About
MN Zej Zog

Executive Director of MN Zej Zog

A visionary leader and accomplished educator, Pang Yang brings 26 years of K-Higher Education classroom experience to her role as Executive Director of MN Zej Zog. This multilingual veteran teacher and mother of seven is a champion of student-centered learning, specializing in empowering English and Hmong Heritage Language Learners. Yang's groundbreaking work fosters civic engagement, enabling students and communities to flourish by applying language in real-world contexts. Her profound impact has been recognized with prestigious accolades, including the 2019 MN Teacher of the Year and a 2022 Bush Fellowship, solidifying her status as a trailblazer in language education.

Associate Professor, Department of Family Social Science, University of Minnesota

Dr. Zha Blong Xiong serves as a leading researcher and evaluator, drawing on more than 27 years of extensive work with Hmong and other Southeast Asian populations in Minnesota. His influential research delves into critical areas such as the acculturation gap's effect on Hmong children's problem behaviors and early marriage. Dr. Xiong's recent focus on Hmong-centric charter schools highlights their impact on language preservation and academic adjustment. Beyond his frequently cited academic contributions, Dr. Xiong is a respected elder within the Hmong community, actively shaping policy and practice through his service on boards for organizations like Hmong American Partnership, Prairie Seeds Academy, and the Hmong 18 Council.

Director, Hmong Program, University of Minnesota

Bee Vang-Moua serves as the Director of the Hmong Program at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, a role she has masterfully held for over ten years, building on more than 15 years of teaching excellence. Her leadership is defined by innovation, from authoring Hmong language textbooks and developing K-College training materials to spearheading unique study abroad initiatives in Asia. A recognized expert in inclusive language education, Vang-Moua has meticulously researched and developed a curriculum that respectfully integrates various Hmong dialects. Her extensive work extends to empowering educators through training on pedagogical best practices, bilingual curriculum design, and language reclamation efforts, making her a formidable force in the global preservation and promotion of the Hmong language.

Founding Director, Center for Hmong and East Asian Studies, Concordia University, St. Paul

A dedicated leader with a profound commitment to public service and community advancement, Lee Pao Xiong is the Founding Director of the Center for Hmong and East Asian Studies at Concordia University, St. Paul, and an Assistant Professor specializing in American Government/Political Science and Hmong Studies. The Center, which he established in 2004, is a testament to his dedication to promoting Hmong heritage. Xiong's current leadership roles include Chair of the Hmong United Martial Arts Society and Co-chair of the Hmong Committee of 100, in addition to his board service with the Ramsey County Historical Society. His impactful prior career encompassed executive directorships at organizations like Hmong American Partnership and The Urban Coalition, alongside high-level governmental positions, including an appointment by President Bill Clinton and service with U.S. Senator Carl Levin and Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura.

District Teacher, Saint Paul Public Schools

See Pha Vang is a trailblazing District Teacher on Special Assignment, overseeing and managing the PreK-12 Hmong Dual Language Program for over nine years in Saint Paul Public Schools. With over three decades of teaching experience, she holds the distinction of being the first Hmong educator in the nation to help establish dual immersion schools for Hmong students. Vang has meticulously developed a rigorous PreK-12 Hmong curriculum and pathway, encompassing language reclamation, cultural preservation, and the creation of Hmong language standards, biliteracy units, and assessments. Her profound impact extends nationally, as she annually provides professional development to over forty educators and fosters vital partnerships with Hmong Dual Language programs across the United States.

District Program Facilitator, Minneapolis Public Schools

Sue Vang is a transformative District Program Facilitator, leading the K-12 Hmong program for Minneapolis Public Schools with over 25 years of dedicated experience empowering Hmong students, families, and communities. A visionary educator, she has been instrumental in building a comprehensive Hmong K-12 pathway program, developing foundational language and literacy frameworks, creating essential assessment tools, and fostering impactful community partnerships. Vang's deep expertise extends to national Hmong language and cultural standards work, cross-state curriculum collaborations, and the development of Hmong literacy progression and oral language strategies, solidifying her as a driving force in Hmong bilingual education.

Independent Consultant

As an independent consultant focused on personal growth, development, and conflict resolution, Linda Cha leverages 25 years of dedicated experience connecting institutions and leaders with Minnesota's underserved communities. Her distinguished career includes significant operational and senior leadership roles in mortgage lending, where she honed expertise in team-building and collaborative problem-solving. This strategic blend of corporate insight and extensive programming leadership uniquely positions Cha to design and implement highly effective Hmong language programs, forging vital connections within culturally specific organizations and communities.

Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Dr. Jenna Cushing-Leubner is a leading force in World Languages Education, serving as an Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. There, she not only coordinates vital licensure and Heritage Language Education programs but also champions a transformative approach to language learning. For the past nine years, she has empowered educators to forge high school Spanish and Hmong heritage language programs and ESL classes that fiercely prioritize community knowledge, identity, social justice, and youth-led research, reshaping the very landscape of language education.