Each ENREACH Center has a team of teachers, coaches, education specialists and support staff. Click on a photo below to see what they have to say.
Each ENREACH Center has a team of teachers, coaches, education specialists and support staff. Click on a photo below to see what they have to say.
I’m Stephen, and I’m the Vice President of ENREACH. I joined in June 2016, and the time has flown by. Working in education is rewarding, and working in China is exciting. It’s great to be creating educational experiences that students seem to enjoy so much. I really like the people we have at ENREACH. They are passionate, energetic, and experts at what they do!
This is my second time living in Shanghai, and it’s a great city. Most Chinese cities have the same look, but it’s the people and food that make them different. Shanghai has the convenience of any big city, but I also love going to the local hole in the wall noodle shop. The city is never boring, and it challenges your senses every day. The smells, sounds, and sights are all amazing. For new teachers, my advice is to get out of your comfort zone. You’re not going so far away just to do the same thing you do at home. Try everything, especially the food. If you don’t like something, just don’t order it again! You won’t change China – China will change you.
Hi, I’m Karen, and I have been at ENREACH since July 2016. I like the idea of liberal arts and the mission of cultivating students’ ability – not just teaching knowledge. This type of education in China is very new and different from our traditional way of teaching. We provide an opportunity to the Chinese students to really indulge in international education.
I’m from Shanghai, a great modern and diverse city where you may enjoy both Chinese traditional culture and Western culture. You can find very luxurious restaurants or very small inexpensive restaurants with good food. It’s easy to live here with all the services being very convenient to get. For example: food delivery, door to door laundry service, and many other things that you can usually do from an app on your phone. It’s also a very safe and friendly city.
Hi, I’m Vanessa. I started in May 2016 as an Executive Education Consultant for ENREACH HQ. In this role, I work to make sure that the curriculum and all the pieces that stand behind are fully optimized for great delivery across the nation. I also spend a lot of time thinking about the experience of sales, service, and marketing teams view the curriculum and how that combines with the experience and needs of the teachers. I work closely in support of the Quality Control team who regularly provide the input that I rely on to get my job done.
ENREACH has been a place of tremendous growth for me professionally and personally. It has taught me a lot about the Chinese education system and what matters most to people (students and employees) from mainland China. I have taken on several different roles over the years, from college counselor, to teacher, to project manager, to curriculum developer. I thrive in the international and start-up environment because I am a hands-on learner, and I like that people are able to collaborate to express their opinions honestly, openly, and politely.
I split my time between Los Angeles and Shanghai. I miss living in Shanghai greatly and working with people onsite every day, but I decided to return to America for the time being after spending three years abroad.
The biggest thing you can do as a teacher is listen, listen, listen, and then carefully respond, offering instruction and support based on what you truly heard. If somebody asks the same question twice, you have to listen to that more deeply. If somebody says they don’t understand, you have to listen to what they are saying as well as what you said to them, and then try again in a different way. I think this is what being a teacher is all about especially if you are working in a new and complex country.
I’m Allen, and I’m the Regional Director of the South China region. My goal is the help our lovely students to better prepare for their future success. I started with ENREACH in July 2018, and so far it’s been a great journey with the company. What makes me so excited about the job is that it is always changing and evolving. It is a constant adventure. I really enjoy watching the process of a simple idea grow into a successful business practice. Besides, everyone here shares the same values and is dedicated to the daily work. I live in Shenzhen, which is one of the four tier one cities in China. I love Shenzhen because it is a young and dynamic city that is full of opportunities and possibilities. It is a warm, clean, modern, and high-tech city that is often called the Silicon Valley of China.
If you really love teaching, you will love it here in Shenzhen. There are so many great children to work with who could benefit from your instruction. If you are excited about experiencing a different culture, China is a great place to be. It’s safe, and there are so many interesting people. ENREACH is growing very fast in our field, and it’s a great place to work for those seeking new opportunities.
I’m Shane, ENREACH’s Talent Acquisition Director. I work within the HR team and help expatriates interested in teaching in China make that move. I have been in China since May 2011 and with ENREACH since October 2016. I’m one of the first people new staff meet when they arrive in China. Most have never even been to Asia.
