Beiyan Yan (Yana)

Beiyan Yan (Yana) was born and raised in China, where she began her career in a highly structured educational environment. Academic success was often prioritised above emotional development or creative play.

“Many parents believed in intensive tutoring from a young age, seeing it as the key to securing their children’s future,” she reflects. “But this approach didn’t align with my personal values.”

While Yana respected the system, she increasingly questioned whether it truly served the child as a whole. This growing sense of doubt eventually led her to explore New Zealand’s early childhood curriculum, Te Whāriki—a framework that emphasises holistic development, play-based learning, and the happiness of the child.

“Unlike the rigid structures I had known, Te Whāriki was a revelation. It proved that education could be both effective and joyful,” she shares.

“One of the most powerful aspects of Te Whāriki, is how it weaves together Māori values and cultural responsiveness, promoting diversity, inclusion, and partnership.” Yana explains. “As someone who grew up in a multilingual environment—where my hometown spoke a mix of dialects, Cantonese, and Mandarin—I felt deeply connected to this philosophy. It recognises and celebrates the richness of every child's cultural background, which was exactly what I had been looking for.”

Motivated by a desire to immerse herself in this child-centered philosophy, Yana made the life-changing decision to study in New Zealand. Her goal was not only to learn from this approach, but also to one day bring those insights back to her home country.

At the heart of Yana’s transformation, she undertook her ECE education at NZTC.

“NZTC offered more than just theory—it provided the practical, hands-on experience I was searching for" says Yana.

Her time at NZTC was transformative. It allowed her to explore global teaching models, challenge inherited assumptions, and shape her own philosophy—one that celebrates curiosity and emotional intelligence over pressure and compliance.

“I want to help cultivate a system where learning is joyful, not stressful,” she says.

Looking ahead, Yana dreams of returning to China to share her knowledge. She hopes to create spaces where children can learn through play, explore their interests freely, and grow into confident, capable individuals.

“Education isn’t just about knowledge—it’s about nurturing a love for learning that lasts a lifetime,” she says.

Yana also hopes to collaborate with teachers across cultures to help transform early childhood education—bridging systems and building a future where learning is truly child-centred, inclusive, and joyful.