Dave Nguyen was born in Vietnam but was raised in Oshawa, Ontario in Canada. He earned his Bachelor of Science Honours in Computer Science at Trent University. He then received his Bachelor of Education at the University of Western Ontario.

Being exposed to theory, stimulated by the basic love of concepts and mathematics, was a marvelous experience when Dave was a student, and Dave shared these same experiences in mathematics with his students when he was a Math teacher and Math Team Leader in previous years at BCIS. As of 2015, Dave is now the HS coodinator, and relishes the challenge the role brings.

During his spare time, Dave enjoys playing competitive sports, especially basketball and badminton. He also loves to get around Beijing on his bicycle and scooter because he doesn’t like being stuck in traffic.

Gerard grew up in New York City, USA and has been teaching for more than 25 years. Most recently, Gerard served as the DP coordinator/High School Principal at the International School of Tallinn in Estonia. Throughout his career in education, he has held a variety of leadership roles, including the MYP coordinator/Principal at Colegio Madison in Mexico as well as the History department head at St. Michaels School in the Dominican Republic As a lifelong learner, Gerard earned his Master of Education degree through Framingham State University and a Bachelor degree in History from Staten Island College. Gerard has also continuously taken professional development courses in both the MYP and DP. Gerard enjoys spending time hiking in the woods, going to gyms, and spending time with his family. When younger, Gerard played many sports including Ice Hockey, Baseball, American Football, and boxing. Gerard is an educator who strives to create a sense of trust, honesty, egalitarianism with co-workers and students. He works hard to develop a culture of collaboration, humbleness, compassion, and global-mindedness. Gerard is excited to live in Beijing and feels fortunate to be a part of the BCIS community.

As a university guidance counselor and certified career advisor, Yawei Chen is dedicated to empowering students to fully explore themselves and the world through their unique lens, to discover their true passion, and to ultimately build their career planning awareness. With her own experience, Yawei demonstrated how much true passion could lead a student to achieve.

While studying at Northeastern University, she was a long-time school ambassador, an honored student speaker, as well as the very first Chinese who received a job offer without even applying – a position created just for her. For years working at school, she guides students to break cognitive biases towards majors, colleges, and careers and motivates them to create their own happenstance. In addition to her passion in counseling, Yawei constantly learns about psychology and sociology - both equip her a deeper understanding of teenagers individually and a broader view of educational options nowadays.

In daily life, Yawei is an avid nature enthusiast who enjoys hiking, bicycling, and sunbathing. She’s also a music aficionado who plays some piano and drums. Finally, she loves learning languages and exploring different cultures. She currently speaks Mandarin, English, Spanish, Cantonese, and Korean.

Charles Grant is originally from Jamaica and has been in Education for thirteen years; He has experience in working as a social and emotional Guidance Counselor and soccer coach in Jamaica, a health teacher and soccer coach in Venezuela, and prior to working at BCIS, was a University and Career counselor at an American school in Mexico.

Charles holds a College Counseling Certificate from the University of California Los Angeles, a Master’s degree in Education from Framingham State University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Guidance and Counseling from Northern Caribbean University.

Charles is a strong advocate for students at BCIS. He ensures that every student is educationally nurtured and empowered to pursue their desired goals. He mentors students with their university search, works with students using group and individual sessions, and ensures that they are equipped for the next chapter of their lives. Charles works hands-on with students in mapping their career path, on the physical university application, the university essay, and personal statements, among other things.Outside the classroom, Charles loves to play and coach soccer, he is an ardent chess player, and he also enjoys spending time with his family. Charles is here in Beijing with his wife Natalie and his three children, Jaden, Xander, and Ella-Paige.

Karina hails from the Dominican Republic and has been living abroad for over ten years. Her diverse career includes roles as a Primary Year Teacher, Clinical Psychologist/Counselor, Learning Support Coordinator/SENc, and Career Counselor. Currently, she is our Middle School Counselor. Karina is deeply passionate about working with students of all ages, dedicating her time and expertise to support their growth and development. Outside of work, Karina enjoys baking, spending quality time with her family and friends, dancing, and exercising. Her multifaceted background and enthusiasm for student well-being make her an invaluable asset to our team. She is committed to creating a supportive environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Karina's dedication and vibrant personality inspire those around her, fostering a positive and nurturing atmosphere within the school community.

David (Dave) Norman obtained his Bachelor's Degree in Counselling from Weltech, New Zealand. He has a background of seventeen years in the NZ Police Force, then Re-Integration Manager for the Salvation Army, and prior to BCIS was working in Malaysia for seven years in various roles, including social/emotional counselor, and college counselor.

Dave is passionate about actively creating a safe and nurturing environment where students can thrive, both personally and academically. He is deeply committed to helping students navigate the ups and downs of adolescence, whether it be managing stress, building healthy relationships, developing self-confidence, or coping with emotional challenges. Dave's approach is centered on empathy, active listening, and building trusting relationships with students. He firmly believes in a holistic approach to counselling, focusing not only on individual well-being, but also on fostering a sense of community and promoting a positive school culture.

Outside work, Dave's interests include walking/running, biking, reading, football, golf, and travelling with his wife, Cherie. He is looking forward to exploring Beijing and being part of the BCIS community.

Jaclyn grew up in Tennessee in the United States, where she developed her love of live music and barbecue and her passion for social justice. After studying abroad in Ghana, Rwanda, and Bolivia and earning her degree in an interdisciplinary major, Jaclyn gained her teaching credential to teach mathematics. She taught mathematics in the United States for 5 years before moving to Lima, Peru, where she taught mathematics and humanities and served as an instructional coach for 5 years. She joined YueCheng Education as a Curriculum, Teaching & Learning Specialist in the YueCheng Education Research Instituteand then transitioned to coordinating the IDEATE Program at BCIS. 

Jaclyn believes that education is the biggest lever for making the world a better place for all – safer, healthier, kinder, and more just and equitable. She is passionate about students developing the skills and mindsets to become curious, reflective people, equipped to thrive in an everchanging world and serve as compassionate agents of change. 

Jaclyn loves learning through reading and through a variety of experiences. In her free time, she enjoys being active in nature, spending time with animals, and exploring Beijing.

Yan Long (Mr. Tai) grew up in a small town in southern China, obtained his first teaching degree from Beijing Normal University and is currently studying at Swinburne University, Melbourne for his Masters of Teaching.

Yan Long has previously worked in Beijing as a PE teacher at two international schools, the last was in fact BCIS! He moved to Melbourne, Australia for a few years where he worked in various schools teaching PE and Chinese. Yan Long enjoys being part of the BCIS team again, as it aligns with many of his personal values such as pursuing excellence in teaching, embracing diversity of community, and treating others with respect.