I love seeing the excitement of those experiencing China and living abroad for the first time and introducing them to one of the best things about China, the food! There is one Yunnan style restaurant near the office which is always a big hit. I’ve lived in different cities in China and am now based in Shanghai. China, and Shanghai specifically, is a photographer’s delight. I’m constantly amazed by the striking difference between the old and new. Small little dumpling and noodle stores right next to ultra tall skyscrapers and modern shopping malls. I’m also amazed by how easy it is to go abroad for a long weekend.
When I moved to China, I only thought I would be here for a year, but I’ve now lived in Shanghai longer than any other place since I graduated high school! Many of my colleagues and friends are the same so don’t be surprised if this happens to you, too. So, my advice to new teachers is tell your family and friends not to expect you to move back home any time soon. Let them know you will visit, and that they can always come visit you too.
My name is Kelley. I started with ENREACH as a Drama teacher in August of 2017. Without fail, the best part of this job is the students. It is astounding to meet so many bright young minds that are so eager to learn. There are more than a few classes where I not only find myself doing as much research and preparation as I would to teach a university class to keep it challenging, but also classes that I laugh out loud in because we are having so much fun.
For me, Shanghai is the perfect mix of feeling like home (I am a New Yorker) and all the thrill of exploring a new, fascinating country. You can drift hundreds of years into history just by taking a different metro stop, thousands of years by jumping on a highspeed train. That experience is priceless. I am not sure there is anything that I wish I knew (on a grand scale) before I moved. I just know that as long as I keep an open mind and am willing to keep growing and learning, it will be the most enriching experience that I could wish for. My advice for all new teachers is always the same: own the material. Don’t try to fit it into a cookie cutter. Adapt, make it your own, and bring your own experience and gifts to class. That makes it more interesting for you and creates a far more encompassing environment for each student.
Hi! My name is Matthew and I’m a Speech and Critical Thinking teacher. I moved to China in November
2020. I like the flexibility of my schedule, as well as the autonomy I have
over certain elements of the curriculum.
I love the cleanliness and convenience of
Shanghai’s public transportation. Additionally, it’s the safest place I’ve ever
lived. I wish I had known just how daunting it is to visit a public hospital-
thankfully, I had a Chinese friend help me when I needed to visit for a strep
throat infection.
Although you do not need to learn Mandarin to
live well here, I definitely recommend getting familiar with basic
phrases/characters because it’ll help you navigate around the city. Also, I
think it’s just a respectful thing to do when you move to a new country.
My name is Asia and I teach Drama, CTP, and Speech at the Shenzhen ENREACH, where I started in November 2019. I like that I adapted to my center very easily and received a warm welcome to the company. There is a lot of freedom and trust within the company, so the managers I work under trust me to perform my job well. If I ever have any issues I am able to speak to my team lead, and the problem is quickly solved. As for Shenzhen, I enjoy how easy it is to get around. The metro system here is well maintained and quick to navigate. Shenzhen is large enough to have many interesting places to visit but small enough that you can travel from one end of the city to another within an hour. It is also a newer and more modern city so I’m able to easily find western food when I’m craving it while still being able to enjoy traditional Chinese food.
If you have never transferred money internationally, transferring money to your home bank requires a lot of information that can be difficult to acquire when you no longer have a phone number from your country. So better preparation when it comes to setting up your finances and how you plan to send money home before moving to your province is a must. Specifically, be sure to have your bank’s SWIFT code and address to make the transfer easier.
For new teachers I would say to enjoy the time you spend here, be open to collaboration, and open to sharing and taking in new ideas. If you haven’t ever had the chance to work with ESL students before it may take them awhile to understand you and what you are teaching them, but they will get it, so have patience. Time flies here and things move fast. You blink and suddenly months have flown by, and you’ve got new friends and memories.
My name is Andy. As Academic Development Manager I work with teachers across the country to ensure that our curriculum is meeting the needs of our students. This includes teaching as well as observing classes, making and delivering training material to help implement academic initiatives, and writing and testing material to support ENREACH curriculum. I joined ENREACH at the start of August, 2017.
