Following the 2020 Jingkids International School Expo (JISE) in October last year, which brought together more than 70 schools, daycares, and educational centers, we’d like to acknowledge the people who make those schools and institutions truly great. Many of Beijing’s esteemed international schools submitted their nominations for the Jing Educators Award 2020, celebrating those who dedicate themselves to education, create innovative learning experiences, and maintain outstanding environments for our kids to study in. In this #JingEdAwards series, we’ll share these committed individuals and why they were nominated.

The educators in this category lead schools and their staff and pupils through one of the most critical developmental periods of childhood education. Their kindergartens offer an environment that is both fun and educational.

Name: Eliane Liu 刘琳
Position: Principal, Shunyi campus, Brilliant International School
School: Brilliant International School

Eliane graduated from Northeast Normal University with a major in early childhood education. She has been engaged in early childhood education since 2001. She previously served as principal of the bilingual kindergarten under Eton International Education Group and principal of Jiade Montessori Bilingual Kindergarten under Wisdom International Education Group, and now works as the principal of the Shunyi Campus of Brilliant International School.

Eliane has high standards, strict requirements, and loyalty and love for early childhood education. She fully implements the Party’s educational policy, consciously abides by social ethics and teachers’ ethics, and earnestly fulfills all aspects of her work with a highly responsible attitude. Eliane is virtuous, makes herself serve as an example to others, and has a strong sense of professionalism and responsibility. She is kind to others both in work and life and has a good reputation among her staff.

Name: Decarine Peng 彭艳红
Position: Principal, Brilliant International School
School: Brilliant International School

Decarine graduated from New Jersey Institute of Technology. She studied a master’s course in developmental psychology for two years and is a Certified Positive Discipline Parenting Educator and Early Education Tutor. Decarine loves kids and has a unique method for developing kids’ sense of exploration. She believes that the most important things that kids learn at kindergarten are love and company. She is loved by kids and parents alike for her professional attitude, her patience, and her love.

Name: Stella Zhang 张颖
Position: Senior Principal, Central Park and CBD GTM Campuses, Etonkids
School: Etonkids International Kindergartens

Stella graduated from Beijing Normal University with a bachelor’s degree in preschool education. She holds a teacher’s certificate, principal certificate, AMS 0-3 teacher’s certificate, and AMS administrative qualifications, among others. She has been working at Etonkids for 10 years and is dedicated to creating the best educational atmosphere for her students, treating all children as her children.

Name: Vicky Zou 邹海霞
Position: Regional Principal
School: Etonkids International Kindergartens

Vicky graduated from Flinders University in Australia with a master’s degree in education. She joined the Etonkids family more than 14 years ago. She started as a teaching assistant and in the summer of 2007, she participated in a Montessori training course, earning an AMS certificate and serving as lead teacher in the 3-6 years old class. Five years later, she became the academic leader and then principal of Etonkids Peking House campus. In June 2018, she was promoted to a regional principal.

Name: Hu Yaping 胡亚萍
Position: Principal
School: Muffy’s International Kindergarten

Hu Yaping completed an on-the-job doctorate at Beijing Normal University and is a training lecturer, senior principal, senior dietitian, family education instructor, and personalized difference instructor. She has been engaged in education for 40 years and has been a principal for 23 years. She is known by students, parents, and staff for her warmth and sincerity, positivity, hard work, and strong self-discipline. She has strong management abilities and always takes many different factors and opinions into consideration.

During the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020, in order to prevent and control the epidemic situation in kindergarten, she always actively collected and read the relevant information about COVID-19 every day. She also paid close attention to prevention and control work by using her personal network and the Internet, read any notices from the prevention and control office and the related requirements of the education committee, and forwarded them to staff and parents as soon as possible. Using the class WeChat group, a virtual meeting about COVID-19 prevention was held, improving awareness of the importance of prevention and control among the school community.

Name: Yang Zongwei 杨棕伟
Position: Principal
School: Muffy’s International Kindergarten

Yang Zongwei holds a bachelor’s degree from Beijing Normal University and has been working in preschool education for 13 years, moving from a teacher to an administrator to an executive director. Over the years, she has broadened her experience and management capacity, and always done her best to work hard and make new achievements for both herself and the kindergarten. During the outbreak of COVID-19, she was on the front line of epidemic prevention and control, staying up to date with and passing on any relevant information, and giving timely instructions to both staff and parents.

