Faculty & Staff Directory

Began at CAIS 2024

Preschool Teacher Zhidan Chi graduated from Shenyang Conservatory of Music with a major in Music Education and then pursued a Master’s degree in Piano Performance at the University at Buffalo. Music has always been a vital part of her life, and she is eager to incorporate rich musical elements into her classroom, embarking on an enchanting musical journey with the children. After completing her graduate studies and driven by a deep curiosity about early childhood education and child psychology, she obtained Montessori AMS credentials for ages 0-3 and 3-6. 

In her classroom, she loves using music, games, stories, and crafts to spark children’s interests and curiosity. She respects the unique personality of each child and strives to help them discover and develop their own interests and talents. 

Began at CAIS in 2021

Hailing from Taiwan, Ms. Chiang is a veteran immersion educator with 17 years experience, including four years in her previous role as Chinese Academic Dean at Silicon Valley International School (formerly known as International School of the Peninsula). She holds a bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature from National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan; credentials from National University of Tainan and University of California San Diego; and a master’s degree in TESOL from San Jose State University. As she joined CAIS, she reflected on the strong community, “This resonates with the motto I have always lived by as a leader: 一个人走，走得快；一群人走，走得远 (If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together).”

See School Spotlight—Cindy Chiang

Began at CAIS in 2013

Originally from the Midwest, Ms. Clark graduated from Cal with a B.A. in Anthropology. After working in China as a tour guide for American medical professionals, she returned to Berkeley and pursued a Ph.D. in Linguistics and Anthropology. Before joining CAIS, she was the learning center director at Immaculate Conception High School in the Mission. Ms. Clark lives in San Francisco with her son and husband, and her beloved, ancient chocolate lab!

Favorite quote (Victor Hugo): “To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark.”

Began at CAIS 2024

Preschool Teaching Associate 彭芝瑜 (American name Vivian Dahlstrom) has a background in early childhood education and a passion for nurturing young minds. She spent several years as a Lead Preschool Teacher, developing and implementing creative, engaging curricula that support children’s holistic development. Her approach emphasizes cognitive growth, as well as emotional and social well-being. Outside the classroom, she is an avid traveler and nature enthusiast. Exploring different cultures and landscapes has broadened her perspective and deepened her appreciation for diversity. Photography is another passion of hers, particularly capturing the beauty of nature. 

Began at CAIS 2024

Preschool Lead Teacher Jessie Dong is from Shandong, China, and is the mother of a lovely six- year-old girl. She graduated from Beijing Normal University, majoring in preschool education and worked in Montessori schools in Beijing and Xiamen, China for 20 years. She has been to international schools, kindergartens,and children’s houses. She enjoys spending time with children very much; accompanying and helping them grow gives her great satisfaction. She likes nature, painting, music, riding bicycles, and cooking. She also enjoys spending time with her family! 

Began at CAIS in 2004

Coach Douglass joined the CAIS community in 2004 as a physical education teacher for grades K-8. She is originally from Maine and returns to Maine every summer. She served in the United States Airforce before receiving a B.S. degree from West Chester University in Pennsylvania and completed her M.S. degree in Sport Psychology in the East Bay. She is passionate about physical activity and feels fortunate to be able to share her passion with children. Some of her favorite activities are running, skiing and mountain biking. It is her belief that physical education can be used for much more than teaching sports. It provides students an opportunity to use games for self expression, cooperation, confidence, cooperation, health, and wellness.

Began (again) at CAIS 2023

“Every oak tree started out as a couple of nuts that stood their ground.”

— Henry David Thoreau

“It’s the beauty within us that makes it possible for us to recognize the beauty around us. The question is not what you look at but what you see.”

–Henry David Thoreau

Began at CAIS in 2020

Ms. Julie Farrell fell in love with China on her first trip as a high school student and enrolled in Mandarin classes immediately upon return. Her passion for Chinese language continued well into college and beyond, amplified by language intensives with Middlebury College and the US Department of State. Ms. Farrell holds a B.A. in East Asian Studies from New York University and an M.Sc. in Agroecology from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences. She spent several years working with NGOs across southwest China, supporting farmers in rebuilding robust sustainable food systems. She also served young learners as an experiential educator, developing school garden curriculums in Chinese public schools and designing courses in China and Taiwan for American high school, middle school, and college students. Ms. Farrell’s favorite place on earth is a rural kitchen. As a long time resident of Sichuan, she never turns down a spicy hot pot.

Began at CAIS in 2020

Ruiting was born and raised in China and has been in San Francisco for seven years. Her passion from early on has been for teaching, especially early childhood education and curriculum design. She studied Early Childhood Education at City College of San Francisco and then completed her BA in Child and Adolescent development with a focus on School Age Child and Family at San Francisco State University. Ruiting is honored to have graduated summa cumme laude in her class. Before joining the CAIS community, she taught at Bright Horizons, Presidio Knolls School, and Saint Anne Chinese School. She enjoys helping children learn to love learning, both in language acquisition and social emotional development. Ruiting’s hobbies include traveling, learning about others’ life stories, and discovering new cuisines. (Ruiting is also fluent in Cantonese.)