- Select Past Facilitators -
AGNES KONG
Co-Founder of
The Open Classroom
Being brought up in a traditional Chinese family, I was taught to persist and excel in whatever I do. This has led to academic success throughout my 13 years of school in Hong Kong, then at Yale and Harvard. Professionally I also excelled at what I did – having worked at some of the most prestigious companies in the finance industry. However I was constantly struggling to fulfill my inner desire to make real impact, to be happy, and to feel truly motivated and passionate about my job. Founding The Open Classroom was the turning point in my life when I realized I could bring a new dimension to teaching, leveraging my unique educational and professional experience and network. My aspiration is to inspire and develop children and teenagers into global-minded, socially responsible, and happy individuals who are well equipped to succeed in whatever career they pursue when they grow up.
YVONNE CHU
Co-Founder of
The Open Classroom
Born and raised in Hong Kong, I spent 12 years away from home to complete my education and enrich my professional experience. My academic training and career pursuits have taken me to Vancouver, New York, Singapore, different cities in China and ultimately back to my home in Hong Kong. Founding The Open Classroom has been one of my most rewarding and challenging experiences. As I mature as an educator, my conviction for teaching grows as I see the value and impact of supporting students’ development through curriculums that promote character development and cultivate a service mindset.
KEVIN LI
Political Science,
Columbia University
I love being able to help people and have a history of volunteering. During my time at Rotary Hands, I developed a connection with the kids I taught and took incredible pride when I saw them doing well and becoming more self-assured in their English skills. During my middle school and early high school years, I was not the strongest student; I therefore feel hugely indebted to the tutors and mentors who had instilled in me the confidence I have today. I am delighted to be a part of a group like The Open Classroom which aims to do just this, and help students reach their potential. I look forward to this summer and hope I can make a positive impact.
JILIAN SPRONG
Social Science,
University of Pennsylvania
To me, developing leadership and communication skills is an incredibly important part of achieving success in academic, professional, social, and personal spheres. In my previous experience as a tutor, student leader and mentor, I have learned that leadership requires self-confidence, humility and courage. In my time with The OPEN Classroom, I intend to use my experience to support and encourage students as they encounter educational challenges and discover their own ability to lead. Also, I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to learn and grow through the students’ development at The OPEN Classroom; this is a valuable benefit that I truly appreciate.
JENNIFER PENG
Political Science,
Yale University
As a student myself, I’ve become increasingly aware of the importance of developing leadership and communicative skills early on. Looking back at my academic career, I wish I would have had the opportunity to attend a similar program from a young age. As a political science major, my interest in global affairs also drew me to TOC Leadership Program's fusion of personal development and global awareness. To be a great leader, not only do you need to understand your audience, but also have a global mindset so you can influence and reach a wider audience. Leadership in Action teaches a student how to get the most out of their academic and extracurricular experiences in a stimulating and interactive environment. I look forward to sharing my knowledge and experiences while also growing and learning with the students.
LAURENCE LI
English,
Yale University
I identify strongly as a writer, both of fiction and nonfiction, and hope I can use that experience to benefit the students I'm aiding. I will do my utmost to provide quality curriculum for The Open Classroom—and also curriculum that will be fun and exciting! I believe that learning is easier when the students enjoy what they are doing, so I will be trying to add some spice to the existing English workbooks, so when a student opens one up, they will be overcome with the joy of knowing the work ahead of them will be interesting and engaging.