Wenjun Kuai

Mandarin Teacher

Annie McGarry poses for her headshot during the "Annual Head Tour Guide Photoshoot" outside the Chapel on Sep. 13, 2021. (Photo by Nicholas Pfosi)

How long have you worked at Concord Academy?

I have worked at CA for about 13 years.

In what departments do you teach?

I teach Mandarin in the Modern and Classical Languages Department.

What other areas of involvement at CA do you have?

I am a house faculty, a student advisor, and club advisor for Mandarin Club.

What is the best part about working and teaching at CA?

The best part about working and teaching at CA is getting to know the wonderful CA students in and outside the classroom.

If you have taught at other schools, how is teaching at CA different?

I used to teach at other independent schools before I came to CA. CA is unique because of its diverse student body and its strong belief in Common Trust.

What is your favorite CA tradition?

My favorite CA tradition is the community dinner for the Lunar New Year celebration.

What do you like most about living on campus and who do you share the experience with?

I live in Phelps House with my husband, children, and four pets: two 3-year-old adopted cats (Panpan and Huahua) and two 20-year-old turtles (Birdie and Eagle). Residing on campus allows me and my entire family to grow within a wonderful tight-knit community.

What do you enjoy about being in a house with students?

As a language teacher, I enjoy introducing dishes from various cultures to the students in my boarding house on Saturday nights. In the past, I have made Chinese fried rice, Mapo tofu, Korean bibimbap, Japanese maki, Singaporean laksa, Vietnamese Pho, Indian mango lassi, and many other signature dishes. Students often inspire me to try new recipes, too!

What makes your students special?

My students are creative, passionate, and hardworking. Their dedication to their learning and their care for each other makes them special and helps shape CA as a community.

What’s your favorite part of being an advisor?

I enjoy the one-on-one conversations with my advisees on a weekly basis, which has always been one of the highlights of my day at work.

What is a fun fact about you?

I grew up in Hefei, Anhui Province in eastern China.