Wayne Zhang

Political Science Major and Branford Alum (‘18) Wayne Zhang is next up on our Scholar Alumni Homecoming series! Wayne is originally from South Bend, Indiana and finds himself there currently. After graduation, Wayne spent a year teaching abroad through Fulbright in France as an English Teaching Assistant, which he recalls being an “amazing, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” that he’ll never forget. After that year, Wayne moved to Changsha, China to become an English Teaching Fellow for the Yale-China Association. Being able to teach students who looked like him and also reconnect with his own culture was very meaningful to Wayne.
 
Through his time as a scholar and his post-grad educational experiences, he learned a lot about his own positionality as a teacher of color and his interests in language teaching and cultural exchange. This, and all the educators in different sectors responding to the protests for racial justice, constantly motivate and inspire his passions in education. When the pandemic hit, Wayne was forced to come back to the US from his fellowship. He was lucky to find a job working in data, policy, and engagement at a nonprofit called the Chicago Public Education Fund, where he currently works today along with occasionally teaching his students in China asynchronously. On top of this, Wayne has been applying to alternative certifications programs and masters programs in hopes of returning to the classroom as soon as he can! 
 
Back when Wayne was a scholar studying education at Yale, he was able to create a solid foundation of education policy issues that he now works with on a day-to-day basis. Outside of classes, Wayne most appreciated all the time spent with the EDST community. Whether that was through presentations, seminars, or other informal get-togethers, the EDST community was “truly the greatest group of people” he knew. Wayne encourages current scholars and students interested in becoming a licensed teacher to seriously spend time considering your major, especially if you are attempting to teach certain school subjects that may not align with Yale majors (political science, sociology, anthropology). Best of luck in all your future endeavors, Wayne, and we appreciate your contributions and dedication to the EDST community!