We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Angel Li a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Angel, appreciate you joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
When I started a family, I wanted my children to be able to share in my culture by learning Chinese. I vividly remember the frustration I felt as I searched for a Chinese class that could truly engage children. Most programs were rigid and uninviting, leaving kids bored and uninterested. It was disheartening, but rather than giving up, I felt a spark of determination. If the kind of class I wanted didn’t exist, then I would create it myself.
With my daughter as my first student, I began experimenting with a curriculum based on immersion, meaning the entire class would be taught in Chinese. I spent countless hours researching and experimenting with different teaching methods, always keeping the children’s engagement at the forefront. After about a year, I had a curriculum that I was proud of, and I started teaching classes right out of my living room.
The response was incredible. It soon became clear that my method not only allowed children to learn but made them really enjoy the experience. To get the word out, I printed hundreds of flyers and drove around Chicago with my husband, Adam Gotskind, putting them up to spread the word about my Chinese classes.
As demand grew, I realized I couldn’t do it all alone. I started bringing in other teachers and trained them in my unique, child-friendly curriculum. This allowed me to reach even more children and expand our offerings. Within a year, our classes had spread from my living room to more than 20 schools, and we were teaching not only Chinese but also Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, Hindi, Urdu, and Arabic.
Then, something unexpected happened. Schools began asking if I could help them find music instructors too. This sparked a new idea. I realized I could adapt the foundations of my language curriculum to other subject areas as well. Instead of just finding teachers, I developed a comprehensive music curriculum and trained talented music teachers to deliver engaging classes. From there, it was a natural progression to add art, technology, and physical education programs.
As the company grew, I found myself teaching less and managing more. Initially, this transition was bittersweet because I loved being in the classroom and seeing the children’s progress firsthand. However, I quickly realized that stepping back from teaching allowed me to focus on the bigger picture and ensure the quality and expansion of our programs.
Over the past decade, RISE has expanded into a one-stop source for core curriculum, world languages, art, music, physical education, and technology that prioritizes helping children learn in a fun and engaging environment.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I was born and raised in Taiwan, and in 1992, I made the decision to immigrate to the U.S. to pursue my master’s degree at Syracuse University. This journey marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life, filled with excitement, challenges, and the promise of new opportunities.
My path into the education industry began with a personal mission to share my culture and teach my children Chinese. This led to the creation of RISE Education, where we offer a wide range of educational programs designed to make learning engaging and effective for children.
At RISE Education, we provide comprehensive programs in core curriculum subjects, world languages, art, music, physical education, and technology. Our approach is immersive and hands-on, ensuring that children not only learn but also enjoy the process.
I am most proud of the positive impact RISE Education has had on thousands of children across the country. Seeing our students thrive and develop a love for learning is incredibly rewarding, and it drives my passion for education every day. When a child walks into our classroom with a spark of curiosity and leaves with newfound knowledge and excitement, it reaffirms the purpose of RISE Education.
Any advice for managing a team?
Managing a team and maintaining high morale are crucial aspects of running a successful organization, and at RISE Education, we approach this with a strong focus on inclusivity and support. One of our key strategies is fostering a sense of community through traditions like our annual Thanksgiving party. This event brings together our staff and their families to celebrate and express gratitude, reinforcing the unity and belonging that define our workplace culture.
We also focus on hiring individuals with a genuine passion for their fields, even if they don’t have traditional teaching certificates. Our comprehensive training programs help turn this passion into effective teaching skills, enabling us to offer engaging and authentic classes. For example, our language classes are taught by native speakers, our music classes are led by experienced musicians, and our art classes by practicing artists. This approach not only enhances the quality of education we provide but also supports our teachers in gaining valuable experience and professional growth.
Creating a supportive work environment is integral to our success. We invest in our team’s development through mentorship, workshops, and ongoing skill-building initiatives. This commitment helps our staff realize their full potential and ensures they feel valued and respected.
A great example of this is Zhaybel Cárdenas, who shared her journey in the Washington Business Journal. She recounted her initial struggles finding work in the US due to her accent and how working for RISE, formerly Little Linguists Arts Academy, not only opened doors for her but helped her overcome prejudice. She explains, “I got my first professional job as an instructor for children at Little Linguists Arts Academy. To be hired, I was requested to submit a video of myself that showed my ability to engage people of any age just by singing and playing with my facial expressions. I had so much fun making it! I enjoyed teaching my smart little ones. My accent was then a credential, a highly appreciated feature.”
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
A few years ago, I joined the Women Presidents Organization (WPO), and it has been a transformative experience. Through WPO, I’ve connected with hundreds of founders and CEOs, exchanging ideas and strategies that have profoundly impacted my approach to business.
We hold monthly meetings where we come together to present business challenges, and brainstorm solutions in an energizing environment. These sessions are professionally facilitated, providing a non-competitive space to discuss everything from financial concerns to organizational development. It’s incredible how quickly members offer valuable perspectives and support to help each other grow and achieve breakthroughs.
For example, a few years ago, I decided to rebrand. My company was perviously called ‘Little Linguists Academy’ but since expanding to subjects beyond world languages I decided to change the name to RISE Education. The rebranding process involved developing a new logo and website, and I chose to work with a design firm run by one of my WPO sisters. It was rewarding to support her business while receiving the expertise I needed to advance my own.
Recently, I attended the Entrepreneur Excellence Forum, which was a remarkable opportunity for networking and learning. A standout moment was hearing Jim Collins, the renowned author and speaker, discuss what makes great companies thrive. His insights on the Flywheel effect and THE MAP were particularly enlightening. Collins emphasized that consistent, incremental efforts lead to monumental success over time. His strategies on perseverance and strategic momentum have been inspiring, and I’ve been integrating these concepts into the growth strategy for RISE Education.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://riseeducation.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riseeducationusa/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RISEeducationUSA
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/riseeducation/
Image Credits
Angel Li