ENREACH is a dynamic organization at the cutting edge of education in China. There are always new opportunities and challenges. It’s really satisfying to know that the work that’s being put into, for example, developing curriculum, has a direct and immediate impact on students. I’ve lived in Shanghai for a long time now (more than 12 years!) but it still feels like a “city of the future” to me. It really is constantly evolving and growing, and it’s exciting to experience this first-hand.
I wish I had known that learning to speak Chinese isn’t so difficult, but you do need to keep at it, and it’s best to seek out a school for this, or a private tutor. When I first arrived, I threw myself into studying Chinese, but my method was terrible. I gave up after a year and a half of copying out characters on my own. I’ve got some notebooks that look amazing as a result, but my spoken Chinese is still not great. During your first months, find a local restaurant and eat there frequently. This way you can quickly learn a lot of meal phrases, and you can also make some friendly connections with your new neighborhood!
I’m Elsie and I started in January 2020. As the Senior Product Specialist in the Department of Quality Control, my role mainly includes integrating and upgrading products, implementing relevant training, communicating with sales, marketing, and teaching departments according to business development needs. The best thing about this job is that it allows me to communicate with people from different teams to gain multiple perspectives in the process of solving a shared problem.
For new teachers, my advice is:
Be proactive in communicating with your Chinese colleagues, especially the ones who work closely with you. Despite the language barrier, they may offer valuable insights or perspectives that you might miss.
Discuss parents’ suggestions and/or constructive criticism with other teachers and Chinese colleagues. It will help you understand their expectations and needs.
Learn more about Chinese students. One way is to learn more about Chinese culture, which will help you understand how Chinese students are raised and taught, and more importantly, understand their way of thinking.
Hey I’m Ryan and I teach CTP and Speech in Shenzhen. I started with ENREACH in December 2020. I really enjoy the variety of the courses we offer. It makes ENREACH incredibly unique. Coaching students to participate in the NSDA competitions and seeing them excel has been a highlight for me.
The weather in Shenzhen is awesome! Currently, I live in Shekou and the proximity to Shenzhen Bay and Hong Kong is unparalleled. I love being so close to the water. The city is also remarkably clean compared to other Chinese cities. Weekend trips to the beach have become a common occurrence amongst my friend group as well.
I’ve been to China before so I was pretty prepared, however I say I wish I had downloaded more VPNs for my laptop and cell phone. My advice to new teachers is to be open-minded, learn some basic Chinese, and explore the country! There are some many beautiful places I have been lucky enough to experience and learn from.
Hi, I’m Yixin, a Senior Product Specialist who started in August 2017. The job itself is a challenging position where I have the opportunity to join different projects. Textbook design, website development, project management, etc., each offering unique ways to develop different skills and knowledge. I have learned a lot in my career with ENREACH, and I’m always excited about what’s coming next. Shanghai is the city where I grew up. After traveling and studying abroad, I still find Shanghai one of the best cites to live in. On one hand, this city is full of exciting events, experiences, and things and places to explore. On the other hand, there is always a lovely place you can find to spend a sunny day with your friends. ENREACH has a strong HR team that will help you along the way so don’t worry about being a new teacher. We welcome you to join us. As a team, we can work together to provide liberal arts education to Chinese students.
I’m Fiona and I work within HR and promote business development within departments. I started in October 2018. What I like about this job is that we use the scientific management of HR to help people better themselves. As for this city, Shanghai is my hometown. I never want to leave here. I like working with teachers because our teachers are all very professional and dedicated.
I’m Yan, and I’m a Recruiter. I look after Shanghai, Shenzhen, Nanjing, Hangzhou, and Chengdu. I started with ENREACH in September 2016. I like to see every new employee use their strengths and grow into their positions. I live in Shanghai and there are many new things happening every day to explore: tasting delicious food, making a new friend, learning a new skill, watching a wonderful show, and so on.
Soon after coming to China, you should learn to use Alipay and WeChat to pay for all the expenses in your daily life. There is a very well-developed expat social circle, as well as Chinese culture to explore, which means you will always find yourself a home here.
