Furthering your school’s vision through peer learning
Shanghai Community International School (SCIS) enrolled a team of educators in last year’s Global Citizenship
Our Hosts
Get to know the unique expertise and personalities of our professional hosts from a diversity of fields and school divisions.
Allen Chen
Allen Chen过去9年都在分别在两所IB学校工作，参与到了诸如学生生活、教员生活、课程融合、学生活动以及体育竞赛等多方面的工作，积累了丰富的国际学校全面运营的经验；同时，Allen也一直作为一名篮球教练，深入了解和体会学生活动对学生发展的影响以及对于学生社区的成长带来的巨大作用。
过去的5年多时间里，Allen分别在两所不同文化的学校里管理和执行学生活动和体育赛事的工作，在非营利性质的学校内推动开展了创新式周末体验式活动，有效地带动了学生活动的多元化、启发性和趣味性；同时也在另外一所学校里整合校内教师资源和校外合作机构，来整体推进课后课为不同体制下的学生的服务。
Allen现活跃在北京多家国际学校的圈子，拥有广泛的资源，并且他乐于链接各方资源相互作用来为学生教育服务。
Alex Smith
Wellbeing
Alexandra Smith is originally from Aotearoa, New Zealand, where she taught for ten years in a wide range of multicultural settings. During this time Alexandra was a Head of Faculty for Physical Education, Outdoor Education and Health Education and a Pastoral Housemaster. She has been working at a large international school in Singapore for the last 4 ½ years as the Well-being Coordinator and Assistant Principal of Student Support. She is known for her proven record for strategic thinking, and collaboration with stakeholders. She holds a Bachelor of Physical Education, a Postgrad in Digital and Collaborative learning and is currently completing her Postgrad in professional coaching.
Amy-Lee Pollard
Early Childhood Education – Practices and Pedagogy
Amy-Lee Pollard is an experienced Early Childhood educator originally from South Africa. Amy began her career in a non-conventional area – Environmental Education in rural South African communities. There, she taught students of all ages about the importance of preserving the natural world. Despite her background and training in upper elementary education, Amy has always been drawn to Early Childhood Education. After deciding to explore life abroad, Amy made her way to China, where she immersed herself in an international school setting. She is passionate about honoring children’s natural curiosity, development, and inquiry. Amy now teaches at an international school in Shenzhen, using her expertise to create enriching, inquiry-based curricula.
Ally Qu
After School Activities Management (Chinese)
您好，我是Ally Qu，今年是我第六年在BCIS运动与活动部门工作，职位是运动与活动总监助理。 在六年的工作中，我在Athletics和Activities方向积累了一些经验。我乐于分享经验，并且向其他国际学校的优秀同行们学习，共同进步。
Andrew Mowat
AI in the Classroom
With over 40 years in education, Andrew’s career spans roles from teacher and principal to Director of IT at the Australian International School and Global Head of Learning and Development for Cognita. His mission has always been to ensure that learning efforts result in visible, real-world change. Currently, he focus on integrating AI into education, making this technology accessible and practical for educators. His goal is to demystify AI and demonstrate how it can solve real challenges and create new opportunities in teaching and learning. This involves fostering a systemic understanding of AI, ensuring it serves as an empowering tool. As a cofounder of EduSpark, Andrew challenge traditional professional development models, emphasizing the importance of transfer—observable changes from learning
Arnett Edwards
New to Middle Leadership
Dr. Arnett Edwards is the Founding Director of the School Leadership Academy (“SLA”) which is supported by CTF Education Group. Dr. Edwards has had substantial leadership roles (middle and senior) in several schools in Hong Kong for the past 25 years and significantly served from 2011 to 2023 as Principal of Li Po Chun United World College (“UWC”) of Hong Kong, part of the UWC worldwide network of 18 schools and colleges. Dr. Edwards obtained his EdD in Educational Leadership at the Education University of Hong Kong. He has deep expertise in system leadership and, specifically, leadership’s role in impacting student achievement.
Bronwen Jones
Learning Support Specialists (Inclusion)
From rural England, to the wilds of Zimbabwe and Botswana. From some of the most prestigious institutions in the world, to teaching under a tree. From celebrating a much heralded University offer, to being ecstatic when a student has tied their shoe laces. Such are the privileges of Bronwen’s journey in education. Committed to making time at school a place to thrive and not just survive, for all in our communities. She is grateful to all the wonderful educators that she have met along the way and those she continues to meet.
Byron Kennedy
Athletics Directors
Byron Kennedy is currently the Athletic Director at the International School of Tianjin. His lifelong passion for learning and sports led him to study Sports Science, his PGCE, and a Masters in Education, paving the way for a diverse career in coaching, sports science, and athletic administration. Byron has worked with elite national athletes as a strength and conditioning specialist, sports nutritionist, and sports scientist. With over 15 years of experience developing school PE and sports programs, he is dedicated to fostering his students’ physical, mental, and emotional development.
Caroline Morgan
Biology Teachers (Secondary)
Caroline Morgan is an experienced educator with over 17 years of teaching experience in Biology, ESS, Science and Mathematics. She has taught in a variety of international settings including in Gladstone, Hong Kong, London and Shanghai. As a lifelong learner, Caroline is passionate about sharing best practices and supporting her colleagues to collaborate and grow professionally. In her current role as Head of the Science, she is dedicated to facilitating valuable connections and working groups focused on the new Group 4 syllabi.Caroline is excited to co-host the upcoming Peersphere sessions, where she looks forward to engaging in meaningful discussions to further enhance science education. She enjoys reading, travelling and spending time with her husband and two young children.
Cassandra Van Oort
English Literature Teachers (Secondary)
Cassandra Van Oort, also known as Cassie, graduated from the University of Guelph and Western Ontario with a double major in English and Theatre. With over a decade of teaching experience, she has specialized in English and Theatre, serving as a department head and adapting her methods across various curricula including IGCSE, British Columbia, Ontario, Alberta, and IB.
As a curriculum designer, Cassie develops engaging materials, and she blends literature, drama, and performance through writing and directing theatre productions. Her passion for literature drives her to inspire critical thinking and a love of learning in her students. Cassie is dedicated to making a significant impact on her students and the broader education community.
Cassie Li
Teaching Assistants – Elementary (Chinese)
Cassie Li 毕业于天津外国语大学并取得了英语本科学位，在校期间她通过了英语专业八级考试并获得了教师资格证。Cassie在南京国际学校已经工作将近八年的时间了。她热爱教学并热爱她的学生，目前她已是两个孩子的妈妈，妈妈和教师的角色让她更加懂得了教育的重要性，她希望可以为伟大的教育事业贡献一份力量。
Celina Mathews
Celina Mathews is an experienced educator who leads the EAL program at Shekou International School. She has a Master of Education in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and a certificate in ELT Leadership and Management.
Celina is well-versed in WIDA and is passionate about providing a program that is inclusive, data driven, and supportive for all multilingual learners. Her expertise in language acquisition, attention to data, and experience with collaborative teaching ensures that each student receives an equitable education that propels their language and content skills forward. Through her leadership, the EAL program at Shekou International School has become a model for other schools seeking to provide high-quality language instruction to their students.
Christopher Allen
Principals (Secondary)
Dr. Christopher Allen has over 20 years’ experience in national and international schools in 6 countries on 4 continents, covering US, UK, and IB curriculum. He has been an IBEN member, a member of accreditation visiting teams and an associate school inspector. He has held a wide range of teaching and leadership positions, including his current role as High School Coordinating Principal at Sekolah Ciputra in Surabaya, Indonesia.
Christy Tan
Human Resource Leaders
With over a decade of experience in the corporate sector and more than three years now in international school, Christy brings a unique perspective to HR leadership. Her background in corporate HR has equipped me with a strong foundation in driving strategic goals and partnering with business leaders. Transitioning to the school community has been incredibly rewarding, allowing her to blend corporate best practices with the unique needs of international schools. She is passionate about fostering collaboration and sharing insights, and looks forward to contributing to and learning from the vibrant community of school HR leaders.
Claire Luo
Library Assistants (Chinese)
我在SIS工作了12年，今年是我在图书馆工作的第五年，其中前面三年，幼儿园和小学图书馆是在一起的，后来小学有了新校区，这边的图书馆就专门针对两岁到KG。为了帮助我对图书馆工作更好的开展进行，我在期间完成了The University of Sheffield的图书馆课程，并参加了21CL以及IB关于图书馆的培训。从整理图书、图书录入、选择图书并完善图书馆藏系列、读绘本故事到结合教学，从一名图书馆小白到现在和另一名助教一起管理幼儿园的图书馆，我希望能将我自己所知道的与你们分享，我也相信我可以在你们的分享当中获得收获。
Claire Peet
Women in Education – Book Club
Claire is an international educator and certified coach who works for a large education group in China to develop learning pathways that serve the organisation’s 3000 employees. Claire has worked in education for 15 years where her passion for school improvement and transformation has enabled a transition from school-based senior leadership into organisation-wide roles.
