Meet Anna Chen

Welcome! My name is Yuan Chen, also known as Anna. With over 30 years of experience in education, I have dedicated my career to helping children discover the joy of learning – especially through reading.

My journey began as a preschool teacher at Nanjing No.1 Kindergarten. Later, while studying at St. Joseph’s University and George Mason University in the US, I saw firsthand how deeply reading shapes children’s minds and growth. I have always loved reading myself, as books open doors to new ideas and experiences. Great books inspire children to explore the wider world and help discover their own potential.

In 2016, I founded the Everyday Reading Research Center in Nanjing, where I began teaching literature and reading strategies. My curriculum is designed to build a strong foundation in English. I focus on guiding younger learners to reach at least a 500 Lexile level and develop the confidence to read independently. As they grow, students continue their journey with Elizabeth Podufaly Bauer, who provides more rigorous training in reading and critical thinking. Together with other colleagues, we ensure that every child thrives at every stage of learning, from first words to confident thinkers!