My name is Nethia, and I’m a teacher in Hangzhou. I started in November 2019. What I like about this job is meeting new people and still learning more about education overall.
Hangzhou is so different than NYC which makes the experience more awesome. There is so much to see and do, and I want to try to see most if not all. Before coming to China, I wish I’d known more about VISA rules and regulations. (Long Story)
To new teachers, I’d say to learn and follow the visa rules and regulations. Talk to people who have already worked abroad and watch as many videos about people’s experiences, including the bad stories, but do not let it deter you from coming. Your experience will be different. Have an open mind. Learn how to use WeChat and keep the contact info of ENREACH staff in your phone before you arrive.
Hi! My name is Catherine and I am a Critical Thinking Program (CTP) Instructor/Drama Teacher. I moved back to China in November 2020.
I like that I am constantly learning new things at this job. The breadth of what we teach at a liberal arts school allows me to explore a variety of topics and keeps it interesting to teach. I’ve been able to have very deep and intellectually stimulating conversations with students both inside and outside of the classroom that you don’t get in a traditional ESL setting.
Chengdu has everything you want from a big city with affordable prices and a laid-back atmosphere. I enjoying hiking in nearby mountains in Sichuan, which has been a huge perk of living in southwestern China.
I wish I knew the word how to use the Dazhong Dianping app (the Chinese Yelp) when I arrived. I spent my first year in China finding new places by word of mouth or by chance, but now I am able to find my way around pretty easily using Chinese apps.
My advice for teachers that are new to China is to try not to worry too much about not understanding or looking silly. I was too worried about not knowing any Chinese when I first arrived, which made me nervous to order food or try to speak with locals. Chinese people are often impressed with any effort you make to speak their language and they are really willing to go out of their way to help you out.
I’m William, the Academic Team Leader in Shanghai (and still a debate coach). I started in May 2018. I love being able to teach higher level topics and materials rather than simply English. I also like having control over curriculum and materials creation, it’s very satisfying to create.
Shanghai is one of the most diverse and varied places I’ve been to. It’s very convenient to live in, and there are always new things to try (like food). I wish I had studied Chinese a bit better before moving here after studying, I also wish I knew how to find apartments more easily.
My advice if you are new to the team? First, learning Chinese comes slowly, so don’t feel bad if you don’t master the language in a month. Second, accept that you won’t be in control of everything you’re used to in your home country. Just go with the flow, and things will turn out OK.
Hi! My name is Jessica and I am the Director of North American Recruitment. I started working at ENREACH in September 2016.
The company culture and my amazing coworkers from around the world are what I like most about working at ENREACH. Now I live in Chicago – what’s not to love? But when I was in China, I lived in Shanghai and loved the feeling of living in such a fast paced international environment. The city is constantly evolving and I loved being a part of that.
Before I moved to China, I wish I knew how important negotiating is when you’re shopping and especially when you’re getting an apartment.
For new staff, learn some Chinese! It seems obvious but it’s remarkably easy to get around just speaking English, and your experience will be infinitely broader if you make an effort to learn the language.
My name is Fraser and I started in April 2019. I’m the Debate Program Manager, based in Nanjing. My responsibilities are (besides attending to my own classes) assisting new teachers to become accustomed to our aims, objectives and teaching program and facilitating the development of new materials to support our staff and students in biting into topics for debate effectively and enjoyably.
I find teaching debate to be absolutely brilliant. The style of debate (mainly) done here is Public Forum – which requires students to take part in in-depth research of a topic for up to a semester at a time. This means I’m learning, because to support their understanding (for example, of monetary policy) I need to make sure my understanding has been sharpened up since I left university, too! So, the fact that I feel intellectually stimulated in my job is a great part of my satisfaction working here. It’s also great to see the improvements made by the students. When someone enters a classroom – a little shy and a little reserved – but three months later is confidently espousing a position in a debate it’s great to see.
I like Nanjing as it’s a very green city – almost all the roads are tree-lined boulevards and bicycle lanes run along them, separated from the traffic by a solid barrier (where the trees stand). In that way, it actually reminds me a lot of Rotterdam, in the Netherlands. The people here are very friendly – I’ve been most impressed by the sense of community here. Walking my dog around, I certainly feel welcomed into that community – I know people and they know me. This makes me feel very much at home here. It’s been easy to settle in.
