Ms Kathryn Richardson, Master of Wellington College Hangzhou, is an accomplished education leader with over 20 years of experience. She taught in London schools where she quickly progressed into leadership positions. In 2014, Kathryn moved to Dubai as a Deputy Headteacher in a British curriculum international school and was promoted to the Head of Primary at their newly opened sister school in 2016.
Kathryn holds a bachelor’s degree in education, specialising in maths and science. In addition to this, she has a master’s degree in educational leadership and management and is also a qualified facilitator for the National Qualifications of Middle and Senior Leadership.
Kathryn has a passion for school improvement and strongly believes in making sure every child reaches their true potential. Kathryn has redesigned school curriculums so that they are creative, personalised to each individual pupil, and provide challenge for all. In her spare time, Kathryn enjoys travelling, reading and spending time with her family.
Chang has been Bursar at Wellington College Hangzhou since 2019 and comes with a wealth of experience in finance and management. After graduating from Tianjin Normal University Chang started her career at a Fortune 500 company where she grew to lead the accounting department. In 2003, she decided to pursue her academic and professional goals in the UK, where she completed her BSc in Applied Accounting, ACCA qualification, and MSc in Accounting with Finance. She worked as an auditor in a firm located in Mayfair, London for three and a half years, gaining valuable overseas working experience.
Prior to joining Wellington College Hangzhou, Chang has held many senior roles within Wellington College China family, starting as Finance & HR Manager at Wellington College International Tianjin in early 2011 and transferring to Wellington College International Shanghai in 2014 at its founding stage. In the capacity of Senior Finance Manager, she was responsible for the finance of all Wellington and Hiba schools in Shanghai.
Ms Ivey Wang graduated from East China Normal University with a bachelor's degree in Chinese international education and completed a master's degree course in educational psychology. She also holds a master’s degree in education from Plymouth State University. Ivey is an IB examiner and qualified IB Middle Year Programme(MYP) Principal; She has obtained the certification of Leading School Course from Harvard Graduate School and the teacher training certification of ACTFL and Positive Discipline. She is also the Off Campus Practice Project Advisor of East China Normal University.
Ivey has been engaged in international education for nearly 17 years. She has worked in several top international schools in Shanghai where she developed the skills of multi-cultural understanding and communication, as well as the understanding and practice of internationally recognised pedagogy, and gradually became a leader from a teacher. She worked as K12 Chinese Curriculum Coordinator at an international school in Shanghai, then served as School Curriculum Director and Primary School Principal at two international bilingual schools in Suzhou and Shanghai. She integrated Chinese and western education concepts and wisdom, built a collaborative and efficient team, led the development of integrated bilingual immersion curriculum and always committed to creating more opportunities for students’ development.
Ivey adheres to the mission of international educators, which is to provide future oriented education for students, focus on students’ holistic development and improve their global competence and wellbeing. Through leading education innovations, she dedicates to cultivate lifelong learners with deep Chinese cultural roots and international mindedness, who will be able to communicate confidently on the international stage and deal with global issues in the future.
Sophie completed her bachelor's degree at the University of Birmingham, UK. Whilst volunteering at a local primary school during this time, she decided to become a teacher and undertook a PGCE at the University of Exeter in Primary Education with a specialism in the Early Years.
Sophie's passion is the development and education of young children. However, she has a range of experience across the primary age group at the teaching and management levels. During her career, Sophie has also taught in various settings and three different countries. After qualifying and spending time learning her craft in the UK, she joined a British international school in Cairo, where she stayed for several years. Upon returning to London, she became Head of Early Years Foundation Stage at a highly respected prep school for girls in London. In 2013 Sophie joined an international school in Beijing as Head of Early Years and has been in China since. Since 2018, she has led the Primary sections in Shenzhen and in Chengdu.
Sophie was a teacher moderator for the London Borough of Camden's Early Years team. She has also been an NQT mentor and has written articles about Early Childhood Education for several magazines. Sophie is passionate about child-centred education and the importance of meaningful education for children. She is also interested in Special Educational Needs. Sophie grew up near and was educated in the City of Bath in the UK. She is accompanied by her husband and two children, who are attending Wellington College International Hangzhou. In her spare time, Sophie enjoys reading and supporting charities, particularly animal welfare.
Tracey, originally from Shanghai, graduated from the University of Sydney, Australia, with a bachelor’s degree in science and a master’s degree in education. In addition, she has a bachelor's teaching degree in secondary mathematics from the University of Technology, Sydney.
After teaching in Sydney, Tracey continued her career in Beijing and Shanghai. From 2013 to 2016 Tracey developed and implemented the bilingual mathematics curriculum in the international division of a foreign languages school in Beijing. During her career, her teaching was acknowledged with an award for the best demonstration of teaching in the Sixth “China-Sweden International Mathematics Education Forum”. Tracey previously worked as the Head of Secondary at an international school and has played a vital role in the start-up of this school, from preparation to the opening of the school and the continued development of the integrated bilingual curriculum.
She believes that one of the important roles of an educator is to provide students with the skills to adapt to the demands of their future education; to cultivate in them the initiative to learn in various scenarios; to enhance self-directed learning and teamwork as well as to foster a life-long learning mindset. Tracey believes that as well as having the power of critical thinking, it is of paramount significance for students to develop benevolence as a way to enrich their inner selves and the worlds of others with whom they interact.y interact.
Mr Darren Mumford has over 20 years' experience as both a teacher and a leader. He has held senior leadership roles since 2013 where he has led on areas such as curriculum design, reporting and assessment, data analysis, quality assurance, and staff development. He has completed the National Professional Qualification in Headship and is a trained BSO inspector and has completed training to be an OFSTED inspector in the UK. Mr Mumford completed the 3 year ‘Future Leaders’ course in 2018.
His recent role as Vice Principal in the UAE has included leading the whole school development plan and self-evaluation in a large bilingual international school, working with pupils from across the world. Whilst in the UAE, his school was awarded a ‘Very Good’ rating in its first-ever Ministry of Education inspection which is virtually unheard of within 3 years of opening. Before working in the UAE, he worked at another international school in Beijing.
Mr Mumford’s educational philosophy has always been ‘everyone achieves’. He has worked within many educational settings and has always striven to develop the whole child, creating nurturing, caring environments that have allowed pupils to find their ‘niche’. He believes Outstanding examination results are only part of the puzzle – resilience, communication, creativity, emotional intelligence, and well-being are just some of the attributes to ensure that pupils are “future ready”.
He also believes it is his responsibility to ensure that when pupils leave school, they have the qualifications and tools they need to be able to take the next steps in their lives.
James is from Chongqing. He completed his bachelor's degree at Chongqing University, specialising in Marketing, and his post graduate education at Sun Yat-Sen University with an International MBA degree jointly granted by Sun Yat-Sen and MIT.
He has over 14 years of marketing experience, providing professional services of marketing and brand building for companies like UTC, British Embassy, Disney, and international schools in Guangzhou and Chongqing.
James is a huge sport fan, he loves football, motorbike racing, kart racing, scuba diving, bouldering, and workouts with weights. In his spare time, he also devotes time to public services regarding environment protection, care for vulnerable groups and animal protection.
Joy Qiao is the Founder and Chairman of Wellington College China. She founded the group in 2009 and, under her leadership, Wellington China has become one of the most reputable international education groups in China and globally. Joy grew up in Shanghai and earned her BA in Computer Science at the University of Oxford. Prior to her devotion to education, she had extensive experience working in the IT industry in the United Kingdom, Germany and China.
Joy is married to a British husband and they have two teenage sons. Influenced by this, Joy's vision is to create the world's leading English-Chinese bilingual schools, which combine the very best attributes of both British and Chinese education. She views such blended education as being a key contributor towards deepening understanding and appreciation between China and the rest of the world. Bilingualism, cross-cultural awareness and global citizenship will all be highly valued skills in this century when East is meeting West.
Chris Huo works with Fosun International as Senior Investment Director. He leads the private equity investment activities in the UK and European market for the real estate arm of Fosun Group and is responsible for overseas subsidiary businesses from a governance and compliance perspective. Prior to Fosun, Chris spent 10 years with KPMG in the UK where he practiced as an auditor of international businesses, covering a wide range of industries and public organisations including universities and charities. He also worked in the KPMG Corporate Finance division, advising UK-listed corporates and global investment funds in infrastructure and TMT spaces, with respect to corporate reorganisation/ restructuring, strategic review, cross-border transactions and valuation.
Outside of work, Chris has gained experience of governance and wider regulatory issues through his interest in technology and investment. In the field of venture capital investment activities, he acts as a senior consultant for early-stage companies (FinTech, medical device, data analytics and distributed ledger) in the UK. He currently sits on the board of directors of VOGT Stockholm, a Swedish luxury fashion business.
Chris has 20 years of experience of living and working across Asia and Europe. Very relevant to Wellington China, he was educated in both China and in the UK. Chris has a deep understanding of both parts of the world, making him a natural candidate for working across cultures.
Chris graduated with a BEng (Hon) in Electromechanical Engineering from the University of Southampton in 2008. He then qualified as a chartered accountant with The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales in 2011. He is married with one child who presently studies at Wellington College International Shanghai.
Ms Maya Tarabay Schisano is one of the founding members of the Friends of Wellington (FOW), serving as the Events Chair since 2014 and the Chair in the 2018-19 school year. She worked closely with the College to achieve an open, dynamic and inclusive culture.
Maya has a BA in Interior Design, Marketing and Fine Arts from the American University of Beirut in Lebanon and is fluent in Arabic, French, Italian and English. Currently living in Shanghai, Maya has lived in the United States, Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates, Italy and Australia.
She has extensive experience working in the luxury goods industry, and was at one time a global account manager at Prada. Maya also has experience in public relations and marketing, consulting for various Lebanese businesses as well as MSN Arabia and Sabil Water. In addition, she spent some time working as a presenter for the National Broadcasting Network (NBN) in Lebanon.
Maya first became seriously interested in education when her boys first started school at Wellington College International Shanghai in 2014. Recognising the alignment between the College’s philosophy and ethos and her own, she put her energy and focus as a parent into working towards that common goal: a school in which all children can thrive and that her boys are proud to be Wellingtonians.
Andy Yarrow has been Chief Executive of Anthem, a UK-based Multi-Academy trust with 16 primary and secondary schools, since March 2017. He spent the previous three and a half years at one of the largest MATs, Oasis Community Learning, as Regional Director for the London and South East Region. Prior to joining Oasis in 2013, Andy was Founding Principal of Chelsea Academy and Headteacher of Hornsey School for Girls in Haringey, London. Both schools achieved outstanding Ofsted judgments under his leadership. Having studied geography at UCL, followed by a PGCE at Cambridge University, Andy started his career as a secondary school geography teacher in London in 1991, moving to Head of Geography in Surrey in 1995, Assistant Headteacher in Hertfordshire in 1998, Deputy Headteacher in Slough in 2000 and headship in 2004.
Andy has been a coach for UCL's NPQH programme and has coached around 100 aspiring and serving headteachers over the past 12 years. Andy also has a considerable interest in international education, having visited schools in over 20 different countries and spoken at school leadership conferences in several, including China.
Ruth brings with her over 28 years of experience in education, having taught pupils aged 3 to 11 in both UK and international school settings. During her career, Ruth has held a range of leadership positions, and holds a qualification as a Special Needs Coordinator and pastoral lead, demonstrating her comprehensive understanding of diverse pupil needs.
Central to Ruth’s approach is her dedication to holistic learning and the promotion of positive behaviour and Restorative Justice practices. Her commitment to fostering a supportive and respectful environment aligns with her role as a pastoral lead, where she prioritised pupil well-being. Ruth’s focus on evidence-based practices highlights her efforts to continuously improve pedagogy, ensuring an optimal learning experience for all pupils.
Ruth is a life-long learner who finds joy in exploring the diverse genres of literature. She enjoys informational reading that broadens her knowledge while equally delighting in the escapism offered by fiction. Her love for books is not confined to just fiction and non-fiction; she also finds inspiration in cookery books. Ruth enjoys experimenting with new recipes, allowing her to explore new flavours and create something new to her culinary repertoire. This passion for culinary experimentation reflects her adventurous spirit and creative approach to exploring different aspects of life.
Alice Wang completed her Master’s degree at Harvard University, specialising in Language and Literacy Education. During her time at Harvard, Alice joined a research team to examine how bilingual experiences could shape cognition and learning using neuroimaging and behavioral methods.
Before that, she spent four years at Beijing Normal University for her undergraduate qualification, majoring in Chinese Language and Literature. Alice is a nationally certified secondary school Chinese teacher. She has experience working with beginner, intermediate, and advanced students from various cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
Alice worked in a prestigious international school in Beijing as a high school Mandarin teacher. She also worked as a 10th grade homeroom teacher, integrating collaboration, engagement and cultural diversity into classroom management. Alice started practicing yoga three years ago. She believes that achieving peace of mind is a major life accomplishment. She is also a pet lover, living with a rabbit and a corgi dog.
Carina joined Hiba Academy Hangzhou in 2018. She completed her master’s degree with honours from Hong Kong Baptist University. Her major was English Language Study with a focus on English literature and second language acquisition. She has presided over and participated in several research programmes, such as Introducing Literature Reading into English Teaching - A Research on Writing Teaching and Establish Critical Thinking in English Teaching. With a profound understanding in the interactive role of teaching and research, Carina never ceased self-reflection and has updated her teaching methods and strategies through her research.
Beside teaching TOFEL and English picture books, Carina has years of experience in teaching English to high school students and served as a class teacher as well. Over the years, she worked with children of a wide age range, allowing her to obtain a deep understanding of the nature of second language acquisition and learning strategy. Her excellent management skills helped her class win the honour of Outstanding Class in Hangzhou.
Working in Hiba Academy Hangzhou, she has discovered the advantages of Chinese and western teaching and aimed to apply them into her teaching in this bilingual teaching environment. Carina sincerely hopes to help students develop into a better version of themselves through qualified teaching both academically and beyond, also to be prepared for future learning and life. She is ready to listen and offer help to pupils and work with parents to build an inspired and happy learning environment. Carina is enjoying working together with her pupils and colleagues at Hiba Academy Hangzhou.
Louise’s teaching career has been based in Suffolk, England, for the last twenty years. She has held the positions of Assistant Headteacher, Designated Safeguarding Lead, Ipswich Opportunities Lead, Lower Junior Phase Leader, Year Leader, ICT Lead, Design and Technology Lead, Residential Trip Leader and School Council Lead. She has completed the National Professional Qualification in Senior Leadership (NPQSL), The Active Learning Trust Leading Active Middle Leadership Qualification and the CUREE Mentoring and Coaching training.
In addition, she was asked to complete the CUREE Mentor and Coaching Train the Trainer programme. She has a BA Honours Degree in Early Childhood Studies. She has taught every year group from the Nursery to Year Six, which has given her a good understanding of the high expectations of achievement expected from Early Years up to Year Six.
Louise enjoys continuing her professional development in China and embracing the new challenges and opportunities that this presents. She was excited to become part of the Hiba & Wellington College family.
Matthew is a primary school teacher from the UK. After graduating from the University of Lincoln with a BA (Hons), he first came to China in 2012 and promptly fell in love with the country. Matthew has a keen interest in personalising the learning journeys of his students. He knows that all students come to the classroom from unique situations and firmly believes that all have the right to access the content, be challenged appropriately and encouraged to reach for the next level.
He is a lifelong voracious reader and through his experience in both the UK and China, he has developed a passion for the development of reading in young learners. He finds much joy in sharing with students the experience of blossoming as a reader and opening the doors to a universe of imagination and discovery.
Outside of school, he loves to cook and prides himself on his ability to find substitutes for ingredients he cannot obtain in China. He enjoys theatre and improv, appearing in a number of shows during 2019 in Hangzhou and starting an improvised comedy podcast during 2020; he credits this skill to years of Dungeons & Dragons and other tabletop games. His wife recently gave birth to their first child, and he spends much of his free time walking around Hangzhou with his family and their dog.
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Hendrik Hugo is a primary school teacher from Cape Town, South Africa. He holds a BEd degree from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, where he served as a member of the Student Representative Council. After he graduated, he obtained a postgraduate diploma in management from Stellenbosch University. For the first five years of his teaching career, Hendrik taught in Cape Town and Somerset West, South Africa. During this time, he discovered his passion for writing and became a script writer for a popular educational children’s programme on South African television called Cool Catz.
In 2010 he started his international teaching career at an international school in Saudi Arabia. There Hendrik taught across Key Stage 2, and he directed nine whole school musicals, including productions of Aladdin, Mulan, The Little Mermaid, Seussical, The Wizard of Oz and The Jungle Book. He was Head of Year 5 for five years and organised and led two international school trips for KS2 pupils – one to New York City and one to Greece. Hendrik is a published author of more than thirteen children’s books, and one of his greatest passions is developing a love for reading amongst his pupils. After twelve years of teaching at a British international school in the Middle East, Hendrik was very excited to join the staff of the Hiba Primary School and the Wellington College family.
He is a keen traveller and has visited over thirty countries, but this is his first time in Mainland China.
Ariana Kang graduated from Sun Yat-Sen University with a master's degree in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages, and remained there to teach Chinese for three years. Subsequently, she was sent by the Chinese government to Sydney, Australia to teach Chinese for two years, and was responsible for the school's Chinese curriculum design.
For the past two years, she has been teaching Chinese from Grades 3 to Grade 5 at Hiba School and held the role of homeroom teacher. Her extensive teaching experience has led her to form a unique teaching method that combines the best of both Western and Chinese approaches. In her eyes, every pupil is a kind, friendly and unique. She hope all pupils can grow healthily and learn happily.
Fiona Qiu graduated with a master's degree from the College of Elementary Education at Hangzhou Normal University, majoring in elementary school mathematics education.
Fiona worked at a bilingual school in Hangzhou for four years. After the first year of work experience, she became the youngest class teacher, independently taking on the responsibilities of a class. In the third year, due to her diligent and proactive work, she was promoted to grade level leader and mathematics curriculum preparation group leader, taking on the responsibilities of the entire grade and the pressure of mathematics curriculum preparation. This greatly improved her communication skills, organisational abilities, and mathematical expertise.
Fiona enjoys travelling, reading mathematics, and exploring mathematics through experimental lessons.
Kaz has been teaching since 2003 and has worked in international schools and bilingual schools in China and Thailand. He received a distinction from Nottingham University in his Postgraduate Certificate of Education. Kaz has worked as a primary and secondary teacher and middle leader since 2011 and has been an EAL coordinator in three different schools. He worked for an international school group for ten years and was given an outstanding contribution award for his work as Head of EAL in one of their schools. In his last role, Kaz was also international cohort lead for grade four and a member of the Primary Leadership team.