KEEP READING: Jing Educators Award 2020: School Leadership/Academic Directors

Images courtesy of the schools

Following the 2020 Jingkids International School Expo (JISE) in October last year, which brought together more than 70 schools, daycares, and educational centers, we’d like to acknowledge the people who make those schools and institutions truly great. Many of Beijing’s esteemed international schools submitted their nominations for the Jing Educators Award 2020, celebrating those who dedicate themselves to education, create innovative learning experiences, and maintain outstanding environments for our kids to study in. In this #JingEdAwards series, we’ll share these committed individuals and why they were nominated.

Not every teaching position fits smoothly into a single category. From homeroom teachers to heads of humanities departments, each of the teachers in this award category excels in their chosen field of education.

Name: Zhao Shan 赵姗
Position: Teacher of Student Affairs
School: Central Conservatory Preparatory School

Ms. Zhao Shan is a member of the Communist Party of China and was born in the 90s. She has been in the education industry since graduation. As a young teacher, Ms. Zhao knows that a teacher with high morality is a true teacher. In her spare time, she is constantly studying to improve her skills. She cares for the educational, emotional, and spiritual development of her children. She has a strong sense of responsibility and mission, and always follows up and resolves parent requests in a timely manner because she knows that the home plays just as important a role as the school in the growth of students.

Name: Pingping Qian 钱致平
Position: Head of the Media and Resource Center
School: Beijing Enlighten School

Pinging is an experienced bilingual IB educator. Over the past 21 years, she has worked in four well-known IB and British international schools in Beijing and Wuxi, across the whole of the K-12 education process. She is passionate about her career, especially the school library in a bilingual educational context as the Head of the Media and Resource Center in Beijing Enlighten School.

Ms. Qian graduated from Beijing Foreign Studies University. She holds dual degrees in English education and information technology and management, as a Master of Education Degree from Flinders University Australia. During her 21-year career, Pingping has attended a variety of workshops, trainings, forums, and conferences in relation to IB and international bilingual education focus. She also believes that a library is a place where treasures can be found and are a vital part of everyone’s educational journey.

Name: Amanda Williams
Position: Primary School Homeroom Teacher
School: Beijing Haidian Kaiwen Academy

Amanda Williams joined Haidian Kaiwen Academy in January 2019. Her teaching career spans more than 25 years, during which time she has taught in diverse settings and programs. She holds a degree in history and English language and literature and a higher diploma in education. She is also a certified Level 3 IB teacher.

Born in South Africa, she started her teaching career there, where she spent ten years teaching literature and language to middle school and secondary students in public school systems. Later, she moved to Botswana, where she taught in primary and secondary international schools and gained experience of both the Cambridge and IB programs. During her time in Botswana, she held various leadership positions, ranging from IB curriculum coordinator to deputy head of school. She was also involved in a number of school evaluation and authorization processes, giving her the opportunity to visit a number of international schools in other parts of the world to see best practices in action.

Name: Martin Schulte-Albert
Position: Homeroom teacher C7.1/Calvert Middle School Coordinator
School: Limai Chinese American International School

As a professional educator who has dedicated himself to assisting others with their personal and academic development, Martin takes great pride in helping students achieve their long-term goals. Early in his teaching career, he helped adults in Shaoxing improve their fluency skills for the purpose of engaging in the international market. After working in China for a few years, he eventually returned to Canada to obtain a master’s degree in education. Today, he is a homeroom teacher at Limai Chinese American International School, where he also serves as coordinator for the middle school department. Throughout his time at Limai, he has continued to learn to appreciate the value of being a positive role model for the many students under his care, and it is a responsibility that he will continue to uphold with great diligence.

Name: Megan Huckfield
Position: Head of Humanities/History Teacher
School: Wellington College Tianjin

Megan graduated from the University of Lancaster with a degree in history and completed her teacher training at the University of Birmingham. She remained in Birmingham for the next four years, teaching history at an outstanding secondary school. During this time, Megan also completed a Master of Education degree in Teaching Studies at the University of Birmingham; her research-led dissertation focused on the impact of teacher feedback and peer assessment in History lessons. In August 2015, Megan moved to Bangkok to teach secondary history and humanities. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she was responsible for Gifted and Talented provision across the school from early years to the sixth form. A key part of this role was the responsibility for the school’s World Scholar’s Cup debating program, including coordinating a trip from Bangkok to the Tournament of Champions at Yale University in the USA and organizing and hosting the Bangkok regional round of the competition at her school in March 2016.

KEEP READING: Jing Educators Award 2020: Chinese-language Educators

Images courtesy of the schools

Following the 2020 Jingkids International School Expo (JISE) in October last year, which brought together more than 70 schools, daycares, and educational centers, we’d like to acknowledge the people who make those schools and institutions truly great. Many of Beijing’s esteemed international schools submitted their nominations for the Jing Educators Award 2020, celebrating those who dedicate themselves to education, create innovative learning experiences, and maintain outstanding environments for our kids to study in. In this #JingEdAwards series, we’ll share these committed individuals and why they were nominated.