Before moving to China I wish I’d learned more about Chinese history. It’s got some incredibly interesting characters in it, so I feel I’ve been missing out. However, that may be a good thing – the process of discovery has really added to my sense of wonder since arriving. On a more practical note, a few more Chinese phrases would have been handy. The writing of characters made me fear it a little before arriving. Yet the speaking of the language is actually less difficult than I’d anticipated (I’ve still a long way to go, I must say). I simply think it would have been good to have taken a greater interest before arriving. It’s not an essential though – I’ve been shocked and impressed at how high the general level of English is. It’s more for showing an effort, being respectful and polite to the locals.
My advice to new expats is eat local. The food here can be incredibly cheap – and this goes a long way to making sure you can eat heathy too. The Chinese are great fans of plates of green veg – and I’ve got to say, they are delicious.
I’m Matthew Smith and I teach Critical Thinking (CTP) and Drama courses. What I like about drama is that it’s a lot of fun to teach. CTP is fun to teach, too, because you get to see Chinese children being taught in a different and more interesting way than they’re used to.
Before coming to China, I wish I’d spent more time learning Chinese! My other advice for potential teachers is to just remember that work and management culture will have a considerable impact on your life in China, so make sure you work with someone who has a professional approach.
Hi! I’m Tyler and I’m a Debate Teacher at Shenzhen ENREACH. I started working at ENREACH in January 2020.
I like watching my students grow intellectually by learning how to debate and think more critically. I love it when my students ask good questions!
Shenzhen is a very modern and fast-paced city. There’s always something new! Certain brands of phones are only really available in the West (Pixel, Motorola) or China (Huawei, Xiaomi) so it’s important to stick to the more international brands (iPhone, Samsung) if you are like me and need your phone fixed semi frequently.
You won’t be able to control much of anything in your first year and you just need to be okay with that and go with the flow. If you aren’t comfortable trusting strangers you’re about to get really comfortable trusting strangers because they’re going to be setting up your whole life for you.
Hi! My name is Altra Strickland and I teach Drama and Speech in Nanjing. I first started working for ENREACH in August, 2017. I love working with students in a creative environment that allows and encourages them to experience education from different approaches that incorporate using all of their senses and encourages them to look at ideas from different perspectives. My husband Joe and I have loved living in Nanjing. It allows us to explore more traditional Chinese culture with the ability to also still have a cheeseburger when you choose as well.
I have learned so much since moving here. I wish I could have prepared more to understand Chinese culture. But I have found the best learning is the willingness to jump in and choose to be open to learning every day. There is some technology that will greatly help anyone assimilate into the everyday groove more easily such as WeChat (social media + so much more), Alipay (how to pay for things, take a metro, etc…), DiDi (to get a taxi), and Taobao (to order anything you need), as just a few. I would encourage anyone coming here to embrace the experience. You will see a lot that is familar and a lot that may look familiar but is culturally very different. Be willing to ask lots of questions and have fun!
I’m Noah, the drama and public speaking teacher at the Hangzhou ENREACH center as well as the Zhejiang Regional Director for the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) China. I’ve been teaching at ENREACH since March 2018. Teaching both theoretical and practicum-based elements of theater to newcomers is my favorite thing in the world. I deeply enjoy watching students transform from individuals who have no background in or real understanding of the art form to practitioners who can, using textual justification, historical knowledge, and their own experience being onstage, develop and deploy their own interpretation of a dramatic text to a live performance. The most rewarding moments are when students discover, for the first time, what theater and drama really are and how they can use them to explore themselves, their relationships, and the world.
One thing to know about life in China is that life is not planned far in advance in the Middle Kingdom. Anyone wishing to reside in China – which overall has been a thoroughly worthwhile experience for me – should be prepared to be very flexible and understand that cultural differences regarding conceptions of time as well as communications styles result in one living without stone-set plans until right before a major event happens. For new teachers, empathy is one’s most powerful tool when working with students. Understanding a child’s background, their needs and how one’s course can benefit them are the prerequisites for creating an engaging and enriching experience for learners in every age group. Empathy is the bridge between students and teachers, no matter their respective background or the present situation.