Having spent most of his teaching career overseeing EAL provision, Kaz is a strong believer that bilingualism is an extremely powerful tool for children and that all children, regardless of their level of English, have the right to be taught an age appropriate curriculum with appropriate scaffolding and support. Kaz has devoted most of his teaching career to researching ways to plan inclusive lessons for bilingual language learners of all levels and developing strategies to help language learners access curriculum lessons taught in English. Kaz has two bilingual children himself who have both learned to write Chinese within two years of joining a bilingual school, so is very aware of the challenges faced by bilingual language learners and the benefits of being fluent in a second language.
Kaz is very happy to be based in China and has been learning Mandarin Chinese since first arriving in China in 2003. He is an ex-professional guitarist and lutenist who studied music at the Royal College of Music in London and is still a keen musician who loves playing for fun, listening to music and supporting students who are learning instruments or performing in shows. In his spare time, he loves travelling with his family and learning about the fascinating cultures of different cities and countries.
Lily Wang graduated from Hubei University majoring in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Language. After graduation, she taught at a famous IB international school in Guangdong, and then at an international school in Wuhan. This is her fifth year working at Hiba, and her fourth year serving as the grade leader of Grade 3 at Hiba.
Thanks to the teaching experience in international schools, she does not stick to the traditional teaching mode, and likes to try different methods, hoping that children can get a better learning experience. In daily life, she pays attention to her professional relationship with children. She pays attention to the cultivation of daily behavior and learning habits, and strives to guide children to become more independent. She believes that "there is always someone to learn from" and is committed to becoming a lifelong learner.
Eva Yu graduated from Clarkson University in 2016 with a Master of Arts in Teaching degree. She also has earned a master’s degree in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages from Beijing Normal University. She has a love of Hangzhou having spent four years here when she was a student of Zhejiang University of Technology. She has the New York State Chinese 7-12 teaching certificate.
She has three years experience of teaching Chinese to a diverse student body in the United States. She is an enthusiastic, energetic and passionate Chinese teacher who is dedicated to helping students reach their full potential and becoming knowledgeable and responsible global citizens. Eva is an ardent reader, a keen writer and an open-minded traveller. In her spare time, she likes to explore new things both in literature and the real world .
Mr Leif Raiha graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Art and Art History and holds a diploma from Sheridan College. He completed his Bachelor of Education at Nipissing University. Leif also holds additional qualifications in Senior Visual Arts and Special Education. Leif taught in Canada and South Korea before coming to China to teach at an international school in Kunshan, undertaking various curriculum responsibilities including Technology, Science, and Art & Design in addition to his role as IB Coordinator. He then took a position as Head of Art at an academy in Beijing, establishing the department, and developing curriculum and enrichment programmes.
In his free time, Leif enjoys exploring. Travelling and hiking around China affords plentiful opportunities for drawing and photography, and to experience culture and cuisine.
Adam, is a passionate educator, focused on creating an environment which fosters creativity and innovation to unlock a child’s cultural capital. Adam, has a Bachelor of Science degree, in Sports and Exercise Science from Coventry University. He started his teaching journey at an Academy in 2013 as a teaching assistant supporting in lessons. This is where he found his passion working in an education environment to shape future minds. Adam undertook a role as the Physical Education Lead and Sports Coordinator at another Primary Academy in 2014, located in a challenging area of Coventry. He helped in development of CPD pathways to up skill colleagues’ knowledge around PE. In addition, he created an enrichment programme that promoted sports and competition across school and the local community with increased parent engagement within school.
Adam, moved to a broad-spectrum school in 2018, as a specialist SEND PE Teacher progressing to the Head of the Physical Education department in the last two years. Along with the headteacher he facilitated the redesign of the PE curriculum to be inclusive, individualised and tailor-made to capture imagination and passion for learning. He has worked and volunteered as a sports coach for a variety of sports projects in his city of Coventry. Adhering to giving children and adults opportunities to stay active and be upstanding members of society through life skills, sports, mental health and wellbeing workshops. He approaches his work with the sole focus on cultivation of a child’s potential and welfare. Promoting a child centred approach to education that will bear fruit to confident, resilient, respectful young minds with keen interest in developing local and global initiatives.
In his spare time Adam, is a keen sports fanatic and enjoys playing basketball, football and tennis. He also enjoys reading and hiking and recently took up photography.
Miss Chen graduated from St. John's University in the United States with a Master's degree in sports management and a Bachelor's degree from China University of Geosciences (Wuhan). She is a national first-level athlete and a certified coach of the American Swimming Coaches Association Level 1, 2 and3. She was a swimmer with more than 15 years of swimming training and competition experience and won the championship and the Sports Award at the National College Swimming Championships. Miss Chen has a rich academic background and teaching experience in both China and the United States. She has a national primary school PE teacher certificate, an AUSTSWIM (Australian Swimming Association) teacher certificate, an American Swimming Association age group coaching certificate awarded by ASCA (American Swimming Coaches Association), a water lifesaving certificate, a First Aid / CPR / AED certificate, and a CDC (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention) safety training certificate.
Miss Chen has participated in the Make a Splash youth swimming popularization event held by the USA Swimming Foundation and the Pan American Games trials held by Swimming Canada. After graduation, she taught youth swimming development programs at colleges in the United States, and organised teams to participate in the Junior Swimming Competition in the New York metropolitan area. After experiencing the collision of different sports cultures and identity transformation, she has developed a stronger passion and enthusiasm for the development of aquatics sports and is committed to providing more training opportunities and competition platforms for the young generation.
Miss Chen led the Wellington College Hangzhou swimming team to participate in the FOBISIA Swimming Invitational and won first place in the short courses events. On the other hand, she was invited to participate in the 19th Hangzhou Asian Games as a commentator. She hopes to pass on the spirit and energy of sports to children and firmly believes that sports are not only a lifelong skill, but also can promote children's physical and mental strength and independent.
Dan has been teaching for 19 years in outstanding schools in London and overseas. He graduated from Cardiff Metropolitan University with a degree in Business Management (Hons). His dissertation examined the relationship between religion and the growth of economies in Asia and Europe. Dan holds a PGCE in Primary Education from Bath Spa University with a specialism in Computing. This led Dan to many exciting roles as an ICT coordinator, which included setting up the digital infrastructure in school, training staff and leading workshops for students.
His passion for innovative technology has led to new and exciting opportunities including the role of Digital Distance Learning lead teacher during the UK’s Covid Lockdown. He introduced online systems that allowed children throughout the school to continue to learn, stay connected and continue to make great academic progress. This role included supporting staff, families and students across the whole school as well as sharing best practise with the schools in London. He was awarded London Teacher of the Year in November 2021 after being nominated by his last school in North London. Dan is no stranger to international teaching, he has also taught in high-performing schools in Tanzania, Nepal, and was an eLearning teacher and Maths Lead at Wellington College International Hangzhou between 2021 and 2022. Over his career, he has led Maths, Science, ICT, DT and PE. He is enthusiastic about the subjects he leads and has a proven track record for raising standards and bringing the subjects he leads to the forefront.
Dan has more than ten years' experience as a mentor for trainee teachers and newly qualified teachers. He enjoys the opportunity to support adults new to teaching and this has allowed him to see current best practice and reflect upon his own teaching. Dan is a competitive sportsperson, competing for Westbury Harriers in his youth and representing the university in the triathlon team. More recently, he completed the L'Étape bike race in the south of France and ran the London Marathon in 2019. Dan is an active sportsman looking forward to investigating the running and biking trails around Zhejiang province and beyond. He is passionate about sport and has led just about every sport’s club imaginable over the years including cross country club, rugby, football, cricket, and even horse riding.
Dan studied Mandarin up to HSK 2 at London South Bank University and was selected to represent the university on an educational language and cultural exchange programme with Heilongjiang University in Harbin in 2018. Dan is keen to embrace life in Hangzhou, develop his Mandarin, explore China and become part of the school and local community. Dan was really looking forward to joining the Hiba Education family and starting this new and exciting adventure. He has two young children, who cannot wait to see the Great Wall of China, see tigers in Harbin, pandas in Chengdu, ride on the Maglev train and finally dive into the school swimming pool. Dan is very approachable, do say ‘Hi,’ and help him continue to develop his Mandarin.
Courtney is from Johannesburg, South Africa. She completed her schooling at St Mary’s School for Girls. She then attended and graduated, from the University of South Africa, with a Bachelor of Education. Courtney took on a particular interest in second language learners to achieve her Level Five TEFL certification.
Courtney started her teaching career at Pridwin Preparatory School, where she participated in the intern teaching programme. Courtney, eager to learn more about immersion, proceeded to move to South Korea to teach English to Lower and upper primary students. During her time in Korea, Courtney spearheaded the school’s reading programme. Courtney was excited to join the Hiba Academy Hangzhou family in the 2022-2023 school year.
Gerald grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa, immersed in cultural diversity. He completed his schooling at St John’s College and attained a Bachelor of Commerce degree in marketing management from Varsity College. Having found his passion in teaching, he completed his Post Graduate Certificate in Education and graduated Cum Laude.
Gerald has recently been teaching English in South Korea. He uses his pedagogical approach to build relationships with and motivate learners. He contributed significantly to the school’s sight word and reading programmes by learning about the interest and needs of his students. Gerald is excited to be a member of the Hiba School team since the 2022 – 2023 academic year. He is thrilled to fuel the daily activities of his learners with excitement and enthusiasm, encompassing all that he does with Hiba values.
After graduating from Manchester Metropolitan University with a First Class Honours Degree in Creative Writing, Joshua completed a Post Graduate Certificate of Education at The University of Sunderland. Joshua has experience as a primary school teacher both within the UK and internationally, across all primary key stages including EYFS. Furthermore, Joshua has experience teaching physical education.
His Level 3 diploma in personal training and fitness instructing compliments his experience teaching P.E. Joshua enjoys studying Chinese (he passed HSK3 and is working towards HSK4), writing children’s poetry, playing football and hiking. In the Summer of 2011, he raised money for a Macmillan Cancer Support charity by walking from Lands End to John O’Groats. Joshua’s teaching philosophy is that it is important for practitioners to always be inquisitive and acquire new knowledge. This is to ensure that practitioners continually understand the process of learning from a student’s perspective and maximise inspiration.
Debby Bauman was born and raised in a verdant olive garden in Turkey with fond memories of many days spent in adventure, exploration, wonder, and creativity. She has a Master's in Education through Cairn University and a Bachelor's in Art Education through Taylor University in Indiana, where she had the opportunity to study art and art history abroad in the picturesque countryside of Orvieto, Italy. After completing her bachelors, Debby taught as an art teacher in every grade level from primary up through high school, ran community art workshops, facilitated inner city art programmes for underprivileged students, and ran her own pottery studio where she created and sold her work at art fairs and events.
Debby's mission is to facilitate an atmosphere of social and creative growth with the intent of developing the whole child into a global citizen adept at cross-cultural collaboration through art. Her and her husband, Michael's, global upbringing is what led their family to move to Shanghai where she taught primary art for three years at an academy in Shanghai before moving to Hangzhou to continue teaching art at Hiba. In addition to Turkish, Debby can speak French and is looking forward to continuing her Chinese language learning.
Debby's creative hobbies include abstract watercolour painting, marbled paper making, and wheel thrown pottery. She enjoys hiking with her family, playing volleyball and Spikeball, and hosting people at her home. Debby, her husband Michael, and two children, were very excited to become part of the Wellington family in Hangzhou.
Beverley has been in education for over 27 years. She completed her bachelor's degree in education, specialising in English Literature at Homerton College, Cambridge University, UK. During her career, she has taught in various schools in the UK and across every year group.
She started her teaching career in her hometown of Cambridge, working in primary and junior schools. She then moved to London and spent six years working in the boroughs of Camden and Hammersmith, where she has been a maths, history and geography coordinator.
After this, she taught for 13 years in two bilingual schools in Oman. During this time she has gained valuable experience working in a bilingual setting and teaching children with English as a second language. During that time she has also been a Headteacher and the Head of English.
She has a passion for children’s literature and aims to encourage children to become enthusiastic readers, creative writers and confident speakers. She is a firm believer in bringing the curriculum alive, making cultural and international links wherever possible. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, walking, reading and travelling.
Hendrik Smith is from Bloemfontein in South Africa. He graduated from the University of The Free State with a BA in Education specialising in Engineering and Graphic Design as well as Technology. After teaching in South Africa for a year, Mr Smith decided to move to Hangzhou China to expand his career as a teacher. He has now been teaching English in China for two and a half years.
While working in China Mr Smith also studied a CELT-P and multiple TKT certificates. During his time in China as an educator, he has grown fond of teaching English to young learners. Mr Smith believes that as an educator we are actively cultivating the next generation of leaders and therefore, have a responsibility to equip these students with the necessary skills and knowledge needed to help them lead to the best of their abilities. He believes in having a culturally inclusive classroom that promotes student participation and focuses on verbal-linguistic intelligence through English emersion.
Outside of work Mr Smith enjoys living an active and healthy lifestyle. He is also passionate about photography and has been selected as one of the official photographers of Hangzhou’s Xianghu Lake for the year 2021. Alongside photography, he is also an enthusiastic traveller that attempts to travel whenever the opportunity arises. Mr Smith enjoys continuing his teaching career at Wellington College Hangzhou. He is thankful for the opportunity to work at a world class institution that will allow him to further his growth and development as a teacher while working alongside other education experts.
Laurence Lundgren is a KS2 educator from the UK with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Bangor University and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education from the University of Sunderland. He transitioned to China in 2018, working in international and bilingual early years and primary schools.
Throughout his tenure in China, he has developed a multitude of techniques in pedagogy to tailor lessons toward individual needs. He believes that education is constantly evolving and that ongoing research and innovation should be considered to give students the best opportunities to progress. He enjoys bringing his enthusiasm and warm personality to the classroom, engaging students and giving them agency to collaborate and engage in their learning.
Alexandra Cowley, born in Namibia, has spent much of her adult life studying, working, and travelling overseas. With more than 20 years of experience, she has worked with children aged 3 to 18 from different socio-economic, educational, and cultural backgrounds in Namibia, Swaziland, South Africa, Hong Kong and Kuwait.
She holds a Bachelor of Social Science undergraduate degree, having majored in Psychology and Social Anthropology, a Montessori Pre-Primary Teacher’s Diploma, and a Post-graduate Diploma in Special Needs Education. She also holds certificates in Play Therapy and Counselling Children and Adolescents and a diploma in Professional Child Psychology, making her well suited to Director of Pupil Support.
Alexandra spent 13 years living and working in Kuwait, the last eight years in a management capacity as Head of Early Years at International British Curriculum schools. This gave her the unique opportunity to work not only with children but also with parents, teachers, and other stakeholders.
She believes that her experience in teaching and leadership has given her a unique perspective on understanding the needs of children, teachers, and parents within an educational setting. It has also given her the necessary tools to support those she works with effectively and positively, as well as to communicate proficiently with other stakeholders. She leads by example and believes that discussion and open exchange of ideas are essential in developing a successful partnership.
Her educational background and diverse pedagogy experiences have helped her develop a deep understanding of the needs of children. Education is not only about educating the child academically but also socially and emotionally, something that she believes is becoming increasingly necessary within our society.
She moved to Hangzhou with her two youngest sons, aged 9 and 11, who joined Wellington College, while her oldest son, aged 19, remains in South Africa to continue his studies.
After 17 years in Scotland working as a music teacher and head of department/faculty, David and his family decided to move abroad to work in the international sector. Running alongside the music curriculum, he has been Musical Director for various school shows and has set up and run school rock bands and staff bands as well as directing the Middle School Choir. These groups have played at numerous events under his leadership. Besides family and music, his big passion is golf. He is a keen traveller and enjoys exploring other cultures. He also loves cheese and snowboarding.
Ali Frost mixed his education, studying a Bachelor of Teaching degree with completing the New Zealand Football National Academy Coaching Licence and additionally became a New Zealand Football Coach Educator at development level. With a strong sporting background playing national league football in New Zealand and Taiwan, Ali re-trained into Physical Education to pursue a career in a subject that he holds the most passion for. His continued professional development includes rubric-based assessment in PE, Formative Workshop Model for PE Instruction, Technology in PE, IB My MYP in PE and further courses in football coaching and swimming.
Ali was raised in Kuwait, Dubai, England and New Zealand, attending boarding school in both England and New Zealand. Therefore, it is no surprise that he has continued a life of adventure working overseas, embarking on a teaching career in South Korea, Taiwan and China. He has taught 5 year olds through to high school, university students and adults. In his previous role in Guangzhou, Ali was Head of P.E. and the Director of Sport. Along with teaching P.E. in Primary, he also led 6 E.C.A.’s, developing football in the primary and middle schools for both boys and girls.
In the classroom, Ali cares deeply about the student’s progress. He likes to give ownership back to the students wherever possible, co-creating expectations, assessment rubrics and promoting critical thinking, goal setting, self and peer assessing and reflecting. This process moving the students from being dependent on the teacher, to where they can become independent learners, achievers and leaders outside of the school gates.
Karyn Hovell brings 20 years of teaching experience from the primary school sector in New Zealand. Karyn has a genuine passion and proven experience developing high-quality learning opportunities for children in and out of the classroom. She is a dynamic and enthusiastic teaching professional skilled in best educational practices. She is committed to developing and inspiring every pupil and can teach through various child-centred approaches to develop the whole child.
After completing a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Waikato in New Zealand, majoring in Earth Science, she completed numerous other qualifications, including a Certificate in Marine Studies, qualified as an Anaesthetic Technician with Applied Science from the University of Auckland, and in 2002 completed a graduate level Diploma in Teaching. Continuing with professional development over the years, her most recent qualifications include a micro-credential in phonics-based literacy with the Better Start Literacy Approach – from the University of Canterbury.
Karyn has a proven ability to provide a significant contribution to school extracurricular activities and broader campus life. Over the years, she has held leadership roles in Enviroschools, science, literacy, and the arts for her school in New Zealand, as well as being a beginner teacher mentor and a Board of Trustees member for many years. She values communication and interpersonal skills and desires to develop trusted relationships with students, their families and colleagues.
Miss Neliswa Coleen Hlangulela was born in Richmond, South Africa. She has been a teacher since 2013. A 2013 undergraduate Bachelor of Education in Foundation Phase specialising in early childhood development and majoring in English and psychology at the university of South Africa. Miss Hlangulela received her South African teachers certificate in 2013.
She is a 2018 post graduate Honour’s Master of Education majoring in educational management from the university of South Africa. Miss Hlangulela has had an array of training through her career journey. Namely a certificate for teaching the 'whole-brained child' philosophy for children with disability, diversity and inclusion to name a few.
David was a classroom teacher for 12 years in New Zealand, working with students from Grade 1 to Grade 7, before moving to Shanghai in 2019. After three years of teaching in a British bilingual school in Shanghai, David was ready for new challenges.
He was excited to be offered a position here at Hiba Academy Hangzhou. He believes in creating a classroom community where children feel comfortable challenging themselves and each other and take risks with their learning in a safe, supportive environment. David works hard to improve his conversational Chinese in his free time. He also enjoys going to live music shows, hiking and searching for a perfect cup of coffee.
