Yulan Ding

Ms. Yulan Ding brings a rich and diverse background in engineering and education to her role as a Mandarin teacher at REACH Leadership STEAM Academy. She holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from Chengdu University of Science and Technology (now part of Sichuan University) in China. Early in her career, she rose through the ranks at Nanjiang Thermal Power Plant in Sichuan, ultimately serving as Electrical Engineering Director. After a decade in the power industry, Ms. Ding transitioned into higher education, teaching senior students at Chongqing University of Architecture and Technology. During that time, she also broadened her expertise by studying electronic engineering and computer science from her colleagues—balancing the dual roles of educator and lifelong learner. In the early 1990s, Ms. Ding immigrated to the United States and continued her academic journey at Texas A&M University, shifting her focus to electronics. She went on to work in the semiconductor and LCD display industries for over 20 years, advancing from engineer to senior process engineer and leading international projects in the UK, Poland, Ireland, Malaysia, Taiwan, China, and Mexico. Since 2018, Ms. Ding has brought her global perspective and passion for education to REACH Leadership STEAM Academy as a Mandarin teacher. She also teaches at Inland Empire Chinese School on Saturdays. A firm believer in the limitless potential of her students, she often reminds them: “You are the future international experts. You will go farther than your parents, farther than your teachers—including me.”