Our Faculty

Angela Xu brings a deep commitment to educational innovation and reform to her role as head of school at Avenues Shenzhen. Before serving on the founding team of the Shenzhen campus, she amassed more than a decade of experience working across different education systems in the United States, including at public, private and special schools. She first joined Avenues in 2012 as a member of the founding faculty of the New York campus. Until 2018, she served as the director of the Chinese immersion program, responsible for curriculum design, teacher recruitment and training, and student assessment. In 2018, she moved with her family to China to help establish Avenues Shenzhen, serving first as the founding director of the kindergarten program and then as head of the primary division. Working together with the Avenues R&D department, she led a faculty team to design a curriculum for Avenues Shenzhen that is at once locally rooted and globally connected.

As an expert in language immersion, Angela is passionate about helping students develop cultural competencies and flexible thinking through language acquisition. As the head of Avenues Shenzhen, she is committed to supporting students to develop cultural confidence, an international perspective, and the ability to understand and solve global-scale problems. Angela’s two children are currently studying at Avenues Shenzhen.

Corey Watlington brings over 25 years of experience in teaching and educational leadership to his role as Deputy Head of School at Avenues Shenzhen. Before joining Avenues New York and Avenues Silicon Valley in 2021 as Deputy Division Head, Corey held teaching and leadership positions at prestigious international schools, including the American School of Bombay, the American International School of Dhaka, and the American School of São Paulo.

Corey holds a Bachelor's degree from Boston College and a Master's in Teacher Leadership from Northwestern University, with additional certifications from Harvard Graduate School of Education and Columbia University’s Teachers College.

Corey is dedicated to creating learning environments that offer students a global perspective and foster critical thinking and creativity. At Avenues, he continues to champion educational innovation and cross-cultural learning, helping students develop the skills to navigate and solve complex global challenges.

Ryan Baxter is the Director of Teaching and Learning at Avenues, bringing 18 years of experience in education, including eight years at Avenues—three in New York and five in Shenzhen. Throughout his career, Ryan has taught grades K-8 and held key leadership roles, including Head of Mathematics, Technology Integrator, and Instructional Coach. Known affectionately as "Mr. B" to his students, Ryan is a firm believer in the transformative power of exploration, expression, and problem-solving. He understands that these experiences not only build perseverance but also nurture the qualities necessary for students to become empathetic, globally-minded citizens.

In his current role, Ryan is dedicated to fostering a collaborative and innovative learning environment. He focuses on empowering both students and educators to engage with meaningful, real-world challenges, ensuring that learning extends beyond the classroom and prepares students to thrive in an interconnected world.

Bing Han is a dedicated and experienced international school leader, educator, and coach, bringing a wealth of expertise in athletic programming and student development. He joined Avenues Shenzhen in 2023, bringing with him a strong background in sports leadership, school administration, and coaching at international schools. With a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and a Bachelor of Education, Bing combines analytical thinking with a deep passion for holistic student development.

Throughout his career, Bing has been instrumental in shaping athletic programs that emphasize not only physical excellence but also character building, teamwork, and personal growth. He is the founder of the Canadian International Schools Sports Association and has played a key role in fostering athletic excellence and sportsmanship in international education. Additionally, he served as chairman of the Pearl River Conference for five years, where he championed interscholastic athletic development and collaboration among schools in the region.

At Avenues Shenzhen, Bing is committed to cultivating a dynamic and inclusive athletics program that encourages students to challenge themselves, build resilience, and develop lifelong healthy habits. He believes in the power of sports to instill discipline, leadership, and a strong sense of community. As the WAM (Wellness and Movement) Coordinator, he works closely with students, faculty, and families to integrate wellness, physical education, and competitive sports into a comprehensive program that supports students' overall well-being.

With a vision of inspiring students to reach their fullest potential—both on and off the field—Bing is dedicated to fostering an environment where athletic participation is not just about competition but also about personal growth, collaboration, and the pursuit of excellence.

With 13 years of experience in early childhood education, Yongyi brings a wealth of expertise to her role. Yongyi holds a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. Her career has spanned teaching roles for children aged 0-5 in both China and the United States, including at Avenues New York. Yongyi joined Avenues Shenzhen in 2018 as a founding homeroom teacher and later served as the ELC Community Coordinator.

Passionate about early childhood education, Yongyi believes that every child is unique and possesses the potential to thrive in their own way. In her new role, she is focused on supporting both teachers and students to foster meaningful, impactful learning experiences. She is committed to guiding each child’s growth and development, working alongside a team of exceptional educators to create an enriching learning environment.

