Allen Opperud
Allan comes from Minnesota in the United States. He graduated from the University of Minnesota, where he majored in biochemistry technology.
In 1980, he earned a degree of Interpersonal Relations. He was an interpersonal relation professor for 17 years. He has traveled throughout China since 1999, and in 2005, he and his wife Debbie became teachers at New Day.

Allan is a teacher who has knowledge and experience. He has two certifications in English as a Second Language, one being business certification.

Brad and Marnie Reeder
Brad and Marnie Reeder have been teaching English as a Second Language in Omaha, Nebraska. Marnie taught for a public high school, a community college and Bellevue University for many years. She is a native of Omaha, Nebraska, and earned a Masters degree from the University of Nebraska in Omaha. Marnie enjoys reading and exploring new places. After teaching English in China for 4 years, Brad taught English at Metropolitan Community College and Creighton University for 2 years. He is a native of Ohio and completed his Masters degree in NY. Brad enjoys cooking, reading and exploring places of interest.

Chandi Lungu
Chandi came to China, from Zambia in August of 2006. She has master’s degree in public administration from the University of the Western Cape. She spent a year studying Chinese in the Beijing Language University and volunteered with WHO in Beijing before moving to New Day. She believes that working at New Day has been one of the most rewarding experiences of her life. She has met students from all over China and says teaching them has been both enjoyable and enlightening.

Chandi enjoys traveling, reading, listening to music and playing badminton.

Deb Opperud
Debbie was born in Sascatchewan, Canada. She grew up in Minnesota, USA. She graduated from the Minnesota State University, where she majored in early childhood education. After graduating, she taught in a community school for twenty years.

In 2005, Debbie and her husband Allen began working as teachers in New Day. They have four children living in the States.

Dawn Heckman

Dawn Heckman is from Decatur, IN. She graduated from Bethel College in 2009 with a degree in Psychology. While at Bethel, she played on the
women's soccer team and served as a Resident Assistant. Before coming to New Day, she spent a year in the AmeriCorps program serving at-risk youth.

Daniel and Corrie Barkdull

Daniel and Corrie Barkdull are from Columbia, South Carolina.  They have been married since December of 2009, and have been at New Day since August of 2010.  In the states Daniel taught Art and Corrie taught ESL, and both are enjoying their experience teaching and building relationships with the students at New Day.  They love to travel and be outside.

Shi Chen

Shi Chen is from Baltimore, MD.  She graduated from Grove City College with an Elementary Education degree.  Her parents are from Guangzhou, China but she was born in Georgia, USA.  She has served as a camp counselor for at-risk youth and a Resident Assistant for college freshmen but enjoys teaching ESL the most.  She enjoys reading, playing guitar, and hanging out with people in her free time.

Nakisha Martin

Nakisha Martin was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica. She left Jamaica in 2003 to pursue her academic goals in the Unites States. She lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma for 7 years. While pursuing her Undergraduate studies, Nakisha had the opportunity to work with students from different countries and help them with their English. As a result of her experience, she decided to pursue a degree in Education. She graduated from Oral Roberts University with the Master Degree in Education (TESL). 
Nakisha is happy to be in China and she is looking forward to helping our students as they focus on accomplishing their goal to develop their English skills.

Elisha Saegert

Elisha and her husband Kevin came to New Day in July 2009. Elisha is a certified Special Education teacher in the state of Texas and has been teaching for 5 years. Elisha has had a heart for China since visiting New Day in 2006. She has returned to teach English to the students at New Day Learning Center. She is looking forward to all that this new chapter in her life will teach her. Her husband Kevin is volunteering to do Physical Therapy in the foster home during their time in China. Kevin has always had a heart for service and feels very passionate about serving the children at the foster home.

Lydia Maust

Lydia Maust grew up in western Maryland and came to New Day 2005-2006 as an intern at the Foster Home. She returned to the States and finished her early childhood/ elementary education degree at Frostburg State University, after which she taught near her hometown. Besides teaching, Lydia also enjoys learning languages, playing games, and music. She is delighted to be back at New Day making new friends, helping others with English and learning more Chinese!