Zexi moved to Austin from Portland in April of 2022 and joined us in July. Zexi holds her Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Business Economics from Ohio University and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education combined with a bilingual extension from Teachers College, Columbia University.

Zexi completed her practicum in a wide range of settings – including general and special education programs, monolingual and bilingual settings, and private and public schools – with children ranging in age from infant to 5 years of age. After graduating, she worked with children with special needs at a special education school in New York and a pediatric clinic in Shanghai, China. As an early childhood educator, Zexi believes in following the child’s lead/emotions to understand their interests and abilities and using the power of relationships and human connections to promote an individual’s development in social-emotional, language, cognitive and positive behaviors. She also believes it is important to demonstrate our respect when we interact with children by observing, listening, questioning, wondering, and carefully responding to children’s words.

When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her son and husband. She likes to cook, watch old movies, and explore coffee shops around Austin.