She focuses on developing professional learning strategies, talent retention programmes and succession planning structures that support organisational and individual progression and capacity building.
Daniel Nyantakyi
Physics Teachers (Secondary)
Daniel Owusu Nyantakyi, also known as Mr. DO, is honored to be your Science Secondary Community host. With over 15 years of experience teaching physics, chemistry, and mathematics, he has developed extensive knowledge and expertise. Daniel has served as a head of the science department for two years, led physics and mathematics for five years, and taught in international schools across Ghana, South Africa, Dubai, China, and Hong Kong. He is experienced in curricula such as CAPS, IB, A-Level, AP, and BC, tailoring his approach to diverse student populations. Daniel prioritizes student-centered learning, PBL, and empowering critical thinking and problem-solving skills. He aims to create a thriving community that supports and inspires science education.
David McMahon
Product Design Teachers (Secondary)
Originally from Ireland, David has been teaching Design in Middle and High Schools for over 12 years. He is currently teaching MYP and DP Design at UNIS Hanoi and over the years, David has taught in Ireland, the UK, China and Sri Lanka. David believes design education is all about creating an environment of curiosity and creativity. In addition to teaching, David works as a workshop facilitator with the IB as well as co-hosting “The Learning Factory” podcast with colleague and friend Jesse Donnelly.
Donita Bell
Early Childhood Education – Practices and Pedagogy
Donita, an elementary educator for 30 years, has worked internationally for 11 years, in China & currently, Cambodia . She has held roles as homeroom, learning support teacher, grade level coordinator, literacy leader, & now as Assistant Primary Principal-PYP Coordinator. She has presented workshops on many topics including inquiry & creating learning spaces that nurture arts, literacy & play. Donita advocates working collaboratively & developing relationships as central to our humanness, ensuring well-being for educators, & for children in their foundational years from 0-7yrs. She wants to empower individuals by valuing strengths & believes nurturing human potential is core to our roles in education. She loves sharing stories, current research and learning alongside others.
Elliot Mack
E-Sports
Elliot Mack, co-founder and CEO of Daigon Esports, is dedicated to helping International Schools tap into the power of video games and esports for developing critical future-proof skills and empowering students.
Drawing on his experience launching DAIGON Esports’ International School Esports leagues and innovative gaming after-school clubs, Elliot passionately champions video games as an interest-driven tool for fostering the three essential WEF Education 4.0 skills: problem- solving, collaboration, and adaptability.
Emmeline Barnes
Inclusive Workplaces (DEIJ)
Emmeline, a consultant Psychotherapist and International School Counselor in Mumbai, holds a Bachelor of Education in Special Education and an advanced degree in Psychotherapy (MBACP). A Certified Autism Specialist, she brings a unique perspective shaped by her experiences with dyslexia, dyspraxia, and ADHD. Emmeline has worked across diverse settings, including refugee projects, hospitals & prisons. Passionate about LGBTQIA+ advocacy and DEIJ initiatives, she integrates inclusive play therapies into her practice. She founded a social enterprise to break down barriers to mental health support and was recognized with the 2024 Mother Teresa International Award. Emmeline looks forward to contributing her creative perspective to PeerSphere! 🌟
Erin Wilson
Librarians
PLN meetings will be moderated by Erin Wilson, who currently works as a Whole School IB Librarian in Dhaka, Bangladesh. She has vast experience working with diverse cultures from Native American students to inner-city students and the international community. Her Master of Library Science degree is from Indiana University and has worked as a school librarian for fourteen years in the US, China, India, and Bangladesh.
Ernald Boyd
Performing Arts – Developing your Practice (Secondary)
Ernie Boyd is an experienced educator from Cape Town, South Africa. He was the head of Performing Arts at the American International School of Cape Town, overseeing six yearly productions. After six years, he moved to Shenzhen, China, to take up a position at the International School of Nanshan Shenzhen, where he initially taught music to grades 6-9. Currently, he serves as the MYP Coordinator, Grade 9 Music Teacher, Community Project Coordinator, and Regional MYP Chair for Southern China. With a wealth of experience and a dedication to his craft, Ernie Boyd is a prominent member of the education community, committed to student growth and the performing arts.
Ewen Bailey
Planning and Evaluating Professional Development
Ewen Bailey is an experienced international leader in education who supports teachers and leaders to build resilient, collaborative teams focused on continuous improvement.
Currently based in Singapore, Ewen has previously directed whole-school professional development for one of China’s top IB World schools, where he fostered a collaborative culture of student-centred professional learning.
During the pandemic, he led an innovative project with England’s Department for Education and Oak National Academy that delivered high-quality online training resources for thousands of initial teacher trainees and early career teachers.
Gerben Silvis
Athletics Directors
Gerben Silvis is an experienced education professional, having dedicated over 15 years to the field. His lifelong passion for sports led him to excel as a professional water polo player, representing the Netherlands on the national team and competing at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Gerben’s academic journey includes a Bachelor’s in Physical Education and a Master’s in Educational Leadership, equipping him with a diverse skillset in coaching, sports administration, and educational leadership. As a co-facilitator of the ACAMIS Athletic Directors Professional Learning Community, he looks forward to engaging in rich discussions where they can exchange ideas, learn from varied experiences, and leverage this knowledge to strengthen athletic department practices and policies.
Grace Mo
Personal Assistants (PAs) and Secretaries (Chinese)
Grace来自中国广东东莞。深根国际教育行业12年。喜欢与拥有不同文化背景的人交流。Grace拥有美国弗雷明翰州立大学国际教育硕士学位。毕业后，Grace一直从事教育工作。Grace拥有7年教学经验，5年总校长助理经验。Grace乐意与大家分享她在国际学校中的所见所闻以及她在行政岗位上的一些心得。Grace相信，行政人员是推动学校发展不可或缺的部分，更是为学生提供优质教育的重要因素。
Greg Smith
ACAMIS Heads of School
Greg Smith is currently the Vice President of International Schools Services, based in Shenzhen, China. He was most recently the Head of Shekou International School and has been in senior educational leadership roles. In his current role he works with a large number of schools across the Asia Pacific region in a multitude of ways. He also has a long history in working with peer learning and mentorship projects.
Gregory Macur
New to Senior Leadership (Elementary)
Gregory Macur is an experienced educator from the UK with a Master’s in Education & PGCE/QTS. He recently completed his UK School Senior Leadership license and is currently enrolled in his UK Head of School license. He currently works at The Canadian International School of Hefei as Vice Principal for the Elementary and Kindergarten.
As an educational leader, he firmly believes in empowering the teachers, middle leaders and parents, as well as creating spaces for judgement-free, honest feedback.
Outside of school, he is an internationally published educational author with two books on best practice. He is also a well-known educational researcher, publishing research in top academic journals & speaking at multiple educational conferences.
Haakon Gould
Global Citizenship and Service Learning Educators
Haakon Gould has a range of leadership experience through diverse roles such as Grade Level Leader, Head of Department, Service-Learning Coach, and CAS Coordinator. Haakon has conducted sessions for the Education Consortium of Service Learning, participated in the ACAMIS Spring Leadership Conference, co-led a recent workshop in collaboration with International School Services, and shares his insights informally through his role as an administrator of a coordinators support group.
Harish Kanabar
Non-Teaching Staff – New to International School Leadership (English)
Harish is an accomplished educational leader with extensive experience. Currently serving as the Head of School at Shekou International School in Shenzhen, Harish has driven continuous improvement and fostered a collaborative culture among educators. Harish’s career includes significant roles at QA Doha and Sidra, such as Principal and Digital Literacy Academic Coordinator, integrating technology and 21st-century skills into the curriculum. Since 2011, he has contributed to the International Baccalaureate (IBO) as a workshop leader, consultant, and online facilitator. Additionally, Harish is an adjunct professor at SUNY Buffalo, sharing his expertise with future educators. Harish’s dedication to education and ability to build resilient, collaborative teams make him a respected leader.
Heather Wright
Librarians
Heather Wright is a dedicated teacher librarian based in Beijing, China, with a passion for reading and research. With experience spanning early years to primary and secondary libraries, Heather has made significant contributions to fostering literacy and critical thinking skills among students. She is especially interested in book promotion and marketing, reader’s advisory, library programming, integrating library resources with classroom instruction, and guiding students in academic research. Known for creating engaging learning environments and promoting a culture of reading, Heather is also an active participant in the professional learning community, continually looking to advance her knowledge and share best practices.
