David Anze Zhang
"Education for everyone, irrespective of background." - Confucius
My Story
Science has always been more than a subject to me. It's a way to connect with the world and inspire curiosity in others. My journey in science education began with my own passion for understanding the natural world, which I now share with my students every day.
I earned my Bachelor of Science in Biology from University of Michigan in 2023, and continued by pursuing a Master of Arts in Education at Marsal Family School of Education. During my undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of Michigan, I taught college-level introductory biology courses (BIOLOGY 171, BIOLOGY 173) as both an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant and later as a Graduate Student Instructor.
After earning my bachelor's degree, I began working with secondary school students as a substitute teacher at Ann Arbor Public Schools (AAPS), where I confirmed my passion for teaching biological sciences at the secondary level. That same year, I started my full time student teaching as an intern teacher at Washtenaw International High School in Ypsilanti, MI, teaching International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) Biology.
My teaching journey has been shaped by my belief that science education should be accessible to everyone. As ancient philosopher Confucius said, "you jiao wu lei", or education regardless of kind. Whether working with high school students navigating the rigorous IB curriculum or guiding university students through foundational biology, I focus on creating engaging, inclusive learning environments that empower students to explore, question, and connect with the natural world.
In addition to teaching, I enjoy developing innovative lesson plans, collaborating with colleagues in other science displines to implement best practices, and continuously refining my approach to education. My mission is to inspire curiosity and motivation for science in every student I teach.
Credentials & Resume
Education
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Marsal Family School of Education, University of Michigan
M.A. Educational Studies with Secondary Certification (Aug 2025)
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University of Michigan
B.S. Biology (Dec 2023)
Certifications
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Michigan Standard Teaching Certificate [Biology] 6-12 (DA)
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IB Certificate in Teaching and Learning (DP)
Major Teaching Experiences
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Department of Biology, LSA, University of Michigan
Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) & Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (UTA) (Sep 2023 - Apr 2025)
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Ann Arbor Public Schools (AAPS)
Volunteer Classroom Assistant (Jan 2022 - Jun 2022)
Substitute Teacher (Jan 2024 - Apr 2024)
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Washtenaw International High School
IB DP Biology Intern Teacher (Sep 2024 - Jun 2025)​​
CV:
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