin Immersion at Kennedy Middle School, focusing on both Social Studies and Mandarin Language Arts.
Throughout these experiences, I’ve discovered a true passion for integrating language, culture, and content. I hold a California Single Subject Teaching Credential in Chinese, a Multiple Subjects Credential, English Learner Authorization, and a BCLAD (Bilingual Authorization in Mandarin).
In my classroom, I strive to create a safe, warm, and inclusive environment where all students feel valued and supported. I believe in celebrating effort, welcoming mistakes as part of learning, and recognizing the unique strengths of every child. Respect, curiosity, and collaboration are at the heart of our classroom community.
I’m thrilled to join the wonderful team at Woodside Elementary School and look forward to helping create a joyful and enriching Mandarin learning environment. I can’t wait to learn from and with your children this year!
Warmly,
Liya Cao
Ms. Liu's Mandarin ClassTop of Page
Hui Liu
Rochester, where I started my family and spent 8 happy years, is my second hometown. The winter is harsh, but the beautiful summer is more than enough to compensate. Now our home is in Saratoga. We love to go out to explore the area at our free time and never get disappointed.
5th, 6th, 7th & 8th grade Mandarin
Rm. 27
Rochester, where I started my family and spent 8 happy years, is my second hometown. The winter is harsh, but the beautiful summer is more than enough to compensate. Now our home is in Saratoga. We love to go out to explore the area at our free time and never get disappointed.
I majored in photographic and imaging technology and have a Bachelor of Science with a minor in Japanese Language and Culture from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). After that I gained my Master’s degree of Education from the Nazareth College of Rochester. Before moving to California, I taught Mandarin in high schools for three years, in both suburban and urban school districts. My experience of working in different environments and with students with diverse backgrounds has given me the versatility to teach students that have various strengths, needs, and learning styles.
As Ludwig Wittgenstein said: “The limits of my language are the limits of my world.” Globalization and the internet have significantly fostered communication, collaboration and interaction among people all around the world. As an oldest existing language and spoken by the largest number of population, Mandarin can be a powerful tool to prepare students to achieve 21 century competence. Learning a new language is challenging and a long-term endeavor. Without passion and a solid foundation, students won’t go far. Therefore, building a solid foundation and keeping students motivated are the priorities in my teaching. I focus on how well children learn more than how fast they learn. For young children, learning with fun is directly linked with how well they can learn. Engagement is the number one fact leading to children’s academic success. By designing and integrating various interesting and also meaningful activates to promote students’ learning and accommodate their different capabilities, I believe a positive learning experience will allow every child achieve their full potential.
As Ludwig Wittgenstein said: “The limits of my language are the limits of my world.” Globalization and the internet have significantly fostered communication, collaboration and interaction among people all around the world. As an oldest existing language and spoken by the largest number of population, Mandarin can be a powerful tool to prepare students to achieve 21 century competence. Learning a new language is challenging and a long-term endeavor. Without passion and a solid foundation, students won’t go far. Therefore, building a solid foundation and keeping students motivated are the priorities in my teaching. I focus on how well children learn more than how fast they learn. For young children, learning with fun is directly linked with how well they can learn. Engagement is the number one fact leading to children’s academic success. By designing and integrating various interesting and also meaningful activates to promote students’ learning and accommodate their different capabilities, I believe a positive learning experience will allow every child achieve their full potential.