Heidi Rhodes
Mathematics Teachers (Secondary)
As a young teacher-leader, Heidi encountered the power of teachers learning together toward improving student achievement; she and her 16 high school math colleagues made dramatic improvement in their school’s math test scores over five years. In that experience, the team proved true their theory of action – if students are empowered to collaboratively solve rich mathematics problems, they will develop perseverance and understanding, and their scores will increase. Those early years shaped Heidi’s deep respect for teachers and the necessity of building a shared vision of excellent pedagogy together. She has been in education for over 30 years as a teacher and a secondary mathematics specialist in the U.S, China, and Thailand, and she remains convinced that effective teaching is rooted in teacher learning, and that teacher learning is best done in a community of other professional educators.
Helen Fawcett
Early Childhood Education – Leadership (APs & Coordinators)
Helen currently serves as the Deputy Head of DUCKS at Dulwich College Singapore. From inner-city schools to the private sector, her adaptable teaching style has catered to the needs of diverse student populations. Her experience includes leadership roles such as Deputy Head and Head of Pre-Prep at an all-girls school in the Middle East. She is proficient in a variety of educational methodologies and programs, including Talk for Write, White Rose Maths, Read Write Inc., Tales Toolkit, Helicopter Stories, EYmaths, and many more. These training initiatives have equipped her with a diverse toolkit of pedagogical approaches, allowing Helen to tailor her teaching to meet the unique needs of each student. Throughout her career, Helen has remained deeply committed to empowering students and fostering their holistic development, driven by an unwavering belief in the transformative power of education
Henry Wong
Non-Teaching Staff – New to International School Leadership (English)
Henry worked in three international schools and two bilingual schools with student populations ranging from 250 to 1300. His responsibility in the international schools was to oversee and provide leadership for non-academic functions, which included the Admissions & Marketing, Finance, Human Resources, Public Relations, IT Help Desk, Facilities Management, Auxiliary Services, Procurement, and Inventory departments. These schools had very culturally diverse teaching and family populations. All the schools are accredited by associations of schools and colleges (US) and the three international schools are authorized by IBO. He published a booklet titled Preparing Host Country Support Staff for their Roles in International Schools.
In less than two years, Henry raised the service standards of his support staff to a level that equals to best practices of great international schools. The majority of his departments and offices received more than 90% of customer satisfaction from parents and teachers. Three offices obtained 100% customer satisfaction over three consecutive years.
Dr. Hua Ji
Curriculum Coordinators (Secondary)
Dr. Ji Hua holds dual educational backgrounds in engineering and economics, and has studied and worked in China, France, Thailand, Ivory Coast, and the Philippines. Her rich international experiences led her into international education, where she became an active advocate for IB education. Dr. Ji Hua taught for 19 years at the International School Manila and authored the book “IBDP Chinese B Authentic Theme-Based Unit Design.” Beyond teaching, Dr. Ji Hua also serves as an IB workshop leader and currently works as an educational consultant. She has been engaged in curriculum design in her mission to craft curricula that inspire, engage, and empower both educators and students alike.
Hugo Pratt
Biology Teachers (Secondary)
Hugo Pratt is an adaptable Science teacher known for cultivating engaging, inclusive, and sustainable learning environments. Currently serving as the Science Department Head and DP Biology teacher in Beijing, he excels in collaborative team development and curriculum design, driving impactful initiatives that enhance student learning experiences. Passionate about student wellbeing, Hugo prioritizes assessment design, service-learning, and sustainability in education, recognizing their pivotal roles in fostering academic and social-emotional growth. With a firm belief in the transformative power of education, Hugo is dedicated to nurturing compassionate global citizens who are equipped to thrive in an ever-changing world. As a committed professional learning and instructional facilitator, Hugo actively pursues opportunities for growth and development, staying abreast of emerging trends and best practices.
Ildiko Murray
ACAMIS Heads of School
Ildiko Murray is the Head of School at Changchun American International School in China. She also serves as an instructor in the IBEC Leadership program at Western University. She has been involved with the IB/CIS/WASC for over twenty years as a teacher, coordinator, workshop leader, examiner, evaluation leader, principal and now head of school. Her masters and doctoral research at the University of Toronto used IB program implementation and development as case studies. She has presented her research at various international conferences, and she is a frequent contributor to panel discussions and special focus groups.
Iris Ngai Sze Chan
Grade Level Leaders (EY / Elementary)
Iris Chan, originally from Vancouver, Canada is a Beijing-based educator with over 17+ years of teaching and administrative experience in K-12 international schools. With over a decade working in a Canadian Offshore School as an Assistant Superintendent and British Columbia Ministry of Education Liaison, she is currently at Beijing International Bilingual Academy (BIBA). She currently serves in the roles of WASC’s Bilingual Committee Chair, Project Lead for their Bilingual Pilot Program, and Elementary School Grade Level Lead (2nd Grade). She was recognized for the 2022 School Spirit Award, 2023 Best Chinese-Western Collaboration Teaching Team Award, and the 2023 Outstanding Teacher Award for her contributions at BIBA. Iris Chan’s extensive experience includes Montessori philosophy, curriculum integration, educational technology, and bilingual education.
Jamie Robb
Principals (Secondary)
Jamie began working in international education in 2010. Before moving into international education, Jamie held the position of School Effectiveness Lead in Ontario, Canada, working with administrators to build board school capacity in identifying strengths, and next steps in the school improvement process. Jamie has been an elementary, middle, and high school principal over the course of his 22 years of leadership. Internationally, he has served schools in Kuwait, Korea, Brazil, and now in Guangzhou, China. Jamie is currently entering his fourth year as the Deputy Director of the American International School of Guangzhou.
Jana van Zyl
Wellbeing
Jana van Zyl is the YCYW Head of Inclusion. She has extensive experience in, and a passion for, working with adults to support them and their children in the areas of wellness, safeguarding, child protection, mental health, social/emotional development, character development, positive discipline, and special education needs. She is a CIS chair, trained virtues project facilitator, positive discipline facilitator and a crisis responder. Jana holds an Honours Bachelor of Education with Specialisation in Inclusive Education and is currently completing her Masters in Social Science with Specialisation in Community Mental Health Promotion.
Jane Xie
Chinese Teachers – Secondary (Chinese)
谢轶超女士有二十余年的中文教学经验，现任上海知名外籍人员子女学校中学部副校长，在学校认证和儿童保护方面有丰富的经验。同时，在最近两轮的大纲更新中，她始终担任着IBDP中文A语言和文学的评估考官。
Janelle Chen
Finance Managers (Chinese)
我在一所知名外籍人员子女学校工作已经超过15年了，从事和管理过多个部门，有丰富的跨文化、跨岗位的经验和反思。加入教育行业之前，我也有许多商业领域和跨文化的生活工作经历。我希望会员可以理解，跟我和其他同仁一起交流的这个环节，可能会给到您们一个全新的思考视角。而不是单纯的方法论传授。我们可以一起探讨学校管理中、人事管理中的的事物本质及真相，从而开启更新的工作征程。
Jesse Donnelly
Product Design Teachers (Secondary)
Jesse has worked in international schools in China, Cambodia, Peru and Fiji. Originally from Australia, Jesse is currently the Deputy Head of Secondary at the International School of Suva, Fiji. Jesse has been involved with MYP Design for the last 14 years. He believes a strong design programme shouldn’t be based on how many expensive toys are in the classroom but on how authentic the programme is. Jesse regularly conducts Design workshops for IB around the Asia Pacific region and is also a CIS school evaluator. He co-hosts “The Learning Factory Podcast” in his spare time with great mate David McMahon.
Jocelyne Perut
Global Citizenship and Service Learning Educators
Jocelyne Perut has been a French teacher for almost twenty years and the Global Citizenship Coordinator at her school school for 3 years. She is interested in SDG4, Quality Education, and SDG17, Partnering for the Goals. She is an inquirer, risk-taker, open-minded, and attends a variety of webinars, and conferences to broaden her knowledge and skills. She is a very active person who enjoys cooking, reading, socialising, travelling around the world, swimming and walking her dog, Mali. You can follow her on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jocelyne-perut-834636a5/
John Liu
College Counselors
John Yi Liu is the Head of Pastoral Care for YCYW China. In this role, John is developing student leadership, wellness and well-being, and service-learning programs for all YCYW schools. John has enjoyed being an educator for over 20 years. He has worked in schools in New York City, Taiwan, Shanghai, and Singapore. Throughout his career, John has served as a teacher, social-emotional counsellor, university counsellor, vice principal for pastoral care and other school leadership capacities. He is passionate about helping students learn about themselves, explore their potential, and build their leadership capacity. John’s source of strength is his faith and family. John enjoys basketball, singing, and all things New York Yankees.
