About May Xue
May Xue is the Founding Deputy Head of School at Hiba Academy Bay Area, which will open in Fall 2026. Now May Xue is the Deputy Head of Primary at Hiba Academy Nantong, a role she has held since August 2024, with a career spanning almost a decade in bilingual and early years education within the prestigious Hiba and Wellington College network in China. She brings extensive experience in curriculum leadership, team development, and holistic program design to her position, consistently fostering environments where young learners thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Originally from China and deeply immersed in international bilingual education, May has dedicated her career to the development of early childhood and primary programs. Her practice is rooted in a strong academic background, holding both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Children’s Development from Zhejiang Normal University, where she graduated with distinction and was honored as Best Postgraduate Student.
May’s leadership journey at Hiba Academy Nantong reflects progressive responsibility and impact. She previously served as Co-Head of Early Years and Co-Head of Lower School (Earky Years to Grade 2), where she oversaw daily operations, developed curriculum and policies, managed budgets, and led teaching teams. Her work ensures a cohesive, inclusive, and stimulating learning environment aligned with both educational best practices and regulatory standards. Prior to this, she contributed significantly to Hiba Academy Hangzhou Nursery as Chinese Coordinator, supporting nursery leadership in curriculum implementation, staff coordination, and program evaluation.
Earlier in her career, May served as a Class Teacher and EY2 Team Leader at Wellington College Bilingual Shanghai, where she honed her skills in inquiry-based teaching, classroom environment design, and collaborative team leadership. She guided teachers in observation-based documentation, intentional teaching strategies, and fostering bilingual cohesion between local and expatriate staff.
May’s educational philosophy emphasizes scaffolding children’s learning to nurture independence, problem-solving, and emotional resilience. She believes in creating inviting and reflective classroom spaces that encourage risk-taking and social growth. Her approach is further informed by her professional development, including completion of the NPQ Headship certification, participation in the WCC High Potential Programme, and specialized training in eye-tracking research and social-emotional workshops.
As a leader, May is committed to staff development, parent partnership, and program innovation. She ensures that educational practices are not only academically rigorous but also emotionally supportive, laying a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
Additional Background Information (i.e., Education, certifications, notable acheivements, classroom or leadership experience)
Education
· Master’s Degree in Children’s Development and Education, Zhejiang Normal University
· Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Zhejiang Normal University
· Intensive English Course, Virginia Tech Language and Culture Institute, USA
Certifications and Credentials
· NPQ Headship Certificate
· Teaching Certification in China
Professional Experience
· Deputy Head of Primary, Hiba Academy Nantong (2024–Present)
· Co-Head of Lower School (EY – G2), Hiba Academy Nantong (2023–2024)
· Co-Head of Early Years, Hiba Academy Nantong (2021–2023)
· Chinese Coordinator,Hiba Academy Hangzhou Nursery (2020–2022)
· Class Teacher & EY2 Team Leader, Wellington College Bilingual Shanghai (2016–2017)
· Class Teacher, Hiba Academy Hangzhou Nursery(2018–2020)
Leadership and Pedagogical Experience
· Over 10 years in bilingual early childhood and primary education leadership
· Experience in curriculum design, policy development, and staff mentoring within the Huili/Wellington network
· Proven ability in managing nursery and lower school operations, budget, and compliance
· Skilled in fostering bilingual teaching collaboration and inclusive learning environments
· Strong background in child-centered, inquiry-based, and scaffolded learning approaches
Notable Awards and Development
· Best Postgraduate Student, Zhejiang Normal University (2016)
· National Scholarship (2012)
· WCC High Potential Programme (2021)
· Participant in advanced workshops at the Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (Eye Movement & Psychology Studies, 2014)
· Volunteer, Capital Area Food Bank, Washington DC (2017)
Hiba Academy Bay Area’s Mission
Widen your child’s world. At Hiba Academy, your child will be part of a vibrant multicultural community of bilingual learners. We’ll widen their world with. New and diverse perspectives and teach them what it means to be a global citizen.
Hiba Academy Bay Area
Grades PK3, PK4, K, Grade 1
99 Rhode Island St, San Francisco 94103
(415) 930-0165, https://bayarea.hibaacademy.org/en
To learn more about Hiba Academy Bay Area, please click on this link: https://parentspress.com/schools/california/san-francisco/hiba-academy-bay-area
About Leaders in Education
Leaders in Education is a special profile series from Parents Press, highlighting the vision, values, and leadership of heads of schools and key administrators across the Greater Bay Area. Through these features, we aim to give the community a deeper understanding of the people shaping children’s educational experiences.
