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Our Team
Who We Are
Isabelle Ren
Founder & Director
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Mom of four children, age 5, 8, 11, and 14 year-old. She has passion for early childhood education, training and experiences for the last 14 years. She loved engaging with families and building trusting and multicultural community. Her career began at the Ash Center in Harvard Kennedy School, but soon, the call of motherhood beckoned her. The powerful desire to be close to her child while simultaneously pursuing her career ambitions was irresistible. This longing eventually paved the path for her to establish Wonderwhiz Academy. Today, the academy stands on the cusp of its 5th-year anniversary as a beloved family childcare institution, with the exciting prospect of opening a new location in the upcoming months. The journey has been exhilarating for her. The gleam of realization in a child’s eyes, the exuberance when they conquer a new challenge, these moments drive her mission. Her vision is clear: to nurture a rich, intellectually stimulating environment that fosters creativity, confidence, and a sense of global community. The academy celebrates diverse cultures and encourages dialogues, forging friendships that transcend borders, thereby instilling trust and resilience in young hearts. Additionally, the focus extends to the educators at Wonderwhiz Academy. She empowers them to realize their monumental role - they shape the very foundation of a child's curiosity and trust in the world.
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Sarah Hicks
Teaching Assistant Director
Sarah Hicks joined Wonderwhiz Academy in 2024, bringing over 12 years of experience in early childhood education. She holds Lead Teacher certifications for Infants, Toddlers, and Preschool, a Director II certification , and has completed specialized Montessori training for children birth to three years old. Sarah earned her bachelor’s degree in Early Education from Eastern Nazarene College. Sarah’s passion for fostering growth in both children and teachers shines through every day. She builds strong partnerships with families and creates a nurturing, communication-rich environment.
Co-Founder/ Executive Leader
Herman Versteeg is the Co-Founder and Executive Leader of Wonderwhiz Academy, a thriving bilingual (Chinese-English) early learning center in Wayland, Massachusetts. With over 20 years of leadership experience in engineering, education, and business development, Herman helped build Wonderwhiz Academy into a vibrant, multicultural community that fosters creativity, language development, and academic readiness. His vision and dedication have shaped a nurturing environment where children grow into confident, resourceful, and globally-minded learners.
Nayelli Ramos
Certified Teacher
Spanish and English Fluent. Extensive experience in caregiving with previous job in ER and Hospice Care. She fell in love with Early Education and is loved by all children. In the nurturing haven of our center, one person stands as a beacon of warmth, care, and boundless joy - Nayelli. She brings an inspiring blend of experience and passion, making her an indispensable cornerstone in our community. Every day, she steps into our center with a beaming smile and an energy that uplifts everyone around her. Nayelli embarked on her career with intensive caretaking roles, enriching the lives of the elderly in hospice and nursing homes for two years. Her compassion and expertise further extended to the Emergency Room at a hospital where she worked as a Certified Nurse Assistant, honing her skills in providing critical care. The administrative world too saw the blossoming of Nayelli's exceptional customer service talents as she greeted and assisted patients at a dentist office's front desk with her inherent warmth and professionalism. As she pursues her lead teacher certification through early childhood education classes, Nayelli is gearing up to make an even more profound impact in the field of child care. This comes as no surprise to those who have witnessed her love for children that started blossoming since her teenage years. What truly sets Nayelli apart is her deep connection with the children and the joy she derives from their growth and happiness. She once shared, "it makes me so happy when I see the little ones smiling, especially when I read them a book and notice that a one-year-old remembers it the next time we read it. It gives me a great sense of contentment to see the positive and lasting impact I am making in their lives." This genuine affection and commitment to fostering learning and happiness in children are palpable in every interaction she has with them. Nayelli has a unique ability to forge a bond with each child, encouraging them to flourish and thrive in a nurturing environment. We are incredibly fortunate to have Nayelli with us, a radiant spirit who brings love, care, and a nurturing touch to our center. Her presence here is more than a role - it is a gift, a dedication to fostering a space where children can grow with love and joy. Join us in welcoming Nayelli - a remarkable individual who embodies love, joy, and the genuine delight in witnessing the happy, learning strides of the wonderful children she cares for at our center.