Johnnie Whang
Operations and Facilities Management (Chinese)
黄维才 (Johnnie Whang) 曾在北京一所1400名学生的国际学校担任项目设施和服务管理负责人11年，该学校为国际文凭（IB)项目提供幼儿园到12年级的服务。所负责的内容为校园内非教职人员的运营管理工作，包括学校设施设备运营与维护、清洁、活动后勤、安全与健康、校车、剧场技术支持、餐饮、游泳池运营、运动场所维护、汽膜设施、湿地、景观运营维护等。
自2017年以来，在北京一所著名的大学校园内担任全球学生住宿管理公司的现场运营总监。所负责的项目为一所涵盖了世界各国留学生与本地学生、教学与住宿一体化的书院式大楼，学生在此攻读硕士学位。主要负责内容为楼宇的日常运营管理工作，包括现场2个住场供应商的工程、清洁、安保和餐厅运营、财务、宿舍运营及采购工作的监督和管理。
对教育学院和机构的规划和运营管理工作有着深入的体会，因为它涉及到很多利益相关者、孩子、家长、教师和团体社区，工作中会不断的受到监督和意见反馈。安全和健康是教育机构的一个重要方面，需要考虑到不同年龄段的安全需求和注意事项。
Josh Bishop
Assistant / Vice Principals (Secondary)
As the first person in his family to enter university, Josh knew he wanted to be in education. He obtained a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education in 1995, a Master’s in School Administration, and is AbD in School Leadership. His background includes teaching middle school, assistant principal positions, principal positions in middle school and high school, and now Head of School at Surabaya Intercultural School. He has more than 25 years of experience with more than a decade in international schools. He is a husband and a father to two children who attend his school. He often looks through lens of a father in making key decisions.
Joy Yang
Teaching Assistants – Elementary (English)
Joy Yang is a committed Grade 3 teaching assistant with a deep passion for education and a strong love for reading. With several years of valuable experience in the classroom, she is highly skilled at supporting students’ academic and social-emotional development. Joy shines in crafting engaging lesson plans, tailoring instruction to cater to diverse learners’ needs, and cultivating a positive and inclusive classroom atmosphere. Renowned for her patience, creativity, and excellent communication skills, Joy is dedicated to empowering every student to achieve their full potential.
Julia Kortt
Curriculum Coordinators (Elementary))
Julia Kortt is an experienced international educator with over 15+ years working in Australia, Switzerland, Shanghai and Hong Kong.Currently based in Hong Kong she works for the YCYW Education Network. As a Senior Curriculum Officer, she collaboratively drives forward the strategic direction for 15+ schools in Hong Kong and China. She designed and implemented the Y1-9 Social Studies curriculum and currently is the project leader for all schools to develop ‘whole school’ curriculum mapping.
Recently she completed the course for Compassionate Systems Leadership. She is passionate about student agency and started the online YCYW Youth Leadership course for secondary students. Together she is working with the students to design the AI policy that develops compassionate, global citizens.
June Wang
Personal Assistants (PAs) and Secretaries (English)
June has been working in the field of education in both private and international school sectors for over 20 years. She started her career as an English teacher, then worked in IB schools as a teacher, administrator and researcher. Now she works as an independent education consultant. Besides teaching, June he has done research and projects and worked extensively with teachers, teaching assistants, students, administrators and parents. She believes in quality education, fair opportunities and authentic learning.
Kairavi Oza Bond (Ms.Kay)
English Language Learning (ELL) Specialists
Kairavi Oza Bond is an experienced educator, who currently leads the EAL program at Sias International School. She has a Bachelor of Education specializing in English and Science, and certification from the Cambridge Institute of Diploma for Teachers. Driven by a passion for fostering inclusive learning environments, she completed her certification in the Teach ESL program through Lexis Education. With almost 20 years of teaching and leadership experience across esteemed international schools in India, Malaysia, UAE, and China, Kairavi has honed her skills in nurturing diverse learners. As a polyglot herself, she is deeply passionate about delivering an inclusive, data-driven, and supportive program for all multilingual learners. Under her guidance, the EAL program at Sias International School delivers high-quality language instruction to its students.
Karen Brown-Miller
Early Childhood Education – Leadership (APs & Coordinators)
Karen Brown-Miller is an experienced educator, with a journey that began in Jamaica in 2000, taking her to various international schools in The Bahamas and China, and now at Shekou International School (SIS) where she serves as Assistant Principal for Early Primary. She is passionate about inquiry-based learning and believes that children are small amazing humans who thrive in environments that meet them where they are on their journeys. Karen is excited to join PeerSphere to network and continue discussions about the ways to enhance student learning. She enjoys spending time with her family, engaging in self-care activities, exploring her passion for writing, and growing as a life-long learner.
Kathy Burns
Marketing & Admissions
Kathy has worked as a seasoned marketing professional at international schools since 2017, navigating diverse educational landscapes across the globe. From Ecuador’s Academia Cotopaxi to Spain’s American School of Barcelona, and currently at the American International School of Guangzhou in China, her journey has been rich with cultural immersion and professional growth. She has worn multiple hats, from Director of Admissions to Director of External Relations, and now, as Director of Communications and Marketing. Kathy’s expertise lies in crafting strategic marketing plans, spearheading impactful campaigns, and measuring their efficacy. Whether messaging unique selling propositions or devising innovative recruitment strategies for both families and educators, she thrives on creative solutions to drive results. With a passion for innovation, Kathy continually seeks fresh approaches to achieve goals.
Katie Wellbrook
Safeguarding / Child Protection
Katie Wellbrook is a senior leader in international education who is passionate about child safeguarding, organisational wellbeing, fostering psychological safety in teams and empowering women in leadership. She is an educator with over 12 years experience in the UK, Oman, China, Uganda and is currently Vice Principal (Well-being and Achievement) and Designated Safeguarding Lead at an international school in Singapore. Most recently, she has qualified as an Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Trainer (ASIST) Trainer and is soon to complete her Masters in Gender, Education and International Development at the University College London which is exploring how international schools in China can create empowering or disempowering experiences for TGNC students.
Kendal Reilly
Visual Arts
Kendal Reilly is an experienced international visual art educator currently based in Singapore who has taught Visual Art to students in Grades 1-12.
Due to her experience teaching in Australia, China, the UAE and Singapore over the last 15 years, she has taught the Australian curriculum, IB PYP, MYP and DP, as well as key stage 3 and iGSCE.
Kendal has experience as an IB Workshop Leader, DP examiner, Whole School Head of Arts and best of all – a visual arts educator in a range of schools that have involved different student, staff, resource, space and budget contexts.
She loves to learn, connect with ideas and other educators, and is excited to be hosting the first Visual Arts PeerSphere Community.
Kenny Peavy
Outdoor Learning
Kenny is originally from Georgia, USA. He’s been living and teaching overseas for 23+ years in Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia. He’s lead thousands of students on Education Outside the Classroom Expeditions for cultural immersion, ecology, adventure and service learning throughout Southeast Asia. Kenny is currently an educator in the Middle School at Green School Bali. In his current role, he teaches Science, Math, and Regeneration in an experiential outdoor setting. He’s ridden a bamboo bicycle from Thailand to Bali to raise awareness for sustainability in Southeast Asia and circumnavigated Phuket Island in Thailand in a kayak to spotlight marine conservation issues in the region. He is author of The Box People- Out of the BOX! An illustrated children’s book focused on sustainable communities with the message to get out of your box and play outside to make deep connections with Nature! As a result of his dedication to the environment, environmental education and conservation he’s been awarded Volunteer of the Year by both the Georgia Adopt-A-Stream Organization in the USA and the Malaysian Nature Society in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Keryn Dowling
Curriculum Coordinators (Elementary)
Keryn Dowling is a passionate education leader with over 25 years of experience. Known for her innovative approach to curriculum development and work in Elementary leadership, she’s transformed schools into dynamic hubs of learning. Keryn fosters collaboration among educators, driving continuous improvement in teaching practices. Her inclusive leadership style creates supportive environments where all students thrive. Passionate about educational equity, she advocates tirelessly for access to quality education for every student. Keryn’s impact extends far beyond awards; she’s dedicated to inspiring the next generation of leaders in education.
Kriss Parker
Operations and Facilities Management (English)
Kriss Parker is a seasoned professional with over 10 years of experience in international education. As the Director of Logistics for an IB School in Xi’an, Kriss oversees the school’s operations, facilities, and services, ensuring a seamless environment for both students and staff. With extensive experience in hosting professional development workshops, Kriss fosters a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration among school and operation staff. In his current role, Kriss is dedicated to creating the best possible environments for students and teachers, ensuring operations contributes to an optimal learning experience. Join Kriss in this community to share insights, learn from peers, and enhance the operational excellence of your educational institution.
Kristy Goodman
Women in Education – Book Club
Kristy Goodman has been working in international education for more than 15 years across Asia. She started as an EAL specialist and has recently moved to DP Coordinator and university guidance adviser. Always an avid reader, she finds that book clubs are a means to dive deeper into a book and grow strong relationships. When not reading, she can be found underwater scuba diving, cooking in her kitchen or curled up with her cats. Favorite book format: Kindle app on my phone so that I always have a book with me and they don’t take up space in my luggage.