Nicolas Shortt is from Oregon in the USA, but over the last fifteen years, he has lived and taught in Bulgaria, Korea and most recently, Ningbo. He holds a Master of Education from Portland State University and has extensive experience preparing English language learners to flourish in a global learning environment.
In his free time, he enjoys bicycle touring, DIY projects, immersing himself in new cultures and reading. He is excited to build a thriving classroom community this school year.
Mildred grew up and was educated in Surrey in the UK. After her return from working in China as an English instructor for seven years and volunteering at a local primary school in the UK, she decided to become a teacher. She undertook a PGCE in primary education at the University of Kingston.
Mildred's passion is the development and education of young children. However, she has a range of experience across the primary age groups. During her career, Mildred has also taught in various settings. Mildred has a passion for school improvement and strongly believes in making sure every child reaches their true potential.
Mildred is enthusiastic about child-centred education and the importance of meaningful education for children in a holistic approach. She is highly passionate about Special Educational Needs. She is accompanied by her husband and two children, one of which is attending Wellington College International Hangzhou. In her spare time, Mildred enjoys reading, cooking, family-time, trying out different cuisines and wine tasting.
Mr Jordan Zarac graduated from the University of Central Lancashire with a bachelor’s degree in Sport and Exercise Science. Jordan started his teaching journey nearly a decade ago when he found his passion for teaching whilst closely working (1-1) with a child in a primary school; this was when Jordan decided to become a teacher and obtained a PGCE in Primary Education from Cumbria University.
For the last five years, Jordan has honed his craft in an exciting and thriving school as a primary teacher leading history. His passion for knowledge is infectious, and he believes that every child should reach their true potential, and he strives to develop learners who are happy, curious and empowered. Jordan has a keen interest in primary history, and, in this subject, he has experience developing the curriculum. Additionally, he has led various projects with the Lancashire and National Archive that have strengthened the school’s legacy.
Jordan has a strong background in sport and exercise which he uses to support healthy and active lifestyles in children - promoting sport as one avenue for students to develop the level of dedication they need to be successful. In his spare time, Jordan enjoys reading, exercise and martial arts.
Carmen is a passionate and dedicated educator with over 12 years of experience teaching children aged 5-11 years in South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. She is a proud graduate of Nelson Mandela University in South Africa, where she earned an honours degree in whole school development. This journey ignited her love for curriculum development, aligning perfectly with her commitment to creating holistic and inclusive classroom environments that meet the diverse needs of all her pupils.
Carmen's dedication to lifelong learning is evident in her completion of the National Professional Qualification in Middle Leadership. This qualification enabled her to take on significant leadership roles, such as grade level leader and mathematics subject leader. Her leadership skills and commitment to pupil-centred education have been instrumental in her success as an educator.
In her teaching practice, Carmen strives to create an inclusive, pupil-led classroom where every child feels valued and empowered. She believes in nurturing and guiding pupils to be their best selves, both academically and personally, by providing tailored support and modelling good values and morals. Her approach ensures that pupils not only achieve academic success but also develop into well-rounded individuals.
Outside the classroom, Carmen enjoys a variety of activities that reflect her vibrant and active lifestyle. She loves hiking, running, and swimming, finding joy and inspiration in staying physically active. She also treasures spending quality time with her family, baking delicious treats, and creating lasting memories.
Carmen's diverse experiences, unwavering dedication, and passion for lifelong learning make her a positive force in her pupils' lives. She is not just teaching them; she is inspiring them to embrace learning as a lifelong journey, helping them become confident and compassionate individuals ready to take on the world.
Jamie has been teaching for over 12 years across the UK, South East Asia, and the Middle East. He has spent the last 7 years in Malaysia where he has taught across the Primary year groups, led the Learning Innovation team and most recently been the Head of Year 6. Over this time, he also became an Apple Distinguished Educator through a passion for incorporating technology into his lessons.
In his free time, Jamie enjoys playing golf, tennis, and basketball. He has also recently discovered the joys of Gaelic football. On a weekend, he can also be found suffering through Manchester United games, clinging on to the hope that one day they rediscover their winning ways.
Sarah Smith is from New Zealand. As an adult student she completed her Bachelor of Teaching and Learning Degree through Canterbury University, Christchurch, NZ. Sarah then became a Primary school teacher in New Zealand while being a busy mother to Benjamin, now 26 and Meg 24 years old.
Since arriving in China, December 2020 she has taught Year 1 and Year 4 pupils in Ningbo. During this time she has tried to make the most of every opportunity to travel within China and to other countries, which she have thoroughly enjoyed. Apart from travelling, her hobbies also include hiking, reading, and going (inconsistently) to the gym!
Sarah believes in a pupil centred classroom so children develop a love of learning and for them to become emotionally, socially, and well rounded people. As a teacher, she also strives to build trusting relationships between pupil, parents, and teachers. Sarah is looking forward to continuing to grow and learn as a bilingual teacher.
Kristina has been educating primary school EAL students for 11 years now. She has lived in various countries including the UK, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. She holds a bachelor's and a master's degree in political science. Kristina is a fully qualified teacher who holds a PGCE in primary education with QTS.
Before joining Wellington College Hangzhou she worked at British curriculum schools in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Kristina taught Year 3 and Year 4 pupils , and was also promoted to be the lead for the primary english curriculum and worked as the Head of English for the past three years which has been an incredible growing experience for her. She is also an expert High Performance Learning Teacher and trainer and has experience with coaching schools and delivering professional development sessions.
In her free time she enjoys exercising, travelling, and reading books. She is also a big fan of Harry Potter and a dog lover and owns a small size poodle called Rusty.
Karina started her primary teaching career in Scotland, where she qualified with a Primary PGCE specialising in bilingual learners. She has more than twenty years' experience working in international schools, using the English National Curriculum, which is modified and enhanced to meet the needs of pupils learning in an Asian context. Karina has taught all primary age groups and also has experience as a specialist EAL teacher. She has undergone ongoing professional development, most recently with a focus on English and literacy to ensure language learning is engaging and enjoyable while progressively developing skills.
Karina has extensive leadership experience, with whole-school responsibility for curriculum and assessment in her most recent role. She is adept at using varied assessment strategies to ensure that pupil progress is monitored on an ongoing basis and that modifications and interventions are quickly put in place, ensuring each individual has the correct level of challenge and support. Karina supports the children in her class to understand themselves as learners, reflecting on their strengths and areas for improvement and setting themselves achievable targets. She encourages her pupils to be risk-takers, embracing challenges and seeing mistakes as opportunities to learn. Karina believes that developing caring and friendly relationships with the children in her class is the foundation for successful learning. She takes time to ensure she knows each individual in her class well and supports them in developing their emotional literacy, helping them to overcome any social and emotional challenges they may face. Karina dedicates time to ensure that the children develop a range of transdisciplinary skills while learning, such as collaboration, research skills, social skills and self-management. She ensures her lessons are varied and fun so that the children enjoy learning.
In her free time, Karina loves to travel, exploring new places and new cuisines. She is looking forward to exploring more of China during the school holidays.
Will Xu graduated from the Wuhan University of Technology and achieved a bachelor’s degree in material shaping and control engineering. He has rich experience working in public schools, international schools, and bilingual schools. This year is his fifth-year teaching at Hiba School.
Under the guidance of his passion for education, he signed on as a Teach For China teacher after graduation, teaching in a junior high school in Dali Yunnan for two years. He found being a teacher is suitable for him and he enjoyed the time with the pupils. He also found he could develop a professional relationship with pupils naturally, acting as a friend and mentor to them. After that, he worked as a Coach Mentor at the a Chinese international school. He has had first-hand experience not only witnessing but also participating in how positive education is incorporated into the everyday life of students. He also actively involved himself in supporting students in learning, which enabled him to get familiar with teaching and learning in an international context.
Will Xu has a wide range of interests. He likes doing sports and reading. In addition to the junior middle school mathematics teacher certificate, he has also obtained the certificate of competency for health administrator and the financial planner certificate. Interdisciplinary learning and practical experience can give children a broader perspective on the world. He believes that every child has the potential to grow into a unique and independent individual. He will strive to discover their strengths and provide the appropriate environment for pupils to develop.
Ms Jane Xia received her master’s degree from Sun Yat-sen University, majoring in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. She has devoted several years to the research on genetic diversity and to the conservation of living marine resources. Due to her excellent academic performance, she was awarded a number of honours and awards, including the National scholarship of China. She also has a bachelor’s degree in Biology Science from Nanjing Normal University which is famous for teaching students to be good teachers. She has the National High School Teacher certificate.
She has a great passion for teaching, and has experiences of being a tutor for overseas students. For now she works as a theme teacher in Hiba Academy Hangzhou. She wishes to use her patience and guidance to help students to build solid scientific literacy and logical knowledge structure.
Jane is a young, energetic and passionate theme teacher. She graduated from Nanjing University in 2014 and gained the postgraduate recommendation from the same university. Three years later, she completed her master's degree with three school-level academic scholarships. During her postgraduate studies, she also worked in TAL Education Group teaching maths. She has more than three years of teaching experience, and is someone who also maintains good relationships with her students and parents.
She believes good communication between teacher and parents is essential for a student’s healthy growth. She believes as long as the child has enough choices to find the most suitable one for himself, he can develop his potential to the greatest extent and make him a better person. In her spare time, Jane loves to cook for her family and feels the magic and happiness of cooking. She also likes sports, especially badminton.
Xu Jiahui graduated from the University of Hong Kong with a Master of Education Degree. Her major is Teaching Chinese as a Second Language (IB Programme). She graduated from Zhejiang Normal University with a bachelor's degree. Xu Jiahui has a National Chinese Teaching Certificate, a National English Teaching Certificate, as well as the IB Teaching Certificate.
When she was in Hong Kong, she had the chance to be an intern IB MYP Chinese Teacher in Hong Kong. She also worked as a research assistant in CACLER within the Faculty of Education at the University of Hong Kong. Xu Jiahui worked as bilingual teacher in an international school in Shenzhen, and in a private school in Hangzhou. She focuses on improving students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills. In her free time, she likes music and dance.
Gigi Hu graduated from University College London with a Master's degree in Primary education. She finished her undergraduate study in Shanghai International Studies University, majoring in finance. She holds the National Middle School mathematics teacher certificate.
She has worked in two bilingual schools in Shanghai before as a teaching assistant and then a primary school math teacher, and was deeply loved by the children. While teaching pupils subject knowledge, she has a deep understanding of the inner needs of her pupils and grows with them to enhance their happiness both on and off campus.
In her spare time, she loves traveling, photography, and playing badminton.
Kiko Wang completed her bachelor’s degree at Zhejiang University of Technology. After her graduation, she worked in an international school in Hangzhou as a primary school maths teacher.
She joined in Hiba Academy Hangzhou in 2018 and received the title of Excellent Teacher in Kaifa District in 2020.
Emma graduated from the University of Sydney in Australia with a master’s degree in Education. She obtained a Domestic Teaching Certificate of Chinese. Further to this, she holds IPA international registered Chinese teacher qualification certificate (advanced). During her study, she served as a volunteer of tutoring Chinese learning for international students from the college of international exchange, Hainan Normal University. After working as a core member of the school curriculum development team for a whole year, she started to be a Chinese teacher and homeroom teacher for IB programme at one bilingual school in Shanghai. Meanwhile, she was one of the trainees of "famous teachers workshop" in Nanhui District, Pudong, Shanghai.
Since 2019, Emma has been teaching in grades 1-2 of Hiba Academy Hangzhou as a class teacher. During her teaching period, she also maintained active and effective communication with the parents. In 2022, she was recognised with an award by Xiaoshan Development District for local teachers as a Good Quality of Teaching and Learning teacher.
She is a cheerful and positive person, who is good at communication. She has loved education deeply since she was a young child with the dream of being a teacher. She once participated in supporting education for rural schools at a small village in Hainan. Besides, Emma is interested in music, reading, dancing and travelling, from which she believes she could learn more about the world and experience different cultures. She also won the first prize in chorus of the Fifth College Students' art performance in Hainan Province.
Luna has worked as a Mandarin teacher for one year in Aberdeen, UK during her master's degree in education from Wuhan University. After graduation she worked as a primary school English teacher for two years in Hangzhou. These valuable teaching experiences at home and abroad not only help Luna to further understand the characteristics of the Chinese and British teaching system, but also lay the foundation for her future teaching.
As a Mandarin teacher, Luna has been responsible for delivering lessons to 252 pupils aged 4 to 11 in a UK primary school, as well as carrying out China-related cultural activities at the Confucius Institute of the University of Aberdeen. Luna has guided pupils to participate in the New Year poster competition and achieved the top three of P1-P3 in Scotland. She has also organised 18, 5-7-year-old students to participate in the Chinese New Year celebration, and the performance was a great success. Seeing the children perform confidently on the stage, Luna felt that nothing could be happier than this.
Luna joined Hiba Community in 2019. In terms of teaching, Luna has designed teaching aids such as menus and flying chess according to students' learning styles (visual, auditory and kinaesthetics learners), and guided students to construct mind-map by designing Mini Books and Flap-books. In addition, she has also designed the "time-out box”to help pupils face up to their feelings and reasonably release their emotions. Through the "sound level card", she has guided pupils to learn to use the appropriate volume in different occasions. In her spare time, Luna has actively reflected on teaching, and through her own efforts, she has successively obtained the International Baccalaureate Certificate in Teaching and Learning (IB-PYP), and the Certificate in English Language Teaching-Primary (CELT-P). As her education motto says: teaching is a lifelong learning career, which encourages her to move forward.
Luna is very kind, helpful and considerate. People who know her are impressed by her bright smile. She is enjoying accompanying our children to become caring thinkers, responsible citizens and happy lifelong leaners in Hiba Hangzhou community.
Sharon Wang completed the PGCE from the University of Sunderland. Further back, she earned a master's degree in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language from Hong Kong Polytechnic University, where she majored in the same department as an undergraduate.
Sharon worked in Hong Kong for five years, her achievements to date have been helping to set up a new school including developing policies, reading programmes and STEAM projects. Co-creating curriculum maps, and developing co-curricular activities and service learning. As a colleague, she is flexible, open-minded and supportive, she enjoys working collaboratively with others and share ideas to create a shared understanding of best practice.
Sharon enjoys travelling, hiking, diving, K-POP dance，sports, especially soccer games in her spare time.
Ms Liu Shan graduated from Beijing Language and Culture University in 2018 with a master's degree in Chinese International Education. She holds a Chinese teaching certificate for high school and has several years of teaching experience. She taught for one year at the Confucius Institute in Istanbul, Turkey and for one year at an immersion public charter school in South Carolina, USA. Her two-year multicultural and international teaching experience allows her to truly understand bilingual culture, immersion teaching methods and the diverse environment of international exchanges.
She loves teaching and children and her passion and enthusiasm is a significant feature of her teaching. She teaches with students at the centre and stimulates them to learn through interesting activities. Besides teaching, she also has a passion for life. In her spare time, she loves travelling, photography and crafts. Playing the guitar is the secret for her to relax.
Min Xiong has a master’s degree in Education from the University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s d from Changsha University. She has dedicated herself to becoming a life-long educator and learner, and strives to instill a similar ideal in all of the students with whom she works. After seven years of teaching in the United States, Min Xiong decides to join a positive force bringing changes to education in China.
She is excited about the bilingual programme at Hiba Academy Hangzhou, because it is such a great match with her past teaching experience. She not only has experience teaching Chinese Language Arts in elementary and middle school, but has also taught math and science in 5th grade for several years. As a member of the Summer Curriculum Committee at her previous school, Min Xiong helped develop curricula for K-9 Chinese Language Arts, K-5 Math and Science. She is pleased to bring what she has learned and practiced in the USA to Hiba and contribute to bilingual education in China.
In her spare time, she loves reading, baking, jogging and spending time with her family.
Paris Pang completed her bachelor’s degree with honours from Zhejiang Normal University, specialising in Chinese Language and Literacy. After graduation, she served as both the class teacher and Chinese teacher at a renowned public primary school in Xihu District for 7 years.
During the past 7 years, she has relentlessly pursued the improvement in teaching methods and class management techniques, earning over 20 provincial and district-level teaching awards, these include The First Prize in the Teaching Skills Contest, The First Prize in Class Management and Educating, The First Prize in Primary Chinese Teaching Case Contest. In 2023, she was awarded the prestigious First-grade Teacher professional title.
Paris firmly believes that teachers must be lifelong learners in order to serve as role models for their pupils. In her spare time, Paris loves reading books and studying foreign languages. Additionally, she enjoys spending her leisure time hiking in the mountains and forests.
Gia holds a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Southampton and has five years of teaching experience in primary Chinese education.
Before joining Wellington College Hangzhou, Gia served as the Head of the Primary Chinese Department at a school in Hainan, where she led her team in designing engaging teaching plans and organising cultural activities. Her innovative teaching methods and ability to tailor lessons to pupils’ needs helped inspire a love for the Chinese language and culture among her pupils. Gia is dedicated to cultivating good learning habits in young pupils through her fun, interactive and highly engaging teaching style. Known for her warmth and approachability, she focuses on developing pupils’ Chinese literacy and fostering a deep appreciation for Chinese culture while helping them grow into well-rounded individuals with a global perspective. With a strong understanding of primary education systems, Gia is passionate about creating a dynamic learning environment.
She looks forward to contributing her expertise to Wellington College Hangzhou and collaborating with colleagues to support pupil development.
Ms Liying Chen graduated from Hangzhou Normal University with a bachelor's degree in English teaching. During this time, she studied at University of Queensland, Australia. Ms Liying Chen used to teach at a primary school in Hangzhou, where she taught English subjects for grades three to six. During this period, Ms Chen gave a speech on behalf of all new teachers at the teacher training in Xihu District. She also participated in school-level and district-level demonstration lessons and case evaluations, achieving excellent results.
In 2018, Ms Liying Chen joined the Hiba Hangzhou family. This year is her fifth year at Hiba. In the past teaching career, Ms Chen has been committed to encouraging and inspiring students' potential, understanding the differences and highlights of each child, and always upholding Hiba values. In class, Ms Chen adheres to the student-centered approach, and uses different teaching methods to stimulate the interest of learning according to the situation of the students.
Vicky obtained a Bachelor's degree from Jiangxi Normal University, majoring in English Education.
She has been engaged in teaching for ten years. During this tenure, she has continuously enhanced her teaching skills and amassed a wealth of teaching experience. She is highly enthusiastic about education and dedicated to helping pupils boost their English proficiency and comprehensive capabilities. She actively participated in various teaching seminars and trainings. Notably, she had the privilege of visiting public primary schools in the UK and Australia during her teaching career. These international experiences broadened her educational horizons and enabled her to bring back innovative teaching concepts and practices, which she incorporated into her own teaching, making it more global and inspiring for her pupils.
Sunny graduated from East China Normal University with a master's degree, majoring in ecology. She received her bachelor's degree from Ocean University of China. She has a national high school biology teaching certificate. She was a STEAM teacher in the cooperative unit of Zhejiang STEAM Collaborative Innovation Center.
