I am a credentialed educator of twenty plus years’ experience serving K-12 students and families throughout the greater Los Angeles area. I specialize in building stand-alone language programs as well as various immersion models. 

I wrote the Strawberry Mochi Understands book series as a pleasure reading option for Mandarin learners in the U.S. Instead of teaching Chinese explicitly, I wish for readers to giggle over Sberry’s very real misadventures that could happen to any of us. Moreover, I want Sberry’s vulnerability to be a vehicle for encouraging social awareness.

When I first started developing a Mandarin curriculum, there were barely any books written for non-heritage learners. The few textbooks available were suitable for secondary grade level and adult learners, difficult to learn from, and written for an international audience. I quickly got to work to invent and write my own curriculum. Eventually, some overseas publishers detected the potentials of a U.S. market and started to export books here. The books were expensive and still unacquainted with the assets and needs of U.S. Mandarin language learners. 

My curriculum and storytelling are rooted in the constructivist approach. I am enthusiastic about creative means of student engagement. I shared my creative Mandarin curriculum with Melinda Gates at a private round table discussion in Chicago in 2009.

I feel lucky to be in the education sector and continue championing for learning quality and equality. I hope my books become a favorite and frequently requested bedtime or any-time-of-day stories!

Yours, Sally Chuang