Noah 诺安 (Nùo Ān) Smith began learning Chinese in middle school before attending 森林湖 (Sēn Lín Hú) as a villager for three years and then working as an intern in high school. Before college, 诺安 received a scholarship to study at a public high school in Beijing for a year, which really kick started his passion for Chinese language and culture. Noah received his Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations at Tufts and is currently pursuing his Masters Degree in International Politics at the Johns Hopkins School for Advanced International Studies Nanjing Campus, Previously, Noah has worked at a Chinese Immersion K-8 school in Minneapolis (Yinghua Academy).
诺安 says, “I have worked at 森林湖 (Sēn Lín Hú) for seven years, which makes it ten summers total of time spent there! Wow, how time flies. I've taught activities, language groups, served as a lifeguard and waterfront manager, as well as coordinator (activities, two-week curriculum, I-Day) for nearly every part of camp at one time or another. I love to play guitar, sing, play overly-complex board games, as well as all sorts of sports (but ultimate frisbee in particular). I am excited to continue working with Chinese education in a place and program that I know and love.
Iris 娜娜/Nànà Parshley is the Lead Teacher for the Chinese Virtual Village program Club 森林湖/Sēn Lín Hú. Nànà studied Chinese Language and Culture at Macalester College in Minnesota. She has been working with the Chinese Language Village since 2017 as the Activity Coordinator. During summer 2020, she taught online with Sēn Lín Hú and is now tutoring students in English online. Nànà will be going to China to teach English in 2021.