My name is Samantha and I’m a Critical Thinking (CTP) and Speech teacher with ENREACH. I work with class sizes from 4-10 using critical thinking skills through reading, writing and discussion. I’ve been with ENREACH since March 2019.
I love how different this job is from an ESL position because you get to delve into the more advanced skills and topics. It is refreshing to work for a company that values critical thinking. I love getting to teach critical thinking through interesting topics like environmental issues and essay writing. For new teachers, one thing I didn’t know ahead of time was that my visa card wouldn’t work everywhere – plan on bringing cash. Also be prepared to be overwhelmed when apartment hunting. The process goes fast and you see a lot of places that are not ideal. Be prepared, have a list of criteria ready and an idea of what you want because you have to settle quickly.
I’m Morgon, working in Nanjing as a Critical Thinking teacher and a CACS Counselor. When I started working with ENREACH in July 2019 I was immediately impressed with the amazing individuals I worked with everyday. Working with ENREACH gives me the opportunity to meet interesting students that have passions and interests that I have never heard of, and it allows me to assist these students in furthering their talents and reaching their dream schools. I love the problem solving and puzzles of figuring out a student’s strengths and presenting them to colleges in order to have them stand out among the applicants.
Being in Nanjing, in my opinion, is a perfect balance of what China has to offer. While in Nanjing, you have the opportunity to go to the city center and shop till you drop seeing all the modern amenities that you would expect in a large metropolis; however, right after you have a day in the city, you can head to Purple Mountain or Xuanwu Lake and experience a thousand years of cultural history and nature.
Before coming to China I wish I had done more research on the smaller cities in order to have better plans for seeing all of China. While I had a good understanding about Shanghai, Beijing, and Shenzhen, the smaller cities are truly where the charm of China is and allows you to see amazing sites that are not found anywhere else in the world.
I believe that coming to China will be an easier transition the sooner you are able to learn basic Chinese. Having basic communication skills will allow you to be independent and explore China in a more personal way. Feeling like you actually live in the country and have confidence in the ability to take care of yourself will help any anxiety and insecurity while you are in the country, plus, basic Chinese is a very manageable and doable task.
Hi! I’m Caleb and I’m a Critical Thinking (CTP) and Speech teacher in the Hangzhou Office. My contract began in November 2020; however, due to quarantine I didn’t start teaching ENREACH courses until December 2020.
I think the curriculum is a delight to teach; helping these kids discover new ways to look at things is a true joy. In addition, the students, the other teachers, and the ENREACH staff are fantastic to work with. From the very start, ENREACH made it clear that they put the teaching first and that they valued their teachers, and that corporate pro-teacher orientation really works wonders.
Hangzhou is absolutely beautiful with tons of stuff to see and do. It’s an old city, so there’s a lot of history and mythology tied up with the city. In addition, it’s close to Shanghai and Suzhou, which make great weekend holiday destinations. Lately I’ve been making weekend trips around Zhejiang province, which is just lousy with scenic spots to visit, if you’re willing to go off the beaten path a bit. Finally, Hangzhou is a large enough city that it’s grown a decently sized expat community, so it’s not too hard to make friends, if you go looking.
I’ve been in China for a while now (about a year and a half all told), so I’m having trouble thinking of anything. I think the thing that continues to surprise me is just how lonely it can get; there are days where the homesickness hits hard, and there’s not much to do but ride it out. When that homesickness starts to creep in, I usually 1. Call home and talk to friends or family stateside and 2. Do something around town that I couldn’t do back home (like visit West Lake); this reminds me of why I chose to come to China.
For new teachers, relax and be flexible. Things come at you fast here, and the best things to do are to roll with the punches and try to find the humor in it. Enjoy the adventure and have fun with it. Chances are you won’t get many other opportunities to immerse yourself in another country like this, so make the most of it. Finally, trust in ENREACH staff to help you solve problems and figure things out; they really do want you to succeed, and they have your back.