Mariana Sollér Associate Division Head, Primary and Secondary Divisions A multilingual educator with a passion for innovation and global education, Mariana holds a Master's in Interdisciplinary Studies and a Leadership Certificate. She joins Avenues Shenzhen from Avenues Silicon Valley, bringing with her a wealth of experience in teaching and leadership across diverse educational settings.

Throughout her career, Mariana has focused on creating dynamic, inclusive, and student-centered learning environments. Her commitment to fostering intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and cross-cultural understanding aligns with Avenues' mission to prepare students for a rapidly evolving global landscape. Mariana is deeply invested in empowering both students and educators, guiding them through transformative educational experiences that emphasize creativity, collaboration, and meaningful engagement with the world around them.

In her new role at Avenues Shenzhen, Mariana is excited to work with faculty, students, and families to continue nurturing an environment where learning is not only innovative but deeply connected to the real world. She is committed to supporting the growth and development of students, ensuring that they have the tools, confidence, and mindset to succeed as compassionate and forward-thinking global citizens.

A founding teacher of Avenues Shenzhen, Irene has been a pivotal part of Avenues' growth and development since its inception. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Education from Beijing Normal University and a Master’s Degree in Childhood Education, Special Education, and Bilingual Multicultural Education from Columbia University in the U.S.

With a deep commitment to inclusive education, Irene’s teaching philosophy is centered on nurturing the unique potential of each student. She is passionate about fostering a learning environment that embraces diversity, encourages curiosity, and promotes critical thinking. Her background in bilingual and multicultural education enriches her ability to create dynamic, globally-minded learning experiences for students from diverse backgrounds.

Throughout her career, Irene has focused on creating learning experiences that are not only academically rigorous but also socially and emotionally enriching. At Avenues Shenzhen, Irene is dedicated to supporting both students and educators, fostering an environment where innovation, collaboration, and meaningful engagement are at the forefront of every learning experience.

As Associate Division Head, Irene works closely with faculty, students, and families to ensure that each student’s journey is filled with opportunities for growth, discovery, and the development of a global perspective. She is committed to empowering students to become thoughtful, compassionate, and confident individuals who are ready to navigate and contribute to an interconnected world.

A founding member of Avenues Shenzhen, Coral joined Avenues in 2019 and has since played a crucial role in shaping the academic and student experience. With over 13 years of experience in education, Coral is deeply passionate about fostering both the academic and personal growth of students, helping them thrive in a fast-paced, interconnected global environment.

Coral holds a degree from Sun Yat-sen University, and her career has spanned various educational roles, where she has focused on cultivating students’ intellectual curiosity, emotional resilience, and leadership potential. Her approach is student-centered, emphasizing the development of critical thinking skills, self-awareness, and the ability to navigate and contribute to an ever-changing world.

As Dean of Students, Coral is committed to creating a supportive and inclusive environment where students are empowered to reach their full potential. She believes that education extends beyond the classroom, encompassing experiences that promote well-being, character development, and global citizenship. Her work emphasizes balancing academic excellence with personal growth, helping students to become confident, compassionate, and thoughtful individuals who are ready to engage meaningfully with the world.

At Avenues Shenzhen, Coral collaborates closely with faculty, students, and families to ensure a holistic educational experience that is both challenging and nurturing. She is passionate about guiding students through their secondary years, equipping them with the tools, mindset, and experiences they need to succeed academically and personally in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

A founding member of the Avenues Shenzhen Secondary Division, Nico brings over 15 years of experience in education to her role. She holds two master’s degrees, one in Linguistics and another in Education, both from the University of Edinburgh. Nico’s career has spanned diverse educational settings, where she has honed her expertise in both the academic and developmental needs of secondary school students.

Nico is deeply committed to fostering a learning environment that is intellectually stimulating, inclusive, and student-centered. Her approach integrates a passion for language and communication with an unwavering belief in the power of education to transform lives. She is dedicated to empowering students to think critically, engage meaningfully with their learning, and develop the skills necessary to thrive in an interconnected and rapidly changing world.

At Avenues Shenzhen, Nico plays a pivotal role in guiding the growth and development of the Secondary Division. She works closely with faculty, students, and families to ensure that each student’s academic journey is filled with opportunities for both intellectual challenge and personal growth. Nico is passionate about cultivating a supportive and dynamic community where students are not only academically prepared but also equipped to navigate complex global issues with confidence and empathy.

