JENG ACADEMIC CENTER, INC.
​嘉科教育中心

     Dr. De-Yin Jeng is the founder of Jeng Academic Center, Inc. He graduated from National Cheng-Kung University in Taiwan with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in material science and metallurgical engineering, came to the US in 1986 as a student, and received his Ph.D. in ceramic engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla ( now Missouri University of Science and Technology) in 1991. From 1991 to 1993 he taught in the Material Science Department at UCLA as a visiting assistant professor, and later spent eleven years in industry ( YTC America, Inc.) as a research scientist developing various ceramic CO2, O2, CO gas sensors. In 2004 he began his life-long dream of learning and teaching English at Jeng Academic Center, where he has been teaching all math subjects for primary and secondary schools, AP Chemistry, AP Calculus, various English reading and writing classes, and particularly the highly acclaimed SAT/ACT workshop.

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     Dr. Jeng’s teaching philosophy is based on the understanding that intelligence, or academic excellence, alone is not sufficient in satisfying the intellectual, mental, and spiritual needs of young minds. Young students are endowed with latent intellectual and spiritual needs yearning to be guided and helped, usually first through academic achievement, followed by a healthy growth and fostering of their active minds. Young students are naturally thirsty for meaning and value in life, and academic excellence is only the first step in directing their minds. For this reason intelligence is seen as the primary means with which clear, critical thinking skills can be acquired. Armed with high intelligence, young students will be better able to make the best judgment for their lives. The three teaching goals highlighted by Dr. Jeng are a habit of “clear thinking, orderly mind, and deep understanding” of all subjects studied. These three traits pave the way to further development of intelligence, cultivation of virtues, and attainment of wisdom, which is considered as the source of happiness and meaning in life. When all teaching and learning is properly done and achieved between a student and a teacher, both the student and the teacher feel a profound sense of joy, pleasure, and fulfillment.

     Chandra Herrera has over a decade of teaching experience at several southern California private schools.  Having taught the gamut from fourth to twelfth grade, she brings a wealth of English language experience.  She holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary education with a primary emphasis in English and a minor in Spanish.  

     Justin Tseng studied Physics and Material Science Engineering at the University of California, Irvine, graduating in 2011. Ever since high school, he has worked both privately and as a part of student groups as a tutor. He has also taught as a substitute teacher for Agoura High School’s AP Computer Science class, and has been teaching SAT, math, and science at Jeng Academic Center since 2012.

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Candace Rothstein has been a teacher at Jeng Academic Center, Inc. for six years. After growing up in Southern California with a love for English and Literature, she graduated from Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina with her bachelor’s degree in English with a special focus on Linguistics. She recently graduated with her Masters of Arts in Teaching from George Fox University in Portland, Oregon. She has been an educator for the past eight years, and is currently teaching at Jeng Academic Center in Thousand Oaks, California. Ms. Rothstein also has a passion for writing and is a freelance writer in her spare time.

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Ms. Rothstein's philosophy of education is simple, yet effective, and aligns with that of Dr. De Yin Jeng. She believes that students need first to learn how to think before they can learn what to think. Because of this, Ms. Rothstein has spent the last several years focusing her teaching on the art of Critical Thinking and Philosophy. She believes that learning these critical skills helps students to become not only better students but also better human beings. 

Nathaniel Sims is an American who was raised in Chengdu, China. He attended public school in Chengdu before moving to America for university. He has bachelor’s degrees in Linguistics and East Asian Languages and Cultures from Indiana University and a master’s in Linguistics from University of California Santa Barbara. He is currently a PhD candidate in the Department of Linguistics at the University of California, Santa Barbara. 

His academic research focuses on historical linguistics and etymology, and has expertise in academic writing and argumentation. He also works to document and describe endangered languages of Southeast Asia and has worked for National Geographic, and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. In his spare time, he enjoys playing basketball and learning to cook new foods.

Hi everyone! My name is Jessica Shin and I am a recent chemistry graduate of California Lutheran University. The main courses I teach here at JAC is AP/Honors Chemistry, AP/H Biology, college level general/organic chemistry, and elementary English. I look forward to working with you all!

Jonathan Sims is a strong facilitator of the American-style education philosophy and system. He obtained his B.S. in Biology from Calvin College and his B.A in Chinese Language and Culture from the same institution. He has worked at the University of Michigan conducting research in muscular dystrophy. His experience in molecular biology research and positions as a laboratory teacher assistant at Calvin College bodes well for his translational ability for teaching. He lives in 北京 and works as a high school STEM teacher. He is an effective communicator with the power to inspire his team, fellow teachers, and students. His experience as a graduate from 成都国际学校 in Sichuan also provides him with an in-depth, nuanced understanding of the current state of international education in China.

Hello! My name is Ms. Amber Nicholson and I currently reside in the beautiful state of Virginia. I am passionate about the English language and have taught high school Language Arts for fourteen years! I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in English with a minor in History, and currently teach at a private school here in Virginia. 

    I currently teach English classes ranging from Ninth Grade to Twelfth Grade as well as an AP English course to high school seniors. I also teach a Beginner’s Speech class and enjoy coaching and encouraging my students to strengthen their public speaking skills! I am involved with coaching students in many different genres for state competitions such as creative writing, speech competitions, and other writing contests and programs in the state of Virginia.

    My experience in teaching has led me encounter many different learning styles and even some learning challenges and disabilities. My goal is to ensure every one of my students feels confident and equipped to be successful in any subject, especially English!

    I began teaching with JAC’s online program in 2018 and love the fact that I can connect with students on yet another platform other than the traditional classroom! I love the connections that I have been able to make with my students and see the success that they have been able to achieve through this program. I am grateful for the unique opportunity that teaching with JAC has presented!