I’m Nate, and I’m a Drama Teacher in Shanghai. I started in September 2016. What I love about this job is the students. They can be a bit shy at first but once you get to know them they are amazing!!!
One thing to keep in mind is that the people here are just people and friendly people at that. People will be different but not as different as you think. We are all just people seeing things from different views and perspectives, and we all have the same emotions, worries, and problems, just in different mind sets. Come with an open mind and be ready for everything to be completely and totally different from what you’re used to. If you feel prepared to live on another planet, that is good because when you find only small differences from your normal life you will be relieved and relaxed. Ask questions of the staff in China; they will help you and do everything they can to help you adapt and figure things out.
Hi! My name is Cathy and I am the National Administration Manager here at ENREACH. I started in November, 2016. I like the sense of achievement each time when a task is completed and the level of cooperation between colleagues.
Shanghai is the city where I grew up. No other place can be as magical or have the sense of hope like here in Shanghai. Shanghai is quite a convenient, vibrant and developed city.
Shanghai is so international. It is the best place in China, ready for you to try all kinds of tasty food, and to make friends easily.
I’m Oliver, the Academic Business Manager for the South Region since November 2019. When asked what I like about the job two primary reasons come to mind. One, working with a team of specialized and professional teachers who are dedicated to their discipline, be it Debate, Drama, Critical Thinking Instruction, or Speech. Two, working in a company that is expanding and growing and encourages new ideas and ways of doing things.
My name is Joe and I’m a theatre and public speaking teacher at ENREACH Education in Nanjing. I can teach across all age ranges and help organize our regional EdTA festivals in Nanjing. Prior to ENREACH, I had been teaching for eight years in schools in the USA. I started working with ENREACH in August 2017 and returned for a second time in August 2019. As always with teaching, getting the opportunity to open the mind of a student to the dramatic arts is a privilege. In China, a drama class is a rare and fascinating thing, and teaching students the pathway to exploration and self-discovery makes it worthwhile. Nanjing is a very busy, modern city, yet still retains a very Chinese cultural feeling. The cost of living is very low compared to Shanghai or Beijing, but it doesn’t have a lack of amenities due to its size. I feel Nanjing is the perfect blend of both advantages living here. I even requested to return to this city when I came back.
Before I moved to China, I wish I’d known that having patience with a different way of thinking is a must. There will be times you feel right at home, and there will be times you’ll feel isolated. This is standard for anyone who travels to live in another culture, and learning to embrace personal growth is part of the formula of success for an expat. For new teachers, I’d say don’t be afraid of a new experience. For some, you may not be very experienced in a classroom. Allow yourself time to grow and develop your skills and style. If you’re arriving as an experienced teacher as I was, allow yourself the space to find new ways of doing things that always worked before. Sometimes, what we used to rely on back home may not be as effective, especially in an ESL setting.
I’m Nathan, the Manager of the College Admissions Counseling Service (CACS) Shenzhen Western Team since August 2019. As a counselor, I can say that we work a lot. Frankly this is because the kids really need our help, and this in itself is what makes the job so interesting. Every day we are presented with challenges and every day is a battle to get the student to believe in themselves – to do and study something they love, to show them how unique and amazing they really are (despite all these people telling them they are average), and dealing with the ridiculous pressure they have to face as Chinese students. It’s not an easy job for sure, but if it helps a kid pursue their dreams then I think it is worth it.
I like living in Shenzhen for four main reasons. First, the active guy in me loves the access to hiking and nature throughout the area. Shenzhen is home to many trails that traverse the lush green mountains that surround the Futian and Nanshan Districts – and hopefully soon I will make it out to Dapeng Peninsula where one can hike along the sea. The next reason is the metro. Shenzhen is a very spread out city, and so getting from one place to another would be difficult without a metro. Luckily enough, Shenzhen has an ever-expanding metro of nine lines that make it convenient to get to anywhere in the city in an hour or less. Third, there isn’t a winter! Shenzhen is located in the south of the country and the lowest temperature you will find in the winter is around 12 Celsius. No need to bring your snow boots! And lastly, Shenzhen is very much an international city. You never feel too far away from home with the access to international amenities in the city but also just across the border in Hong Kong. I’ve lived all over in a few different countries, and there is an adventure every day in China that makes life exciting compared to a mundane routine back in the States. I had a video call once with a friend and I was showing her around the neighborhood I live, and she couldn’t believe what she was seeing. At the time, I was thinking that it is normal, but then I realized that life is an adventure here in China. Once you look at it from above, life is interesting every day. To incoming teachers or counselors: Embrace everything that comes with this transition. You will be challenged with the cultural barrier in your work and life at home, but embrace it all. These experiences can teach you so much, and ultimately your time here at ENREACH can be the time of your life.