She is familiar with children's psychological and behavioural cognitive development. She is good at designing interactive, exciting classes to enable students to master knowledge and skills in interesting interactive projects. She is an enthusiastic person. In her spare time, she is an art lover. She likes singing, dancing, reading and writing. She is drawn to Hiba school's values and she is enjoying working at Hiba for the growth of pupils.
Chen Yunzhe comes from Suzhou. She graduated from Soochow University with a bachelor's degree, majoring in musiceducation and violin. Then went to Italy for further education and achieved a master's degree from the historicUniversity of Bologna in music education and musicology.
Ms Chen has worked in two international IB bilingual schools in Suzhou and Shanghai, she has rich experience in musicteaching. Simultaneously serving as primary activity coordinator and head of primary art department, participated inplanning and organising school concerts and art exhibitions. She established the school orchestra from G1-G9 and led theteam to achieve excellent results in Shanghai district level competition.
Ms Chen believes that every child has musical cells, and as a music teacher, one should actively discover and cultivatethem. In music class, she and the children communicate in an atmosphere that combines interest and teaching, enjoyingthe beauty of music together.
White Wang worked at Wellington College International Shanghai teaching primary school and middle school physical education for 5 years while completing his PGCE in Physical Education from Durham University, UK. During his early age, White was competing and representing Tianjin as a youth shot putter before gaining his college degree from Tianjin Normal University.
Besides this, he gained a FAW (Football Association of Wales) football coaching certificate and Chinese national Lifeguard certificate. Throughout his former sporting career and teaching experience, White feels fortunate to train among elite athletes and has worked in a wide range of different settings. These valuable experiences have helped White to develop his appreciation for the positive impact on pupils’ development that can be found in an educational setting.
Along with having a life-long enthusiasm of sports and teaching, White has also been a house tutor for the previous two years. He has been often recognised as having outstanding pastoral care for his pupils and will go to great lengths to support their development. White has an immense passion for all sports, especially athletics, badminton, tennis, football and golf. He has an interest in travelling and finding out about other cultures, as well as applying his experiences to further develop and inspire himself and pupils both personally and professionally.
As a family he moved to Hangzhou with his wife Chang and daughter Lexie, White is very excited to enjoy this adventure in the most beautiful and vibrant city of China.
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Lincoln is very excited to be part of the vibrant learning and teaching at Hiba Academy Hangzhou. After a master’s degree, he worked in international and bilingual schools for nine years, including a British school in Guangzhou, an international school in Foshan and Hiba Academy Shanghai.
Working with students is a journey and a platform to inspire the younger generation. Lincoln enjoys working as a PE teacher and contributes to the school with passion and knowledge. He will continue to focus on student-centred approaches to teaching and learning, as he has done for the last few years.
In his spare time, Lincoln enjoys participating in team sports, reading books and cooking for his family.
Ms Vivian Hu is a passionate and creative teacher who has been teaching since 2012. She completed her bachelor’s degree in English Language Art and Education and has taught in a variety of settings, including early years, primary and secondary.
For the first three years of her teaching career, Ms Vivian worked as a primary English teacher at a local primary school in Shenzhen. She then moved on to an international school in Guangzhou, where she worked as an SEN teaching assistant in early years and primary for two years, gaining experience with the IB Programme. After that, she worked at a British school in Guangzhou as an SEN teaching assistant in primary and secondary for four years.
Ms Vivian's experience as a special education needs teacher has taught her that every child matters and every child has the ability to learn. She understands that teaching strategies need to be adapted to meet the needs of each student and that it's important to never give up on them. She also recognises that every child is unique and strives to understand everything that affects their way of learning in order to provide them with an optimal learning environment.
Sam Zhang, originally from Chengdu, holds a Bachelor's degree in International Business and Communication from the University of Nottingham Ningbo, and a Master's degree in Applied Linguistics and English Education from the University of Nottingham in the UK.
Before joining Hiba Academy Hangzhou, she was employed at an international school in Hangzhou, where she worked in learning support, offering assistance to pupils of various ages. In her role, she firmly adheres to a pupil-centred approach, focusing on individual differences, and strives to help each child reach their fullest potential.
In her spare time, Sam Zhang delights in cooking, watching tennis matches and travelling with her family to explore the beauty of the world. She has a passion for lifelong learning and enjoys the process of acquiring new knowledge and unlocking new skills.
Flora Yang graduated with a Master's Degree in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages from Xi’an International Studies University. She holds the Certificate for High School Chinese Teachers and Certificate for Teaching of Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages.
She has six years of working experience with three IB international schools in China, Thailand and the USA. Flora believes education is not limited to classroom, it is also about supporting students to realise their true potential and becoming better versions of themselves.
Amy Hu, graduated from Jinan University with a master’s degree of International Relations and achieved a high school teacher qualification certificate. Fascinated by the concept of inquiry based learning, she became a PYP teacher and mainly taught in the upper primary classes for six years.
She believes learning never stops and has completed numerous courses focussed on inquiry based learning. Through continuous self-development courses and two years’ experience of coordinator assistant, she believes that she has a strong understanding of teaching and learning, especially the integration of national courses and enquiry courses.
Ms Lv received professional training as a primary school teacher during her college years, which laid a solid foundation for her teaching skills. She has both Chinese and mathematics teacher qualification certificates.
She got her master's degree from East China Normal University, specialising in home-school collaborative research. She was invited to attend NERA and ERNAPE to communicate with scholars on topics such as home-school cooperation and teacher education. Also, she published research essays in related fields.
Previously, Ms Lv has worked as a class teacher and subject teacher at a bilingual school in Shanghai. She firmly believes that only when teachers, parents and the community work together, they promote the development of children. As a practitioner of lifelong learning, Ms Lv obtained the IB certificate during her work and gained a new understanding of international education.
Ms Lv loves spending time with children, and she hopes to cultivate children in Hiba School with her passion. During the holidays, she enjoys travelling and photography.
Mike graduated from Zhejiang University of Finance & Economics. For the last 16 years, He has been a student, but also a dynamic swimming athlete. The latter filled him with passion and enthusiasm. During his career, he won many competitions and obtained the title of national first class athlete.
He found that he could get the same enjoyment from teaching others when he witnessed children learning to swim from an early age. He also acquired a lot of experience in teaching swimming, leading the swimming team and safeguarding skills from his career as an athlete and two years of work experience in a top swimming college.
Jane Liu graduated from Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics in 2020, majoring in marketing. At school, she was awarded the title of national first-level swimmer. After graduation, she joined the Hangzhou Swimming Association and mainly worked as a training instructor recognised by the national professional swimming coach qualification. Additionally, she also officiated at various swimming competitions.
Outside of her professional life, she is a passionate traveller. She cherishes every moment of her journeys, embracing the opportunity to broaden her horizons. She values the chance to make friends with new people she meets.
Caron Hou holds a master's degree in sports education. Ms Hou was the former chief coach of Singapore National Synchronised Swimming Team. She has achieved the qualification of coach and referee for artistic swimming issued by Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA). She won the title of best honourable coach, awarded by Singapore Sports Council. She is currently a national referee in China.
Caron learnt the dance major in her childhood and was selected to join in the professional group by the coach of the synchronised swimming team. Later, she retired due to physical injuries and engaged in teaching. She has more than 30 years of professional experience and has won international competitions many times while leading the Singapore national team.
At present, she is responsible for the daily teaching and competition organisation of swimming and synchronised swimming in our school. Meanwhile, she also contributes to planning and implementing the popularisation of synchronised swimming in Zhejiang Province. She hopes that more and more children will have the opportunity to participate in synchronised swimming in the future, to experience the unique charm of the sport, to gain the perseverance of the sportsmanship and to be the excellent reserve talents for our country!
Sherry completed her studies at Sichuan Agricultural University. She has the necessary professional qualifications, including a bachelor’s degree. She was so passionate about education that she joined a British school in Beijing as soon as she graduated. She has an outgoing, friendly personality and a strong sense of responsibility, developed good relationships with students, parents and colleagues.
Following this she joined an international school in Chengdu in August 2018 and worked as the tutor of Year 8 in secondary school, which let her has an overall view about how to motivate different kinds of students and how to communicate with parents professionally. From her previous working experience, she worked closely with pupils, parents, academic and non-academic teams. These important skills assist her to be successful in her role.
Mrs Hillary MacKinnon has 16 years’ of work experience in international schools, in which she has worked for Wellington Schools in China for 11 years. The rich work experience has given her opportunities working closely with pupils, families, and colleagues from a variety of culture backgrounds. She is always fascinated about the beauty of different cultures and she believes that cultural diversity brings a collective strength that can benefit every single member in the community. Having been a Wellingtonian for 11 years, she understands the importance of strong multicultural community and feels very proud to be a part of such a flourishing and rapid-growing Wellington family. Mrs MacKinnon holds a bachelor’s degree in Chinese Language and Literature from WuHan University, China. She is also a holder of TEFL Certificates.
Amongst her interests, Mrs MacKinnon enjoys travelling and reading. She is returning to Wellington College Hangzhou with her husband David Mackinnon and their two boys, Lucas and Laine, from Ontario, Canada.
Ms Taotao Lu is a well-trained Mental Health Counselor and Play Therapist with international background. She gained her Bachelor's degree in Child and Family Studies from Syracuse University and Master's degree in Guidance and Counselling from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
Taotao specialises in working with pre-school and school-aged children, adolescents, and children with special education needs. Her expertise lies in using Play Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and Narrative Practice to support children’s development. In the past years, she has provided individual counselling services and mental health workshops/seminars for international schools in Shanghai and Hangzhou, college counseling centers, educational institutions, and international non-profit organisations. Prior to becoming a counselor, she was also an outstanding early-childhood educator. Her extensive experience in working with children and their families has equipped her a diverse set of counseling skills that can help them cope with a wide range of challenges, including socio-emotional issues, academic pressure, and behavioral problems. Taotao is passionate about empowering children and youths to help them overcome psychological and social challenges through story-telling and expressive play.
Na Li is British and Chinese holding teaching qualifications having graduated from Shanghai Teachers’ University in China and Goldsmiths College, University of London in the UK. She has over 20 years of teaching experience, having worked in selective schools in Shanghai, outstanding state schools in London, and prestigious British International Schools in Singapore, Malaysia and China.
Nina was also a member of the curriculum development team for an education group. She has been awarded various titles within the schools, such as "Most Popular Teacher", "Best Performing Teacher", and has won several awards in international Chinese teaching competitions held by Confucius Classroom worldwide. Outside of school, she is a teachers’ trainer for exam board: Cambridge Assessment International Education. She often runs workshops and offers training to teachers around the world.
Nina’s teaching philosophy comes from her own experience as a pupil, parent, and teacher. She believes that (i) emphasis on skills in order for knowledge to be applied (ii) a safe, fun and enjoyable atmosphere in order for pupils to develop freely and fully (iii) pupils must learn to take responsibility for their own learning, emphasising learning strategies and logical thinking.
David MacKinnon is the Deputy Head of Senior Schools at Wellington College Hangzhou. He brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles, including his time at Wellington College Tianjin and as a vice-principal in Canada. David’s diverse background in education spans leadership in safeguarding, pastoral care, and quality assurance.
After earning his teaching qualifications in Canada, David pursued a Master’s degree in Educational Technology and completed the principal’s qualification course. He is committed to the belief that every pupil has the potential to succeed, and he is dedicated to creating the right environment for this success. David emphasises the importance of a safe and supportive setting where pupils are encouraged to challenge themselves and take risks, fostering their overall development.
David is a strong advocate for the power of pastoral care in shaping well-rounded individuals who excel both academically and socially. He believes in leading by example and values strategic planning and effective communication to engage all stakeholders in achieving success. For David, strong relationships between parents and the school community are key to the best outcomes for pupils.
He also recognises the importance of performance management systems that align personal growth targets with the broader goals of the school, ensuring organisational success. With a firm commitment to instilling values in pupils, David encourages all stakeholders to lead by example, guiding pupils in developing their own values through the diverse experiences they encounter at school.
In his spare time, David enjoys traveling, reading, and playing ice hockey.
Dr Wei Sun holds a PhD in Educational Psychology from Virginia Tech, specialising in Science Education. Before joining Hiba Academy Hangzhou, she served as the Academic Director of a STEM department. Dr Sun worked closely with 33 international curriculum centres based in China’s top schools, delivering academic programmes and extracurricular activities. She also designed and delivered international science curriculum to K-12 schools and provided professional developments to international school teachers.
Prior to this, she worked in Qualcomm® Thinkabit Lab™ at Virginia Tech National Capital Regional as lab administrator and leading instructor. She supported the establishment of STEM curriculum in plenty of public schools in Northern Virginia area. With her outstanding background in both education and engineering, she has been a professional tutor of FIRST FRC Robotics Competition for many years, and served as judge of 2019 NASA OPSPARC InWorld Innovation challenge.
Liam holds a Bachelor's degree in Politics from the University of Huddersfield and a PGCE in Social Sciences and Psychology from the Manchester Metropolitan University.
Previously holding posts as Head of Teaching and Learning in international schools in China, and as an Advanced Practitioner in inner-city London, Liam’s primary focus is on coaching teachers and teaching, and developing learner progress. In his spare time, he enjoys photography and Muay Thai.
Candice graduated from Changchun Normal University. She majored in Mathematics and applied Mathematics whilst getting a Mathematics bilingual teaching certificate in the university. She started to work in an international school in Guangzhou in 2011. She was mainly teaching IGCSE and A level mathematics, and she was the Head of the Mathematics Department in that school.
She once organised students to take part in the Waterloo Mathematics competition and most students achieved medals in the competition. From 2014 she transferred to work in an international school in Hangzhou, she was the exam officer of A level exams in that school. The students she taught went to top 50 universities in the UK, e.g Imperial College, University College London….. She likes teaching, and she always said ‘she is born to teach’.
She is very patient in class, and she likes to be with children. She likes to study and she achieved 7 in the IELTS test. She joined Hiba school in 2018, she is proud of being a teacher at Hiba.
Claire graduated from Xiamen University (XMU) and majored in Chinese Language and Literature and Advertisement. After that, she was awarded the National Scholarship and completed her master’s degree at East China Normal University (ECNU), specialising in Language Teaching. In addition, she has led several bilingual programmes, which enhances her understanding of the field of education. In 2016, based on her Chinese immersion teaching experience, her research paper Children’s Vocabulary Acquisition in Chinese Immersion Program was published in Education Curriculum Research (ISSN 2095-3089), Sept. Issue.
After graduation, Claire worked as a Chinese teacher in an international school in the USA and a private school in Shanghai and Hangzhou for several years. These experiences have given her a deep understanding of different cultures and teaching mythologies. As a founding member of Hiba Academy Hangzhou, she gained the National Professional Qualification for Middle Leadership (UK) and worked as a middle leader. Her caring and responsible attitude towards pupils have won unanimous recognition and praise from parents. She is also dedicated to holistic education and has rich experience working with a pupil with special needs. She has been deeply involved in Chinese teaching and class management and has won several teaching and management awards in her teaching career.
Abbie Song graduated from Harbin Normal University with two bachelor's degrees in history and English education. She is a first-level middle school teacher with twelve years of teaching experience. She went to Canada for further study and exchange, and served as the director of the foreign language center and the leader of the teaching and research group of history, geography, politics and biology in a well-known international school in Heilongjiang province.
She was responsible for the organisation of the school's foreign language related work and activities, such as foreign language festival, national English speech competition, spelling bee of China, overseas study tours etc. Her courses in history, bilingual history and English are well received by students. She has won the first prize of the individual all-around city in the teaching basic skills competition, and many of her papers and teaching achievements have won the first prize of the provincial level.
She is caring, thoughtful and eager to learn. Her hobbies are travelling and cooking. Abbie Song is enjoying being part of the big family of Hiba and creating a happy life together with the pupils and teachers.
Molli Li, Head of Mathematics and Lead Teacher Data in Junior High, is a highly experienced mathematics teacher and curriculum developer. She holds a bachelor's degree in Mathematics and Applied Mathematics from Beijing Normal University, and a master's degree in Mathematics Education from University College London. Prior to joining Hiba Academy Hangzhou, Molli worked in a renowned public high school in Beijing.
Molli has been working at Hiba Academy Hangzhou for more than 5 years and takes pride in leading a passionate and enthusiastic maths team. Under her leadership, pupils have achieved excellent results in IGCSE Maths exams. Molli is also a seasoned coach for international maths contests and has helped many pupils excel in contests such as American Mathematics Competitions, UKMT, and Maths Contests in Modeling. In addition to her expertise in maths teaching, Molli has completed the NPQLT programme and has experience as a middle leader. She was recognised as an 'Outstanding Head of Department' by Xiaoshan Education Bureau in 2022.
Molli’s passion for bilingual education has led her to explore daily bilingual maths teaching, with the goal of helping pupils become true global citizens who can achieve their goals and contribute to their families and societies. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and travelling.
Patty Sun graduated from the University of Bristol, majored in Education (Teaching and Learning) and got a master's degree in the UK. During her study time, she particularly enjoyed the research elements of her course with a focus on the relationship between teaching and learning. She achieved Grade As in three of her academic dissertations. She gained work experience as a Chinese teacher at international schools in the Philippines and Thailand.
In 2014, she was selected by the Chinese government to teach Mandarin in Liverpool, UK. She taught over 500 students during her time in the UK, with two of her A-level students being admitted for a BA degree in Chinese Studies at the University of Newcastle and the University of Chester.
Patty started to play the electronic organ and practice dancing when she was young. She has also played the cucurbit flute since she started working. Currently, she is learning the ukulele, and does yoga to relax.
Miss Abigail Cutts has both a BA and an MA in English Literature and Media Studies with a PGCE teaching qualification from Leicester University. She began her career teaching in Leicester and then returned to teach in her hometown of Sheffield. She held the positions of Deputy Head of English and Whole School Literacy Coordinator for many years before moving to Shanghai to teach English at Hiba School. After an enjoyable two years in Shanghai with her young daughter, she was delighted to accept the role of Head of English at Wellington College International Hangzhou and enjoys developing the English department within the school.
Abigail’s passion for English is best described as the belief that, at its simplest, the study of English is about teaching how humans use language to communicate their ideas and feelings to each other and it involves exploring how we, as human beings, connect with others in a meaningful way. Reading widely is at the heart of studying English, and Abigail is enthusiastic about helping students discover their interests so that they can begin their own ‘reading journey’ that will support lifelong learning.
Abigail enjoys spending time with her daughter and travelling within China when not working. She has been studying Mandarin Chinese for almost two years now and continues to develop her Chinese reading and speaking skills in Hangzhou.
Nina is an experienced and dedicated educator with a strong passion for working with international students. As a founding member of WCIH, she has been able to fulfill her dream of teaching in an international school that embraces an advanced teaching philosophy and strong values that align with her own. Nina holds a bachelor's degree in English from Zhejiang Normal University, where she was honoured as the Outstanding Graduate of Zhejiang Province. She furthered her qualifications by completing a TESOL certification at UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) with straight As. Additionally, during her college years, she gained valuable teaching experience as a part-time TOEFL teacher at a language school in Hangzhou.