As Associate Division Head, Nico is focused on nurturing the holistic development of students, supporting their intellectual, emotional, and social growth. She believes that education is about more than just acquiring knowledge; it is about developing the mindset and skills that enable students to make meaningful contributions to the world around them.

A dedicated educator with a strong background in English language and literature, Allison joined Avenues Shenzhen in 2021 as a founding teacher in the Upper Grades program. She holds a Master’s degree in English Language and Literature from Renmin University of China and has extensive experience in international education. Prior to joining Avenues, she was also a founding member of another AP school in Shenzhen, where she played a key role in shaping its academic programs and fostering student success.

With a passion for innovative and student-centered learning, Allison believes in creating an engaging, rigorous, and supportive environment where students can develop critical thinking skills, intellectual curiosity, and a strong sense of global citizenship. She is committed to empowering students with the knowledge, skills, and mindset to navigate an ever-evolving world with confidence and adaptability.

As Associate Division Head for the Secondary Division, Allison works closely with faculty, students, and families to cultivate a dynamic and inclusive learning community. She is dedicated to academic excellence while also emphasizing personal growth, well-being, and character development. Through collaboration and thoughtful leadership, she strives to ensure that every student’s learning journey is meaningful, transformative, and aligned with Avenues’ mission to develop future-ready, globally-minded individuals.

A founding member of Avenues Shenzhen, Xuefei Zheng has been an integral part of the school community since 2019, dedicated to fostering both the academic and personal growth of students. She holds a degree in Electronic Engineering from Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics and an MBA from Peking University, bringing a unique interdisciplinary perspective to education.

With a strong background in both STEM and leadership, Xuefei is committed to guiding students through a transformative educational journey that balances academic excellence with character development. She believes that true learning extends beyond the classroom, encompassing critical thinking, resilience, and a global mindset. Her approach emphasizes empowering students to take ownership of their learning, equipping them with the skills and confidence to navigate an ever-evolving world.

As Dean of Students, Xuefei works closely with faculty, students, and families to create a supportive, inclusive, and inspiring learning environment. She is passionate about nurturing a school culture where students feel valued, challenged, and encouraged to explore their potential. With a deep commitment to student well-being and success, she strives to cultivate a community where every student is prepared to become a thoughtful, innovative, and responsible global citizen.

Lisa Kopacka is an experienced educator, innovator, and collaborator, serving as Academic Excellence Coach specializing in Project-Based Learning at Avenues Shenzhen. With 20 years in teaching and foundational work at Avenues Silicon Valley, Lisa has developed and co-taught interdisciplinary projects across grade levels and served as Director of Experiential Learning, partnering with communities to enrich student engagement. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a Master’s in Science Education. Lisa’s journey has been shaped by project-based learning, challenging her to turn possibility into practice through hands-on inquiry and collaboration. At Avenues, she walks alongside students and teachers, guiding them to navigate their own journeys and define success. She believes there are many ways to reach the summit, but what truly matters is the journey of learning and growing together.

Pedro Ramos is an innovative educator with a decade of experience in top-tier international schools, including five years as a founding faculty member at Avenues São Paulo. Currently Academic Excellence Coach, Project Based Learning at Avenues Shenzhen, Pedro designs project-based curricula linking history, geography, and philosophy. He has led global experiential trips and developed systems improving academic support and student engagement. Pedro holds a Master’s in Social History and dual teaching licenses, with ongoing professional learning at Harvard and Columbia. His expertise blends instructional coaching with evidence-based practices, empowering critical thinking and collaborative learning communities. Pedro is committed to preparing students and educators for a complex, interconnected future.

Roberta Ferraz is an experienced leader in educational innovation and technology, dedicated to transforming learning environments through strategic vision and cutting-edge solutions. A founding member of Avenues São Paulo, Roberta joined Avenues Shenzhen as Director of Technology in August 2023. She brings a wealth of experience in implementing global technology initiatives that enhance collaboration, streamline operations, and foster future-ready learning experiences. With a background in educational technology integration, strategic program development, and operational leadership, Roberta has successfully led high-impact projects across diverse educational settings. Her expertise lies in empowering teams to embrace innovation, navigate change with agility, and leverage technology as a catalyst for meaningful learning. She is deeply committed to strengthening Avenues' global ecosystem, ensuring that technology serves as a bridge for interdisciplinary collaboration and cross-campus connectivity.