In his free time, YanLong enjoys sharing time with his family and socialising with friends as well as playing loads of sports!

Andy Denham has been in China since 2016, teaching in Tianjin, Shenyang, and Beijing. Beginning his teaching career on SAT prep and University AP Literature courses, he moved from Moby Dick to the Western Australian Certificate of Education curriculum at Aidi International School Beijing before finally stepping into the IDEATE program here at BCIS. A graduate of Purdue University in English and Creative Writing, Andy procured his teaching license from the state of Florida at the University of West Florida before adding a Masters in Teaching and Learning from Waldorf University to his list of accomplishments. A lifelong reader, he averaged just under a book a day last year. As well, Andy is a dedicated Ironman triathlete, and can be found every morning before the sunrise sweating on the bike, track, or in the pool. He lives near Olympic Park with his girlfriend Astrid, who went from Remin Law to Cambridge University to Beijing’s Finance Street and is better than Andy in every metric that was just bragged about above.

Vince is a passionate educator who comes from Manila, Philippines. He started his international teaching career in 2013 and has loved every second of it. Vince earned his Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of the Philippines and has participated in various teacher trainings as both participant and facilitator. Some of the various subjects that he has taught in both Asia and Europe include Middle School Science, Computer Science, and Information Technology.

Vince firmly believes in having a growth mindset and practicing collaboration with members of the school community. He enjoys motivating and challenging students so that they can reach their maximum potential. His main goal is to create lifelong learners who will become agents of positive change in our world.

During his free time, Vince enjoys photography, video production, and MMA. He also loves traveling and trying out new cuisines with his wife Brianne. Vince is a huge geek at heart and can spend hours talking about anime, tech, games, and movies.

Ruby is from Beijing and has been teaching internationally since 2015. She worked for a public charter school at Washington, D.C. in 2015 and then moved back to Beijing where she started working in Learning Support Department of Secondary School at BCIS in 2016. She enjoys spending time with her students and sharing her experience as a bilingual learner.

Ruby completed her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from the University of Maryland- College Park in 2013 and received her Master’s Degree in Bilingual Special Education from George Washington University in 2015.

Besides being a passionate educator, Ruby loves traveling and experiencing different cultures. She is passionate about learning languages and loves spending time with her friends. She is excited to continue work at BCIS as a Language Acquisition teacher. She considers herself to be incredibly fortunate to continue to be part of the BCIS community.

Jarrod has been at BCIS since 2016, and he’s been living in Beijing since 2009. Beijing has been home for quite a while. While at BCIS, Jarrod has taught in the MYP, DP, and ID8 programs, and he’s been the Advisory Coordinator since 2019. Jarrod has a passion for teaching his students skills that will last them a lifetime. Outside of class, Jarrod enjoys a number of activities but mostly playing volleyball and other racket sports. He’s an avid video gamer and lover of all things Nintendo – primarily Pokémon. He’s looking forward to another school year with BCIS’ brightest.

Ashely grew up in the United States, but has been teaching abroad for most of his professional career. His international teaching career began in China in 1999. He has since moved on to leadership positions in international schools in Thailand and Saudi Arabia. He is excited to be getting back to China to teach.

Ashely holds an undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and a Master’s in Education from Framingham State University. He has a broad background in education. He has been a Homeroom teacher, an ESL Department Head, and a Technology Coordinator. His deep passion for learning about other cultures and people has led him to travel extensively, spending time in over 70 countries. He took a year off prior to joining BCIS to travel full time for a year with his wife, Marca, and two boys.

Ashely is very excited to be part the BCIS community.

Mini is originally from the dynamic and culturally rich city of Mumbai. She completed her Master's and PhD in Physical Education. She comes with extensive teaching experience in the IB curriculum and in different capacities. She has taught PHE to students of all age groups and connects well with them to focus on, build and nurture the holistic development of students. Outside the classroom, she looks forward to engaging with students through her involvement in coaching, student trips and service initiatives. 

Eric Selley is from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada and obtained his bachelor’s degree from the University of Waterloo, and his education degree from the University of Ottawa. He started his international teaching career in Kaifeng, Henan, China, before moving to Beijing. He also spent time teaching in Melbourne, Australia. As a teacher, Eric believes in individualism, inspiring each student to reach their potential and helping them pursue their own interests in a safe and inclusive learning environment.

Outside of teaching, Eric enjoys playing sports, and is a member of several communities in Beijing, including ice hockey (where he is the co-captain of the “Quacken” with fellow BCIS faculty member Donald Caldwell), slo-pitch, and flag football. Eric also enjoys reading and is a big fan of classic novels; his favorites (to name a couple) include “The Great Gatsby” and “The Catcher in the Rye”.

Eric looks forward to the excitement and the adventures that come everyday teaching at BCIS.

Vincenzo is from an idyllic yet remote village in the Italian mountains. After completing his undergraduate studies at the University of Rome, he started his international journey obtaining two masters degrees in History and Media Studies at the University of East Anglia and University of Kent in the UK. 

Over the last 10 years he lived and worked in many countries and, recently, matured 5 years of teaching experience at an IB school in Morocco. 

In his free time, Vincenzo cultivates many hobbies including playing video games, board games, guitar and painting. He is very excited to explore all that Chinese culture has to offer and capture on his camera all the wonderful sights! 

Mary Rose has taught science in Kuwait City, Mumbai, Boston, and NYC. She earned her Masters in Science Education from Columbia University and studied Philosophy and Math for her undergraduate degree. Her interdisciplinary education sparked a fascination in the intersection of different ways of knowing and how society values different kinds of knowledge; more than one of her science classes have been known to wrap up with a conversation around everything from global politics to Platonic forms. As an educator she pushes her students to value critical thinking, logical consistency, and empathy. She deeply appreciates the opportunities offered at BCIS to continue challenging students and herself to grow and learn.

Outside the classroom, Mary Rose enjoys big cities and may finally have found one busy enough for her in Beijing. Besides exploring megatropolises, she dabbles in running, soccer, drawing, and finding the best food in any city she visits.

Timizay is a proud Latina working internationally since 2010. She was born and raised in Bogota, Colombia, where she got her Bachelor's degree in Social Science education.

In Bogotá, she worked at English immersion and IB schools for several years before moving to the U.S, where she taught in Language immersion schools in a variety of grade levels. In 2013, Timizay moved to China where she worked at an international school in Beijing for several years in roles such as History , Humanities in Middle School, MUN Adviser, and Middle School Curriculum Coordinator. Besides her Bachelor, Timizay also holds a Teaching License in Social Studies from Washington D.C. and a Master’s Degree in Critical and Creative Thinking from the University of Massachusetts, Boston.