Lee Mayes
Physical & Health Education (PHE) Teachers
Lee Mayes is a passionate PE teacher specializing in Early Years and Grades 1 to 5 at Nanjing International School. With 18 years of international education experience, he is committed to enriching education through physical activity with innovative, student-centered approaches. Lee also serves as the school representative for the East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS) and as a respected workshop leader for the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO). He facilitates workshops for homeroom and PE teachers, fostering collaboration and professional growth. Lee’s active involvement in conferences like APPEC, PHASE, L2, and ETC highlights his dedication to sharing best practices. His efforts in organizing impactful PE job-a-likes have connected educators globally, creating a vibrant learning community.
Lena Gidwani
Marketing & Admissions
A lifelong learner and self-confessed fourth culture child, Lena brings over 20 years of experience in education and business development. A native of Singapore, Lena left the island at the age of 2 and lived in several countries before moving to Guangzhou in 2002. In her current role in Marketing, Admissions and Communications at a Canadian-accredited international school in Guangzhou, Lena is most passionate about defining strategy, improving conversations, building brand identity online and offline, and improving relationships to drive action, admissions and retention.
Liam Benjamin
Literacy Coaches and Coordinators (Elementary)
Liam Benjamin is a passionate educator with 20 years of experience. After completing his MA in Literacy and Learning he has worked in the U.K, Beijing and is now based in Singapore. He has a keen interest in the power of picture fiction, graphic novels and mixed media.
Louie Barnett
Project Based Learning
Louie is the Education Lead for Amala Education. He was part of a team of teachers who helped facilitate the Initiative for Peace programme at UWCSEA in Singapore, a peace education programme designed to connect youth to build sustainable peace. He has also designed courses focused on peace-building for various organisations, including School of Humanity and Amala Education.
Lydia Zhang
Teaching Assistants – Elementary (Chinese)
Lydia Zhang是一位经验丰富的教育工作者，她致力于创造有趣而个性化的学习体验。拥有十六年的教学经验，她对教学助理和教育工作者所面临的压力和挑战有着深入的了解和思考。 自2007年起，Lydia便对早期教育产生了浓厚的兴趣。2019年，她曾在墨尔本The Range Children’s Center进行志愿服务，并从中深刻体会到了早期教育中教育者角色的重要性。她认为，在早期教育中，关系和接纳对早期儿童的发展有着奇妙的力量。她强调联结和接纳对于帮助儿童建立自信、探索和成长至关重要。 除了教学经验外，Lydia目前正在中国人民大学攻读应用心理学硕士学位，进一步提升她在支持和培养每个孩子发展需求方面的能力。她努力将学到的教育理念和成果付诸实践。她关注最新的教育研究和最佳实践，以确保她的教学科学有效。 Lydia非常重视与其他教育者的交流、协作和共同努力，以创建支持性和高效的学习社区。通过加入我们的社区，您将有机会与Lydia一同体验她对创建充满活力和包容性的学习环境的执着。让我们共同激发和赋予学生终身学习的动力，成为自信的个体。 欢迎加入我们的社区，与Lydia以及其他教育工作者共同探索学习的奇妙之旅！在这里，您将与志同道合的教育者们一起分享经验、启发思考，并为每个学生的成长和成功尽一份力量。
Margaret Bailey
Assistant / Vice Principals (Secondary)
Margaret Bailey is a transformative leader who exemplifies authenticity and presence in her role as Deputy Head of Secondary in Hong Kong. With a fresh perspective in the international school sector, Margaret embraces international mindedness with curiosity and a genuine desire to expand her knowledge. Margaret’s extensive experience in education spans various areas within schools in Australia. As a former Head of Curriculum (English) and pastoral care, she possesses a comprehensive understanding of the holistic needs of students. This deep understanding enables Margaret to approach her current role as Assistant Principal/Vice Principal with a broad vision, always considering the big picture.
Matthew Mohrbach
Pastoral Heads of Grade (Secondary)
Matthew is a strategic people leader and educator focusing on building collaborative, creative, and caring environments that empower students and colleagues. As a Holistic Education leader and teacher of Art & Design he is always looking to continue shaping contemporary education practices through professional development and collaboration opportunities.
One of his biggest passions is student leadership and he works with various student leaders in my school to both promote their vision, and ensure serving an inclusive community of learners effectively. Matthew aims to build self-confidence and inspire students to live up to their potential, by modelling effective leadership and making sure that they feel valued and supported along the way.
Megan Wills
Literacy Coaches and Coordinators (Elementary)
Megan taught for 5 years in the UK, teaching Year 4, 5, and 6, followed by 4 years teaching in Early Years at her first International School in China. Currently, she is the English Lead of the EY school, overseeing Reading, Writing, and Phonics teaching from Nursery to Year 2. Throughout her 9 years of teaching, Megan has learned a great deal from many amazing and experienced teachers who have inspired her love for teaching and learning, especially in the field of Literacy. Fostering a love for literacy requires a collaborative effort involving parents, the community, and wider society. Megan believes that literacy not only nurtures language skills but also fosters critical thinking, empathy, and self-discovery. This is why our job of encouraging a love for learning is so important!
Michael Iannini
Aspiring Senior Leaders – Getting Promoted
Michael Iannini is ACAMIS’s Leadership Development Facilitator, a Search Associates Partner supporting its members in China to improve Recruitment, Induction, and Retention of Overseas Teachers, and a Council of International Schools (CIS) Affiliated Consultant with the following areas of expertise:
• Appraisal and Professional Development
• Leadership Training
• School Governance
• Strategic Planning
Michael’s first book, Hidden in Plain Site: Realizing the Full Potential of Middle Leaders, is the foundation for all his leadership development work. Since writing this book he launched www.middleleader.com where he is regularly posting articles on school leadership and interviews with school leadership influencers.
Michelle Yuan
Library Assistants (Chinese)
袁欣（Michelle Yuan），是一位经验丰富的教育工作者，从班级助教到图书馆助理，她积累了丰富的literacy以及与学生互动的经验。目前，她已经西安梁家滩国际学校图书馆助理的岗位上工作了3年，她不但参与日常管理，更是承担了从幼儿园到小学低段的图书馆课的教学工作，她非常重视与其他教育者的合作，致力于依托图书（以绘本为主）引导孩子们进行语言学习乃至各种学科活动探究。
Miguel Varela
Foreign Language Teachers (Secondary)
Dr. Miguel is an international academic consultant who assists institutions in the public and private sector worldwide. Miguel has extensive experience in educational settings and he has undertaken educator and leadership roles in K-12 and university environments. His career spans as Head of EdTech, Head of Foreign Languages, IT Instruction, Language Instruction, Experiential Learning, and Effective Learning. Miguel has completed several international assignments for the International Baccalaureate (IB) as teacher trainer, verification visitor, consultant, and curriculum reader. Miguel has presented at international events multiple times and he also has over twenty years of experience as Foreign Language educator in international institutions.
Natalie Bogdanoff
Chemistry Teachers (Secondary)
Born in Singapore, Natalie spent most of her life living in the Bay Area, California. However, she grew up with an internationally traveling family and learned to love new cultures through travel and education. She graduated from the University of Oregon,USA with a BS in Marine Biology, with an emphasis in Organic Chemistry. Natalie have been teaching Secondary Science Internationally ever since.
Nicole Jettner
Social and Emotional Counseling
Nicole Jettner is an Associate for the Institute for Social and Emotional Learning and has been an international educator for over 21 years. She has has taught in Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and China and is currently the middle school counselor at the American School in Japan. As a classroom teacher for 12 years in both elementary and middle school, Nicole always put social-emotional learning at the forefront of her teaching philosophy. As a school counselor, Nicole values working with students, teachers and parents in an effort to build wellbeing. She teaches SEL lessons in the classroom, provides workshops for parents and regularly consults with teachers to help them implement SEL into their classrooms. It is this community approach to wellbeing that drew her to IFSEL and she is excited to share this approach with schools around the world. Nicole holds Masters degrees in International Education and International Counseling. She is trained in Positive Discipline and Adaptive Schools and utilizes Responsive Classroom and mindfulness strategies in her practice.
Nisse Welchman
Physical & Health Education (PHE) Teachers
Nisse Welchman has been teaching, coaching, and leading for over two decades in the US, Nigeria, Jamaica, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Laos, and now China. She was among the original developers of the Communities of Practice for the Association of International Schools of Africa, with training in facilitation through protocols. Nisse supports professional development by offering interactive workshops focused on best practices. Her experience spans Secondary PHE, IBDP Spanish, Social Studies, and serving as Athletics and Activities Director. As the Secondary Lead for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Belonging, Nisse brings her passion to curriculum development and discussions.
