Overview

Angela Xu brings a deep commitment to educational innovation and reform to her role as head of school at Avenues Shenzhen. Before serving on the founding team of the Shenzhen campus, she amassed more than a decade of experience working across different education systems in the United States, including at public, private and special schools. She first joined Avenues in 2012 as a member of the founding faculty of the New York campus. Until 2018, she served as the director of the Chinese immersion program, responsible for curriculum design, teacher recruitment and training, and student assessment. In 2018, she moved with her family to China to help establish Avenues Shenzhen, serving first as the founding director of the kindergarten program and then as head of the primary division. Working together with the Avenues R&D department, she led a faculty team to design a curriculum for Avenues Shenzhen that is at once locally rooted and globally connected.

As an expert in language immersion, Angela is passionate about helping students develop cultural competencies and flexible thinking through language acquisition. As the head of Avenues Shenzhen, she is committed to supporting students to develop cultural confidence, an international perspective, and the ability to understand and solve global-scale problems. Angela’s two children are currently studying at Avenues Shenzhen.

Corey Watlington brings over 25 years of experience in teaching and educational leadership to his role as Deputy Head of School at Avenues Shenzhen. Before joining Avenues New York and Avenues Silicon Valley in 2021 as Deputy Division Head, Corey held teaching and leadership positions at prestigious international schools, including the American School of Bombay, the American International School of Dhaka, and the American School of S?o Paulo.

Corey holds a Bachelor's degree from Boston College and a Master's in Teacher Leadership from Northwestern University, with additional certifications from Harvard Graduate School of Education and Columbia University’s Teachers College.

Corey is dedicated to creating learning environments that offer students a global perspective and foster critical thinking and creativity. At Avenues, he continues to champion educational innovation and cross-cultural learning, helping students develop the skills to navigate and solve complex global challenges.

Ryan Baxter is the Director of Academic Innovation and Pedagogy at Avenues, bringing 18 years of experience in education, including eight years at Avenues—three in New York and five in Shenzhen. Throughout his career, Ryan has taught grades K-8 and held key leadership roles, including Head of Mathematics, Technology Integrator, and Instructional Coach. Known affectionately as “Mr. B” to his students, Ryan is a firm believer in the transformative power of exploration, expression, and problem-solving. He understands that these experiences not only build perseverance but also nurture the qualities necessary for students to become empathetic, globally-minded citizens.

In his current role, Ryan is dedicated to fostering a collaborative and innovative learning environment. He focuses on empowering both students and educators to engage with meaningful, real-world challenges, ensuring that learning extends beyond the classroom and prepares students to thrive in an interconnected world.

Bing Han is a dedicated and experienced international school leader, educator, and coach, bringing a wealth of expertise in athletic programming and student development. He joined Avenues Shenzhen in 2023, bringing with him a strong background in sports leadership, school administration, and coaching at international schools. With a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and a Bachelor of Education, Bing combines analytical thinking with a deep passion for holistic student development. 

Throughout his career, Bing has been instrumental in shaping athletic programs that emphasize not only physical excellence but also character building, teamwork, and personal growth. He is the founder of the Canadian International Schools Sports Association and has played a key role in fostering athletic excellence and sportsmanship in international education. Additionally, he served as chairman of the Pearl River Conference for five years, where he championed interscholastic athletic development and collaboration among schools in the region. 

At Avenues Shenzhen, Bing is committed to cultivating a dynamic and inclusive athletics program that encourages students to challenge themselves, build resilience, and develop lifelong healthy habits. He believes in the power of sports to instill discipline, leadership, and a strong sense of community. As the WAM (Wellness and Movement) Coordinator, he works closely with students, faculty, and families to integrate wellness, physical education, and competitive sports into a comprehensive program that supports students' overall well-being. 

With a vision of inspiring students to reach their fullest potential—both on and off the field—Bing is dedicated to fostering an environment where athletic participation is not just about competition but also about personal growth, collaboration, and the pursuit of excellence. 

Shanshan first joined Avenues in 2013 as a senior consultant with Avenues’ long-term partner, Webster Pacific. In 2016, she took on the full-time role of strategy manager on the campus strategy and development team at Avenues’ headquarters in New York. She subsequently served as China financial and operations manager, China campus development manager and played a critical role in the development and launch of Avenues Shenzhen in 2018. Having been with the organization for more than a decade, Shanshan brings a deep understanding of Avenues to her role as director of operations and administration at Avenues Shenzhen from 2022.

Shanshan graduated from the Renmin University of China Business School and also earned a master’s degree in engineering and operations research from the University of California, Berkeley.

Freya joined Avenues in March 2019 as director of people and culture for Avenues Shenzhen. Previously, Freya spent more than 10 years working in human resources for multinational companies, non-profit organizations and start-ups in China. Most recently, she served as senior HR business partner at Amazon China, supporting a team of more than 500 employees. Before that, Freya was the HR director of education non-profit Teach For China. Passionate about education and personal development, Freya is certified as a trainer in the The 5 Choices to Extraordinary Productivity course, among others. She holds an M.A. in human resources management from Peking University.