Name: Maria Cordelia Oliver
Position: Nursery Teacher
School: 3e International School

Maria Cordelia “Odie” Oliver has years of experience in the education field. After a short stint in government service and in a UN population project, she entered the realm of education, helping children with special needs to live happy, independent lives. From then on, teaching became both a career and a calling. Odie holds a bachelor of arts degree in psychology and a master’s degree in guidance and counseling, both from the University of Nueva Caceres. She completed all academic requirements for an M.A. in special education at the University of the Philippines. She also holds a Certificate in Multiple Intelligences from Harvard University.

She got her first peek into international education at one of the most prestigious International Baccalaureate schools in Manila. Teaching in the early learning center as well as in the lower and middle schools opened her eyes to the beauty and rewards of developing young minds into their fullest potential. She has now been teaching at 3e International School for nine years. She was a nursery school English teacher for seven years and a younger and older pre-kindergarten teacher for two years. For Odie, teaching the youngest of learners is a dream come true because they are at their most malleable stage. Her more than twenty years as an educator plus her passion for teaching have resulted in an amazing rapport with students and parents.

Name: Kitty Zhang 张翘楚
Position: Kindergarten Homeroom Teacher
School: Beijing Enlighten School

Ms. Kitty Zhang graduated from Beijing Language and Culture University, majoring in teaching Chinese as a foreign language. She has completed postgraduate study in psychology at the Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. She has more than 12 years of experience as a homeroom teacher, trainer, and lead teacher at a well-known international kindergarten in Beijing. She led the kindergarten’s International Curriculum Organization evaluation and achieved outstanding results. She has also worked as an interpreter for foreign experts in curriculum training in China.

Over her years of teaching, she has developed a professional approach and a wealth of experience in the fields of school readiness and children’s education. Her training and management experience have also given her excellent coordination and leadership skills. She frequently conducts teacher training and has led a team of teachers to continuously improve their professional competence in education. She often provides practical and professional parenting advice to parents through workshops and conferences.

Name: Subi Li 李琴秀
Position: Kindergarten Teacher
School: Brilliant International School

Subi graduated from Minzu University of China and majored in Art Education. She has more than 15 years of working experience in kindergartens and now works for Brilliant International School. Subi always inspires kids to explore by themselves, and she likes to observe kids and encourage kids to show the best of themselves. Subi loves kids and respects them. She is the most popular teacher in BIS and loved by kids and parents.

Name: Jean-Pierre Taute
Position: Lead Teacher
School: Etonkids International Kindergartens

Jean-Pierre attended to North-West University of Potchefstroom in South Africa, where he studied marketing and tourism management. After he graduated, he first went to work in hospitality on Mabalingwe Nature Reserve. Two years later, he came to China, where he started at Etonkids as an English specialist. After two and a half years of outstanding experience, he became a lead teacher and has now been a lead teacher for a further two and half years.

Name: Dong Shuang 董爽
Position: Lead Teacher/Teaching Supervisor
School: Kidtopia

Ms. Dong Shuang holds a master’s degree in regional economy from the College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Northeast Normal University. During her doctoral study, she chose Montessori education for her child and was deeply impressed by its scientific and systematic nature, respect for children’s lives, and effective education. As a result, she chose to pursue a career in early childhood education. During her nine years of teaching, she has always followed the Montessori education philosophy and has obtained professional training from the International Montessori Association (AMI). As a member of Kidtopia’s teaching and research team, she is committed to guiding the teachers in devoting themselves to teaching, continuously improving teaching quality, and popularizing the scientific parenting concepts.

Name: Gao Tingting 高婷婷
Position: IC Class Lead Teacher
School: Kidtopia

Ms. Gao Tingting majored in preschool education at Beijing Normal University. She is the founder of the Green House of Beijing Kidtopia Montessori Kindergarten, IC class lead teacher, instructor of positive parenting, and the mother of a seven-year-old child. She is deeply engaged with the Montessori education philosophy and, over the years, has helped more than a thousand families with scientific parenting methods and provides appropriate guidance and solutions according to different stages of childhood development. She has held lectures on various parenting topics so that more families can enact scientific Montessori parenting concepts. She has also conducted family environment guidance and designed parent-child activity courses.