Patricia Hubert
Coaching in Education
Patricia is a professional coach dedicated to empowering educators and leaders to enhance their overall wellbeing and resilience. With over 20 years of experience in international education, Patricia has taught French in high schools in the UK, North America, and Asia. Passionate about coaching and education, she founded her own coaching practice in Singapore in 2022, where she has lived for the past decade. Patricia firmly believes in the transformative power of coaching and its pivotal role in initiating change. A learner by nature, she is particularly interested in neuroscience and coaching approaches as a powerful vehicle for maximising potential and being at our best.
Paul Cui
Operations and Facilities Management (Chinese)
Paul Cui有丰富的国际学校营运和设施管理经验，目前就职于上海一家国际学校
Paul Lloyd
Physics Teachers (Secondary)
Paul Lloyd will be your host for this community. Originally from England, he has been teaching internationally for 18 years, all in Shanghai. Throughout this time, he has worked in several schools and taught IGCSE, A-Level, and IB to both Western and Chinese students. This experience has provided him with deep insights into effective teaching strategies and ways to overcome various factors that hinder learning.
Pearl Noh
College Counselors
Pearl Noh is an experienced educator with a passion for guiding international students through the college application process. With over 20 years of experience in education, Pearl has developed a deep understanding of the unique needs of diverse and dynamic transnational students. As a certified counselor, she provides personalized support and guidance tailored to each student’s specific needs and prioritizes emotional systems in college counseling programs. Pearl’s students apply to an average of 17 countries every year, showcasing their diverse academic and social-emotional backgrounds. Pearl’s mission is to help her students build self-efficacy and foster collaboration among stakeholders. She believes that the best part of college counseling is collaborating within the community.
Rachel Tang
Lab Technicians – Science (Chinese)
Rachel Tang 現職 滬江維多利亞學校 VSA 的一級實驗室技術員，主力負責物理實驗室管理工作。 Rachel 從 2001 年開始實驗室技術員生涯，曾於數間國際學校工作。工作細心有系統。憑著對實驗室工作有著要求及程序，在 2016 年註冊成為 Registered Science Technician (RSciTech)。有著 廿多年經驗，望為技術員建立一個小社區，分享工作問題，互相學習，薪火相傳，
Ray Chow
Human Resource Leaders
Ray Chow, originally from Canada, is a Beijing-based leadership consultant and executive coach with 25+ years of experience in corporate and educational sectors. Adept in HR and operational leadership, Ray has worked with organizations like EY Ernst & Young and international schools across Asia and Europe. As a PeerSphere facilitator, Ray aims to create an environment that fosters collective learning and growth. Ray specializes in adaptive mindset shifts, cross-cultural communication, talent management, change management, and workplace coaching. He is married to an educator and administrator, raising three children in a bilingual world school in Beijing.
Ray Zhang
Lab Technicians – Science (Chinese)
I’m Ray from International School of Tianjin. Curiosity might kill a cat, but it a human being alive. I’m looking forwards to all the experiences, stories, ideas from everyone!
Rebecca Doige
Mathematics Teachers (Elementary)
Rebecca is an experienced international educator with 16 years of experience in curriculum, instruction, and leadership. Having worked in Canada and in international schools in China, she possesses a deep understanding of diverse educational contexts. Her expertise and commitment to the learning community have been developed through a MEd in Administration and Leadership and work as IB PYP Coordinator, (former) co-chair of PYP coordinator network for North China, WASC Visiting Committee Member, and IBEN Workshop Leader. She serves as a panel member and mentor for students at the University of New Brunswick. Rebecca currently works as Literacy Coach and interim PYP Coordinator at Shekou International School. Outside of work, Rebecca enjoys family time, reading, painting, and travelling.
Rhea D'Lima
Inclusive Workplaces (DEIJ)
Rhea, a compassionate Psychologist, holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology. She has the experience of working in Clinical Psychology Departments at Hospitals, Mental Health Organisations, Counselling Centres and currently practices as a School Counsellor at an International School nurturing young minds across different grades. As a Workshop Facilitator, Rhea provides participants with opportunities to reflect, interact and learn strategies that they can apply in their everyday lives. In each role, Rhea brings a blend of passion and expertise striving to make a meaningful impact while guiding individuals towards holistic wellbeing.
Rob Carmichael
Outdoor Learning
Originally from Northern Ireland, Rob has led the globally recognized and award-winning Outdoor & Experiential Education Department at UWC Thailand for the past five years. His extensive experience in a range of outdoor disciplines has enabled him to guide and support participants and students in a range of experiential learning environments including challenging multi-day expeditions. Rob also plays a key role in international organisations, serving on the Duke of Edinburgh International Award Advisory Panel and as a leading member of the OFFSEAS (Outdoor Forum for South East Asian Schools) committee. In addition to this Rob shares his insights on outdoor and experiential education with audiences worldwide as conference speaker and workshop leader.
Ruben du Plooy
Social and Emotional Counseling
Ruben du Plooy is the MYP/DP guidance counsellor at the Canadian International of Hefei. Ruben has lived and worked in China as a middle and high-school teacher and a guidance counsellor. Ruben’s educational background includes a BA in Psychology, an Honour’s degree in Educational Psychology, and a Master’s in Leadership in Education. Ruben works as part of his school’s Guidance and University Counselling team, focusing on students’ and staff’s social-emotional well-being. Ruben is looking forward to hosting this community and providing a platform for counsellors to learn and grow.
Samantha Chesler
Women in Leadership
Samantha Chesler is a certified and experienced coach in education who works with international school leaders and teachers. Her coaching seeks to help her clients discover the power, purpose and magic that resides within them so that they can teach and lead with self-awareness, and confidence. The importance of coaching, and what drives her, is the impact coaching can have both on the individual and their communities, so schools become impactful, values-driven and compassionate places to work and thrive. Her approach is playful, creative, and collaborative. As a former international teacher and head of department with over 16 years of experience, she understands the reality of working in a busy school and loves coaching and working with educators. She is based in Singapore.
Sandra Clark Guillotel
New to Middle Leadership
Originally from Canada, Sandra Clark Guillotel spent the early years of her career teaching French and English in Montreal and the Sub-Arctic. Since then, she has worked with teachers and students in K-12 schools in Swaziland (now Eswatini), USA, Mexico, Germany, Singapore and China. Over a 40-year career, she has served in various roles, including teacher, head of department, grade level leader, workshop leader, Board of Trustees member, and principal. Based in Beijing since 2018, Sandra is an MYP and DP English teacher and an Associate Dean in the Teaching and Learning Centre at Keystone Academy, where she coordinates and participates in mentor-mentee programmes. Sandra embraces the philosophy “we are all in this together”, and she enjoys supporting faculty and students, both formally and informally, on their paths to growth and success.
Sandy Venter
Principals (Elementary)
Sandy Venter, born and raised in South Africa, is an experienced educator with a career spanning 19 years, including 12 years within the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework. Throughout her journey, she has been deeply committed to fostering excellence in education and promoting innovative teaching methodologies. With leadership roles encompassing six years, two of those in a startup school in Russia, Sandy has shown a strong ability to guide educational communities towards collaborative growth and success. Her professional experiences have taken her to four countries, providing her with valuable insights into diverse cultural and educational contexts. Currently based in China as a Head of Primary and PYP Coordinator, Sandy believes in nurturing a team who are dedicated to cultivating an inclusive learning environment where each student is empowered to explore, inquire, and develop a lifelong love for learning.
Sarah Emberger
Learning Support Specialists (Inclusion)
Sarah Emberger began her journey as Inclusion champion as a language teacher and SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator). She has led on innovation and change initiatives in Inner City London Schools and worked strategically with curriculum leaders and teachers to ensure students with additional needs received high quality teaching and individualised support programs that allowed them to succeed. Student-centred review processes and a tracking system for interventions were introduced as part of these efforts. In her current role, she works with BML (Bi- and Multilingual Learners) and SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) students. In liaising with SLT she offers targeted PD sessions to further develop best practice and successful support for all learners.
Sarah Plews
Planning and Evaluating Professional Development
Sarah’s experience lies at the nexus of teaching and learning, leadership and professional learning. Over the course of her career, she has strived to foster cultures of coaching and collaborative professionalism.
She is committed to developing team process and thrives when collaborating and supporting others to succeed. Sarah is passionate about building capacity at the individual, team and organizational level.
Following her most recent in-school role directing professional development for growth and learning at an international school in Portugal, she now spends her time as a consultant, coach and facilitator, supporting leadership, professional learning and school development projects at a local, regional and global level.