In her spare time, Timizay likes practicing yoga, dancing, knitting, reading, discussing politics, watching movies, and playing board games with her husband Ryan. She is thrilled to be a part of the BCIS community!

Patrick comes from Kenya and holds a Masters of Science degree in applied Mathematics and bachelors of education degree. After graduating, Patrick began working with international schools in Kenya before moving to the United States of America where he taught Mathematics in a public high school.

His quest to teach in international schools made him come to Beijing in 2008 and ever since Patrick has enjoyed teaching and learning here in BCIS.

Besides his regular teaching schedules, Patrick enjoys associating with the students and parents in community events, such as sports. He plays and coaches volleyball and is especially excited about the sports facilities in the school.

Patrick hopes to learn Chinese language to enable him make the most of living in Beijing and exploring China as whole.

Originally from Winnipeg, Canada, Trevor Poole brings over two decades of teaching and leadership experience. Before joining BCIS, he served as a K–12 Technology and Assessment Learning Coach at the district level, supporting teachers across schools in enhancing student learning through innovation and data-informed practices. He also spent eight years teaching at an international school in Macau, where he further developed his passion for global education.

Trevor is a learner-centered educator who believes in creating inclusive, collaborative classroom environments where students feel empowered to take risks, persevere, and grow. He is committed to building a culture of curiosity, compassion, and global-mindedness—both in the classroom and across the school.

Reflecting a deep commitment to lifelong learning and educational leadership, he holds a Master of Education in Leadership for Learning from the University of Calgary, as well as a Bachelor of Education from Brandon University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Manitoba. 

Outside of school, Trevor enjoys traveling, playing sports, and spending time with his wife—who also teaches at BCIS—and their two children. An avid golfer and softball player, Trevor has coached numerous sports teams and enjoys being actively involved in student life.

Trevor is proud to call Beijing home and feels grateful to be part of the BCIS community, where he continues to learn, lead, and grow alongside students and colleagues.

Gisou Ravan has 18 years of teaching experience and has served in previous roles as Head of Department, Middle Years Curriculum Coordinator, IBDP Coordinator and Whole school Curriculum Coordinator. She grew up in the city of Atlanta, where she taught for three years prior to moving to Guangzhou with her husband to begin her career as an international school educator. Since then, she has taught in Macau, Zhuhai, Johor Bahru, and Beijing.

Gisou holds a Bachelor of Education with a concentration in Social Sciences. She obtained her Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Massachusetts, and a Certificate of Advanced Educational Leadership from Harvard University.

She is passionate about student wellbeing and has led several pastoral care initiatives including mindfulness training, wellbeing retreats, and classroom gratitude practices. She believes that beyond teaching subject content, 21^st century schools must empower young people to care and advocate for their own wellbeing. She teaches DP Psychology and DP Core classes at BCIS.

As an American citizen of Iranian descent who was born in Sweden, Gisou always has difficultly answering the question, “Where are you from?” After 18 years of living in China, she has come to believe that “home” is not a place, but a feeling. Gisou and her family are proud to call BCIS “home.”  

Pedro, originally from Fafe, Portugal, has always had a strong passion for sports and education. He played Handball and Futsal competitively and spent several years coaching youth Handball. His commitment to promoting healthy, active lifestyles naturally led him to a career in teaching.

Pedro holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and a Master’s in Sports Science. Since beginning his teaching career in 2007, he has worked in Portugal, Timor-Leste, Thailand, Qatar, and, since 2020, China. At BCIS, Pedro teaches Physical and Health Education as well as DP Sports, Exercise and Health Science.

Outside the classroom, Pedro enjoys participating in Triathlons and staying active through local Football and Softball leagues in Beijing. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, hiking, road trips, trying new cuisines, and watching documentaries and films. Pedro is proud to be part of the BCIS community and is passionate about helping students grow through movement, inquiry, and meaningful connections.

Jenelle Kirchoff is from the state of South Dakota in the United States. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree in sociology and psychology. After writing academic papers for her undergraduate work, she realized that her heart was in research and writing. After earning her master’s in library science, she started working in academic and school libraries. Nearly 10 years later, she has enjoyed every moment with her students in the library. She holds a United States professional teaching license as a certified Library Media Specialist. Ms. Kirchoff is also certified to teach philosophy and modern intellectual history.

Jenelle has a special fondness for picture books for young children and believes that reading is the foundation of academic and personal growth. One of Jenelle’s greatest joys is guiding students in research and writing. Students often find her browsing databases and helping students with their citations. She believes that libraries are the heart and soul of a school and give students a place to expand their academic and personal interests.

After spending three years in Shanghai, Jenelle and her two sons are enjoying the beautiful capital of Beijing. In her spare time, Jenelle enjoys attending the ballet, reading, and playing board games with her children.

Ilich was born and raised in Pamplona, Colombia. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Science from the University of Texas at Arlington, United States.

He began his career as an international teacher in 2012 when he moved to Tokyo with his wife. He obtained a Postgraduate Certification in Education from the University of Nottingham in England and earned a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction in Science from the University of Texas.

Ilich aims to inspire young adults to become lifelong learners, guide them in discovering their passions, and utilize their strengths to succeed in their future education and positively impact society.

Ilich enjoys spending time with his wife and children, likes traveling, reading, playing football and basketball, riding his bike, practicing CrossFit, kite surfing, and playing the drums.

He is excited to be part of the BCIS community and share his love for math and science with his students.

Grant is originally from Wausau, Wisconsin USA. He holds a Bachelor’s in Music Education from Wheaton College and an Ed.M. in Music Education Studies from the University at Buffalo. He has spent the last ten years teaching around the globe. After teaching in Afghanistan, UAE, and Vietnam, Grant joined the BCIS community in 2016. 

In his free time, Grant enjoys cycling, racing in triathlons, watching and playing sports, writing and performing music, playing tabletop games with friends, and roasting coffee.

Grant is delighted to be part of the BCIS community and a member of the Arts team.

Robert is from Kenya and his passion for teaching was ignited at an early age. He has been teaching since 2013 after pursuing Bachelors of Education degree from Kenyatta University in Kenya. He teaches Mathematics, Science, and Theory of Knowledge.

Robert loves creating an engaging, collaborative, supportive, and intellectually stimulating learning environment for his students, empowering them to become critical thinkers and lifelong learners.

In his teaching career he has served as an Edtech coach, homeroom tutor, sports coach and a club patron.

