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EDUCATION
PANO Team
| Full-time consultant in Taiwan | Graduated from top universities in US |
| 10 years of experience in admissions counseling |
College Counselors Team
Peggy Shih
| UC Berkeley |
Peggy spent her childhood in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. With limited information and resources, she independently applied to several top universities—including UC Berkeley, UCLA, the University of Pennsylvania, and Cornell—and was successfully admitted.
In addition to her academic achievements, Peggy is passionate about art and design. She prepared and submitted a personal art portfolio featuring animation, sketches, and digital design pieces as part of her college applications. While she was accepted to multiple programs, she ultimately chose to attend the University of California, Berkeley, where she graduated in 2016 with a double major in Linguistics and French, and minors in Japanese and Applied Language Studies.
During high school, Peggy also demonstrated exceptional academic performance. She earned a perfect score on the SAT and received perfect scores on 16 AP subjects.
Test Prep Team
Joseph Embleton-Smith
| University of Southampton |
After studying an undergraduate degree in Philosophy and Sociology from the University of Southampton, Joe went on to attain his CELTA qualification from the Oxford Studies Centre.
He has been working as an English teacher for many years both in the UK and here in Taiwan. During his career, Joe has had experience leading classes over the full spectrum of abilities, from beginner to advanced.
He also has extensive experience in teaching specialist exam classes, specifically for the IELTS/TOEFL exam for more than ten years.
After studying an undergraduate degree in Philosophy and Sociology from the University of Southampton, Joe went on to attain his CELTA qualification from the Oxford Studies Centre.
He has been working as an English teacher for many years both in the UK and here in Taiwan. During his career, Joe has had experience leading classes over the full spectrum of abilities, from beginner to advanced.
He also has extensive experience in teaching specialist exam classes, specifically for the IELTS/TOEFL exam for more than ten years.
Daniel Courteau
| State University of New York |
Daniel graduated from SUNY Buffalo, where he was a graduate of the Honors College, earning a B.A. in Economics and International Studies with a minor in Spanish. He received a Fulbright grant and completed an M.S. in Agricultural Economics at National Taiwan University in 2023.
He is passionate about sharing knowledge in economics, agriculture, and education. Daniel brings a wealth of teaching experience. He has worked as an assistant teacher in high school STEAM classrooms and an English-Spanish bilingual school in the U.S., and he has formal TEFL (Teaching of English as a Foreign Language) training and teaching experience in Indonesia and Taiwan. At PANO, he teaches SAT, SSAT, ISEE, TOEFL, IELTS, and IB Spanish. He also teaches AP Microeconomics and Macroeconomics at PANO for international schools, where he has developed a comprehensive set of lesson plans and teaching materials.
Daniel graduated from SUNY Buffalo, where he was a graduate of the Honors College, earning a B.A. in Economics and International Studies with a minor in Spanish. He received a Fulbright grant and completed an M.S. in Agricultural Economics at National Taiwan University in 2023.
He is passionate about sharing knowledge in economics, agriculture, and education. Daniel brings a wealth of teaching experience. He has worked as an assistant teacher in high school STEAM classrooms and an English-Spanish bilingual school in the U.S., and he has formal TEFL (Teaching of English as a Foreign Language) training and teaching experience in Indonesia and Taiwan. At PANO, he teaches SAT, SSAT, ISEE, TOEFL, IELTS, and IB Spanish. He also teaches AP Microeconomics and Macroeconomics at PANO for international schools, where he has developed a comprehensive set of lesson plans and teaching materials.
Jessica Lee
| Penn State University |
Jessica was born in Taipei and moved to Atlanta at age 10. She later earned her degree in civil engineering from Penn State University, where she conducted research in microbial science and roadway development.
Jessica completed 11 AP courses and earned top scores on standardized tests, including a perfect score on ACT Math, showcasing her strong logical thinking and academic abilities. She has served as a volunteer tutor in math, science, and programming, and is skilled in teaching standardized tests such as AP Math, Physics, SAT, and ACT. Also, she was captain of the girls' golf team and the principal clarinetist of the school band.
After college, she worked on major infrastructure projects in the U.S., including the George Washington Bridge and New York subway system. She later returned to Taiwan to contribute to large-scale engineering projects such as the Dan Jiang Bridge.
Jessica is passionate about education and mentorship. With experience across both U.S. and Taiwanese systems, she guides students through academic planning, stress management, and personal growth—helping them succeed and reach their full potential with clarity and confidence.
Jessica was born in Taipei and moved to Atlanta at age 10. She later earned her degree in civil engineering from Penn State University, where she conducted research in microbial science and roadway development.