Name: Jojo Zhou 周洁
Position: Member of the Management Team/Teacher
School: Kids ‘R’ Kids Learning Academy

Ms. Jojo Zhou graduated from Yangzhou University, majoring in teaching Chinese as a second language. After graduating, based on her passion for promoting Chinese language and culture, she went to the US and taught Chinese at kindergartens and elementary schools for almost two years. In the summer of 2015, she returned to China and joined Kids ‘R’ Kids as a member of the founding team. In just over five years, she has grown from a front-line teacher into an outstanding member of the management team, setting an example of dedication and professionalism for others. She was also named one of the “2020 Top Ten Touching KRK Figures.” As the most experienced front-line teacher at Kids ‘R’ Kids and as a bilingual, multicultural international citizen, she will continue to contribute to the school, to Kids ‘R’ Kids as a brand, and to the early childhood education industry as a whole.

Name: Candy Tang 唐迎
Position: Teacher
School: Kids ‘R’ Kids Learning Academy

Candy Tang graduated from Capital Normal University, majoring in early childhood education. She decided to become a kindergarten teacher early on in her career. With more than 13 years of experience since 2007, she has worked at many different kinds of kindergartens, from traditional Chinese to Montessori to bilingual international kindergartens. Growing through new challenges and adventures, she has won many awards for her outstanding performance. She is fully committed to improving the life of every child.

Name: Cici Xiong 熊聪聪
Position: Teacher
School: Kids ‘R’ Kids Learning Academy

Cici Xiong graduated from Jiaozuo Normal College, majoring in early childhood education. Thanks to her dedication and hard work, in just over four years at Kids ‘R’ Kids, she grew from a regular assistant teacher to an outstanding leading teacher, gaining popularity among her children, recognition from parents, and admiration from her peers. She was also named one of the ‘2020 Top Ten Touching KRK Figures.” While trying hard to improve her English, she continues to advance her education and has received training to be a kindergarten director. A perfect example of “staying true to your heart,” she aims to be a positive influence on the children with her positive energy.

KEEP READING: Jing Educators Award 2020: High School Principals

Images courtesy of the schools

Following the 2020 Jingkids International School Expo (JISE) in October last year, which brought together more than 70 schools, daycares, and educational centers, we’d like to acknowledge the people who make those schools and institutions truly great. Many of Beijing’s esteemed international schools submitted their nominations for the Jing Educators Award 2020, celebrating those who dedicate themselves to education, create innovative learning experiences, and maintain outstanding environments for our kids to study in. In this #JingEdAwards series, we’ll share these committed individuals and why they were nominated.

Name: Zhang Ying 章莹
Position: Director of Government Affairs and Executive Board Member
School: 3e International School

Ms. Zhang Ying transitioned to the education field after a career in media management. After completing a bachelor’s degree in communications at the University of China, a master of fine arts (MFA) degree at Peking University, and working for more than 10 years at China Radio International, Ms. Zhang joined 3e International School in 2017 as the school’s first director of government affairs.

As a member of the leadership team, she has made great contributions to the development of the school. During the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, the school made great achievements in terms of epidemic prevention and control. Under her leadership, 3e’s elementary and early years campuses passed multiple Chaoyang District Education Committee inspections and became one of the first batch of schools approved to open in early September. Ms. Zhang is also the main planner and executor of the Jonathan KS Choi Foundation ASEAN National Scholarship Program.

Name: Ma Xinguang 马昕光
Position: Elementary and Middle School Academic Director
School: Beijing Xin Fuxue International Academy

Ma Xinguang graduated from the Faculty of Intelligent Science of Peking University and holds two degrees in economics from the China Economic Research Center. He used to be the head coach of the Beijing Science Training Team. Mr. Ma has over 10 years of experience in education and teaching. He has led students to participate in international mathematics competitions in the United States, India, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan as head coach.

Name: Lei Qian 雷倩 
Position: Teaching Director
School: Jack & Jill Academy

Ms. Lei Qian graduated from Beijing Normal University with a major in early childhood education. She joined Jack & Jill Academy in 2013. She is a HighScope Curriculum Certified Teacher, and once studied under the former chief trainer of the HighScope Foundation. Upon first joining Jack & Jill, Ms. Lei served as a lead teacher for the nursery, pre-K 1, and pre-K 2 classes. Due to her outstanding performance, professional and diligent attitude, and profound understanding of education, she was promoted to the position of teaching director.

Ms. Lei firmly believes in the philosophies of child-centered education and active learning. She has participated in the discussion, design, and implementation of Jack & Jill’s curriculum. Ms. Lei wholeheartedly loves education and is imaginative and creative. She is especially good at teacher-child interaction and various play-based practices.