Outside the classroom, he plays and coaches volleyball. He is also an avid runner and enjoys the thrill of running marathons. Robert spends his leisure time cycling with his wife and two boys, working out in the gym, trail running and discovering new places.

He  looks forward to bringing his diverse experiences, passion for teaching, and commitment to student success to BCIS.

Yuanna is a BCIS Alumni (Class of 2016). After graduating from BCIS, she attended the University of Rochester in the United States. During her time there, she participated in multiple foreign exchange programs that granted her opportunities to study in Hong Kong (the Chinese University of Hong Kong) and Barcelona (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona). She graduated with bachelor’s degrees in applied mathematics and business, and a master’s degree in adolescence education in mathematics. Yuanna holds NYS teaching certificates for Mathematics and TESOL.

Though Yuanna is young, she has had experience teaching maths in urban and suburban schools in the US, as well as teaching EAL in Spain. Her own international background and teaching experiences gave her a sophisticated and unique understanding of teaching diverse learners. She hopes to utilize interdisciplinary connections in her classroom to help students make sense of maths and makes maths accessible to all.

Being an animal lover, Yuanna has a cute orange cat, Tiger, who is the most adorable cat in the world. In her free time, she likes playing with Tiger, baking, and catching up with the latest Marvel movies and series. Her dream (other than being an awesome teacher) currently is to be able to travel to all the Disneylands in the world and ride every attraction.

Miguel was born in Portugal a few many years ago. He has a master’s in physics and has completed all his education path in his home country.

Miguel started private lessons to high school students when he was still an undergraduate. Since then, he hasn’t stopped teaching. In 2014, decided to leave his country and embark on an international adventure, landing in Kazakhstan as a teacher of Physics.

Miguel’s favourite hobbies include, in no special order, listening to good music, playing the guitar and drums, chess, reading, cycling, and travelling around the World.

Glenda is a passionate mathematics educator with over 25 years of teaching experience across the Philippines, USA, Japan, and Thailand. Originally aiming to be a travel writer, she was awarded a scholarship to study at the country’s top teaching institution, where she discovered her true calling in education. An advocate for lifelong learning, she also has a license in Nursing, but returned to teaching, her true passion. Glenda strives to instill a love for math in her students by helping them embrace mistakes and see the beauty of the subject. She’s also a self-taught artist, and is looking forward to giving art and mental health therapy workshops in between doing volunteer work when she retires.

Catalina has taught in Bogota-Colombia, where she was born, and also in Kampala-Uganda, Aktobe and Astana in Kazakhstan.

After finishing her high school education in Arkansas, USA, Catalina pursued a degree in chemical engineering, which provided her with a strong foundation in the subject matter she now teaches. She later earned two master's degrees in education, which have helped her refine her teaching methods and incorporate innovative approaches into her classes. She firmly believes that teaching kids about how chemistry is all around us and how we can use it in our daily lives is crucial. For her, chemistry is not just a subject we study in school but also a part of our everyday lives, from the food we eat to the clothes we wear.

Outside of teaching, Catalina enjoys traveling with her family and immersing herself in different cultures. She is also has a passion for learning new languages. She currently speaks Spanish and Portuguese fluently and has a decent level of proficiency in Russian, its eager to learn Chinese.

Catalina is also an enthusiastic cook and finds it fascinating how chemistry plays a role in the creation of different dishes. She enjoys experimenting with new recipes and learning more about molecular gastronomy.

Amelia was born in China and moved with her family to Canada when she was young. She grew up in Toronto, a city with a wonderful diversity of cultures that inspired her to explore the world. She began her teaching career in London, England, a rich experience that left a lasting impact on her view of education.

In 2018 Amelia felt a desire to reconnect with her roots so she made the move from England to China. She has really enjoyed her time here teaching and catching up with family that she has not seen for a long time. Along the way, she completed a Master’s of Mathematics in Teaching and gained an interest in sprinkling in history and art into her math lessons to broaden students’ perspective on what mathematics can be.

Outside of the classroom, Amelia is currently working on gaining fluency in Mandarin and becoming a better rock climber. If she’s not at the book store or climbing gym you can often find her at a craft market, adding to her growing collection.

Brianne is an accomplished international educator with over a decade of teaching experience in various countries such as Philippines, Italy, and China. Her positive experience as an exchange student in Japan in 2008 inspired her to pursue her career as an international educator. She graduated from the University of the Philippines with honors in 2012 and was right away appointed to develop an inclusive program for an international school. She is a firm believer of collaboration and is passionate about facilitating deeper conceptual understanding of mathematical concepts and authentic learning opportunities for all students. 

Outside of school, Brianne enjoys travel, architecture, and photography. She is always curious to know about cultures and is eager to try out local cuisines from different places. Her family is deeply grateful to live in the marvelous city of Beijing and is delighted to call it their second home. 

Bonnie is an American Chinese originally from Beijing. She left Beijing at a young age and has been back working and living here since 2015. Bonnie has an unusual journey to education and international education. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from University of Maryland at College Park, her Master of Engineering degree in Structural Engineering from Cornel University and pursued a career of structural engineering for six years in New York City. She found her calling when she explored her interest in helping the underdeveloped parts of the world and changed her career to education. She has worked in Guinea, Mali, Thailand, Vietnam and the rural communities of Yunnan.

Bonnie has experience teaching grade 6-10 in Mathematics, Science and Design, and training and supporting adults in their pursuit of becoming a teacher. She is passionate about facilitating learning for students, so they are exploring and thinking how the world works and drawing connections between knowledge and their everyday applications.

In her free time, Bonnie loves to exercise and photograph nature, get out in the northern hills of Beijing to cycle long distances, go on a hike, bird watch, and spend time with her parents.

Rory is from South Carolina, USA, and he attended the University of South Carolina where he obtained a bachelor’s in history and a master’s in teaching secondary social studies. Through study-abroad opportunities provided by his university, Rory fell in love with traveling. After graduating and earning his state teaching license, he immediately moved to China to begin his career as an international educator.Rory has been teaching in China for many years, and he has taught students of varying ages and abilities. As an educator, he is passionate about helping young people develop into confident, critically thinking, globally minded individuals. He is proud to be a member of the BCIS community where he is continuing to pursue this passion and develop his own teaching practices. One of his favorite parts of being at BCIS is the opportunity to meet people from all over the world and foster long-lasting friendships.Outside of the classroom, Rory enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends. He also loves playing sports, exploring new places, and being around animals.

Alan Groarke is from Ireland and has been teaching in China for 8 years. He has a Master’s in Cognitive Science and Linguistics and is a certified secondary social studies teacher. He has previously worked in Beijing and Guangzhou and was looking forward to returning to Beijing. In his previous schools, his roles have included teaching DP Psychology, MYP Individuals and Societies, Head of Year and Personal Project Coordinator.