Nayelli Ramos
Certified Teacher
Spanish and English Fluent. Extensive experience in caregiving with previous job in ER and Hospice Care. She fell in love with Early Education and is loved by all children. In the nurturing haven of our center, one person stands as a beacon of warmth, care, and boundless joy - Nayelli. She brings an inspiring blend of experience and passion, making her an indispensable cornerstone in our community. Every day, she steps into our center with a beaming smile and an energy that uplifts everyone around her. Nayelli embarked on her career with intensive caretaking roles, enriching the lives of the elderly in hospice and nursing homes for two years. Her compassion and expertise further extended to the Emergency Room at a hospital where she worked as a Certified Nurse Assistant, honing her skills in providing critical care. The administrative world too saw the blossoming of Nayelli's exceptional customer service talents as she greeted and assisted patients at a dentist office's front desk with her inherent warmth and professionalism. As she pursues her lead teacher certification through early childhood education classes, Nayelli is gearing up to make an even more profound impact in the field of child care. This comes as no surprise to those who have witnessed her love for children that started blossoming since her teenage years. What truly sets Nayelli apart is her deep connection with the children and the joy she derives from their growth and happiness. She once shared, "it makes me so happy when I see the little ones smiling, especially when I read them a book and notice that a one-year-old remembers it the next time we read it. It gives me a great sense of contentment to see the positive and lasting impact I am making in their lives." This genuine affection and commitment to fostering learning and happiness in children are palpable in every interaction she has with them. Nayelli has a unique ability to forge a bond with each child, encouraging them to flourish and thrive in a nurturing environment. We are incredibly fortunate to have Nayelli with us, a radiant spirit who brings love, care, and a nurturing touch to our center. Her presence here is more than a role - it is a gift, a dedication to fostering a space where children can grow with love and joy. Join us in welcoming Nayelli - a remarkable individual who embodies love, joy, and the genuine delight in witnessing the happy, learning strides of the wonderful children she cares for at our center.
Shucheng Song
Chinese Program Lead
& Executive Assistant
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Shucheng holds a Master’s degree in Education from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She is deeply passionate about early childhood education, specializing in child development, bilingual education (Mandarin and English), and educational psychology. With over two years of experience teaching young children and more than three years of administrative experience, Shucheng has helped build and manage a childcare program serving over 100 employees. Her background uniquely combines classroom expertise with strong program development skills. Playful, lively, and warm, Shucheng excels at connecting with children and families. She is highly observant and nurturing, naturally bridging the communication between home and school to support each child’s growth and success.
Haoting Zhou
Teacher/Business Analyst
Haoting Zhou is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in Data Analytics at McDaniel College, with expected graduation in July 2025. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he also gained valuable leadership experience as a student supervisor. Professionally, Haoting worked at Deutsche Bank as a COO KYC analyst, focusing on client communication, regulatory compliance, and risk analysis. Gentle, friendly, and highly trustworthy, Haoting has a natural gift for connecting with young children. His calm, soft-spoken manner creates a nurturing environment where children feel heard, respected, and valued. He is widely recognized by both colleagues and parents for his heartwarming rapport with children and serves as a positive male role model in the classroom. Bilingual in Mandarin and English, Haoting also supports the administrative team by conducting market research and data analysis, helping the program grow and adapt to community needs. His dedication, kindness, and professionalism make him a valued member of our team.
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Hongxuan Li
Teacher/ Chinese Program
Hongxuan holds a Master of Science from the Academy of Science in China and worked as an engineer for many years. After moving to the United States, she transitioned to teaching and has been instructing Chinese at Chinese schools as well as engineering at STEM academy in Newton. As a mother of two, she is deeply passionate about children and education. Her gentle and loving nature makes her a wonderful addition to our Wonderwhiz community.
Alyssa Costa
Infant/Toddler Teacher
Alyssa Costa joined us in the summer of 2024 after graduating from high school. She has always been certain that her passion is to become a teacher for young children. Alyssa quickly fell in love with our program and has been successfully completing college-level coursework in child development. She is eager to learn and grow in her role. Her bright smile and positive energy have brought so much joy to our infant classroom. We are truly blessed to have such a young, passionate, and energetic teacher on our team!