Nina's passion for working with students stems from her belief in their potential to learn in diverse styles. Having been an EAL learner herself, she fully comprehends the linguistic and cultural challenges they face and has made it her mission to provide unwavering support to EAL learners, helping them unlock their fullest potential. During her leisure time, she finds solace in music, art, and nature, believing that these activities can help construct a peaceful inner world. Moreover, she also encourages students to explore and learn from these experiences, as they can stimulate their concentration, creativity, and critical thinking.
Nina's enthusiasm extends to connecting with educators and students worldwide, as she values the exchange of perspectives and experiences. Given the opportunity, she is eager to contribute to the growth and mutual learning of students and the school, fostering a positive and supportive learning environment. She firmly believes that she can make a significant impact on the life paths of her students while contributing to the overall success of the school.
Clare holds a Master’s degree in Natural Sciences from the University of Cambridge, and a PhD in molecular biology. She has over twenty five years’ experience teaching Biology, Psychology, and General Science in the public and independent school systems both in the UK and overseas. In Kenya, she was Head of Biology in a prestigious boarding school in a rural setting. She then led the Science Faculty in a thriving bilingual school in Ningbo, China. Clare comes to us from Thailand where she also managed the Science Faculty of a prominent boarding school in Bangkok. Clare is currently training as an Executive Coach and has set up her own coaching business. She places a high value on building positive relationships and is passionate about the power of coaching to bring about positive and transformational change.
In her spare time, Clare loves to cook and has enjoyed learning new skills in the kitchen during her travels and time abroad. She is a Pilates enthusiast, amateur artist, avid reader, and devoted mother.
Lynn completed her master’s degree at Nanjing Normal University, specialising in geography and education. Before her postgraduate education, she joined in Teach for China and taught geography as a volunteer teacher in a middle school in Heqing for two years, which exercised her communication skills and teaching skills greatly.
In her spare time, she often did home visits, sometimes it took her three or four hours to climb the mountains. She is a nationally certified secondary school geography teacher with nine years teaching experience and worked in another international school in Hangzhou before joining the Hiba family. Two years ago, she took part in an IB workshop and had been awarded a certificate of completion.
Her hobbies are reading, travelling and baking.
With over a decade of his tenure in education, Mayur has taught both sciences and economics at IGCSE and A Level. He is an avid tech enthusiast with 9 years of international teaching experience in nurturing and empowering young minds by providing them with superior learning opportunities.
Being born and brought up in Kenya, he completed his formal education in India and then completing his QTS with the University of Buckingham. His international experience with ESL students and a basic level of Mandarin Chinese has made a positive impact in classroom learning. Prior to joining Hiba School Hangzohu, Mayur was working in Harbin (China) and has led several extracurricular activities, mentored trainee teachers, designed cross-curricular learning projects and served as the head of department and university counsellor.
His teaching practice goes beyond providing an engaging curriculum to customising learning experiences for students. His background in science allows him to approach a research-based investigative facet whereas his economics background explores the depth and extent to which social interactions and economic activities impacts the local community, our planet and our very way of living.
Mayur is a keen learner and in his spare time, enjoys reading, socialising, travelling and intellectual conversations. Not only is he health conscious but also a foodie. He has grown fond of the Chinese food, people, culture and the economy. Over the past couple of years, Mayur has picked up value investing as a hobby. He is very excited by the possibilities and opportunities offered by Hiba Academy Hangzhou.
Michelle Zou completed her Master's degree at the University of Durham, UK, specialising in Science Education (Chemistry). During her study in the UK, she visited many local schools and worked with teachers in the Foundation Centre of the University to explore the use of educational technology. She also volunteered as a math tutor and IT teacher in the local community.
After graduation, she devoted herself to teaching science for years. She has experience teaching Chinese curriculum, AP Chemistry, AS and A level Chemistry, GCSE science, AP calculus, and AP statistics to students from 5th to 12th grade. Her teaching experience promotes perspectives toward international education and encourages the integration of different curricula. Her motto is "Tell me, and I forget. Teach me, and I remember. Involve me, and I learn".
Graham particularly enjoys teaching Biology and its various sciences, and he enjoys passing on his love of learning and curiosity to the pupils of WCIH. He graduated from University in Manchester, after which he worked in hospital laboratories but decided that this career path was not for him. However, Graham had dreams of travelling and wanted to see the world. So he embarked on a one-year postgraduate teaching course in Nottingham, UK, and started his first teaching position at a school in South London. Graham worked for two years, learning the craft of teaching and then left the UK for his first overseas post at an international school in Bahrain. Since then, he has never been back to live in the UK and has worked in seven different international schools across the globe.
Graham deems himself fortunate because his teaching career has allowed him to travel all over the Middle East, Africa, North and South America, Europe, Australia and Asia. He first travelled to China in 1993 and only visited briefly.
Graham continually travels around China and hopefully will travel to places of the world he still wishes to visit. Over his time working internationally, Graham has learned about many cultures and hopes that he has become truly internationally minded.
Mr Leif Raiha graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Art and Art History and holds a diploma from Sheridan College. He completed his Bachelor of Education at Nipissing University. Leif also holds additional qualifications in Senior Visual Arts and Special Education. Leif taught in Canada and South Korea before coming to China to teach at an international school in Kunshan, undertaking various curriculum responsibilities including Technology, Science, and Art & Design in addition to his role as IB Coordinator. He then took a position as Head of Art at an academy in Beijing, establishing the department, and developing curriculum and enrichment programmes.
In his free time, Leif enjoys exploring. Travelling and hiking around China affords plentiful opportunities for drawing and photography, and to experience culture and cuisine.
Mr Wade was born in the beautiful city of Cape Town in South Africa. He has always enjoyed healthy competition and staying active through sports, and enjoying nature. He believes that physical activity sets the foundation for a healthy body and a healthy mind. He studied Geography and Economics during his bachelor’s degree and then spent the next few years travelling and working in the USA and the UK. After returning to South Africa, he was the Head of the Geography department at a Cambridge international school, teaching IGCSE and AS/A-level students. He also completed his PGCE teacher training during this time.
His love for travelling again took him overseas to the USA and South Korea before settling in South Africa. Mr Wade then completed his master’s degree in Environmental Management while working as a consultant in the private sector for large-scale development projects. His heart for education drew him back to teaching, where he headed up the geography department at a private school in Cape Town offering the Independent Examination Board curriculum. He believes in a student’s holistic education. Mr Wade continued his education and trained in mental and physical wellness before opening a therapeutic practice and learning centre for self-directed learners. His focus was on cognitive and body-based interventions where he could facilitate students and adults to access their inner resources and achieve their goals.
Warwick desired to travel again, and he found himself in China working as global perspectives, English and individuals and societies teacher at a bilingual school in Shenzhen, where he worked as the Head of the department for three years before joining Hiba Academy Hangzhou. Mr Wade believes in education from experience, and he is enjoying sharing his myriad of rich life lessons with the students at Hiba Academy Hangzhou.
Mon, a graduate of Raffles Music College, pursued advanced studies in Applied Music at Dundalk Institute of Technology, where he graduated with First Class Honours. This achievement earned him the esteemed "Michael Van Dessel Choral Conducting Scholar Award" in 2017. Subsequently, he completed his master's degree in Conducting at The Royal Academy of Music, with his studies abroad fully funded by scholarships.
During his educational journey, Mon had the privilege of being mentored by renowned conductors and musicians including Sir David Brophy, Sir Simon Rattle, Thomas Benedict, and Annalisa Monticelli. In recognition of his exceptional talent, he was nominated for "The Best Romantic Period Conductor" by the BBC London Orchestra in 2016 for his captivating performances of Beethoven's "Egmont Overture" and Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture." In 2018, he was invited to conduct a concert at St. Mary's (Marist) Church, where he had the opportunity to collaborate with notable soloists such as Niamh McCormack, Niamh O'Hanson, and Geraldine McGee, among others, in Ireland. Mon's passion for conducting has led him to numerous performances in Malaysia, Singapore, Hungary, Ireland, and the UK, encompassing a diverse range of musical genres including musical theatre, opera, and contemporary works.
Noteworthy highlights from his performance experiences include conducting and performing on the harpsichord with David Adam, Aisling Kenny, and Tuula Vouyilainen at the Irish Baroque concert in Dublin. He has also served as an organist at the Church of the Holy Trinity and the Church of the Visiting of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Additionally, Mon has showcased his skills as a pianist, having performed with the Peace Proms Orchestra during their 2016 Tour Concert, and served as a keyboardist and pianist for the Celtic Women Concert in 2015 and the Celtic Thunder Concert in 2016 respectively, both held in Galway.
Upon his return to Malaysia in late 2018, Mon joined the Music Faculty of an international school in Johor, where he was appointed as Head of Music. Subsequently, he embarked on a new role at another international school in Malaysia as the Head of Expressive Art, overseeing Drama, Music, and Arts within the institution. Moreover, Mon firmly believes in the importance of collaboration and the synergy it brings to musical productions. He values the exchange of ideas and the cultivation of a supportive and inspiring environment where musicians can thrive and push the boundaries of their artistic capabilities. By fostering a sense of unity and mutual respect within his ensembles, Mon encourages musicians to elevate their performances, resulting in captivating and memorable musical experiences.
Diane holds a BSc in Computer Science. She also holds an MA in Education and an MBA from the USA. She brings over 20 years of teaching experience with over 18 years of international teaching that spans Central America, South America and Asia. She has over ten years experience as Head of Computing/IT.
She’s passionate about holistic education with cross-curriculum adaptations. Hence, she has successfully designed several makerspaces and hosted several cross-curriculum exhibitions in which students were able to showcase their technology integration skills. She believes that students learn best in classrooms that are safe and in which they feel that their teachers care about their academic and social wellbeing. I am delighted to share my experience as wellas to learn the Hiba way of doing things.
Steven holds a Master’s Degree in Design and Technology from Sheffield Hallam University in the UK. He also has numerous other qualifications as well as qualifications that relate directly to his teaching subject, such as Cabinet Making, Automotive, Mechanical, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and industrial experience in these fields.
Steven has been teaching professionally since 1995 and has taught in a diverse range of educational settings, including Special Education, Mainstream, single gender, and mixed gender schools. He has taught in several areas of the UK (including London) as well as teaching in the Middle East and China previously.
He has been a teacher, head of department, whole school health and safety coordinator as well as a member of senior management throughout his career. He believes in creating independent learners so that pupils can continue to grow both inside and outside of the classroom; in addition, he believes that it is possible to learn something from everyone, we just have to learn to listen hard enough. Steven enjoys making a diverse range of personal projects for himself as well as commissions for other people; he also likes undertaking repair and restoration tasks. He has been studying various martial arts as a spiritual and physical self-development medium for more than forty years.
Prior to being a teacher he was a machinist with W F Stanley and Co , a Technical Officer with British Telecom, a vehicle Mechanic and Electrician with the British Army and a Metropolitan Police Officer, he has also had a variety of other employment positions in a diverse range of industries, this means he is able to offer real world experience to enrich the classroom experiences of his pupils.
Clark joined Wellington College Hangzhou in August 2022 as a PE Teacher, following his role as Head of PE at a certified, world-class SEN school in the UK. He also joined his former school's Senior Leadership Team in 2020 with significant responsibilities around safeguarding and behaviour management.
Holding a degree in Sports Coaching Science with a specialism in disability sport, Clark has a passion for providing learning experiences that are inclusive for all while challenging individuals' skills, knowledge and adaptability. Clark has vast experience as a high-performance sports coach for professional organisations in cricket and rugby, alongside playing regional representative sports in cricket, rugby, ice hockey and athletics.
Miss Chen graduated from St. John's University in the United States with a Master's degree in sports management and a Bachelor's degree from China University of Geosciences (Wuhan). She is a national first-level athlete and a certified coach of the American Swimming Coaches Association Level 1, 2 and3. She was a swimmer with more than 15 years of swimming training and competition experience and won the championship and the Sports Award at the National College Swimming Championships. Miss Chen has a rich academic background and teaching experience in both China and the United States. She has a national primary school PE teacher certificate, an AUSTSWIM (Australian Swimming Association) teacher certificate, an American Swimming Association age group coaching certificate awarded by ASCA (American Swimming Coaches Association), a water lifesaving certificate, a First Aid / CPR / AED certificate, and a CDC (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention) safety training certificate.
Miss Chen has participated in the Make a Splash youth swimming popularization event held by the USA Swimming Foundation and the Pan American Games trials held by Swimming Canada. After graduation, she taught youth swimming development programs at colleges in the United States, and organised teams to participate in the Junior Swimming Competition in the New York metropolitan area. After experiencing the collision of different sports cultures and identity transformation, she has developed a stronger passion and enthusiasm for the development of aquatics sports and is committed to providing more training opportunities and competition platforms for the young generation.
Miss Chen led the Wellington College Hangzhou swimming team to participate in the FOBISIA Swimming Invitational and won first place in the short courses events. On the other hand, she was invited to participate in the 19th Hangzhou Asian Games as a commentator. She hopes to pass on the spirit and energy of sports to children and firmly believes that sports are not only a lifelong skill, but also can promote children's physical and mental strength and independent.
Mr Paul Brookes is from the UK and joins Wellington College Hangzhou with his wife Michelle, an English teacher. Mr Brookes completed a BSc (Hons) Geography with the prestigious University of Winchester, where he became a published academic and was awarded the sought-after Alfred Prize.
Mr Brookes has worked across several educational settings and has experience in teaching and learning from primary to university level. Mr Brookes acted as a higher education ambassador and assisted in creating a programme of study aimed at preparing primary aged pupils for Oxbridge. Mr Brookes has also spent time studying Special Educational Needs.
Away from school, Mr Brookes competed in several triathlons and adventure races and enjoys learning new languages and cultures.
Ms Brookes joins Hiba Academy Hangzhou as an experienced teacher of English, having previously been employed as an Assistant Principal (Teaching and Learning) and Head of Department in London. Ms Brookes is also qualified as an Advanced Examiner and Moderator for several examination boards within the UK.
Having been employed across a plethora of settings, Ms Brookes has enjoyed the opportunity to develop a deep understanding of teaching English Language and Literature to speakers of other languages. She has also spent several years developing key knowledge of the special educational needs sector and is an advocate of nurturing talent through various 'Stretch and Challenge' initiatives. Ms Brookes is interested in understanding the learning journey in terms of memory and stress and has written several training sessions on the subject of metacognition. Ms Brookes is also a keen supporter of emerging teacher talent and has acted as a university trainee and NQT mentor for some time.
Ms Brookes is deeply committed to student wellbeing and has previously acted as a Wellbeing and Mental Health Ambassador and Form Tutor. She has also developed several debate teams and was delighted to take a group to moot within UK Parliament.
Away from teaching, Ms Brookes is a keen reader and enjoys art, design and travel. She is currently attempting to master basic Mandarin and is looking forward to travelling across Asia. Previously, Ms Brookes has obtained her gliders' licence and several marksmanship badges; she also competed at county level cross country and orienteering.
Felicity has previously worked in a prestigious international school in Changshu, China for three years. She has experience of teaching a variety of subjects, including Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches, Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation and Foundation Programme. Before Felicity started her career in Education, she spent six years studying abroad in India, the Netherlands, and Australia, and completed her Bachelor of Science degree from RMIT University with distinction. Throughout her academic and professional journey, she has gained a solid foundation in mathematical concepts and experienced diverse teaching methodologies.
Besides being a passionate educator, Felicity is also a devoted bookworm and a versatile musician. She plays the violin and the piano, and loves to sing. She has led and participated in a series of music groups like orchestra, band, acapella and choir. In addition, Felicity has a hobby of making various handicrafts, especially origami pieces.
Joining Wellington College Hangzhou, Felicity would like to further inspire young people to appreciate the subject of mathematics and enjoy the learning process in an innovative way.
Rachel graduated from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore with a Master of Science degree. She also holds a national high school mathematics teaching certificate. She has worked in an IBDP school as a DP mathematics tutor and junior high mathematics teacher. The teaching experience of international courses and integrated courses has given Rachel a deeper understanding of domestic bilingual mathematics teaching.
She loves life. Growing flowers and drinking tea are all indispensable parts of her life. She also likes travelling and hopes to travel all over the country to enrich her knowledge and ideas.
Tiana Ma graduated with a Master's Degree from the University of Edinburgh. She has also been educated by Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics during her undergraduate qualification. Before she joined Hiba Academy Hangzhou, she worked in an IB school with both Chinese and international students for two years. During that period, her class remained at the top of the grade. She also organised her students to participate in international mathematics competitions, such as Gauss Mathematics Contests and American Mathematics Competitions, where some of her students won the first prize.
These working experiences provided her with a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of international education and mathematics teaching. In her spare time, she is a digital product enthusiast and loves watching mobile phone conferences and searching for digital information. She also dreams of travelling around the world and has been to eight different countries. In the future, she expects to travel to at least one new country every year.
Jasmine completed her master’s degree at the University of Manchester, specialising in Commercial Project Management. She has also been educated by the University of Waikato for her undergraduate qualification in Finance. She was also selected to attend a key high school without taking the ZhongKao entrance examination. After her postgraduate education, she worked as a math teacher at an international school in Hangzhou, teaching across Grades 6, 7 and 8.
She believes teaching is a great profession that requires patience, dedication, and commitment to be successful. She enjoys working with students and helping them reach their full potential by helping them learn how to think critically and apply what they’ve learned to real-world situations. She also enjoys trying different activities in life. She has successfully hiked through Tongariro volcano which is 1978 meters above sea level. Overall, she is dedicated to show the professionalism of teachers and explore more possibilities in life.
With many years of dedication in the field of education, Mr Liu, renowned for his extensive mathematical knowledge and unique teaching style, excels at igniting pupils’ interest in mathematics and fostering their critical thinking and innovative abilities in the classroom. Holding a double degree in mathematical statistics and economics, Mr Liu furthers his postgraduate education at Zhejiang University. Primarily responsible for teaching Cambridge IGCSE and A-level mathematics courses, he has also edited the teaching guidance materials of CIE-S1 and was the overseas project manager of a large educational institution.
Mr Liu is particularly adept at helping pupils solidify their grasp of the examination knowledge system. Under his guidance, numerous pupils have achieved remarkable results in mathematics competitions and academic research. Additionally, he is actively involved in community cultural construction and has been honoured with the title of Advanced Individual in the Community. In his spare time, Mr Liu enjoys reading, running, and playing badminton.
Isabel Zheng is a passionate and experienced mathematics teacher. She graduated from the University of Melbourne and holds two master's degrees in Teaching and Management and a New Zealand teaching certificate. She has rich experience of teaching maths at international schools in Shanghai and Melbourne, and has taken on leading roles such as coordinating grade-level affairs and mentoring new teachers.