When he is not teaching, he enjoys playing football (soccer), cycling, reading and watching movies. He is much excited to be a part of the BCIS community!

Phil has been a teacher for over 25 years. He is originally from New York. He graduated from SUNY Oswego with a Bachelors in History and a teaching credential. He obtained his Masters in Special Education from UNC Greeley in Colorado. He and his wife, who is a school psychologist, moved overseas in 1998. Since then, he has worked in Morocco, South Africa, Russia, and Vietnam.

Phil and his wife spend their holidays in their home in Sandpoint, Idaho with their two teenage daughters. They have enjoyed living in various places and experiencing what each country has to offer. In his spare time, Phil enjoys reading, hiking, and traveling.

Phil is happy to be part of the BCIS team and enjoying being in Beijing.

Andrew Morrissey hails from sunny South Africa and has been in Beijing for the last 22 years. He previously taught in two other international schools in Beijing, and before that at a school in Dublin, Ireland. This is his eleventh year as a BCIS family member, and he loves the energy of the school, the sense of community and teaching his favourite subjects: Individuals and Societies and DP Geography. He is a life-long learner, and is currently busy with a Diploma of Counselling through Australia. When not at work, Andrew can be found somewhere outdoors, either cycling the streets of Beijing, or birding in one of the many lovely parks.

Mary Liu Xiaowei, originally from western China, has accumulated over a decade of professional education experience in Beijing. She earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Language and Literature from Beijing International Studies University before pursuing her Master's degree in Mass Communication at the Communication University of China. Additionally, she holds a Chinese High School Teaching Certificate.

Joining BCIS in 2011 as an enthusiastic and committed educator, Mary has been working with students across different grade levels. She is driven by the belief that education empowers students and equips them with essential skills and knowledge for their future. Her passion lies in fostering practical teaching methods that facilitate students' holistic development and boost their core competencies.

During her leisure time, Mary enjoys music, reading, and technology. She considers herself very fortunate to be a long-serving member of the diverse and vibrant BCIS community.

Stephen Yu was born in beautiful and sunny Southern California in the United States.While working toward his degree at California State University, Fullerton, Stephen was fortunate enough to study abroad at Peking University which inspired his love for living in China.With his degree and Sales/Marketing experience with China Southern Airlines Los Angeles Office, he decided to make the move to China.

After working in business for 10 years Stephen always thought back to when he was inspired by his teachers while in college.Utilizing his real-world business experience in the classroom Stephen hopes to inspire the future international business leaders.

Aside from teaching, Stephen loves to be active in sports like running, swimming, water polo, biking and weight training.When at home he loves to cook and listen to music with his wife Yang and their new baby boy Kodi.

Alex is from the northeast of China and holds a bachelor's degree in Material and Physics Science. He holds a High School Teaching Certificate and is trained for Design Technology. Alex started working as a member of the Secondary School Design Technology team at BCIS in 2017. As a bilingual and globally minded educator, Alex enjoys teaching all aspects of the design processes. With many years of experience working with students from different grade levels, Alex is an enthusiast of project-based learning which encourages students to creatively apply problem solving skills to all academic disciplines and throughout their life.

In his extra time, Alex enjoys traveling around China and the world to experience different cultures. He is also an avid fan of all types of sports and has coached secondary school volleyball teams.

Originally from Bangalore, India, Mohammed Nassir brings a wealth of experience in education and technology to BCIS. He holds an Engineering degree in Computer Science and Engineering from Bangalore University, complemented by a PGCEi from the University of Nottingham.

With over 20 years of teaching experience in international schools across various curricula, including the IB and British Curriculum, Mohammed has enriched the educational journeys of students in UAE and India. His expertise spans teaching roles in design and technology, guiding students through rigorous academic programs.

Outside the classroom, Mohammed finds joy in travelling, playing cricket, and delving into literature. He is eager to share his passion for design and technology with BCIS students, where he will be teaching IB Design and Technology and MYP Design.

Mohammed is excited to join the BCIS family and looks forward to fostering creativity and innovation among his students.

Mariann comes from Florida in the United States and has over 20 years of teaching experience. She worked for many years in schools in Florida, before moving overseas in 2007. She has taught in Leipzig and Berlin in Germany, Busan in South Korea, as well as Shenzhen in China.

Mariann holds a Masters of Education from The University of Florida and recently completed a master's in Computer Science from the University of York. She is passionate about teaching DP Computer Science and MYP Design - Computer Science, where she combines her computer science knowledge with skills gained from her previous educational background. Throughout her career, Mariann has also served as Maths and Literacy Coordinator.

Mariann is grateful to be a part of the BCIS community and to live in Beijing. She likes to use her weekend to explore the parks in Beijing and other places in China. Her husband, Andrew, also works at BCIS as an English Language Acquisition teacher.

Staiva Thewo is originally from Lusaka, Zambia and holds a master's degree in Economics and Finance, a bachelor's degree in Economics, a diploma in computer information Systems and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). Continuing his education, Staiva is currently studying for a master's degree in Education.

Staiva started substitute teaching at BCIS in 2021 and used that experience to write his teacher training final paper.

Outside the classroom, Staiva enjoys researching Development Economics and how technology can be the solution. He coaches and plays tennis and enjoys visiting parks, art exhibitions and sporting events with family and friends. Staiva's wife, Monique, is a secondary school art teacher; he has a son Almanzo and a daughter Chikondi. Staiva feels fortunate to join the BCIS family as a design and technology teacher.

Scott grew up in Maryland, USA, which is where he completed all of his studies. He received both his Bachelor’s degree in English and a Master’s degree in teaching from Towson University. 

After completing his degrees, student teaching, and teaching certification, Scott immediately began teaching in Tsinghua International School in Beijing. He has been teaching secondary English Language Arts for  three years before coming to BCIS. He is teaching MYP Language and Literature, as well as Language Acquisition at BCIS. 

In his free time, Scott really enjoys being outside, laughing, listening to music, reading, drawing, experiencing new things, and spending quality time with people he cares about. 

Yoyo Jiang, from Jiangsu province, received her Bachelor of Arts from Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology. A believer in life-long learning, she is in her final year of an MA in Education at Capital Normal University. She also holds a Chinese High School Teaching Certificate.

Before joining BCIS, Yoyo was an English teacher for five years teaching students of all levels. She moved to Beijing in 2018 and joined BCIS as a member of the LS and EAL department in the Secondary School. With over a decade of professional education experience, she is very excited to be in a new role in her department.