Jessica completed 11 AP courses and earned top scores on standardized tests, including a perfect score on ACT Math, showcasing her strong logical thinking and academic abilities. She has served as a volunteer tutor in math, science, and programming, and is skilled in teaching standardized tests such as AP Math, Physics, SAT, and ACT. Also, she was captain of the girls' golf team and the principal clarinetist of the school band.
After college, she worked on major infrastructure projects in the U.S., including the George Washington Bridge and New York subway system. She later returned to Taiwan to contribute to large-scale engineering projects such as the Dan Jiang Bridge.
Jessica is passionate about education and mentorship. With experience across both U.S. and Taiwanese systems, she guides students through academic planning, stress management, and personal growth—helping them succeed and reach their full potential with clarity and confidence.
Manuel Fors
| Middlebury College |
Manuel grew up in Pennsylvania and graduated from Middlebury College with a major in Computer Science. In addition to his strengths in math and programming, he has a deep interest in classical literature, history, and linguistics, and is also fluent in Chinese. In his free time, he enjoys reading and exploring language. At PANO, Manuel mainly teaches SAT, APCS, and AP Math. He has also taught SAT courses at international schools, where his students made significant progress. Passionate and professional, Manuel is a well-rounded educator who combines logical thinking with a strong humanities background.
Manuel grew up in Pennsylvania and graduated from Middlebury College with a major in Computer Science. In addition to his strengths in math and programming, he has a deep interest in classical literature, history, and linguistics, and is also fluent in Chinese. In his free time, he enjoys reading and exploring language. At PANO, Manuel mainly teaches SAT, APCS, and AP Math. He has also taught SAT courses at international schools, where his students made significant progress. Passionate and professional, Manuel is a well-rounded educator who combines logical thinking with a strong humanities background.
Jasmine Mao
| University of Virginia |
Jasmine Mao is passionate about education and community engagement. Jasmine graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in Global Development Studies and Asian American Studies. After college, Jasmine dedicated herself to promoting educational equity, social justice, and prison reform, participating in advocacy efforts through organizations such as Let’s Get Free and the Abolitionist Law Center.
Jasmine also co-leads an arts education program that supports educators in using art to explore issues of race and social justice. Jasmine believes that combining art and education can inspire people to think and live in more creative and liberating ways.
Jasmine has a strong interest in Taiwan’s culture, history, and education system. Jasmine look forward to gaining a deeper understanding of how local students learn and what they need. After joining PANO, Jasmine now works as a writing advisor and instructor, teaching SAT, AP English, and History. Jasmine is committed to helping students develop clear and logical English expression and to build confidence in test prep and academic writing.
Jasmine Mao is passionate about education and community engagement. Jasmine graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in Global Development Studies and Asian American Studies. After college, Jasmine dedicated herself to promoting educational equity, social justice, and prison reform, participating in advocacy efforts through organizations such as Let’s Get Free and the Abolitionist Law Center.
Jasmine also co-leads an arts education program that supports educators in using art to explore issues of race and social justice. Jasmine believes that combining art and education can inspire people to think and live in more creative and liberating ways.
Jasmine has a strong interest in Taiwan’s culture, history, and education system. Jasmine look forward to gaining a deeper understanding of how local students learn and what they need. After joining PANO, Jasmine now works as a writing advisor and instructor, teaching SAT, AP English, and History. Jasmine is committed to helping students develop clear and logical English expression and to build confidence in test prep and academic writing.
Noel Wang
| Carleton College |
Noel Wang grew up in Minnesota and received her bachelor’s degree in Physics, with a minor in Chinese, from Carleton College. She also has strong interests in contemporary English literature and physical earth sciences.
During her time as a student, Noel was awarded a fellowship from Carleton College to travel to Japan and serve as a foreign language teaching assistant at Technos College in Tokyo, where she received the Technos International Prize for her commitment to promoting international understanding.
She also completed several internships, including a fully-funded opportunity to study organic peach farming in California, and a National Science Foundation-funded research experience in physical oceanography. The findings from her NSF research will appear in a forthcoming co-authored paper on Arctic sea ice.
Since joining PANO, Noel has primarily taught SAT English and Math, as well as AP Math and Physics. Drawing on her strong background in physics and solid foundation in mathematics, she is passionate about helping students understand complex analytical ideas and gain confidence on exams. She hopes to inspire them with her enthusiasm for STEM as they pursue higher education and lifelong learning. In addition, Noel has gained valuable international experience through extensive travel and time spent living abroad.
