Maximilian M. Li
A dedicated and forward-thinking educator with a passion for integrating technology and design cycle to enrich learning and foster a global perspective in the classroom. My experience is rooted in creating dynamic, student-centered environments where curiosity is sparked and practical skills are developed. I specialize in empowering students to become creative problem-solvers and compassionate global citizens.
My approach is shaped by a world-class education from leading institutions, providing me with a strong foundation in pedagogical best practices and innovative teaching methodologies. I am committed to leveraging this background to cultivate a truly exceptional and modern learning experience for every student.
Innovative Educator.
Data-Informed Leader.
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Teaching Philosophy
My journey back into education was not a career change, but a career convergence. My background in business leadership, software engineering, and product management provided me with a rigorous foundation in analytical thinking, systems-level problem-solving, and data-driven strategy. I believe the challenges facing modern schools require leaders who can bridge the gap between instructional vision and measurable outcomes.
This unique confluence of experience shapes my dual identity as an educator and a leader.
The Data-Driven Leader
Excellence is not an accident; it is the result of intentional design. As an educator, I bring a systems-thinking approach, using data not as a final grade but as a starting point for meaningful conversation and action.
This means moving beyond anecdotal feedback to quantitatively analyze curriculum effectiveness, ensuring our academic programs are not just trusted, but proven. It means transforming performance metrics from abstract numbers into a clear roadmap for student support, allowing us to design the targeted, personalized interventions that empower every learner to meet their potential. And it means viewing the entire school as a dynamic ecosystem—from admissions to alumni engagement—to build the sustainable, evidence-based strategies that drive long-term institutional health and success.
The Innovative Educator
This analytical rigor is not reserved for the administrator's office; it is the very engine of my creativity in the classroom. I treat my classroom as a pedagogical design lab—a space to hypothesize, test, and iterate on teaching methods to discover what truly ignites student curiosity and builds lasting understanding.
The Mental Math App project is a clear case study of this process. The initial data was simple: My 4th grade students required more engaging, low-stakes math practice in preparation for their NWEA testing. My strategy was a hypothesis: if students are empowered to build their own learning tool via Google's Blockly visual coding platform, their motivation and comprehension will increase. The outcome was definitive: a measurable leap in computational fluency compared to their peers.
125% Improvement in NWEA Math Scores
compared to their grade-level peers
This is my core philosophy: to use a structured, analytical framework to build a creative, dynamic, and profoundly effective learning environment. My goal is to leverage this unique synthesis of skills to serve a school community not just as an educator who understands the art of teaching, but as a leader who understands the science of improvement.
Teaching Practice
How does a data-driven philosophy create a vibrant classroom? This section provides the answer. Below are three distinct examples of curriculum design (both Common Core and IB) that showcase my commitment to creating innovative, rigorous, and deeply engaging learning experiences for every student.
📖 Common Core (3rd Grade)
🌐 IB PYP Unit of Inquiry (Ages 8-9)
[CAPSTONE PROJECT] MARKET DAY INNOVATORS
A multi-week, project-based learning (PBL) unit where students ideate, design, market, and sell a simple product or service to the school community. The unit culminates in a real "Market Day" event, with all profits donated to a charity chosen by the class.