Isabel is an enthusiastic, dedicated, professional, and well-organised teacher with a passion of using a range of pedagogies to adapt to different learning styles and assist pupils to reach their true potential. Also, she is highly motivated and committed to providing pupils with an inclusive, supportive, and safe learning environment that positively enhances every aspect of their learning experience and needs. This is because she always believes that the sense of security is the cornerstone of the real learning, so all learning is social and emotional.
Ms Cherry Chen graduated from Nanjing Normal University and completed a master's degree. In addition to this, she achieved her teacher certification in 2019. She has been in international education for six years. She taught in schools in Shanghai before November 2020 where she developed the maths skills of multi-cultural understanding and communication. Then she became a junior high teacher member of Hiba Hangzhou.
Cherry has a passion for international education and strongly believes in making sure every child reaches their true potential and she’s also well-liked by pupils. In her spare time, Cherry enjoys travelling and spending time with her family.
Elina received her Master's degree in Chinese Literature(Language Education)from Hongkong Institute of Education in 2015. She has been devoted to Chinese education for 8 years. Before joining WCCH, Elina was a Chinese teacher in a junior and senior departments in Hongkong, Shijiazhuang, and Hangzhou. She created more platforms for the development of Chinese language learning where pupils can gain a deeper understanding of the charm of Chinese language through painting, performance, writing, and other means. Elina is as warm as sunshine. She loves outdoor sports and fitness, and is learning and improving. "Teaching others teaches yourself" is her motto.
Miss Veronica majored in Chinese language and culture with an undergraduate degree and a master's degree in Drama and Film from Communication University Of China. She holds a senior high school Chinese teacher certificate. She has rich practical experience in the media field and has worked as an intern in Tencent Pictures, Enlight Media and other companies. During her study at school, she participated in the production and promotion of a number of drama and film works.
After graduating from school, she worked as a Chinese and drama teacher as well as lead advisor at an international high school. She is committed to the research and practice of drama education, actively participated in Chinese and drama education workshops, and obtained the certificate of drama teacher training in Beijing set up by the Central Academy of Drama.
In addition to offering Chinese and drama courses, she also led students to hold Chinese drama festivals, which were successfully performed at Meng Minwei Concert Hall of Tsinghua University, which were well received by teachers, students and parents. Miss Veronica is very happy to have joined Hiba, hoping to continue to study and grow with colleagues and students with her strengths, and shine on the stage of life.
Ann Huang completed her master's degree at Beijing Language and Culture University, specialising in Chinese Teaching. In the period of graduate study, she was selected by the Chinese government to teach Chinese in an immersion programme in Michigan, USA. Her motivation and passion for international education has been stimulated since then.
From 2019 to 2021, Ann Huang worked in a convent school in London, UK, teaching Chinese for over 100 secondary students to support their GCSE learning and Cambridge Pre-U learning. Before that, she worked in an IB MYP school in Guangzhou, teaching Chinese and calligraphy to Y7&Y8 students. During this working period, she participated in the internationalised curriculum research programme (No. GDJY-2015-A-b028) organised by Guangdong Institute of Education. Ann Huang is fully aware of the importance of cultivating students' critical thinking and creative thinking. Ann Huang aims to become a life-long learner.
In her spare time, she enjoys reading, playing the piano and guitar.
Francesca completed her master's degree at Nankai University, majoring in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages. In 2017, she worked as a Chinese language teacher in one of the confucius classrooms in Colombia, where she was responsible for the whole year Mandarin course of the third grade. During this working period, she also organised various activities which were related to traditional Chinese culture, such as Chinese talent club, Chinese Day, Chinese Bridge for secondary students and so on. This academic background and overseas teaching experience provided her with her current skills and a deep understanding of education.
In her spare time, Francesca loves reading, she thinks the hobby is vital for keeping her mentally active. She also practices caligraphy regulary, which is a good way for her to get inner peace. If there is a long holiday, she would like to travel around and soak herself in different cultures.
Mr He Ji holds a bachelor's degree from Suzhou University. With 23 years of experience in both public and international schools, he has served as the head of the Suzhou Master Teacher Studio and the leader of a "13th Five-Year Plan" research project. He also led the development of China's first AI-based writing assessment and revision system. Before joining Wellington College Hangzhou, he worked as the curriculum coordinator and pastoral care coordinator at an international school in Suzhou.
In his free time, he enjoys walking his dog, travelling and reading, and is a tech enthusiast with a wide range of interests. He believes that the truth of the world lies deep within the mind.
Robin is excited to be joining the Wellington community as an English teacher. He brings with him a wealth of experience in the field of education, having obtained a PGCE and CELTA qualification and has over 10 years of teaching experience primarily in Berkshire, England, but also in South Korea. His passion for teaching and commitment to helping pupils reach their full potential is what drives him, and he is eager to bring that energy to his new role.
Outside the classroom, he is an avid reader and enjoys the works of authors such as Malorie Blackman and Matt Haig. Robin also has a love for the outdoors and enjoys hiking in his free time while listening to R&B or being lost in the music from the Studio Ghibli films. Additionally, he has a creative side and sees himself as a wannabe Herzog or a Wiseman while editing family videos.
Robin believes that teaching is not just about imparting knowledge, but also about inspiring and supporting pupils as they grow and develop. He is thrilled to be joining this community and looks forward to getting to know everyone and working together to create a positive learning environment. He is excited to embark on this journey.
Verity Peniket has taught English Literature and English Language in the UK for six years. Most of this time, she taught in an outstanding-rated school in London. She gained a BA degree in English Literature and completed her Postgraduate teaching qualification with QTS. Verity has progressed to middle leadership positions, including Director of Reading and Lead Practitioner Designate, which stems from her drive to develop others to reach their potential.
Verity is passionate about developing pupils’ reading proficiency and creating a love for books. Not only has Verity made and developed challenging and diverse curriculum plans, but she has also developed methodical and supportive strategies to improve students’ writing, reading and speaking. Verity’s ethos in the classroom is to foster students’ creativity and individual intellectual opinions whilst also being able to articulate themselves academically. In her spare time, Verity enjoys reading, drawing, swimming, history and exploring the outdoors. She is looking forward to travelling around China and learning more about Chinese culture.
Scott is a UK qualified English Language instructor with over 20 years of experience teaching English as a first and second language in a number of countries. An outstanding teacher, trained and experienced in teaching all ages in a variety of curricula; International Baccalaureate, A Levels and UK national curriculum (AQA, Cambridge & Edexcel) and students of all abilities and of many nationalities having worked in the UK, Japan, U.A.E and most recently China.
He has held numerous positions of responsibility including English year coordinator, curriculum (IBDP) coordinator and Head of English.
He values continual professional development with which he actively promotes the use and development of English especially within the environment of bilingual learning.
An active person who is genuinely keen and enthusiastic about being involved in many aspects of school life. He has been involved in a variety of sports teams, performed in school teacher bands and looks for any opportunity to promote the enjoyment of reading.
His philosophy of teaching is to provide students with a learning environment that is challenging and rewarding. Students are encouraged to demonstrate where their strengths lie as well as being confronted with unfamiliar activities.
He believes that students should always be in control of their learning and be provided with opportunities to show their personal best while being given the chance to try something beyond their previous experiences.
No matter what the level of English language experience a student may have, all students are given the tools and skills required to not only succeed, but to exceed expectations.
Ms Akinwumi began her career in education as a Learning Support Assistant, supporting students as English Language Learners and those with Special Educational Needs before completing a Post Graduate Certificate of Education in English at the University of London.
During her time as a classroom teacher, Ms Akinwumi has championed the importance of building relationships to enhance classroom learning. Along with taking on responsibilities within the English department, Ms Akinwumi’s priority has been to ensure every student makes excellent progress and is continually proud of their achievements.
Ms Akinwumi believes in nurturing curiosity, resilience and open-mindedness in the pupils she teaches. She enjoys adopting various learning strategies, including drama and oracy, and developing confidence and engagement in her classroom.
Ms Akinwumi has always felt passionate about literature and enjoys reading various genres. She has also taken Muay Thai classes and enjoys staying healthy by attending various fitness classes. In her spare time, she loves to sing and would like to be a part of a community choir. Ms Akinwumi also looks forward to travelling and immersing herself in the world’s rich cultural experiences.
Ms Jo-mari Brown was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa. Jo spent much of her childhood with her nose in a book, playing sports with her brother and sister, or writing fantasy stories involving her dogs.
Jo dreamed about becoming a ballerina or a lawyer, wanting to travel the world or help underprivileged people get a fair chance in life. One of her dreams came true when she completed her BA in English and Media and Writing, PGCE and TEFL at the University of Cape Town in 2007.
The other dream was realised when she got her first teaching job in South Korea later that same year. There she spent nine glorious years teaching in Seoul. The following six years were spent in Qatar, where she discovered her love for desert camping and board games.
Jo now enjoys her adventures at Hiba Academy Hangzhou and the wonders and amazements this superb school and country offers.
Nicola holds a Bachelor of Arts in Literature & History from Leeds Metropolitan University and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from Durham University.
Her international teaching journey began 23 years ago as a secondary school teacher in England. To fulfil her wish to travel the world, Nicola decided to venture into international teaching. She’s taught in Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, UK and the last ten years in Qatar. She has loved her time as Head of Department in Qatar but China beckons and she’s thrilled to be joining the Wellington family. Nicola will be joining us with her twin boys and crazy dog, Alfie. Both boys are eager to begin the next chapter in their life at Wellington.
Personalised learning is her passion, and Nicola firmly believes it can be achieved through positive relationships, reflective environments and student agency. Nicola plans to bring her experience, excellence and enthusiasm for English and Literature to Hiba Academy Hangzhou.
Ms Tammy Froese, Bachelor of Education and Master of Education, is an internationally experienced educator with a strong academic background and a diverse teaching portfolio. She holds a Bachelor of Education and Master of International Education from the University of Manitoba, Canada. Tammy has extensive experience teaching in various countries, including China, Uganda, Kuwait, England, South Korea, and Canada, across different educational settings such as public schools, private international institutions, and Chinese bilingual schools, as well as at various key stages.
Her professional experience includes roles such as an English Literature and French Teacher at a top secondary school in Canada, and a History role at an international American school in the Middle East. She has also held leadership positions, such as Head of the English Department at a college in Beijing, China. Tammy's expertise spans across different subjects, including A-Level English Literature, French (IB), A-Level History, Creative Writing, and IGCSE English Language, and she has taught various curricula such as the Middle Years Program in IB, as well as Cambridge International Examinations (CIE), and Edexcel.
In addition to her teaching experience, Tammy has demonstrated a commitment to professional development, with certifications in areas such as International Baccalaureate (English A) and Cambridge International (English Literature and History). She has also published her master's thesis on the challenges of inclusive education implementation in a developing country, examining the work of international NGOs in Cambodia. Tammy has also participated in international projects with organisations such as the Canadian Teachers Federation, working with local teachers in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Her strong instructional leadership and significant education experience make her a well-rounded and knowledgeable professional in the field of international education.
Ziwei Zhu completed her master’s degree at the University of Glasgow, specialising in education. She also received her undergraduate degree at the University of Iowa for a psychology major in 2017.
In the past five years, Ziwei Zhu has been teaching in multiple curriculums including IB, A-level, and IGCSE across the country. She worked as an IELTS and SAT teacher at a private college, she also taught English Language and Literature for international pupils under the IB curriculum. The experience of teaching provided her with a detailed understanding and experience in first-language and second-language English teaching.
After getting her PGCEi from the University of Nottingham, she decided that it was time for her to expand her teaching in the field of psychology. She taught A-level psychology and IB DP psychology ever since. As a member of Wellington College Hangzhou, she hopes that she can continue teaching English and developing pupils’ interest in the field of psychology.
Musa is an accomplished educator with a robust background in mathematics and science education. He holds a degree in Mathematics from Queen Mary University of London, a prestigious Russell Group university. Complementing this, Musa earned a teaching degree from Goldsmiths, University of London, known for its excellence in teacher education.
Before joining WCC, Musa has garnered over eight years of experience, skillfully instructing pupils in Mathematics, Physics, and Key Stage 3 Science. His versatility is highlighted by his comprehensive understanding of various educational syllabi, including the International Baccalaureate (IB), iGCSE, and GCSE across multiple exam boards.
Musa’s career is distinguished by significant international teaching stints, having spent four years in Malaysia and two more in the United Arab Emirates. These experiences have enriched his teaching methods, enabling him to adapt to diverse cultural and academic environments while meeting the unique needs of his pupils.
Throughout his career, Musa has been dedicated to fostering a deep connection to his pupils. A connection that helps engage pupils with lesson content and deepen the experience of the learner. This along with his progressive and global view of learning hopes to create well rounded pupils with a broader appreciation of both their learning and the context in which it can be applied.
Clyde Snyders is a physics teacher from South Africa, specifically hailing from the renowned city of Cape Town. With a teaching experience of 20 years under his belt, Clyde holds an undergraduate teaching degree in Science Education, followed by postgraduate studies at the University of the Western Cape. Currently, he is diligently working towards completing his M.Education degree, focusing on the importance of science teaching, including pedagogy, didactics, and the value and usefulness of assessment.
Having initially started his teaching career as the head of Physics, Clyde transitioned into education after spending nine years working in the private Biotechnology industry. He firmly believes in employing a mature, constructive, and eclectic teaching approach. Recognising the significance of effective working relationships among staff, pupils, parents, and guardians, Clyde considers them crucial for the development of well-rounded learners and the successful fulfilment of school mandates. Throughout his professional journey, Clyde has gained extensive experience in diverse practical and development roles within the South African curriculum, spanning both the junior (IGCSE) and senior (A level) phases. He has also enjoyed close collaboration with his CIE colleagues at an international high school in Suzhou.
As a proud South African, Clyde takes pleasure in engaging in outdoor activities, particularly hiking and socialising. He particularly enjoys the cultural tradition of a braai (BBQ). In his personal life, Clyde has been happily married for 26 years and is the father of two sons, Dylan and Aidan. Both of his sons are currently pursuing their studies at the University of Cape Town, their beloved hometown.
Janet Huang obtained her Master's degree in Theoretical Physics from Fudan University. She has been teaching IGCSE and A Level Physics courses at an international high school for the past two years.
With her academic background and experience in teaching physics, Janet has developed a strong ability to make complex scientific concepts accessible and engaging for pupils. Her bilingual skills further enhance her ability to connect with and support a diverse pupil body. Her commitment to fostering a love for science in pupils is evident through her dynamic and interactive teaching style. She aims to cultivate pupils with strong independent learning abilities who are passionate and curious about science by employing diverse teaching methods.
In her spare time, she is passionate about hiking and mountaineering.
Having completed her University Education 13 years ago, Miss Rabia Irshad joined the British international school system in her home country, Pakistan, to begin her teaching career. It was only the beginning of her long journey to pursue excellence and bring the best out of her as a teacher and learner in the teaching process. She was responsible for middle school teaching but soon realised her potential. She was also entrusted with high school teaching. After teaching in a private school, she had the opportunity within the government sector. She maintained her brilliant teaching record before moving to China for her postgraduate study.
She was selected for the Chinese Government Scholarship to study at a Double First-Class University in China. She published five research papers with a high impact factor and won the Star of Science Award from the Beijing University of Chemical Technology (BUCT). After completing her postgraduate study, she had her first opportunity to teach internationally at an international school in the Shandong Province. She taught senior high school for three years, earning a remarkable milestone in her teaching experience abroad.
As an individual, she highly values problem-solving capabilities and resorts to multiple ways of approaching a problem effectively and efficiently. She has been in China for almost six years and is well conversant with the culture and norms of China. She loves cooking and travelling. She is also profoundly interested in handicrafts and values the process and concept behind their design.
Daisy Yu graduated from Hangzhou Normal University with a master's degree in 2017. She was awarded a national scholarship and is an outstanding graduate of Zhejiang Province. She has taught A Level chemistry and A Level physics and GCSE science since graduation. Daisy has guided the pupils' science competition and pupils achieved the global Gold Medal, and Daisy was awarded the Global Outstanding Science Competition Coach award by the organiser. Her teaching style is humorous and relaxed, which is loved by students.
In Daisy‘s spare time, she likes photography, reading, travelling and cooking food. Daisy achieved the national dietitian certificate. Daisy is an optimist who enjoys life.
Mr Wu was offered scholarships (by Singapore MOE) and obtained his Bachelor of Engineering and Master of Philosophy at Nanyang Technological University from 1997 to 2004. With years of teaching experience at private schools in Singapore, he moved to Bangkok in 2013 and worked as a high school physics and mathematics teacher at an international school in Singapore.
During the following nine years, he saw his students get into top universities, including Harvard and Cambridge. He is proud of his students because they learned to take responsibility for their learning, work independently and collaborate with others respectfully, and make continuous progress towards achieving set goals.
Crystal graduated from Hunan Normal University with her master's degree in Analytical Chemistry. During her time at university, two of her research papers were accepted and published in SCI journals, which were based on building sensors to detect the molecules linked with human health. Crystal was honoured as a National Scholar and Outstanding Graduate during 2016-2018. After graduation, she has been working as an international educator in Shenzhen, Hangzhou and Changzhou for six years. Crystal has dedicated her career to helping pupils of all levels. She is passionate about fostering pupils’ love of science and scientific thinking. Crystal also believes in a pupil-centred approach where every child is respected, their ideas are valued and their individuality is celebrated.
In her leisure time, Crystal usually spends her time reading books or playing badminton. These activities help her unwind and relax, as well as boost her creativity and analytical thinking skills. Crystal is excited to join our school community. She is looking forward to helping every pupil develop their passion for science and achieve their potential.
Yasmine has gained almost ten years of teaching experience in universities and international schools. She is well-versed in teaching pupils according to their aptitude and can implement customised teaching strategies based on their individual differences. She is familiar with the teaching of courses from IGCSE to A-Level by different examination boards and has participated in the marking workshop run by CIE. In her past teaching career, she has demonstrated her ability to inspire academic enthusiasm and develop hands-on skills through her successful mentorship in biochemistry projects, which has also laid a solid foundation for her future development. In addition, she is passionate about travelling, good at discovering and thinking, and skilfully integrates what she has seen and heard during her travels into the course content, closely connecting scientific concepts with daily life. This greatly enriches pupils' perceptual understanding, deepens their understanding of scientific knowledge, and further stimulates pupils to observe and think more in daily life, cultivating their critical thinking, innovation and problem-solving abilities.
Khethukuthula Mswane has previously spent three years teaching biology, food and nutrition, and ESL in China.
Through her dedication and hard work, she was appointed as a professional learning communities leader, responsible for ensuring efficient planning. Ms Mswane obtained her Bachelor of Science majoring in biochemistry, cell biology, microbiology, and biotechnology, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education majoring in natural and life sciences from the University of the Witwatersrand.