As a passionate and compassionate educator, Yoyo strongly believes that education has the power to change the world. She dedicates herself to empowering students, building good relationships, challenging them to achieve their maximum potential, and to one day bring a positive influence to the world. She is proud to be a proactive member of the BCIS community and to play an important role in helping our students be the best they can be for the future.

Yoyo loves experiencing different cultures and meeting people from all over the world. On a weekend, she loves nothing more than exploring hutong and sniffing out a new great coffee haunt.

Kevin is from Orange County, in California and has been teaching since 2017. Kevin has been in Beijing since 2018 as an English teacher.

Kevin graduated with a BA in History from Long Beach State and continued on to complete the post-baccalaureate secondary teaching credential program. Kevin strongly believes in the importance of educators to be guides and facilitators in learning for students, and always encourage students to think critically about the world around them.

During his free time, Kevin enjoys rooting for his hometown Lakers and discovering new recipes to cook. He also enjoys travelling to different places with his wife Wendy and going to different scenic sites for a relaxing stroll.

Megan Fortuné holds a Masters Degree in Education in Children’s Literature & Literacies from the University of Glasgow (UK). She has over twelve (12) years' experience teaching English as a Foreign Language and Language Arts, as well as facilitating Learning Support for students with Special Education needs. She is thrilled to be working at BCIS as an English Language Acquisition Teacher in the Secondary School.

Megan also acquired tertiary academic qualifications and training in the fields of Business and Hospitality (Switzerland) and International Relations (Trinidad). However, in 2011, a serendipitous job opportunity as a Teaching Assistant at the International School of Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago changed her life forever. Since then she has worked in international schools in Trinidad & Tobago and Malaysia delivering curriculum as well as providing inclusive and/or pull-out support to learners from levels K-12. 

Megan thoroughly enjoys working with teenage learners and is committed to creating safe, engaging educational spaces so that her students feel empowered to actively pursue learning opportunities to achieve their best possible academic and individual goals.

Dayla Rogers’ life journey began in St. Louis, Missouri, and proceeded to wind through Detroit, Mongolia, New York and Turkey.

Dayla holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Michigan as well as one in English language and literature from University of Southern New Hampshire. She has also earned a master’s degree in the Teaching of Social Studies from Teacher’s College, Columbia University.

Dayla has gained significant experience in teaching social studies, English language acquisition and English literature to both high school and university students. Some notable features of her teaching style include implementing highly student-centered activities, encouraging students to focus on processes over results, and promoting intellectual endeavor as a community activity. She especially enjoys giving students opportunities to develop appreciation for poetry.

When she is not teaching, Dayla may be found knitting, playing pool, or planning her next scuba diving adventure. She also enjoys taking walks with her cat.

Placide is originally from Rwanda, the land of a thousand hills in East Africa. He has lived abroad for the past eighteen years and, before teaching MYP Science, he taught IGCSE Integrated Science and DP Physics. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering from the Beijing Institute of Technology, a PGCEi in Secondary Science Education and an MBA in Education from Keele University in Staffordshire, UK. 

Before joining BCIS in 2020, Placide worked at the prestigious Renda Fuzhong. He chose a career in education because it brings together his three greatest passions: science, psychology, and working with people. In addition to his regular teaching responsibilities, he finds great fulfillment in coaching students for various STEM competitions.

Placide’s children, currently in Grades 3 and 6, are proud members of the vibrant BCIS community. Outside of school, he enjoys hiking, reading non-fiction with his wife, Elema, and engaging in anything that involves music.

Cherie Norman is from New Zealand and obtained her Bachelor's degree in Teaching from Laidlaw College, Auckland. She has been involved in education for 23 years, in a variety of educational settings, including special education, public and private schools. Cherie has arrived from Malaysia, where she was teaching for the past seven years. 

Cherie firmly believes in the power of character development coupled with personal responsibility, towards oneself and one's learning, as 'our ability to handle life's challenges is a measure of our strength of character' (Les Brown). She enjoys helping children further understand and love themselves, then others, then the world, whilst cultivating a love for learning and fostering critical thinking skills.

Cherie's personal interests include family (3 adult sons, and one grandson in NZ), golf, walking/running, biking, and exploring new places with her husband Dave. Cherie is excited to join the BCIS community and experience all the historical richness that Beijing has to offer.

Andrew is originally from Scotland, but has been teaching in international schools for over 20 years. He moved to Germany in 1999, spending 14 years in Leipzig, Weimar and Berlin. He has also worked in Busan, Prague, and Shenzhen. He has  taught a wide range of grade levels, as well as drama, sports coaching and organizing residential trips.

Andrew holds a B.A in Elementary Education from the University of Paisley and has attended numerous IB training courses around the world. He has served as Curriculum Coordinator, Literacy Coordinator, Inquiry Mentor and Head of Year in previous schools.

Outside of the classroom, Andrew enjoys hiking, traveling, and learning about new cultures. He especially likes exploring new places in China and has been to more than  three quarters of the provinces already. Andrew feels fortunate to live and work in Beijing and aims to use the chance to improve his Chinese. His wife, Mariann, also works at BCIS as a Computer Science Teacher.

Mark is from the United Kingdom and has been teaching internationally since 2006. He has taught previously in South Korea and has been teaching here in Beijing for the past 7 years. Mark has taught language and literature and both Language A & B.

Mark has an undergraduate from Huddersfield university and a post graduate degree in education from Birmingham university. He is a committed life-long learner who encourages students to take ownership of their learning. Mark works hard to equip students with the necessary skills, rather than just knowledge to ensure they fully develop their potential.

Outside of the classroom Mark enjoys a variety of sport with football his biggest passion. Mark has been fortunate enough to coach football in previous schools from grade 6 to 12. He enjoys hiking around the city and venturing further out as well. He is passionate about travel and enjoys reading in his free time.

Monique is a passionate art teacher from New York, USA and she has over 15 years of teaching experience. Monique has a Bachelor of Arts Degree where she majored in Education, Art History, Art Studio and a minored in Museum Studies. She also has a Master’s Degree in Education and has taught in rural and urban parts of the United States, West Africa and has spent the last 10 years teaching in China.

Monique’s passion for visual arts and creative thinking has been a natural fit teaching abroad. The only thing she loves more than teaching internationally is spending quality time with her two children and husband.

Outside of the classroom, Monique enjoys creating art, visiting galleries, as well as swimming, running, and many other outdoor activities. She and her family are very happy to be a part of the Beijing City International School community.

Dónal comes from France, England and Ireland and has been living in China for half of his life. Dónal has been teaching art to kids in Beijing for 10+ years. He likes sports, spending time painting and meeting new people. Dónal will teach MYP Visual Arts at BCIS and if anyone wants to pop by during their free time to make art, his doors are always open.