Roberta’s leadership philosophy is rooted in fostering a culture of accountability, adaptability, and continuous growth. She champions the power of strategic simplicity—crafting solutions that are both innovative and pragmatic to drive sustainable, scalable advancements across the school. With empathy and cultural awareness at the core of her leadership, she creates inclusive and dynamic environments where students and educators alike can thrive. As Director of Technology at Avenues Shenzhen, Roberta is committed to shaping a future-focused, technology-enhanced learning experience that empowers students to become creative problem-solvers and global citizens. She is excited to build upon the learnings from Avenues São Paulo and to contribute to a technology ecosystem that not only supports academic excellence but also cultivates curiosity, collaboration, and a lifelong love of learning.

An experienced and forward-looking education leader, Jeff has served as president of Avenues: The World School since 2013. Under Jeff’s leadership, Avenues is developing one school with many interconnected and interdependent campuses located in leading cities around the globe. Today, Avenues serves more than 3,000 students at its campuses in New York, São Paulo, Shenzhen and Online. Additional campus development efforts are currently underway in other leading global cities including Silicon Valley, Miami, Shanghai and London.

Prior to joining Avenues, Jeff served for seven years as president and CEO of National Heritage Academies (NHA), one of the largest K-8 education management organizations in the United States, which serves more than 55,000 students at nearly 90 charter schools in nine states. Jeff led a team of 4,000 people, managed a $400 million budget and oversaw all aspects of the fast-growing organization. Under Jeff’s leadership, NHA opened more than 20 new schools, had 100 percent of its charters renewed and significantly improved student learning outcomes. In total over the course of his career, Jeff has been responsible for the education of more than 250,000 students.

Prior to his career in education, Jeff held various leadership positions in investment and corporate banking. He served as community president of National City Bank and president of Westwater Group, a Michigan-based diversified management and investment company with interests in education, manufacturing and other industries.

Jeff earned a B.A. degree in political science from Hope College.

William Lidwell is vice president of Tiger Works, the research and development group at Avenues. Will began his career as a systems designer and consultant for NASA, specializing in cockpit automation and astronaut training. He is author of several books, including the best-selling Universal Principles of Design, which has been translated into more than 20 languages; Deconstructing Product Design, a social deconstruction engaging more than 20 experts and 100 classic products; and Guidelines for Excellence in Management, a compendium of research-based guidelines supporting effective management and leadership.

Will lectures on topics of psychology and design for The Great Courses and Lynda.com and is a former lecturer on instructional system design and industrial design at the University of Houston. He is a co-founder of the company that has become the online learning division of Underwriters Laboratories and holds a diverse array of patents, ranging from coffee table and eyeglass frame designs to advanced methods of interacting with online animated assistants.

Having lived on four continents for a total of 26 years overseas, Tim has been fortunate to lead some of the world’s most iconic international schools, including the Jakarta Intercultural School in Indonesia, the American School in Japan, the Country Day School in Costa Rica and Graded - The American School of São Paulo, Brazil. During his time in Indonesia, Tim was named the 2015-16 International Superintendent of the Year by the Association for the Advancement of International Education (AAIE).

At Avenues, Tim has worked closely with the research and development team on programs seeking to reimagine the future of education, including the Avenues Mastery Academy and Avenues Studio Hamptons, and served as co-head of Avenues Online in 2018. Among other activities, he currently serves on Avenues’ global education team and co-leads Avenues’ initiatives on safeguarding and wellbeing across its campuses. Tim also serves on the NEASC Commission for International Education.

Min joined Avenues in 2015 as global director of strategy and campus development. In 2017, she was promoted to vice president of people and culture, responsible for leading Avenues’ global talent team.

Min brings more than 20 years of strategy, talent and operations experience to her work at Avenues. Previously, Min was the senior vice president of operations at Teach For America, where she supported the training and development of 4,000 new teachers each year. She also led the restructuring of the human resources division at the New York City Department of Education, developing processes and systems that impacted more than 150,000 teachers and staff members. Min previously worked as a strategy consultant and financial analyst with L.E.K. Consulting and Merrill Lynch.

Min earned her B.A. from Wellesley College. The mission of Avenues is especially close to her heart as she is herself the product of a global education, having grown up in seven countries in Asia, Europe and North and South America.

Mei has more than 18 years of experience in global business development and thought leadership. In her current role, Mei is responsible for expanding the footprint of Avenues: The World School across China—a challenge she embraces with passion and commitment.

Most recently, she served as operating partner at CITIC Capital in China, where she was responsible for screening potential investees as well as nurturing existing clients in the education, technology and media sectors.

Mei earned an M.B.A. from Murdoch University (Perth, Australia), where she lived for several years.