SAFETY FIRST: We're taking extra measures to ensure your children are safe in our learning community. More details
Meet Our Team
Get to know our Leadership, Administration, Faculty...
Leadership & Administration
Marianne Deng
Co-founder, Head of School
​
Marianne previously worked as a film actress in Seoul, Taipei, and Beijing, and has a B.A. in International Affairs & Economics from George Washington University.
​
Marianne's earlier education experience included local public elementary school at Tianmu Public Elementary School, as well as middle and high school at Taipei American School.
​
Marianne comes from a family of educators across earlier education, Biblical ministry, and modern medical education.
Marianne and David are parents to four young children are part of Ark's learning community.
David Liu
Co-founder
​
David previously worked as a tech startup founder/CEO in LA, San Francisco, Taipei, and finally in Beijing in partnership with HTC China, and later on developed a small US-Taiwan real estate investment partnership that has been operating since 2015.
​
David began his undergraduate studies at UCLA at the age of 16 (which enabled him to invest more time to freely explore extracurricular experiences, e.g. short term ministry school internship programs and campus church planting, or taking time off to start a Silicon Valley tech startup in the Bay Area) and graduated with a B.A. in Mass Communication.
​
David comes from multiple generations of professional educators serving in both Taiwan and US including public school teachers, professors, and administrators.
Chen-Xi Yu
Head of Spiritual Growth & Communications
​
Chenxi has a heart full of joy and passion towards kids.
She studied at BSSM (Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry) 2018-2021 where she felt called to pursue a ministry/career in family and education.
Prior to ministry school, Chen Xi worked for 8 years in corporate as a purchasing specialist in a large, Taiwan-based chemicals trading company, focusing on coordinating between foreign suppliers, local customers and colleagues. \
​
Chenxi brings her passion for excellence, as well as her business administrative experience to help build up our operations, communications, and community.
Bill Tang
Head of Learning Excellence & Strategy
​
Bill has a B.A. in Law from National Taipei University, formerly worked in the legal department of a multinational company's Taipei branch office, and comes from a family of professional educators.
​
Bill brings to Ark a sharp understanding and personal passion to see young learners develop their English speaking abilities and become fully bilingual, capable individuals.
​
Bill's dual understanding of both new innovations in learning from international school systems, as well as Taiwan's top tier, traditional educational track, assists his ongoing work of merging the best of both new innovation and conventional wisdom in our learning strategies to produce the best learning results.
​
Bill's passions are education and music. In his personal time, he leads worship at his young adult church in Sanxia and also composes music.
Guiding & Teaching
Amy Shaofen Spriggs
Acton Guide,
Elementary School Program
​
Masters, New York University and former teacher in a wide range of public and private schools in Taiwan. Formerly worked as a journalist at a media startup.
Joy Sung
Lead Staff,
Preschool Learning Playgroup
​
Joy has a passion for children, families and education, she’s also a mom of two little ones. With a degree in Psychology, she has experience both as an educator as well as a worship pastor. As an educator, she strives to encourage each student on their learning journey and enjoys seeing their progress. She loves how each child is different and wants to make learning a fun and meaningful process for them.
With 9+ years English teaching experience, Joy brings to Ark her experience and heart to see children thrive in all areas of life, and to experience God's transformational love in our learning community.
Hsinyi
Lead Staff,
Preschool Learning Playgroup
​
​​Hsinyi has a love for children and music. She has a passion for seeing people live out the abundant life Jesus promised. One of the ways she believes to see this happen is through education. She has earned her teaching certificate in college, later on she also spent some time receiving training at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry (BSSM). With 8+ years of experience in teaching English and music, her heart is to see kids grow spiritually, live out their potential and become whom God created them to be.
Mati Liu
Lead Staff,
Preschool Learning Playgroup
​
Mati Liu is a passionate and energetic teacher who loves to work and interact with children. She has dedicated herself to create and develop fun and dynamic English courses to grow students' interests in learning English. Over the past 8 years she has been working with preschool/kindergarten children. Mati is also good at communication and has organizational abilities to help children achieve academic goals.
Mati has also taught for ten years in Sunday school, this helps her in developing extraordinary care and patience towards children. She’s looking forward to working and learning in the big family of Ark.
Elsa
Staff Assistant,
Preschool Learning Playgroup
​
Led by God, Ms. Elsa had a chance to make a career change and start taking care of little ones. She has had 6+ years working with infants and preschool aged kids.
Elsa is a licensed caretaker of younger kids, also a licensed Montessori instructor. She currently also serves as a children’s ministry teacher at her church. She has a strong calling and passion for children ministry. Ms. Elsa has always reminded herself to trust in the Lord with the role of educating children.
“What I’ve learned from the kids, are so much more than what I have given them.”
Elsa has gained so much joy, satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment during the years of working with kids.
Bernade
Staff Assistant,
Preschool Learning Playgroup
​
Bernade loves children and has a heart for kingdom culture and community building.
She graduated first year of BSSM (Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry) in 2020 and also got training in ShengPei (Bread of Life’s Bible School) in 2013-2014. She has worked as an instructor for multiple English language and Montessori schools in Taipei and has more than 13 years of teaching experiences. She served as a Teaching Assistant at Taipei American School for three years.
Bernade brings skills, experience and heart for educating and pastoring children with her pursuit in God’s presence and love for people.