Ms. Eubank, who also goes by Ms. Sue, is a Third Culture Kid and grew up and attended international schools in Thailand and Malaysia. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Texas Christian University. Ms. Eubank has taught in Texas, Mexico, Thailand, Qatar,  Ukraine, and Dubai, UAE. Ms. Eubank has taught pre-K-12th grade art including AP Art and Design, , AP Art History,  PYP, MYP, and IBDP along with Theatre Arts classes. Ms. Eubank has directed many plays over the years, and also enjoys performing herself. She holds certifications for all levels of Art and Secondary Theatre Arts. The Arts are her passion and she also loves traveling snd learning new cultures. She loves watching sports, playing volleyball and has coached for many years. 

Sihyun was born and raised in Seoul, Korea as well as Victoria B.C., Canada. Like many of her students, she is a product of the international schooling system. She holds a B.M. in music education from New York University and M.M. in music education from Boston University, and is currently pursuing PhD. 

Prior to BCIS, Sihyun spent the last several years teaching general music, secondary band, choir, directing musicals and hosting band conferences at inner-city schools of Manhattan and at international schools. As a former international school student, Sihyun is comfortable with the environment and the expectations of such schools.

In her free time, Sihyun enjoys traveling, cross stitching, trying out new restaurants, as well as going on a hunt for a good cup of coffee.

Sabina is from Romania’s capital, Bucharest, and she first encountered the wonderful world of international education as a scholarship student at the American International School of Bucharest, an experience which has guided her path since. 

Sabina lived in the UK for 9 years, earning her Bachelors and Masters in Film Studies from the University of Kent, PGCE teaching license from Canterbury Christ Church University and CELTA Cambridge English Language Teaching Certificate. She returned to the University of Kent as a Graduate Teaching Assistant, while also lecturing at the University for the Creative Arts. 

After 3 years at Kent, Sabina decided to pursue international teaching, and in 2018 began teaching IB Theatre at Casablanca American School. Five years of challenges, successes and growth have brought Sabina to the wonderful, welcoming and exciting community of BCIS.

In her free time, Sabina enjoys playing board-games with her husband and friends, and she is looking forward to regaining her mastery of knitting as well as learning watercolor painting. Sabina loves food and cannot wait to discover the culinary wonders China has to offer alongside its rich culture and beautiful landscapes.

Sabina is currently finishing her second Masters, this time in Theatre, with the University of Surrey. 

Liane Fox is a passionate and dedicated general music teacher from South Africa who has been teaching music for over a decade. Liane received her Bachelor’s degree in classical guitar and composition at Rhodes University in South Africa and has been teaching in Beijing since 2015.

Liane has been awarded her Master’s in Music Education from the University of Pretoria in South Africa. For her dissertation, Liane explored the group music-making experiences of Third Culture Kids and English Language Learners in an international school setting. Her research has profoundly impacted her teaching style, and she is committed to creating learning experiences that enrich her students’ musical and social-emotional lives.

Outside the classroom, Liane continues composing and performing music in diverse genres. Her passion for music is evident in all aspects of her life, both as an educator and a professional musician.

Kerrie is an experienced and passionate Drama educator with over 20 years of teaching experience in Canada and internationally. Originally from Winnipeg, Canada, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Drama and a Bachelor of Education with a specialization in secondary Drama from the University of Manitoba. Kerrie believes deeply in the power of theatre to build confidence, inspire creativity, and help young people discover their voice.

Her approach to Drama education blends performance skills with personal growth, creating a supportive and engaging classroom environment where students feel empowered to take risks and express themselves. Beyond the classroom, Kerrie has directed and produced numerous student productions and actively integrates the arts across school life and learning.

Kerrie has taught internationally for over a decade, including nine years in Macau before joining the BCIS community in Beijing, where she continues to foster a love of the arts. She and her husband are proud to have made BCIS their family’s home, with their two children also attending the school.

Csilla is Hungarian, born and raised in Transylvania. She is an experienced international educator with more than twenty years of experience, primarily focused on providing opportunities for young people to explore and develop their academic and personal identities through drama and theatre.

She holds a master’s degree in applied theatre from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, London, and a master’s degree in special needs education from the University of Nottingham, UK.

Throughout her adult life, Csilla has lived and taught on three continents. After completing her bachelor's degree, she moved to the UK, where she lived for 15 years. In 2014, her sense of adventure and passion took her to Jordan, then Kenya, and most recently Mumbai, India.

She loves watching live theatre, traveling, and meeting new people.

Pilar Cinca was born in Spain. From a young age, she was passionate about learning languages and curious about other cultures. She completed her BA in Translation in the University of Salamanca (Spain), which included three semesters in France. She also has a Master's Degree in Linguistics Applied to Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language.

She moved to India in 2010 where she began her career in education as a Spanish teacher at Instituto Cervantes, the cultural center of the Spanish Embassy. In 2013 she joined an IB continuum school where she had the opportunity of growing as an international educator. In 2019 she moved to Beijing and until the summer of 2023 she was part of the Spanish Faculty at Beijing Normal University. Pilar is enthusiastic about education, and some of the things she enjoys the most about her work are being with students and planning interesting learning experiences for them.

In her free time, Pilar enjoys travelling, reading and spending time with her husband and her friends.

Eleen gained her BA in Chinese Literature and Language from Hebei Normal University, followed by graduate studies in Remin University of China, majoring in Education. She has been teaching Chinese for nine years—at a Singapore Ministry of Education secondary school and at an international school in Beijing. Outside of work, Eleen enjoys yoga and tea ceremony.

Erica is a local Beijinger and has been teaching Mandarin Chinese since 2015. She worked for a language learning center in California before moving back to Beijing where she joined BCIS in 2016 and started her journey towards teaching position. Having worked in the LS and EAL Team for 4 years, she is excited to move into the new role of Chinese Language and Literature teacher, and keep exploring teaching approaches that process with the changing times and developing her own professional literacy.

Erica completed her Bachelor of Arts Degree in business English from Capital University of Economics and Business in 2012 and obtained her master’s degree in linguistics from California State University, Long Beach in 2015. She also holds a High School Teaching Credential.

Outside the classroom, Erica enjoys reading, drawing and various kinds of physical exercises. She considers herself incredibly fortunate to continue serving as a member of the BCIS community.

Elle is from Hebei Province. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Hebei University of Science and Technology. She joined BCIS in 2016 as a member of the Secondary School Learning Support team to give students constructive learning and well-being strategies both inside and out of the classroom.

