Retired Faculty & Staff

Pu-Mei Leng is retiring after a decade of bringing the beauty of Mandarin Chinese and Chinese culture to life at McDonogh. Since joining our community in 2016 from Hong Kong International School, Ms. Leng has been a tireless champion for language learning and cultural understanding.

She never planned to be a teacher. In fact, she was a journalist and editor in Taiwan. But after substituting in a Chinese language class, everything changed, and for more than 40 years, she has taught on both the high school and college levels.

When she arrived at McDonogh 10 years ago, Ms. Leng introduced methodologies that made learning Chinese engaging, accessible, and joyful for students at every level. Her love of storytelling infuses her student-centered approach. She can often be seen standing in the middle of a semi-circle of students, holding their attention in a question-and-answer discussion without any English spoken or heard.

As faculty advisor of the Chinese Culture Club, she extended learning beyond the classroom and led multiple student trips to New York's Chinatown to immerse them in the language and culture firsthand.

But what makes her truly remarkable is her boundless energy, unwavering positivity, and ceaseless care for her students. She approaches every single class with fresh enthusiasm and meticulous care.

Pu-Mei, we hope that in your retirement, you find peace and joy in your garden and beyond. Be assured that your legacy of passionate teaching, cultural bridge-building, and generous spirit will continue to flourish at McDonogh for years to come.