Ms. Han is the first School Counselor at BASIS Independent Fremont. Every time Ms. Han talks about it, her eyes are filled with excitement.
Ms. Han was raised by her mother and grandparents- one educator, one accountant, and one journalist. They taught her to love unconditionally, pay attention to others’ needs, and think critically. With a dream to be a movie director and a Chinese script writer, Ms. Han spent most of her childhood playing, watching movies, daydreaming, acting on stages and writing- she loved to write about people in her life, and to get every chance to act. She brought entertainment to her school and home, but she was disappointed as a student.
“I failed academically. I thought I would never be admitted to a good college, until I met my math teacher in junior high,” says Ms. Han, “Mr. Hu, the math teacher, told me that I was capable of anything. He believed in me, and he was sure I would make a big achievement if I could focus, practice, rest, and repeat.” Ms. Han was grateful for her math teacher because of his encouragement and empowerment. “His word was my light.”
In 2009, Ms. Han graduated from the University of Science and Technology, Beijing, with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and traveled from China to the U.S. to study for a Master of Arts in Education, which she earned from Michigan State University in 2011. She wanted to be someone else’s light.
Ms. Han spent 10 years in classrooms in the U.S. and the subjects she taught include Mandarin language and culture, math, science, humanities and her favorite, Social Emotional Learning. In January 2019, Ms. Han joined BASIS Independent Fremont as a Mandarin teacher, though she admits, “I was curious! Very curious to see if I would want to send my own kids to school here.” To her surprise, she not just approved of BASIS Independent Fremont, but she also fell in love with this school, and she decided to walk an extra mile.
“While teaching, I saw the many needs our students have outside of academics, and I wanted to improve our support of those needs. Knowing the importance of social emotional well-being for children, I’ve decided to step up and respond to this calling.” Ms. Han is now studying for her second Master’s degree in Counseling and license for Family and Marriage Therapy at Western Seminary.
As a school counselor, Ms. Han will be working with students, teachers, the administrative team, and parents who are vested in educational success. As an educator, a parent, and a school counselor, Ms. Han aims to cultivate joy and confidence, and encourage all students to strive to achieve their goals. Ms. Han’s vision and mission is to mindfully build a wellness program at BASIS Independent Fremont, where students’ emotional, physical, and social health and well-being are a top priority.
“When our students graduate”, says Ms. Han with a big smile, “They are fully ready for this world!”
Outside of work and school, Ms. Han is a playful mother, a dedicated community server, and an on-going learner. She is learning to grow a balcony vegetable garden, and she loves to water the plants every morning with her daughter.