Creating a safe space for children to be themselves in all their diversity is essential to teaching. Ms Mswane believes that children can thrive in an environment where their voices are heard and feel cared for. She facilitates a classroom environment where children can learn academic content and grow to be wholesome members of society who are kind, responsible, respectful, and inclusive.
Ms Mswane is a multifaceted individual who constantly challenges herself to learn outside her comfort zone. Hence she also studied Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Performance. She enjoys reading and is continuously collecting books. Ms Mswane spent most of her university time working for the community. She volunteered as a maths and science tutor for high school students in township schools.
Zadkiel is an experienced and dedicated teacher with a Master of Economics from San Diego State University, an MA of Education from UC Riverside, and a PGCE from the University of Sunderland. With Qualified Teacher Status and nine years of teaching in China, he is passionate about helping students achieve their full potential.
Zadkiel believes that education is the key to unlocking a student's potential and that every child has the ability to succeed. He is committed to creating a positive and engaging learning environment that fosters student agency and personalised learning.
Zadkiel is excited to join the Wellington College family and bring his expertise to the classroom. In his free time, he enjoys reading, travelling, and exploring new cultures. With a dedication to education and a commitment to excellence, Zadkiel looks forward to inspiring the next generation of learners.
Ross completed his Fine Art degree and teacher training through the University of Wales Trinity St David. He has been teaching in China for 7 years in various cities. Ross has experience delivering IGCSE's and A Levels along with the IB curriculum. Ross has pastoral experience working as the deputy head of pastoral but mostly though boarding management positions. In his spare time Ross enjoys boxing and art. He is currently studying for a masters in education and leadership.
Penny worked as a Chinese literature and social studies teacher for three years after she graduated with a Master of East Asian Literature and Culture degree at Rutgers University in New Jersey, USA. She also has a Senior High School Chinese Teacher Certificate. Penny's professional background provided her with a solid foundation in social study teaching. Her experiences of studying and working in an international environment enables her to respect various cultures and values, and she works well with staff and pupils from diverse backgrounds.
As a social studies teacher, she has a great passion for history, literature and philosophy, and she is good at inspiring students in class. It has been very rewarding for her to see students grow more and more confident as they begin to inquire, investigate, analyse, reason and reflect both in and outside of the class. She believes that rather than practicing and memorising skills, social studies aims to develop students’ critical and creative thinking skills and allows them to recognise and respect their own culture and diverse cultures in a global context.
In her spare time, Penny likes sports and hiking. Regular sporting and other extracurricular activities enrich her life and make her become a more balanced and risk-taking person.
Before working at Wellington, Mark Wilkinson worked as a curriculum coordinator and High School History teacher at an international school in Shanghai, China. At this chool, he taught IGCSE History, achieving A*s with many of his students. From 2016-2018, he also served as a Junior High School Science and Social Studies teacher. Mark Wilkinson holds a BA from Middlesex University in London, UK and has a Master’s in Education from the District of Columbia, Washington, U.S.A. He has also taught in schools in Korea and Vietnam and has been a full-time teacher since 2014, teaching students from K1- adults.
Having a broad view of education and the needs of students, Mark Wilkinson has channelled his passion for History into a career that understands the needs of each child and their learning capacity. He strongly values drive and character in students and seeks to enable students to be a part of a more robust global world at home and abroad. Student care and health are critical to Mark, and he strives to nurture each pupil to make a positive and meaningful impact in their community. Mark challenges himself daily and enjoys football, playing chess and learning Chinese. In addition, he enjoys travelling, reading and spending time with his family in his spare time.
Alison completed her History BA at the University of Teesside, UK. Whilst teaching EFL in Turkey after graduating, she decided to become a school teacher and undertook a PGCE at the University of Leeds in Secondary History.
Alison enjoys sharing her love of history, the big and small stories of the past. She likes to encourage her students to develop a life-long interest in the subject as there is always something new to discover about the past. During her career, Alison has taught in various settings and seven different countries. After qualifying and spending time teaching History and SEN students in London, she joined a language school in Sicily to teach EFL and after one year, moved to teach History in Doha.
In 2005, Alison taught History and was KS3 Co-ordinator in Tianjin, China for four years and subsequently History and Geography teacher for five years in the south of France where she was also an examiner for the Diploma. After two years back in Northern Ireland, Alison then moved to Almaty, Kazakhstan where she taught Humanities from 2019.
Alison is grateful for all the experiences teaching has given her and the opportunity to create an environment where students are empowered to think critically and creatively, to analyse and question, and to become valued contributors to society. Alison grew up in Antrim, Northern Ireland and in her spare time, she enjoys travelling, cooking, current affairs and karaoke.
With over a decade of teaching experience in diverse countries and active participation in various educational programs, Nurudeen is a dedicated and passionate educator. He holds a BA in Social Anthropology from the University of Kent, Canterbury. After serving as a Teaching and Learning Associate (TLA) at Hewen’s College, he pursued his PGCE at the Institute of Education. As of 2021, Nurudeen has completed a Development Education and Global Learning MA (DEGL) at the Institute of Education, University of London.
Nurudeen taught humanities and PSHCE in inner-city London for three years before transitioning to international teaching. During his six-year tenure in Mexico City, he taught geography at all levels, including the International Baccalaureate (IB). Of those six years, he worked as a Head of Year (HOY) for Form 2-3 for 4 years.
In the last three years, he served as the Geography Lead teacher at a school in China, contributing significantly to the geography curriculum across different educational levels and programs.
In his spare time, he enjoys cooking, baking, playing football, and following sports—particularly Liverpool FC. He also hopes to try as many cuisines as possible from around the world.
Paul Stirling is a drama teacher who thrives on supporting pupils to excel while fostering an inclusive, dynamic, and nurturing environment that encourages self-discovery and resilience within teaching spaces and beyond. Having earned his BA in Drama, Education and Theatre from the Central School of Speech and Drama, Paul has worked in Europe, Central and South East Asia and at an international school in Singapore and has directed various productions including Aladdin, To Kill a Mocking Bird, One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, and The Bad Seed. Hailing from Scotland he is a keen hiker and outdoors person who has climbed mountains including Kilimanjaro and completed two marathons in Munich and London.
Kristine brings extensive knowledge, passion and experience to her role as a music educator. She began her artistic journey with a bachelor's degree in Theatre and Drama, with a concentration in Musical Theatre, from Indiana University Bloomington. During her undergraduate studies, she built a solid foundation in vocal performance, stagecraft and storytelling. Driven by her passion for teaching, she pursued a master's degree in Music Education at University College London, where she further honed her skills as an educator and mentor. She is particularly passionate about blending her performance expertise with her educational practice, encouraging pupils to view music as both a creative outlet and an academic pursuit. From coaching vocal techniques to leading ensembles or inspiring pupils to compose their own music, Kristine is dedicated to fostering both technical skills and artistic expression.
Beyond teaching, Kristine actively engages with the performing arts. She regularly participates in musical theatre projects in Shanghai, which allow her to continue developing her craft. Kristine is excited to join our school community and is eager to make meaningful contributions to the music programme. She looks forward to inspiring pupils and fostering a vibrant, creative environment where every learner can thrive.
Philip Clamp has taught in education for almost 21 years. He has taught within the United Kingdom for 17 years and in China for four years. Within that time, he has also worked as a coach, trainer and instructor working with elite athletes.
Philip graduated from Birmingham University with a Sports Management degree BA(Hons) then completed a PGCE and QTS from Wolverhampton and Sunderland universities. Philip also has a wide range of coaching sports exercise qualifications.
Philip has been working at an international school in Changzhou, China where he has been teaching both IGCSE Cambridge Physical education and Btec Sports sciences. He was assistant head of PE and sports sciences.
Philip has a keen interest in athletics where he has run competitively himself as an international athlete. He strongly sees a positive correlation between success in sport and academic development. He likes to use sport and exercise as a positive tool to help children develop physically, mentally, and socially. Philip plans to continue with further research and study, to help children to further their development both in the classroom and on the sports field.
Ms Kristina Aragon was born and raised in the Philippines. She completed her Bachelor of Secondary Education degree at Benguet State University in 2016, majoring in Physical Education, Music, Arts and Health. In addition, she completed her Master’s degree in Physical Education at the same university.
She is a highly energetic and passionate teacher who believes every student deserves a PE teacher who can lead by example, a teacher who has embraced a lifetime commitment to students in helping and developing their future. Throughout her childhood, she was exposed to various sports such as volleyball, basketball, badminton, table tennis, and chess. Her early exposure provided her with evident experience in participating in competitions, where she garnered awards and recognition.
To reinforce her knowledge and skills for two years, she started facilitating learning for primary students at a Montessori school in the Philippines. This gave her the necessary experience for teaching international students at an international school in Phuket, Thailand, before moving to China.
In this new beginning, Ms Kristina is looking into thriving new experiences that would broaden her whole wellbeing as an educator. With this end in mind, she is grateful, thrilled, and excited to be part of Hiba Academy Hangzhou.
Emily achieved her bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Zhejiang University and a master’s degree in Physical Education from Shanghai University of Sport. She completed the IBPYP (International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme) training courses in Singapore and achieved the 'Make The PYP Happen In The Classroom' Category 1 and the PYP Assessment Category 2 certificates.
She has worked as a physical education teacher in a prestigious international school for four years, and four years at another international school where she became Head of PE and Sport after two years. She aslo taught primary upper grades. She has also worked with Shanghai Schools Sports Association, organising and hosting events at her school.
As a physical education specialist, Emily helped develop and implement the IB Primary Years Program (IBPYP) to encourage and develop an enthusiasm for sport. It was rewarding for Emily to see children grow more confident as they began to develop sporting skills and attitudes. Throughout her teaching career, Emily feels fortunate to have worked in a range of different settings with a diverse membership of both staff and pupils. She has a passion for teaching pupils, and a willingness to work with pupils inside and outside the classroom in sports and other activities that enhance the life and spirit of the school community.
Sport has played a significant part of Emily´s life. She enjoys playing tennis and basketball in her spare time and is interested in reading about health and fitness. She has always had a passion for athletics being involved in sporting competitions throughout her schooling life. Emily is very excited to be part of Hiba Academy Hangzhou at such an important point for our school, where we have the opportunity to develop a motivated and engaged learning environment within the Wellington community.
Birkan graduated from Cukurova University with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and furthered his education with a PGCE in Computing with ICT from the Institute of Education, UCL. He also holds a PGCert in Software Technology from the University of Liverpool and a PGCert in Computer Science from Birkbeck College, University of London. With a rich background in the tech industry, Birkan gained excellent subject knowledge and strong programming skills while working for a fast-growing internet software and consultancy company. Transitioning from industry to education, he now brings this real-world insight to the classroom, aiming to inspire and motivate the next generation of computer scientists. A British Computer Society (BCS) scholar, Birkan has taught a variety of computer science courses at an outstanding school in North London for many years, including AQA A Level Computer Science, OCR, and Pearson Edexcel GCSE Computer Science, and KS3 Computing with ICT curriculum.
Birkan is deeply passionate about education and believes in a holistic approach to teaching, where the development of the whole pupil is prioritised. He has a strong interest in experiencing new cultures and expanding his global perspective, which has driven his move to China. Travelling and being exposed to diverse experiences have always fascinated him, as he believes that travel enriches one’s intelligence and compassion. Birkan’s commitment to education extends beyond the classroom as he has also served as a mentor for student teachers, providing them with guidance and support as they develop their teaching skills.
Alexandra Cowley, born in Namibia, has spent much of her adult life studying, working, and travelling overseas. With more than 20 years of experience, she has worked with children aged 3 to 18 from different socio-economic, educational, and cultural backgrounds in Namibia, Swaziland, South Africa, Hong Kong and Kuwait.
She holds a Bachelor of Social Science undergraduate degree, having majored in Psychology and Social Anthropology, a Montessori Pre-Primary Teacher’s Diploma, and a Post-graduate Diploma in Special Needs Education. She also holds certificates in Play Therapy and Counselling Children and Adolescents and a diploma in Professional Child Psychology, making her well suited to Director of Pupil Support.
Alexandra spent 13 years living and working in Kuwait, the last eight years in a management capacity as Head of Early Years at International British Curriculum schools. This gave her the unique opportunity to work not only with children but also with parents, teachers, and other stakeholders.
She believes that her experience in teaching and leadership has given her a unique perspective on understanding the needs of children, teachers, and parents within an educational setting. It has also given her the necessary tools to support those she works with effectively and positively, as well as to communicate proficiently with other stakeholders. She leads by example and believes that discussion and open exchange of ideas are essential in developing a successful partnership.
Her educational background and diverse pedagogy experiences have helped her develop a deep understanding of the needs of children. Education is not only about educating the child academically but also socially and emotionally, something that she believes is becoming increasingly necessary within our society.
She moved to Hangzhou with her two youngest sons, aged 9 and 11, who joined Wellington College, while her oldest son, aged 19, remains in South Africa to continue his studies.
Mike graduated from Zhejiang University of Finance & Economics. For the last 16 years, He has been a student, but also a dynamic swimming athlete. The latter filled him with passion and enthusiasm. During his career, he won many competitions and obtained the title of national first class athlete.
He found that he could get the same enjoyment from teaching others when he witnessed children learning to swim from an early age. He also acquired a lot of experience in teaching swimming, leading the swimming team and safeguarding skills from his career as an athlete and two years of work experience in a top swimming college.
Jane Liu graduated from Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics in 2020, majoring in marketing. At school, she was awarded the title of national first-level swimmer. After graduation, she joined the Hangzhou Swimming Association and mainly worked as a training instructor recognised by the national professional swimming coach qualification. Additionally,She also officiated at various swimming competitions.
Outside of her professional life, she is a passionate traveller. She cherishes every moment of her journeys, embracing the opportunity to broaden her horizons. She values the chance to make friends with new people she meets.
Caron Hou holds a master's degree in sports education. Ms Hou was the former chief coach of Singapore National Synchronised Swimming Team. She has achieved the qualification of coach and referee for artistic swimming issued by Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA). She won the title of best honourable coach, awarded by Singapore Sports Council. She is currently a national referee in China.
Caron learnt the dance major in her childhood and was selected to join in the professional group by the coach of the synchronised swimming team. Later, she retired due to physical injuries and engaged in teaching. She has more than 30 years of professional experience and has won international competitions many times while leading the Singapore national team.
At present, she is responsible for the daily teaching and competition organisation of swimming and synchronised swimming in our school. Meanwhile, she also contributes to planning and implementing the popularisation of synchronised swimming in Zhejiang Province. She hopes that more and more children will have the opportunity to participate in synchronised swimming in the future, to experience the unique charm of the sport, to gain the perseverance of the sportsmanship and to be the excellent reserve talents for our country!
Sherry completed her studies at Sichuan Agricultural University. She has the necessary professional qualifications, including a bachelor’s degree. She was so passionate about education that she joined a British school in Beijing as soon as she graduated. She has an outgoing, friendly personality and a strong sense of responsibility, developed good relationships with students, parents and colleagues.
Following this she joined an international school in Chengdu in August 2018 and worked as the tutor of Year 8 in secondary school, which let her has an overall view about how to motivate different kinds of students and how to communicate with parents professionally. From her previous working experience, she worked closely with pupils, parents, academic and non-academic teams. These important skills assist her to be successful in her role.
Mrs Hillary MacKinnon has 16 years’ of work experience in international schools, in which she has worked for Wellington Schools in China for 11 years. The rich work experience has given her opportunities working closely with pupils, families, and colleagues from a variety of culture backgrounds. She is always fascinated about the beauty of different cultures and she believes that cultural diversity brings a collective strength that can benefit every single member in the community. Having been a Wellingtonian for 11 years, she understands the importance of strong multicultural community and feels very proud to be a part of such a flourishing and rapid-growing Wellington family. Mrs MacKinnon holds a bachelor’s degree in Chinese Language and Literature from WuHan University, China. She is also a holder of TEFL Certificates.
Amongst her interests, Mrs MacKinnon enjoys travelling and reading. She is returning to Wellington College Hangzhou with her husband David Mackinnon and their two boys, Lucas and Laine, from Ontario, Canada.
Ms Taotao Lu is a well-trained Mental Health Counselor and Play Therapist with international background. She gained her Bachelor's degree in Child and Family Studies from Syracuse University and Master's degree in Guidance and Counselling from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
Taotao specialises in working with pre-school and school-aged children, adolescents, and children with special education needs. Her expertise lies in using Play Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and Narrative Practice to support children’s development. In the past years, she has provided individual counselling services and mental health workshops/seminars for international schools in Shanghai and Hangzhou, college counseling centers, educational institutions, and international non-profit organisations. Prior to becoming a counselor, she was also an outstanding early-childhood educator. Her extensive experience in working with children and their families has equipped her a diverse set of counseling skills that can help them cope with a wide range of challenges, including socio-emotional issues, academic pressure, and behavioral problems. Taotao is passionate about empowering children and youths to help them overcome psychological and social challenges through story-telling and expressive play.
Demi Liu is a distinguished bilingual educator from Shanghai with extensive experience in managing various curricula, including IB, A-Level, IGCSE and the Chinese national curriculum. Demi is known for her outstanding dedication and leadership in education, fostering a pupil-centred approach that balances discipline and care. She firmly believes that education should be a forward-looking, long-term strategy focused on future goals and the collaboration between home and school. Demi continues to pursue excellence in the educational field, guiding teams towards collective success.
Helen Mumford graduated from UCLAN University, UK with a bachelor’s degree in Fine Art and completed her PGCE with the University of Birmingham, UK. She has been teaching the British Curriculum for over 25 years, working in a range of schools as an Art and Design teacher, Head of Visual Arts, Head of House and Achievement Leader. She gained her NPQSL in 2017 and for 14 years has held Assistant Headteacher positions in three diverse Secondary Schools. She completed her NPQH with UCL in April 2024. Helen recently held the position of founding Deputy Head of Secondary at a large all through International school in the UAE, where she led on areas such as curriculum, gifted and talented provision, and established a values based behaviour and rewards system. She worked in close partnership with other members of the executive leadership team to support areas on the school development plan and served as the whole school deputy safe guarding lead. Helen represented the school and provided CPD for the Sharjah Private Education Authority, as part of a beacon schools project offering training for other British curriculum schools in the Emirate and supporting them ready for inspection. Using her extensive experience of leading and supporting both middle and senior leaders, she is committed to developing both pupils and staff. Helen is passionate about working with all stakeholders in sharing her ideas, inspiring pupils and instilling a love of learning.
Dr Mario Sylvander holds his Master’s degree in French Literature from Washington University in St. Louis and completed his EdD at the UCL Institute of Education. His research involved undergraduate university application interviews to highly selective US universities. He began his career in US college prep day and boarding schools in New York and St. Louis before shifting to international education in Singapore, Panama and China. He trained in college counselling at the Harvard-College Board Institute and he has been providing university guidance for nearly 20 years while also holding a variety of school leadership roles along the way. He has most recently been the Director of Careers and University Counseling at a prestigious international school in Shanghai.
