About Us关于我们

A teaching team built around curiosity, confidence, and growth.以好奇心、自信和成长为核心的教学团队

Ascend Advanced Academy (AAA) is a Long Island-based after-school and summer enrichment program for students in Grades K-9, offering English Language Arts, Science, Coding, and Mathematics. We nurture curious, confident learners by building strong communication, leadership, and critical-thinking skills from an early age.Ascend Advanced Academy (AAA) 是位于长岛的课后与暑期学术拓展项目，面向 K-9 年级学生，提供英语语言艺术、科学、编程和数学课程。我们从早期开始培养学生的沟通力、领导力和批判性思维，帮助他们成为好奇、自信的学习者。

Our Teaching Approach我们的教学方式

At Ascend Advanced Academy, we believe every student deserves to be heard, challenged, and inspired.在 Ascend Advanced Academy，我们相信每一位学生都值得被倾听、被挑战、被启发。

That's why we embrace a discussion-based, student-centered learning model — inspired by the Harkness Method — where students don't just absorb information, they engage with it. In our small classrooms of 8 students or fewer, every voice matters. Students learn to ask bold questions, listen deeply, defend their thinking, and build on the ideas of their peers.因此，我们采用以讨论为基础、以学生为中心的学习模式，并受到 Harkness Method 的启发。在这里，学生不是被动接收知识，而是真正参与知识的理解与建构。在 8 人或更少的小班课堂里，每一个声音都很重要。学生学会大胆提问、认真倾听、清晰表达自己的思考，并在同伴的想法上继续拓展。

Our teachers aren't lecturers — they're guides. They design rich, challenging content and create the conditions for students to discover, debate, and grow.我们的老师不是单向讲授者，而是引导者。他们设计有深度、有挑战的课程内容，并创造环境，让学生在探索、讨论和思辨中成长。

This approach builds more than academic skills. It builds confident communicators, independent thinkers, and curious lifelong learners — exactly the qualities that set students apart in prestigious universities and competitive careers.这种教学方式培养的不只是学术能力，更是自信的沟通者、独立的思考者和持续保持好奇心的终身学习者。这些品质，正是学生未来在优秀大学和竞争激烈的职业道路中脱颖而出的关键。

Parents Are Partners, Not Bystanders.家长是伙伴，而不是旁观者

At AAA, we believe a child's greatest academic advantage isn't just what happens in the classroom — it starts at home.在 AAA，我们相信孩子最大的学术优势不只来自课堂，也始于家庭。

Research consistently shows that parental involvement is one of the strongest predictors of student success, especially in the early years. Parents set the bar. They shape a child's belief in what's possible. When a parent encourages their child to take on a hard problem, to persist through frustration, and to see failure not as an ending but as part of learning — that child develops a resilience that no curriculum alone can teach.研究持续表明，家长参与是学生成功最重要的预测因素之一，尤其是在成长早期。家长设定标准，也塑造孩子对自身可能性的信念。当家长鼓励孩子面对难题、在挫折中坚持，并把失败看作学习的一部分而不是终点时，孩子会发展出任何课程本身都无法单独教会的韧性。

That's why at Ascend Advanced Academy, parent engagement isn't optional — it's essential.因此在 Ascend Advanced Academy，家长参与不是可有可无，而是必不可少。

We keep our classrooms small so our teachers can truly know each child — their strengths, their struggles, their learning style, and their growth edges. And we make it our commitment to share what we see with you. When your child lights up solving a difficult math problem, you'll hear about it. When they're struggling to find their voice in discussion, we'll talk about how we can support them together — at school and at home.我们坚持小班教学，让老师真正了解每一个孩子：他们的优势、困难、学习方式和成长空间。我们也承诺把课堂中看到的变化与你分享。当孩子因为解出一道难题而眼睛发亮时，你会听到这个时刻；当孩子在讨论中还不敢表达时，我们会一起讨论如何在学校和家中支持他们。

Because the most powerful thing we can build at AAA isn't just academic excellence. It's a triangle of trust — between student, teacher, and parent — where every child feels supported from every direction.因为 AAA 最重要的建设不只是学术优秀，而是学生、老师与家长之间的信任三角。在这个三角中，每个孩子都能从不同方向获得支持。

At AAA, you're not just enrolling your child. You're joining a community.在 AAA，你不只是为孩子报名一门课程，而是加入一个共同支持孩子成长的社区。

Our Educators我们的教师

Meet the AAA team认识 AAA 团队

AAA brings together educators, coaches, writers, scientists, and technology leaders who understand both classroom learning and long-term student development.AAA 汇集了教育者、竞赛教练、作家、科学教师和技术专家，共同关注课堂学习与学生长期发展。

Ms. Yu

Co-Founder, Educator, and Advocate for Whole-Child Development

Ms. Yu is a passionate co-founder with over 12 years of experience spanning education, child development, and finance. Holding both an MBA and a Bachelor's degree in Finance, she blends her professional expertise with a deep commitment to creating nurturing, inspiring learning environments that support every child's growth.

Known for her exceptional problem-solving skills and independent, optimistic mindset, Ms. Yu approaches challenges with both innovation and practicality. Her approachable personality and strong interpersonal skills allow her to foster a collaborative, growth-oriented team culture where students and educators thrive together.