Hi! My name is Monica and I am a Course Consultant. I started working at ENREADCH in April 2019. I’m glad to help our students to find out which course is suitable for them and to help them improve their thinking and analytical abilities. It’s always a pleasure to see student’s progress.
I live in Shanghai and my favorite point is there are so many theaters and performance places which have something on almost every night. I love musicals and plays.
For new staff, I would like to say, all the colleagues are willing to help so enjoy your work and life here at ENREACH and in China.
I’m Cathy, the Center Manager in Chengdu. I started with ENREACH in September 2020. My job is to ensure the normal operation of the Chengdu Center, which makes me very proud, because the courses provided by our center can really help students improve their abilities and prepare for the future.
I live in Chengdu, which is an attractive city. There is a lot of amazing food here, not just the famous Sichuan cuisine. The city has convenient transportation, a comfortable living environment, and warm and friendly people. There are many beautiful natural scenic spots around Chengdu, which are very easy to reach. You can travel to those places in just one weekend.
Before you come to China, learn some Chinese as it would be beneficial to communicate with the local people. Learning more about the city which you are going to in advance will help you organize your life better too.
As a new teacher, communicate more with your Chinese colleagues in order to get more help and support. In addition, communicate with your students and parents more so as to understand the real situation of the students and achieve the expectations of the parents.
Hi! I’m Betty, a CRW teacher in Shanghai’s Changning center, and I’ve been working at ENREACH since January 2019. Time has somehow felt both fleeting and long these past few years – I think that’s because the big bad city has a way of keeping you on your toes until you’re scrolling through WeChat moments one day and see a student from the first class you taught post their completed thesis on The Effect of Black Market Surrogacy on Women in China, and you think “How was I worthy enough to have been her teacher?”
ENREACH is a magical little place. It is an ecosystem where all its subparts depend on the others thriving. Unlike most after-school programs that kids seem obligated to attend, I believe that our students genuinely look forward to attending our classes because they are fun AND they have the support of their parents, who see that their children are learning and growing. And as a teacher, I’m grateful to be teaching and creating curriculum that I’m truly passionate about. Symbiosis!
Shanghai holds a special place for me. As a Chinese-American whose parents are from here, I am so grateful to finally have the chance to live here and dig into my roots. But even if you don’t have blood ties to this city, it has a lot to offer. Because it only recently exploded into modernity, it seems that everything is taking off simultaneously, you just have to seek it out! Personally, I find that the music scene here to be really unique – all of the influences of a diverse population might just evolve into a unique “Shanghai” genre of its own.
Hi! My name is Don and I am an overseas recruiter. I started working with ENREACH in June 2019. I very much enjoy speaking with prospective teachers about the experience of living and working in China with ENREACH. It’s a way of keeping my own rewarding experience living and working overseas vividly alive. Our applicants come from diverse backgrounds, and speaking to them about their experiences is rewarding and educational. Lastly, there is great satisfaction in having one of your hires arrive in China to start their employment with ENREACH.
Regretfully I do not live and work in China myself, but working remotely has its advantages. I never actually moved to China, but I can say that the first time I went to China for ENREACH in 2019 I was shocked by how much things had changed since my first visit to China in 2001 – bigger, more modern, more convenient.
For anyone moving to China for the first time, I would say to keep an open mind and to expect things NOT to go as expected (and be prepared to just roll with it). So many things work differently in China, and it will take time to get to know all of the ins and outs. It is important to see this as just part of the adventure and not to let minor setback or inconveniences bother you. Smile and make the best of it, and remember that the rewards far outweigh the irritations you might face.