A dual US-Swedish citizen, he grew up in Wisconsin, also living and studying in France during High School. He is an avid cyclist and also enjoys writing, skiing, and table tennis, with pickleball not out of the question.
Mr Leif Raiha graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Art and Art History and holds a diploma from Sheridan College. He completed his Bachelor of Education at Nipissing University. Leif also holds additional qualifications in Senior Visual Arts and Special Education. Leif taught in Canada and South Korea before coming to China to teach at an international school in Kunshan, undertaking various curriculum responsibilities including Technology, Science, and Art & Design in addition to his role as IB Coordinator. He then took a position as Head of Art at an academy in Beijing, establishing the department, and developing curriculum and enrichment programmes.
In his free time, Leif enjoys exploring. Travelling and hiking around China affords plentiful opportunities for drawing and photography, and to experience culture and cuisine.
Clark joined Wellington College Hangzhou in August 2022 as a PE Teacher, following his role as Head of PE at a certified, world-class SEN school in the UK. He also joined his former school's Senior Leadership Team in 2020 with significant responsibilities around safeguarding and behaviour management.
Holding a degree in Sports Coaching Science with a specialism in disability sport, Clark has a passion for providing learning experiences that are inclusive for all while challenging individuals' skills, knowledge and adaptability. Clark has vast experience as a high-performance sports coach for professional organisations in cricket and rugby, alongside playing regional representative sports in cricket, rugby, ice hockey and athletics.
Miss Chen graduated from St. John's University in the United States with a Master's degree in sports management and a Bachelor's degree from China University of Geosciences (Wuhan). She is a national first-level athlete and a certified coach of the American Swimming Coaches Association Level 1, 2 and3. She was a swimmer with more than 15 years of swimming training and competition experience and won the championship and the Sports Award at the National College Swimming Championships. Miss Chen has a rich academic background and teaching experience in both China and the United States. She has a national primary school PE teacher certificate, an AUSTSWIM (Australian Swimming Association) teacher certificate, an American Swimming Association age group coaching certificate awarded by ASCA (American Swimming Coaches Association), a water lifesaving certificate, a First Aid / CPR / AED certificate, and a CDC (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention) safety training certificate.
Miss Chen has participated in the Make a Splash youth swimming popularization event held by the USA Swimming Foundation and the Pan American Games trials held by Swimming Canada. After graduation, she taught youth swimming development programs at colleges in the United States, and organised teams to participate in the Junior Swimming Competition in the New York metropolitan area. After experiencing the collision of different sports cultures and identity transformation, she has developed a stronger passion and enthusiasm for the development of aquatics sports and is committed to providing more training opportunities and competition platforms for the young generation.
Miss Chen led the Wellington College Hangzhou swimming team to participate in the FOBISIA Swimming Invitational and won first place in the short courses events. On the other hand, she was invited to participate in the 19th Hangzhou Asian Games as a commentator. She hopes to pass on the spirit and energy of sports to children and firmly believes that sports are not only a lifelong skill, but also can promote children's physical and mental strength and independent.
Born in Wales but raised in England, Greece and Kuwait, Hywell considers himself a world citizen. He has worked in various roles in Education in Scotland, Hong Kong, China and the Philippines.
A passionate believer in the potential of all learners to grow and improve, Hywell always aims to start with the end in mind: asking the students to consider the purpose of what they are learning and why it is important. He believes that interested and self-motivated learners are naturally more successful in any given subject and that learning how to learn is the most important lesson a child can receive.
Hywell qualified as a teacher in Hong Kong, an IELTS Examiner and Invigilator in Shanghai and received an MBA in Educational Leadership from the University of Cumbria.
Outside the classroom, Hywell strongly believes in social progress and supports charities aiding health and education for disadvantaged students. He enjoys travelling, reading and spending time with his family in his spare time.
Nathan is primarily a teacher of Business who has experience teaching Economics. Starting at Wellington, it will be his ninth year in teaching. He has come to Wellington to push the already high expectations of the establishment and would like to leave his own imprint. Nathan likes to create a classroom environment that breeds winners. Student that always seek challenges as well as understanding the importance of the culture of error. Nathan is certain students will be confident in answering questions in his lessons and will develop well into global citizens.
He has a Masters (MA) degree in Global Diplomacy and will soon be seeking a PhD placement in International Relations. Nathan likes to research and understand how countries communicate with each other. His PhD question involves the role of China in the Caribbean state of Jamaica however the official question has not been finalised.
Nathan loves to read and always encourages those around him do so. Currently, he is reading Winning by Tim Grover. Additionally, he is an avid podcast listener. He listens to many podcasts but ultimately there are five podcasts that he self-entitles his five main pillars. They are Diary of a Ceo, Impact Theory, Rich Roll, The Joe Rogan Experience and The School of Greatness.
She completed her master's degree at University of Sydney in Quantitative Finance. She also has an undergraduate degree from University of Liverpool. She has been worked in Ningbo Hede, Shanghai SDA and Hangzhou New oriental before.
Amber has many hobbies, and recently she enjoys cycling and hiking. She takes short trips to explore some less-popular attractions during weekends. She dreams of backpacking, conquering mountains and exploring oceans.
Piers studied English and Social Studies at Leeds University. He completed his MA in TESOL and PGCE (11-18) at Sheffield Hallam University and took a second teaching Diploma specialising in second language learners at Trinity College London and holds QTS for both children and adults. Piers has worked extensively in teacher training and curriculum development. Piers has taught at secondary, sixth form and university level in Paris, Prague, Nur-Sultan, Ningbo, Hong Kong, Macao, Jersey and now in Hangzhou. He has held positions of responsibility at Nottingham Ningbo, Nazarbayev University, and the British Council but prefers to be in the classroom working with students.
His research interests include CLIL and giving written/oral feedback to students. Piers enjoys using authentic materials in the language classroom, as he believes they are intrinsically motivating and make use of game like activities when appropriate. Piers is from Jersey in the UK but has lived abroad for the last 20 years. Outside of school he enjoys spending time with his daughter who goes to Wellington College International Hangzhou and walking his dog, Fluffy. Reading, watching movies and cooking are all favourite pastimes.
Musa is an accomplished educator with a robust background in mathematics and science education. He holds a degree in Mathematics from Queen Mary University of London, a prestigious Russell Group university. Complementing this, Musa earned a teaching degree from Goldsmiths, University of London, known for its excellence in teacher education.
Before joining WCC, Musa has garnered over eight years of experience, skillfully instructing pupils in Mathematics, Physics, and Key Stage 3 Science. His versatility is highlighted by his comprehensive understanding of various educational syllabi, including the International Baccalaureate (IB), iGCSE, and GCSE across multiple exam boards.
Musa’s career is distinguished by significant international teaching stints, having spent four years in Malaysia and two more in the United Arab Emirates. These experiences have enriched his teaching methods, enabling him to adapt to diverse cultural and academic environments while meeting the unique needs of his pupils.
Throughout his career, Musa has been dedicated to fostering a deep connection to his pupils. A connection that helps engage pupils with lesson content and deepen the experience of the learner. This along with his progressive and global view of learning hopes to create well rounded pupils with a broader appreciation of both their learning and the context in which it can be applied.
Chloe completed her master’s degree at Johns Hopkins University, specialising in Applied Economics. She has also been educated by Zhejiang University for her undergraduate qualifications in Finance. To keep herself learning, she spent more than 1000 hours studying Economics and Finance to pass all three levels of Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exams and gained a certificate in intermediate Economist. She has ten years of teaching experience in the Cambridge International Assessment Examination (CAIE) IGCSE and A level Economics curriculum.
She believes that every pupil is different in pace of learning and areas of interest. It is more important to build up their confidence in learning and help them believe that everyone will have their moments to shine. Thus, she created opportunities for students to participate in ASDAN Business Simulation, National Economics Challenge (NEC), etc. She is also a mother of two children, one is five years old and the other is one year old. She enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking and biking.
Ms Vivian Hu is a passionate and creative teacher who has been teaching since 2012. She completed her bachelor’s degree in English Language Art and Education and has taught in a variety of settings, including early years, primary and secondary.
For the first three years of her teaching career, Ms Vivian worked as a primary English teacher at a local primary school in Shenzhen. She then moved on to an international school in Guangzhou, where she worked as an SEN teaching assistant in early years and primary for two years, gaining experience with the IB Programme. After that, she worked at a British school in Guangzhou as an SEN teaching assistant in primary and secondary for four years.
Ms Vivian's experience as a special education needs teacher has taught her that every child matters and every child has the ability to learn. She understands that teaching strategies need to be adapted to meet the needs of each student and that it's important to never give up on them. She also recognises that every child is unique and strives to understand everything that affects their way of learning in order to provide them with an optimal learning environment.
Mike graduated from Zhejiang University of Finance & Economics. For the last 16 years, He has been a student, but also a dynamic swimming athlete. The latter filled him with passion and enthusiasm. During his career, he won many competitions and obtained the title of national first class athlete.
He found that he could get the same enjoyment from teaching others when he witnessed children learning to swim from an early age. He also acquired a lot of experience in teaching swimming, leading the swimming team and safeguarding skills from his career as an athlete and two years of work experience in a top swimming college.
Jane Liu graduated from Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics in 2020, majoring in marketing. At school, she was awarded the title of national first-level swimmer. After graduation, she joined the Hangzhou Swimming Association and mainly worked as a training instructor recognised by the national professional swimming coach qualification. Additionally,She also officiated at various swimming competitions.
Outside of her professional life, she is a passionate traveller. She cherishes every moment of her journeys, embracing the opportunity to broaden her horizons. She values the chance to make friends with new people she meets.
Caron Hou holds a master's degree in sports education. Ms Hou was the former chief coach of Singapore National Synchronised Swimming Team. She has achieved the qualification of coach and referee for artistic swimming issued by Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA). She won the title of best honourable coach, awarded by Singapore Sports Council. She is currently a national referee in China.
Caron learnt the dance major in her childhood and was selected to join in the professional group by the coach of the synchronised swimming team. Later, she retired due to physical injuries and engaged in teaching. She has more than 30 years of professional experience and has won international competitions many times while leading the Singapore national team.
At present, she is responsible for the daily teaching and competition organisation of swimming and synchronised swimming in our school. Meanwhile, she also contributes to planning and implementing the popularisation of synchronised swimming in Zhejiang Province. She hopes that more and more children will have the opportunity to participate in synchronised swimming in the future, to experience the unique charm of the sport, to gain the perseverance of the sportsmanship and to be the excellent reserve talents for our country!
Scarlett Wu has studied in the UK since high school and obtained her bachelor and master's degrees in Psychology at University College London.
She has been working as a College Counsellor and Extended Essay Coordinator at several A-Level and IB schools in China for more than eight years. In nearly ten years of career as a college counsellor, she has been committed to helping students find the right career paths and universities overseas. She has helped hundreds of students from various countries including China, South Africa, India, and South Korea etc. get admitted to the universities in the UK, America, Australia and Canada, etc., which includes top universities like the University of Oxford, the London School of Economics and Political Science, Imperial College London and other G5 universities in the UK. Also the University of California, Los Angeles, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and New York University in the USA.
She is a member of IACAC and the ChinaICAC. She is a national-qualified psychologist and holds the Counselling and Extended Essay Certificates awarded by IB, and has been selected to participated in the first International Education Leadership Institute organised by ChinaICAC. As an A-Level graduate herself, she knows how to help students choose the right A-Level subjects and gives them practical advice on how to adapt to the life overseas.
Bella obtained a Bachelor's degree in Arts from Ningbo University and holds a Certificate of English Proficiency Test Band 8.
She is a permanent member of the International Association for College Admission Counselling and the China Institute of College Admission Counselling. She is also an internationally certified career advisor with over eight years of professional experience in school-based guidance for further education. Bella has helped over a hundred pupils gain admission to world-renowned universities in countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia and Canada.
She firmly believes that every pupil has unique talents and potential. She is committed to becoming a good mentor and friend to pupils, accompanying them through every important stage of their academic journey and helping them achieve their dreams. In her spare time, she enjoys travelling, exercising and reading.
Stella Ge obtained a Master’s degree from the School of Foreign Languages at Zhejiang Gongshang University and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Education at the University of Manchester in the UK. She is a certified psychological counsellor by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, a U.S. News-certified international education consultant, a member of the China ICAC and holds an advanced certification in School Counsellor Leadership. With 11 years’ experience in college counselling, Stella is highly familiar with the A-level curriculum as well as the application processes and requirements for major study destinations such as the UK, the US, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong and other leading academic hubs. Over the years, she has successfully assisted pupils in securing offers from world-renowned institutions, including the UK’s G5 universities such as Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial College London; Ivy League and Top 30 US universities like the University of Chicago, Columbia University, Northwestern University, Duke University and UC Berkeley; McGill University and the University of Toronto in Canada; the University of Melbourne and the University of Sydney in Australia; the University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology; the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University; the University of Tokyo in Japan and Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands.
In addition, Stella has years of experience teaching Cambridge IGCSE ESL and IELTS and serves as an IGCSE ESL oral test examiner. She is passionate about offering pupils comprehensive guidance in areas such as English language acquisition, academic and college application planning and learning psychology, helping them excel both academically and personally while supporting them in achieving their aspirations.
Sherry completed her studies at Sichuan Agricultural University. She has the necessary professional qualifications, including a bachelor’s degree. She was so passionate about education that she joined a British school in Beijing as soon as she graduated. She has an outgoing, friendly personality and a strong sense of responsibility, developed good relationships with students, parents and colleagues.
Following this she joined an international school in Chengdu in August 2018 and worked as the tutor of Year 8 in secondary school, which let her has an overall view about how to motivate different kinds of students and how to communicate with parents professionally. From her previous working experience, she worked closely with pupils, parents, academic and non-academic teams. These important skills assist her to be successful in her role.
Mrs Hillary MacKinnon has 16 years’ of work experience in international schools, in which she has worked for Wellington Schools in China for 11 years. The rich work experience has given her opportunities working closely with pupils, families, and colleagues from a variety of culture backgrounds. She is always fascinated about the beauty of different cultures and she believes that cultural diversity brings a collective strength that can benefit every single member in the community. Having been a Wellingtonian for 11 years, she understands the importance of strong multicultural community and feels very proud to be a part of such a flourishing and rapid-growing Wellington family. Mrs MacKinnon holds a bachelor’s degree in Chinese Language and Literature from WuHan University, China. She is also a holder of TEFL Certificates.
Amongst her interests, Mrs MacKinnon enjoys travelling and reading. She is returning to Wellington College Hangzhou with her husband David Mackinnon and their two boys, Lucas and Laine, from Ontario, Canada.
Ms Taotao Lu is a well-trained Mental Health Counselor and Play Therapist with international background. She gained her Bachelor's degree in Child and Family Studies from Syracuse University and Master's degree in Guidance and Counselling from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
Taotao specialises in working with pre-school and school-aged children, adolescents, and children with special education needs. Her expertise lies in using Play Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and Narrative Practice to support children’s development. In the past years, she has provided individual counselling services and mental health workshops/seminars for international schools in Shanghai and Hangzhou, college counseling centers, educational institutions, and international non-profit organisations. Prior to becoming a counselor, she was also an outstanding early-childhood educator. Her extensive experience in working with children and their families has equipped her a diverse set of counseling skills that can help them cope with a wide range of challenges, including socio-emotional issues, academic pressure, and behavioral problems. Taotao is passionate about empowering children and youths to help them overcome psychological and social challenges through story-telling and expressive play.
Ms Katy Piper graduated with a BEd (Hons) from Chester College, a college of The University of Liverpool. She worked as a primary school teacher for 18 years in Cheshire before moving to Wellington College China in 2019. Before assuming the role of boarding mistress in 2022 she taught exclusively at Hiba Academy Hangzhou across the primary grades and subjects. Alongside her teaching role she was a boarding mentor of Ming House working with all the pupils from Grade 1 through to Grade 10. This enabled her to transition smoothy into her current role of boarding mistress.
Katy has always had an appreciation for the positive impact school and family links can have in an educational setting and working in the boarding has really given her the opportunity to make the most of these links. She passionately encourages all boarding staff to build positive and trusting relationships with the pupils in their care in order to best support them on their developmental journeys. In her spare time Katy enjoys baking, travelling, and spending time with friends and family.
Kimico comes from the beautiful coastal city of Chaozhou, Guangdong, as a graduate of Guangdong University of Finance & Economics. She loves travelling, photography and drawing.
After devoting herself to foreign trade for ten years, she boldly jumped out of her comfort zone and took a career leap into education, which was her heart's desire.
She always has great energy, a smile on her face, love in her heart and gratitude for the enjoyment of working with students and colleagues. Since she has been engaged in education work, she has always maintained love for education and accompanied students’ development firmly based on her own diligence.
In the future, she will always adhere to the belief of “being a teacher with heart and educate with love, step down to earth and move forward bravely. ”
Katherine has graduated from Huzhou University, specialising in international economy and trade. In the process, she acquired knowledge of economics.
She has been a class teacher for five years. Her main responsibilities include taking care of students, communicating with students and monitoring student learning. In addition, she also organised class activities to improve student cohesion. For example, she organised a knowledge contest to commemorate the 600th anniversary of the Forbidden City. She also learned a lot from these activities, such as communication, organisational skills and a deeper understanding of education.
She has a gentle personality and is very patient. She also has a wide range of hobbies, including reading, travel and recently began to learn flower art. She is always very interested in new experiences.
Clarice received her bachelor's degree in Chinese Language and Literature from Wuyi University. After graduation, she has been working in education for three years. In addition to being a Chinese teacher, she also has two years of work experience as a class teacher. She knows how to get along with children and enjoys the time spent teaching them.
She loves reading and has led students to win two awards in the Xiaoshan District Masterpiece Task Book Competition. She hopes the children can feel and fall in love with more traditional Chinese culture in their daily life. She cares about students' physical and mental health and is committed to creating a safe, comfortable and warm learning and living environment for children.
Afra is from Henan Province, China. She graduated from Huanghe Science and Technology University, her major is International Economics and Trade. She worked in the education industry for two years as a class teacher, the age of the students she managed ranged from 8 to 16 years old. She is experienced in understanding the psychological activities of students of different ages. She enjoys handicrafts in her spare time, such as knitting all kinds of flowers with wool and knitting different bracelets with colourful ropes. In addition, she also likes to collect various animation models.
She has a very loving family. Growing up in this loving environment shaped her patient and loving personality.
Amanda Liu graduated from Normal University with a Junior High Teacher Qualification Certificate.
She worked in a wellbeing team in a company which has 6,000 employees for ten years. She also has five years of experience in schools.
She loves children and feels very honoured to join Wellington College. She always treasures the happy times with children in school.
Catherine graduated from East China Normal University. This year is the sixth year she has worked in an international school. She has managed students of different ages which has helped her build up a lot of working experience dealing with student management.
She believes children should learn how to develop as an independent person in their boarding life. Living ability and independence are both important. In the boarding house, we are focusing on the development of our boarders, we hope they can manage themselves better after their experience here. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and cooking.
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