Academically, Ms. Yu has a strong command of mathematics, while also excelling in English reading and writing. Her multidisciplinary strengths make her a true asset to the team and a versatile contributor across all areas of program development and instruction.

Driven by a mission to support whole-child development, she prioritizes the emotional well-being and academic success of every student. Her authenticity and dedication shine through in every project she leads, leaving a lasting impact defined by care, excellence, and vision.

Mr. Ma

Co-Founder, Technology Strategist & STEM Education Advocate

Mr. Ma holds a master's degree in Computer Science and Molecular Biology and spent over 15 years as a technology strategist at top Wall Street firms, including Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and Bank of America. His teaching journey began in 2017 at his own dining table, tutoring math competition problems for his children and their classmates, and has since grown into a passion for nurturing young mathematical minds.

Today, Mr. Ma teaches elementary and middle school mathematics and competitive programming, known for making complex concepts clear, engaging, and competition-ready.

Competition track record

Coached students to Math Kangaroo National #1, perfect scores in MOEMS, and Highest Individual Scorer awards.
Helped students earn AMC 8 Achievement Awards and honors in Grades 3-7, plus AIME qualification through AMC 10 in Grades 8-9.
Led the academy's elementary team to #1 in New York State in ACSL coding competition since 2023, with students also earning individual gold medals at nationals.

Ms. Annie

Associate Director, Senior Education Specialist, and Multisubject Instructional Leader

Ms. Annie is a dual-certified educator in both Special Education and General Elementary Education, bringing over 35 years of extensive teaching experience. Her lifelong commitment to education is rooted in a deep love for children and a desire to create meaningful learning experiences for students of all backgrounds.

In the classroom, Ms. Annie focuses on fostering curiosity, building strong foundational skills, and equipping students with multiple problem-solving strategies to help them succeed across subject areas. Her student-centered approach and emphasis on critical thinking have earned the trust of both students and families.

Currently, Ms. Annie teaches English Language Arts and Mathematics for elementary and middle school students. She also provides individualized tutoring across academic subjects, supporting a wide range of learning styles and goals.

Ms. Annie believes every child has unique potential waiting to be discovered and nurtured. With expertise, warmth, and dedication, she helps students grow with confidence in the classroom and beyond.

Ms. Sandy

English Enrichment Instructor | Elementary & Middle School Education Specialist

Ms. Sandy holds a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a Master's degree in Special Education, and is a certified teacher in New York State. She brings over 15 years of teaching experience, spanning preschool through eighth grade, with 6 years dedicated to special education.

Her teaching style is organized, creative, and passionate, with a strong ability to adapt instruction to each student's learning style and individual needs. Known for patience and positivity, Ms. Sandy creates personalized learning experiences that help students feel capable and supported.

At AAA, Ms. Sandy primarily provides after-school homework support for elementary students and contributes to English language enrichment programs, helping students steadily improve language expression and reading comprehension.

Ms. Stefanie

ENL/ESL Instructor | ELA and International English Education Specialist

Ms. Stefanie graduated from Brooklyn College with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and brings over 25 years of diverse teaching experience. As a long-term substitute teacher, she has worked with students from pre-kindergarten through high school, with a focus on upper-grade English Language Arts.

Driven by her passion for English language arts, Ms. Stefanie pursued further training to become a certified English as a Second Language teacher. She completed an overseas work-study program and earned an internationally recognized ESL teaching certification.

Over the past decade, Ms. Stefanie has taught ESL courses in overseas public schools and private institutions, working with students across ages and proficiency levels. She also has extensive experience preparing non-native English-speaking high school students for university-level English entrance exams.

Currently, Ms. Stefanie teaches ESL and ENL courses at Ascend Advanced Academy and provides additional instructional support to help students grow through a forward-looking educational program.

Mr. Ben

Reading & Writing Instructor | Creative Writing Specialist & Award-Winning STEM Educator

Mr. Ben holds a Bachelor's degree in Creative Writing from Brooklyn College and a Master's degree in Computer Information Systems. He is a two-time recipient of the Sky & Telescope Magazine Education Award and the Unisys Network Science Education Award. He is also the author of the science fiction novel Wade of Aquitaine, an Amazon Kindle bestseller optioned for a film adaptation.

At Ascend Advanced Academy, Mr. Ben teaches Close Reading, Creative Writing, and Pre-AP English Language for Grades 4-8, with a strong emphasis on reading comprehension, writing technique, and critical thinking.

Competition track record

Coached Grade 8-9 students to shortlist recognition in the John Locke Essay Competition in both 2025 and 2026.

Ms. Jodie

Science & ELA Instructor | Interdisciplinary Education Specialist

Ms. Jodie holds both a Master's and Bachelor's degree in Science Education and brings over 10 years of experience teaching elementary and middle school science. Her background includes public and private schools, as well as advanced academic courses at the Center for Talented Youth, a Johns Hopkins University program for high-potential students.

In addition to her science expertise, Ms. Jodie is passionate about English Language Arts instruction, especially at the elementary level. She is skilled at integrating reading comprehension and science literacy, helping students strengthen critical thinking and communication across disciplines.

At Ascend Advanced Academy, Ms. Jodie teaches Reading Comprehension, Writing, and Elementary Science. Her engaging, well-structured teaching style sparks curiosity and inspires students to explore, think deeply, and express themselves with confidence.