Noel Wang grew up in Minnesota and received her bachelor’s degree in Physics, with a minor in Chinese, from Carleton College. She also has strong interests in contemporary English literature and physical earth sciences.
During her time as a student, Noel was awarded a fellowship from Carleton College to travel to Japan and serve as a foreign language teaching assistant at Technos College in Tokyo, where she received the Technos International Prize for her commitment to promoting international understanding.
She also completed several internships, including a fully-funded opportunity to study organic peach farming in California, and a National Science Foundation-funded research experience in physical oceanography. The findings from her NSF research will appear in a forthcoming co-authored paper on Arctic sea ice.
Since joining PANO, Noel has primarily taught SAT English and Math, as well as AP Math and Physics. Drawing on her strong background in physics and solid foundation in mathematics, she is passionate about helping students understand complex analytical ideas and gain confidence on exams. She hopes to inspire them with her enthusiasm for STEM as they pursue higher education and lifelong learning. In addition, Noel has gained valuable international experience through extensive travel and time spent living abroad.
Marianne Gutierrez
| UCLA |
Marianne grew up in Los Angeles, and graduated from UCLA with a degree in Computer Science. While at UCLA, she was an active member of the nation’s first collegiate taiko group and developed a deep interest in language, culture, and global education. Her passion for exploring the world led her to intern in Singapore and study abroad at National Taiwan University, experiences that shaped her global perspective and appreciation for diverse learning environments.
Outside of academics, Marianne enjoys traveling and learning languages, and is always eager to connect with people across cultures. At PANO, Marianne mainly teaches SAT Math and English, AP Math and CS, and is committed to helping students strengthen both their analytical and verbal reasoning skills. With a strong foundation in logic and communication, she aims to support students in building confidence, mastering the SAT and APs, and approaching challenges with curiosity and creativity.
Marianne grew up in Los Angeles, and graduated from UCLA with a degree in Computer Science. While at UCLA, she was an active member of the nation’s first collegiate taiko group and developed a deep interest in language, culture, and global education. Her passion for exploring the world led her to intern in Singapore and study abroad at National Taiwan University, experiences that shaped her global perspective and appreciation for diverse learning environments.
Outside of academics, Marianne enjoys traveling and learning languages, and is always eager to connect with people across cultures. At PANO, Marianne mainly teaches SAT Math and English, AP Math and CS, and is committed to helping students strengthen both their analytical and verbal reasoning skills. With a strong foundation in logic and communication, she aims to support students in building confidence, mastering the SAT and APs, and approaching challenges with curiosity and creativity.
Kyle Cheng
| USC |
Kyle grew up in the Los Angeles area and graduated from the University of Southern California (USC) with a major in Psychology and a minor in Consumer Behavior. Kyle’s passion for cross-cultural connection deepened through multiple study abroad programs, particularly in Taiwan, where he fell in love with the island’s vibrant culture and natural beauty. His time abroad—and broader travels throughout Asia—shaped his global perspective and cultivated a deep appreciation for diverse learning environments.
At PANO, Kyle mainly works as an essay editor, helping students improve their English writing skills and discover their personal stories and potential during the college application process. Kyle also teaches SAT and AP Psychology at PANO and is skilled at helping students prepare for standardized exams and boost their scores.
Kyle grew up in the Los Angeles area and graduated from the University of Southern California (USC) with a major in Psychology and a minor in Consumer Behavior. Kyle’s passion for cross-cultural connection deepened through multiple study abroad programs, particularly in Taiwan, where he fell in love with the island’s vibrant culture and natural beauty. His time abroad—and broader travels throughout Asia—shaped his global perspective and cultivated a deep appreciation for diverse learning environments.
At PANO, Kyle mainly works as an essay editor, helping students improve their English writing skills and discover their personal stories and potential during the college application process. Kyle also teaches SAT and AP Psychology at PANO and is skilled at helping students prepare for standardized exams and boost their scores.
Global Team
Jocelyn Chen
Columbia University
Daphne Chia
Sotheby's Institute of Art
Michael Chao
Washington University
in St. Louis
Vadim Rubin
University of Maryland
Hannah Chang
Columbia University
Carlos Schmidt-Padilla
Harvard University,
Stanford University
Karen Wu
Tufts University
Alice Ku
University of Pennsylvania
Michael Yin
Harvard University
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Ariel Zhang
Yale University
Annie Hsu
Cornell University
Asger Thieden
University of Pennsylvania
Mitchell Lui
UC Berkeley
University of Toronto
Chris Grudge
The City University of New York
Blaykyi Kenyah
Princeton University
Vernon Lin
Yale University,
University of Toronto
Monica Chao
University of California, Davis,
Columbia University
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