Elle believes students can learn both the skills of achievement and the skills of well-being in school and is excited to become a Character Education teacher in BCIS where she can help students learn about their own character strength and combine them with their academic skills to achieve the best of themselves.

In her spare time, Elle enjoys learning new things and spending time with her friends. Traveling the world was her dream when she was a student and she is going to start her journey in the near future.

Olivia graduated from Beijing Language and Culture University with a Bachelor's degree in Chinese literature and a Master’s degree in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language. With a ten-year career in international schools, Olivia is qualified to teach Chinese from primary to secondary school. She especially enjoys teaching the Chinese Language and Literature Course and has gained rich expertise in this field.

As a warmhearted and dedicated educator, Olivia enjoys teaching and being with students. Additionally, she has a flair for language and has published her writing in literary magazines. Her teaching experience continues to also strengthen her ability to arrange and write curriculum. Furthermore, she enjoys exploring new teaching strategies, such as trying Inquiry Based Learning and applying Inter-disciplinary Units in Chinese class.

To be a life-long learner and competent professional, as well as to support students in BCIS to her greatest abilties, Olivia has spent years studying to become a Certified International Senior Psychological Consultant and National Level 2 Psychological Counselor. She firmly believes that, “Education goes with pleasure, as well as the formation of character.”

Jian was born in Jiangsu Province and gained her BA in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language at Suzhou University. She furthered her study in Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) from where she gained her Master degree in Curriculum and Teaching Methodology. Jian also holds a High School Teaching Certificate in Chinese Language and Literature, which was issued by the Beijing Municipal Commission of Education.

Jian taught in Tsinghua University before going to the UK where she taught Chinese at GCSE and IGCSE levels, and Cambridge Pre-U course in Winchester College. BCIS is the first international school she has chosen to work in after returning from the UK.

Jian enjoys teaching and loves being with students and working in a multicultural environment. In her spare time she likes watching movies, traveling, singing and learning other languages.

Selina comes from Jiangxi Province, and has worked in Beijing for more than ten years. She completed her BA in Chinese Language and Literature from Jiangxi Normal University in 2004, and is currently undertaking a Masters in Education. She also holds a teaching certificate in Chinese Language Teaching issued by China’s Ministry of Education.

Over her 10 years in Beijing, Selina has been teaching in many different schools. Prior to joining BCIS, she was teaching Chinese in an international school in Singapore. Selina enjoys teaching students of different grades and levels and being with them. She likes to help students to see and feel the beauty of Chinese language and culture.

Besides being a passionate educator, Selina enjoys reading, swimming and playing folk instruments in her spare time. She also loves travelling and experiencing different cultures.

José Aldo Gutiérrez Ahumada is from Toluca, Mexico. He earned his BA in International Business obtaining a student merit certificate for his performance in different sports during his time as a student. As part of his educational background, José Aldo obtained a “Doing Business in Asia” certification awarded by Fudan University in Shanghai, China. In 2019, José Aldo completed his Master’s Degree in Education and in 2021 obtained his PGCEi from the University of Nottingham. Currently, Jose Aldo is undertaking a second master’s degree in Sports and Events Leadership and Management.

José Aldo has lived in China for over 6 years, during this time he obtained an MLB Developing Center Coach certification. This gave him the opportunity to work with students from grades K-10 as Head Baseball Coach as well as helping other projects like golf, soccer, and tennis. Jose Aldo has experience as a PYP and MYP Physical and Health Education teacher as well as being a whole-school Sports and Events Co-Ordinator. José Aldo truly believes that physical and health education can have a massive impact on students’ lives not only inside school but outside and for their future. José Aldo bases his teaching on respect and utilizing a growth mindset approach. 

In his spare time, José Aldo enjoys spending time with his wife and dog, baking and cooking as well as practicing any sport available around him, especially baseball, football, tennis, bowling and rock climbing.

Dannielle is from the sunny region of Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. She completed her Bachelor of Sport Coaching, endorsed in Leadership and her Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning Secondary, majoring in Physical Education and English from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand.  

Before coming to BCIS, she had previously taught Secondary School Physical and Health education and has been here ever since. 

Dannielle enjoys participating in a range of sports and activities in here spare time such as swimming, volleyball and touch rugby. Dannielle is pleased to be member of the BCIS team and school community and enjoys living in such a vibrant and culturally rich country.

Talofa lava,

Kia ora, koutou nga kaiako me nga tauira o BCIS. Greetings everyone, my name is Sione Mulipola, and I am thrilled to embark on a new adventure as a middle school PE teacher here at BCIS. This journey will bring new challenges and experiences, but I am confident that it will be filled with learning, fun, and exciting moments.

My teaching career began by following in my mother's footsteps, who had over 30 years of teaching experience. I started with voluntary teaching work at Saint Bernadette Primary School and then worked as a teacher's aide at Punavai o le Atamai Kindergarten School. During my time at Punavai, I completed my Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood at Otago Teachers College. Recently, I have been accepted at AUT in New Zealand to pursue my Masters of Sports, Exercise, and Health on a part-time basis, which I am extremely excited about.

I hail from Dunedin, Otago in the South Island of New Zealand. My parents, who migrated from Samoa in search of better opportunities, raised me along with my three brothers and one sister. Growing up, I was heavily involved in various competitive sports, ranging from rugby, cricket, volleyball, wheelchair basketball, to netball. I even had the privilege of representing Otago at a professional level in some of these sports.

Living in China for the past five years has brought significant changes to my life journey. It was here in Beijing that I met my wife, Sasha, who hails from Russia. Like me, she has a strong background in sports and was an international alpine skier. Recently, she had the opportunity to work at the 2022 Winter Olympics held in Beijing. As I embark on my new journey at BCIS, my wife and I are also entering a new chapter in our lives as we prepare to become parents to our first-born daughter, Anna Leilani. Additionally, we have started a new social rugby club called Phoenix. When I'm not at BCIS, you can find me either spending time with my family or coaching the Phoenix Women's team on Wednesday nights, as well as the men's team on Thursdays and Saturdays for game days.

Dragon Ma holds a bachelor’s degree in Sports Science from Beijing Sport University and has over 10 years of experience teaching at various international schools. He has taught physical education at both primary and secondary levels. He joined BCIS since 2021. At BCIS, he integrates the IB MYP curriculum with outdoor education and has led initiatives such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Adventure Journey. Dragon is passionate about fostering students’ holistic development through personalized, student-centered teaching. He has coached sports teams such as U9 soccer and organized a variety of sports events.

Outside the classroom, Dragon’s experience and interests range from sports coaching to Chinese traditional culture. He also contributed to the translation of The Non-Runner’s Marathon Trainer, published in 2018.