Sarah Torolano
Aspiring Senior Leaders – Getting Promoted
Sarah Tortolano is an experienced educational leader within the international scene, who is hugely passionate about supporting and mentoring individuals in striving to reach their personal and professional goals. Currently based in Shanghai, Sarah has previously been Head of Wellbeing in a highly reputable school in Dubai where she implemented and drove a wellness curriculum, that was observed and recognized for the positive impact on the community by the local educational government. Sarah moved to China in 2021 and has been promoted within the organisation multiple times. She is now the Head of Pastoral Care for one of the larger campuses in Shanghai. Sarah has overcome numerous barriers and challenges to get to where she is and believes in sharing successful strategies with others.
Sasha Dalmonego
New to Senior Leadership (Elementary)
Sasha Dalmonego has 11 years’ experience in International Education, which includes a range of leadership positions across international schools in Asia. As a qualified therapist and coach, she has a keen interest in psychology and neuroscience and how learning from these areas can be applied to support the creation of cohesive, collaborative communities within schools.
Throughout Sasha’s leadership positions, she has developed a passion for supporting positive change within schools, through structured implementation. This has been largely driven by John Hattie’s research findings and learning from the National Professional Qualification of Headship. Sasha Dalmonego is currently Head of Student Support (Cross Campus) at Yew Chung International School, Shanghai.
Scott Jamieson
Project Based Learning
Scott Jamieson grew up in Eastern Canada and has lived and worked his entire adult life as an educator overseas. Prior to joining Inspire Citizens in 2020, he spent 17 years as a teacher and administrator in international schools across Asia. He holds Masters degrees in Education, Educational Leadership, and Special Education. He is passionate about designing learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom, develop empathy and lead to authentic community action. With Inspire Citizens, Scott works with schools, teachers and students to view learning through the lens of Empathy to Impact to support students’ development as global citizens, and to empower them to have a positive impact in their local and global communities. He is also the host and producer of the Empathy to Impact Podcast.
Shameek Ghosh
Subject Leaders (Secondary)
Shameek have been a subject leader for quite a number of years before working his way through to become a DP coordinator, Head of Secondary and Head of School. In his journey, one of the key things he have discovered is the role that the subject leaders play in ensuring the the curriculum is planned, taught and assessed in a coherent manner that maximizes a student’s learning experience. Join him in this journey to learn together on what are best practices and how you can reflect on improving yourselves and our community.
Shannon Doak
Tech Directors & Coordinators
Dr. Shannon H. Doak is an experienced educator and leader in international schools. With expertise in blended and eLearning, he’s dedicated to making PD more effective. He holds a doctorate and masters in Educational Technology, a degree in school technology coordination. Dr. Doak has been at the forefront of changing the digital and educational landscape of the schools he has worked for. He is an avid coffee drinker and a home barista. His current passions center on AI, all things coffee, and EdTech. Currently, he’s the Tech Director at Nanjing International School, where he’s implemented security training platforms, organizational structures, and security procedures to ensure network integrity.
Simon Johnston
Boarding / Residential Leadership
Simon Johnston is an experienced educator and advocate for comprehensive student care. Currently serving as the Assistant Head of School and Head of Boarding at Dulwich International High School, Suzhou, Simon has a rich background in international teaching, with a strong focus on pastoral care and curriculum development. With over eight years of experience in diverse boarding environments at high-profile schools, he has dedicated his career to enhancing the pedagogical landscape. His focus is on creating teaching systems that recognise and nurture the academic, emotional, social, and personal growth of students, ensuring they are well-prepared for the complexities of the future. Inside and outside of school.
Sophia (Keqing) Deng
Non-Teaching Staff – New to International School Leadership (Chinese)
Sophia Deng是土生土长的广东人，在北京学习和工作了10年，后在深圳哈罗担任行政经理。Sophia在双语学校和国际学校共有8年的行政工作经验，非常热衷于和来自多国多文化的人们建立关系，以及展开教育事业。她相信行政员工也可以在国际学校里得到长足的发展。作为中层管理的新手，她非常希望能和其他新手，或者即将成为管理新手的伙伴们一起交流成长。 2024-25学年开始，Sophia在美国霍普金斯大学教育学院就读研究生，专攻国际教育和全球领导力。
Sophia Suo
Foreign Language Teachers (Secondary)
Sophia is an experienced international school Mandarin teacher, with a wealth of expertise and passion for language education. With a background in Chinese Language and Literature, as well as extensive experience teaching IB DP and MYP Chinese Language courses, Sophia is dedicated to fostering cross-cultural understanding and instilling a deep appreciation for language, culture, and heritage in her students. Her goal is to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment where every student feels valued, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential. Sophia’s educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Chinese Language and Literature from Central China Normal University, a Master’s degree in Education from Shaanxi Normal University, and a recent Master of Psychology from Arizona State University. This has equipped her with a solid foundation in pedagogy and a deep understanding of cognitive development and psychological aspects of learning. This multifaceted background enables Sophia to approach teaching with a holistic perspective, ensuring that every aspect of students’ growth and development is nurtured.
Steve Hackman
Student Leadership
Steve Hackman is a Hong Kong based educator and speaker who has been the Head of Christian and Community Development at Yew Chung Education Foundation for more than a decade. In that role he has had the privilege to be able to travel across the network of YCEF schools developing service-learning and student leadership in various capacities including training workshops, experiential trips, and individual consulting. He has a passion to see students and teachers alike develop to their full potential and experience a life flourishing.
Stuart Lawrence
Student Leadership
Stuart Lawrence is a British educator, author, and activist who advocates for equality, diversity, and inclusion in education and society. brother of Stephen Lawrence, a young black man tragically murdered in a racially motivated attack in 1993. This event had a profound impact on Stuart’s life and inspired him to become an advocate for justice and equality.Stuart grew up in London and attended the University of Northampton, earned a degree in Graphic Communications. After graduation, he worked in various roles before deciding to pursue a career in education. In 2019, Stuart published his first book, “Silence is Not an Option: You Can Impact the World for Change”, sharing his personal story and calling.
SunKyung Lee
Chemistry Teachers (Secondary)
With over 15 years of teaching experience in various international schools across Asia, SunKyung brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the field of education. SunKyung has served as an examiner for IB DP Chemistry and 4CH1 Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry. As an IB workshop leader, she has had the opportunity to share her expertise and contribute to the professional development of educators. As a firm believer that a teacher is a teaching and learning designer, SunKyung is committed to creating a stimulating and inclusive learning environment that empowers learners to unlock their full potential. SunKyung strives to design engaging and enriching learning experiences that cater to the diverse needs of learners, fostering their curiosity, critical thinking, and personal growth.
Supriya Kotwal
Safeguarding / Child Protection
Supriya Kotwal-Mahajan is a counsellor and art therapist practising in International Schools in Singapore for over a decade. Supriya has a Masters in Counselling with a specialisation in CBT and a Masters in Art Therapy with a Psychodynamic focus. Currently Supriya is the Head of Wellbeing Counselling at SJI International School in Singapore and leads a team of counsellors supporting over a 1000 high school students. Supriya is trained as a facilitator for the Positive Parenting Programme and Tuning into Kids and Teens programme as well as the suicide intervention programme ASIST. As a host Supriya is looking forward to providing a caring and nurturing forum on the PeerSphere platform!
Teelothama (Leena) Nothoo
Visual Arts
Leena Nothoo is an international educator with experience spanning over two decades working with leading universities from Australia and the UK; through a short teaching period at primary school level in India; and teaching pre-university students in Shanghai. Her specialty lies in Visual Communications (graphic design; photography; illustration, mainly) and the Visual Arts. Leena has frequently worked pro bono with NGOs in Mauritius by leading her students to design artworks from graphic posters to other forms of merchandise.As a new IB Visual Arts teacher currently in China, Leena is keen on sharing and learning from her peers; leading teachers to discuss ideas to get the best from learners in this creative and vibrant subject as well as how to integrate new technology in their learning.
Therese Myhre
Mathematics Teachers (Elementary)
Therese is an elementary educator with 26 years of experience. She has just completed her first year as an international educator and has thoroughly enjoyed the collaboration and networking with other educators worldwide. Therese’s passion is math in an elementary setting and she has held roles as a classroom teacher and an all school interventionist. She is nationally board certified in mathematics and holds an education specialist degree in teacher leadership and educational administration. As a math minded elementary educator, she has found herself to be unique in that most math minded educators find their way to secondary education. Therese is looking forward to leading a fantastic group of educators and learning from each other about the amazing things we are doing around the world!
Thom Ferlisi
Performing Arts – Developing your Practice (Secondary)
Thom Ferlisi is an experienced theatre educator dedicated to fostering connections and building a supportive community for theatre and performing arts teachers. With a Master’s in Educational Theatre from New York University and a background in special education, Thom brings unique expertise to his role. Over the past four years, he has served as a full-time theatre teacher, guiding students in acting, directing, producing, and technical theatre, with a special love for musical theatre. He also holds graduate certificates in Blended Learning and School Administration, enhancing his ability to create innovative learning experiences. Thom aims to address the isolation theatre teachers often face, promoting a strong community for professional growth and student-centered learning.
