Leading with Love: Meet Chi Wan Yip, First Grade Teacher Who Builds Belonging

When you walk into Ms. Chi Wan Yip’s classroom, it doesn’t take long to feel the care and intention behind everything she does. Since joining Scholarship Prep in November 2023, first at our South Bay campus and now at Orange County for the 2024-2025 school year, Ms. Yip has made it her mission to build not only strong Scholars, but a strong sense of community.

Each morning starts with a warm "morning meeting" greeting at the door, a small yet meaningful ritual she credits with setting the tone for the day.

“It gives me a chance to personally check in with each Scholar,” she says, “and notice early on if someone might need a little extra support.”

As a first-generation Chinese American, Ms. Yip draws from personal experience when approaching education through an equity lens.

“I've seen what it looks like when things are equitable—and when they’re not,” she explains. “As a teacher, I want to be an advocate for equity, making sure everyone feels valued, supported, and treated fairly.”

She’s just as intentional in the values she instills in her first-grade students. Kindness, curiosity, and the power of words to solve problems are at the heart of her teaching. “I hope my scholars continue to stay inquisitive and seek first to understand,” she says.

Beyond the classroom, Ms. Yip plays a key role in fostering connections among both scholars and staff. Her approach is simple but powerful: lead with care.

“When you’re genuine with kids, families, and staff, they respond. That’s how we build a strong, supportive community—together.”

When she’s not in the classroom, Ms. Yip is busy exploring Southern California with her husband and their dog, Olive. She also enjoys crafting, reading, and more recently, playing pickleball.

Through her thoughtful teaching and commitment to fairness and belonging, Ms. Yip continues to create ripples that extend far beyond the classroom, making a difference in the lives of Scholars and staff alike.

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