Huamao’s teaching and leadership team brings together experienced educators from China and around the world. Drawing on diverse educational backgrounds and cultural perspectives, our team places an understanding of student development at the heart of curriculum design, classroom teaching and school leadership.
We recognise each student’s individuality and respond to their interests, strengths and learning needs. Through collaboration and reflective practice, our educators continually refine their teaching, helping students build strong subject knowledge, develop communication skills, and grow as independent thinkers and curious learners.
Huamao advocates the philosophy of ‘cultivating people through beauty,’ while ‘Love and Beauty’ remain its unchanging spiritual core and ultimate pursuit. The K–12 School Management Team for the 2026–2027 academic year is presented below.
2026–2027 K–12 School Management Team
David Zhang
Executive Director, Huamao Education
- Holds an MBA from Harvard University.
- Upholds the educational philosophy of ‘Embracing differences · Offering multiple choices · Releasing each student’s fullest potential · Allowing for diversity in development paths’ and respects each child’s individuality, talents, and pace of learning.
- Promotes diverse educational pathways across Chinese and international curricula, helping students build strong academic foundations, discover their strengths, and make informed choices aligned with their interests and aspirations.
- Integrates bilingual education, arts education, and learning through the campus environment.
- Emphasizes the educational value of museums, science facilities, sports venues, and hands-on experiences in encouraging curiosity, creativity, and independent thinking.
Joanna Cardinal
International Head of School, Huamao Education
- B.A. in Modern Languages from the University of Leeds, M.Ed. (IB Specialisation) from Flinders University (awarded Chancellor’s Letter of Commendation), and PhD candidate in Curriculum and Education Studies at Central Queensland University.
- Served as School Services Associate Manager (IB Asia-Pacific), IB World Schools Associate Manager and Curriculum Manager (IB The Hague), leading programme reviews and development of assessment criteria.
- Active member of the IB Educator Network since 2013, serving as School Visit Team Leader, Consultant, and Workshop Leader.
- Held the position of Director of Pedagogy at a leading international education group, overseeing K–12 curriculum and instruction across 100+ schools in 9 countries and steering a national educational quality improvement project in Bhutan.
- Served as Academic Director at a prestigious IB bilingual school in Chile, driving data-informed instructional improvement and academic governance.
- Served as Assistant Director of Teaching & Learning at a top Australian boys’ school, securing IB MYP authorisation and ensuring curriculum coherence across year levels.
Zheng Zhen
Chinese Head of School, Huamao Education
- MSc in Child Development and Education, DPhil in Education, University of Oxford.
- Expert in English language teaching and assessment, and Program Leader for Cambridge Professional Development Qualification.
- With 25 years of experience in K–12 education across China and the UK, has served as high school English teacher, homeroom teacher of Qian Xuesen Class, head of Chinese Culture Programme in a UK school district, research assistant at the Department of Education, University of Oxford, and in managerial roles at international education groups and international schools, as well as Vice Chairman of the International Education Special Committee of Beijing Education Society and Academic Advisor to an international assessment authority.
Scott Welk
International Administrative Supervisor, Huamao Education
- Holds a Master’s in Educational Leadership from George Washington University, a Bachelor of Science in Child Development from Excelsior University, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from San Diego State University.
- Brings over 17 years of experience in international education and senior school leadership across both the United States and China.
- Has served as Deputy Director of The Children’s Creative and Performing Arts Academy in the U.S., and as Founding Principal or Foreign Director of multiple international schools in China; currently serves as International Director of Huamao Education Group.
- Possesses extensive leadership experience in curriculum development, teacher recruitment, school operations, staff professional development, and the implementation of international programmes.
- Demonstrates expertise in leading IB programmes across all phases (Early Years, PYP, MYP, DP), with substantial involvement in school authorisation and evaluation processes.
Ally Cao
Principal, Boyi Senior High School, Huamao Education
- Master’s Degree in Chinese Language and Literature from The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Doctoral Researcher in Education (United Kingdom).
- Former International School Curriculum Consultant, Distinguished Consultant, and Education Group Curriculum Director.
- Former Founding Principal, Senior Executive, and Operations Officer of International Schools.
- Former IBEN Asia-Pacific Official: School Authorization and Evaluation Officer, Leadership and Academic Training Officer, and IBDP Examiner.
- Former Examiner for the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKDSE & HKCEE).
Angel Yu
Principal, Huamao Kindergarten, Huamao Education
- Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Hangzhou Normal University; Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology from Ningbo University.
- 26 years of experience in early childhood education, with a strong focus on high-quality educational practices and the localization of the IB curriculum.
- Zhejiang Province Academic ‘Qingteng Classroom’ Lead Educator.
- External Graduate Mentor, Faculty of Teacher Education, Ningbo University.
- Recipient of honors including Ningbo ‘Four-Haves’ Teacher, Second Prize in the Teaching Rising Star Competition, and First Prize in Teaching Skills Competition.
- Multiple research papers and educational projects published and awarded at municipal, district, and early childhood education levels.
Anna Li
Principal of OSSD Program, Member of Academic Principal Team, Huamao Education
- Master’s Degree from the University of International Business and Economics, with backgrounds in English and Management.
- Senior international education expert with 15 years of experience in teaching management and curriculum development.
- Former Academic Principal, International Division Principal, and Head of Chinese & International Teaching Teams at renowned bilingual schools and education groups in Beijing.
- Deeply involved in OSSD program operations and management, Canada–US sister school partnerships, integrated primary–middle school curriculum upgrades, and PBL program implementation.
- Specializes in international curriculum development, educational program operations, teacher training, and international education consulting.
MC Li
Member of Academic Principal Team, Huamao Education
- Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from San Francisco State University; Master’s Degree in Educational Technology and Design from the University of Missouri; Doctorate in Educational Management from Clermont School of Business.
- Certified AP Physics Instructor for the MIT & Harvard University edX Program.
- Certified Mentor for Harvard University’s ‘Pingji Education’ Program.
- Member of the AMC China Expert Committee; certified IB MYP Teacher.
Grace Hu
IB DP/CP Coordinator, Member of Academic Principal Team, Huamao Education
- Graduated from King’s College London.
- 8 years of professional experience in international education.
- Former Humanities Group Leader and Geography/History Teacher at a renowned international curriculum training organization, with deep understanding of various international curriculum systems.
Valerie Zhang
IB MYP Coordinator, Member of Academic Principal Team, Huamao Education
- 15+ years of international education management experience.
- IB Administrator, former Principal / Teaching Director / IB MYP Coordinator; led IB MYP full authorization from scratch.
- Harvard University Educational Management Certificate.
- Tsinghua Principal Leadership Certification; BNU Principal Leadership Certification.
- Master of Chinese Language and Literature.
Fisher Yu
Academic Advisor for Sciences, International Curriculum, Huamao Education
- Member of the Expert Panel, International Education Curriculum Research and Evaluation Center, Chinese Society of Education.
- Member of the China Expert Panel, Pearson Edexcel Examination Board.
- Specialist in Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry for International Curricula.
- 23 years of experience in international education.
This team embodies and brings to life the philosophy of ‘Love and Beauty.’ They have gathered at Huamao from across the country and around the world, united by their reverence for education, their deep care for children, and their unwavering commitment to professionalism.
They sow love in classrooms, convey beauty through curricula, and turn the philosophy of ‘Nurture hearts with love, cultivate virtue through beauty’ into tangible growth experiences for every child in daily campus life.