Tim Evans
Tech Directors & Coordinators
Tim is the Learning Technologies & Data Coordinator at the American International School of Guangzhou, China. Holding a Masters in Educational Technology, Tim brings a wealth of expertise to his role, blending theoretical knowledge with practical application. He is passionate about using technology in the classroom to enhance the whole teaching and learning experience. Originally from Wales, UK, Tim has led digital change in his home country and internationally in Spain, in Hong Kong, and most recently the UAE.
Toni Dong
Non-Teaching Staff – New to International School Leadership (Chinese)
董文博，作为北京一所国际学校的创校成员，有15年的国际学校运营经验。她热爱教育，以社区内每个人包括学生、老师和家长的不断成长为目标，塑造并示范践行着学校的教育理念。十余年来，带领团队营造了国际部独有的积极校园社区关系，创造了和谐温暖的校园环境。拥有语言学与应用语言学教育背景的她，深谙国际教育环境中的文化差异，在行政、外事、财务、运营、后勤、媒体、宿舍、政府事务等方面都愿意与社区里的每一位成员进行探讨，共同继续成长。
Vince Cheng
Finance Managers (Chinese)
Vince Cheng has 10+ years of experience in the international education industry and is currently based in China. He has served as a guest lecturer for the New School Insight Principal Training Program from 2021 to 2023. Recognized as a Big Data Engineer in the Hurun Education Top 100 in China for 2021 and 2022, Vince has significantly impacted international education with data-driven insights. He has won the Education Industry Award at the Microsoft Power BI Data Visualization Competition and participated in the Microsoft Power Platform Low-Code Competition. Vince holds a Master’s degree in Accounting from Monash University and is a Chartered Accountant. His experience spans financial roles in ASX-listed companies, non-profits, tourism, and FMCG sectors.
Ying Chen (Vivian)
Chinese Teachers – Secondary (Chinese)
Ying Chen embarked on her MYP/DP career in 2022, stepping into the vibrant realm of education with zeal and dedication. Currently, she is engaged in teaching three MYP Mandarin phase 1 or 2 classes, alongside two DP Ab initio classes, spanning from Grade 6 to senior levels at an esteemed international school in Shanghai, China. Driven by a fervent desire to connect with and glean wisdom from seasoned educators, as well as aspiring teachers who share her passion for teaching non-English language acquisition, Ying seeks to foster a supportive community where knowledge and experiences can be exchanged and enriched.
Yujiro Fujiwara
Mathematics Teachers (Secondary)
Dr. Yujiro Fujiwara is an accomplished STEM educator with over 14 years of international experience dedicated to enhancing the educational capabilities of students and teachers in STEM. His expertise is rooted in STEM education, deeply emphasizing the integration of mathematics. Currently, he is the Head of STEM and High School Mathematics at Concordia International School in Shanghai, where he leads the development and execution of an innovative P-12 STEM curriculum. Dr. Fujiwara’s teaching strategy focuses on hands-on learning and the integration of technologies, boosting student engagement and deepening their understanding of complex STEM concepts. Furthermore, his research explores how students perceive science within new media and the impact of these perceptions on their potential STEM career paths, offering valuable insights that help shape effective educational practices and career guidance in STEM fields.
Latest Hosts
Adam McRoy
NESSIC Heads of School
Adam McRoy is a seasoned educational leader with a career dedicated entirely to advancing education. Currently serving as the Headmaster at Cogdel Cranleigh School Changsha, Adam has been shaping the educational landscape in China since 2002. With a career that began early, he took on his first educational leadership role aged 24 and became a Headmaster at 29. Adam’s experience includes roles as an Associate Professor at Northeastern University, a Visiting Scholar at Pepperdine University, and a former IELTS Examiner and Examiner Trainer. Adam is a founding member of the NESSIC advisory board and is eagerly anticipating his role as co-host of the NESSIC Heads of School Community, where he will continue to foster collaboration and leadership among educational professionals.
Ben Henry
Upper Elementary Teachers (G4-6) – Practices and Pedagogy
Ben Henry has taught Grade 5 for 12 years, working in London, Bristol and Singapore. Experienced in the International School setting, Ben is dedicated to exploring best practice in the ever-evolving landscape of classroom teaching. With over fifteen years of classroom experience in five schools, he knows there is no ‘best way’ to teach something, but loves to debate what strategies, resources and teaching styles are most effective!
Carrie Qian
Chinese Teachers (Elementary)
Carrie Qian 是一位经验丰富的国际汉语教师，致力于支持教师的专业发展，建立专注于持续进步和协作的团队。 Carrie Qian目前任职于耀中外籍人员子女学校，曾担任专业发展主任，培养了以学生为中心的专业学习的协作文化。她积极参与校内外的中文教育培训，将教学一线的实践经验与教师们分享。例如，Acamis、国际学校华语教育研讨会和ISCLE等。Carrie还曾参加过两届Senior Leader Online Programme，积累了丰富的同侪分享交流和指导经验。 目前，她担任耀中小学的课程主任，致力于在国际学校中提升和优化汉语教育，推动其卓越发展。
Julia Ferris
Lower Elementary Teachers (G1-3) – Practices and Pedagogy
Julia is an experienced international educator with a background in both New Zealand and overseas teaching. Having worked in PYP schools, Julia is deeply passionate about fostering inquiry-based learning environments that engage and inspire young learners. With a strong commitment to student-centered education she brings a wealth of practical knowledge and a collaborative spirit to the PeerSphere community. Her international experience and dedication to continuous improvement makes her an ideal co-host for this community of lower elementary educators.
Justin Hockey
Performing Arts (Elementary & Early Years)
Justin Hockey has over 17 years of experience teaching music to students across early years, primary, and secondary. After teacher training in Australia, Justin has taught in India, South Korea, Australia, and China in British, Australian, and American schools. Having led school ensembles including band, choir, and orchestra, he is now enjoying the challenge of developing young musicians in his first IB school. Having moved to China in August, he is excited to co-host the Elementary and Early Years Performing Arts Peersphere community.
Nikita Nagel
Lower Elementary Teachers (G1-3) – Practices and Pedagogy
Nikita Nagel is a dedicated grade 5 teacher currently based in Zhuhai, China, with a background in education that began in New Zealand. With experience in upper elementary teaching, Nikita is passionate about advancing practices and pedagogy to foster student engagement and learning. Her expertise spans diverse educational settings, blending innovative strategies from her New Zealand roots with insights gained in China. Nikita is committed to supporting fellow educators in exploring effective teaching methods and sharing valuable resources to enhance classroom experiences.
Parvana Guliyeva
Upper Elementary Teachers (G4-6) – Practices and Pedagogy
Parvana Guliyeva has been an IB educator for over a decade, working in both teaching and leadership roles. She holds a Master’s degree in Education Management, Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), and the NPQ Senior Leadership certificate from the UK Department of Education. Throughout her career, she has had the privilege of teaching and leading at prestigious international schools across Asia and Europe. These diverse experiences have enriched her professional journey, allowing her to engage with educators from various cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Currently based in China, she works as an EY and PYP Math Coach at the Canadian International School of Hefei. In addition to her coaching role, she also serves as an IBEN member, PYP Programme leader, and Workshop Leader.
Teresa Li
Chinese Teachers (Elementary)
拥有美国留学经历并取得TESOL教育学专业硕士学位，现任上海国际学校小学部主任，具有十年以上上海本地国际学校中文教学经验。我不仅对小学课程体系的构建有着深厚的理解，还在设计单元课程与教学法研究方面多次受邀在国际学校华语教育研讨会、ACAMIS等重要场合进行分享。 熟悉国际学校的工作及管理流程，能够与外籍教师及领导默契配合。对不同文化背景的学生、家长及同事有着良好的适应能力，具备卓越的跨文化交际能力。在二语教学领域，我进行了深入的研究，并积累了丰富的教学实践策略。擅长根据学生的学习特点，采用差异化的教学方法，调动课堂气氛，拥有成熟的教学技巧和驾驭课堂的能力。 多年来我始终保持对教学的热情，期待与各位老师一起不断追求专业成长和进步！
Christine Chen
Teaching Assistants – Elementary (English)
Motivated and resourceful Teaching Assistant with over 6 years of experience in early primary and French International Programme settings. Keen to assist young learners in creating an engaging and effective learning environment.
Constance Leung
English Literature Teachers (Secondary)
Constance Leung is a dynamic international educator with over 14 years of experience in Upper Elementary and Middle Years. She holds a Master of Arts in Teaching and Curriculum from Michigan State University. Constance’s passion lies in creating engaging, concept-driven learning environments that promote real-world application of knowledge. She’s committed to promoting equality and amplifying all voices. Constance empowers students to become global citizens, focusing on diversity, sustainability and student-centered learning.
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© Peer Sphere. All Rights Reserved 2023