Name: Autumn Zhang
Position: Dean of Education
School: JA International Kindergarten

Ms. Autumn Zhang joined Journey Academy in 2018. Based on her 14 years of early childhood teaching experience and eight years of international school education experience, she has fully implemented the requirements of the director of teaching. Her responsibilities also cover collaboration with the IB curriculum coordinator and academic leaders to organize teaching plans, teaching routines, and teachers’ work specifications. She has actively established positive teaching principles in order to ensure the implementation of teaching plans and the smooth development of teaching activities. She is also in charge of managing the arrangements for staff changes and substitutions.

Name: Chen Yuanyuan 陈媛媛
Position: Chairman of Junyi Xingxing Education Group
School: Junyi Xingxing International School

Chen Yuanyuan is chairman of Junyi Xingxing Education Group, a member of the Revolutionary Committee, and a member of the sixth, seventh, and eighth CPPCC of Haidian District. She is also a member of the committee of middle school and primary school of China Private Education Association. In 1993, she jointly established Beijing Junyi Private High School which is one of the earliest private high schools in Beijing. In 2015, after the merging and regrouping of several educational institutes, Junyi Xingxing Education Group was founded, achieving the goal of creating a comprehensive education group that provides childhood to high school education, traditional education, vocational education, overseas study, Chinese language exporting, cultural exchange and consulting business. In September 2010, Ms. Chen received the title of “Excellent Principal” at the 4th Gardener Award for Private Education of Beijing Private Education Association.

Name: Kristie Newbold
Position: Academic Director
School: Muffy’s International Kindergarten

Kristie Newbold has been at Muffy’s International Kindergarten since 2012. Having worked as a teacher and lead teacher, she now holds the position of Academic Director. During her time at Muffy’s International Kindergarten, Kristie has played a vital role in expanding the company into five locations in two cities.

Kristie holds a PGCE (post-graduate certificate of education) and a Masters Degree in Education from her home town in England. Her education and experience have enabled her to implement a well-rounded curriculum to support intellectual, social, and personal skills. She ensures a high level of academic achievement for the learners while ensuring a positive and professional work environment for her staff. Kristie is committed to ensuring children at Muffy’s are provided with positive early childhood experiences to equip them with a lifelong love of learning. Kristie encourages her staff to continue their learning by offering continued professional development training throughout the year and a tuition reimbursement program that allows teachers to gain qualifications in an area of their choice.

KEEP READING: Jing Educators Award 2020: Chinese-language Educators

Images courtesy of the schools

Following the 2020 Jingkids International School Expo (JISE) in October this year, which brought together more than 70 schools, daycares, and educational centers, we’d like to acknowledge the people who make those schools and institutions truly great. Many of Beijing’s esteemed international schools submitted their nominations for the Jing Educators Award 2020, celebrating those who dedicate themselves to education, create innovative learning experiences, and maintain outstanding environments for our kids to study in. In this #JingEdAwards series, we’ll share these committed individuals and why they were nominated.

English is one of the world’s most widely spoken languages and a good grounding in it can help kids get ahead in a competitive global environment. These educators help kids of all ages master the complexities of the English language, from grammar to pronunciation and beyond.

Name: Wu Xing 吴星
Position: English Teacher and Research Group Leader
School: Beijing Mingcheng Academy

When Wu Xing was young, there was an old saying, “teachers are like engineers for human beings,” which influenced him very much. Since that moment, he was eager to be a teacher. For Wu Xing, a teacher is a person who teaches students knowledge, tell students the way to live, and answer students’ questions.

He began teaching soon after graduation. In 2018, he took students to America to visit a school and studied there for a month. Later, he trained students to join in a Spelling Bee competition and set up a club as well. As of last year, the group competition came eighth in the national final round and some individual students got into the final national round, too. Although it was his and the students’ first experience, they were very satisfied with their results and won praise from the parents and school leaders.

As the English teaching group leader at Mingcheng Academy, Wu Xing believes in working hard and continually innovating. He works with his team to make new achievements and break new ground.

Name: Fred Rojas
Position: Teaching instructor/Curriculum Developer/English Department Head
School: ETU Education

Fred has been involved in the field of education for over 10 years. He started his education career as a university research assistant in the Netherlands. In China, he has worked as both a teacher and curriculum developer in elementary/primary schools for over eight years. Fred is responsible for teacher training and management and is an expert in curriculum knowledge areas like project-based learning (PBL), the United States Common Core Standards, and Cambridge language standards based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Fred is a responsible and caring leader of ETU’s English department. As a teacher, Fred provides engaging classroom activities that correspond closely to students’ real-life situations and helps students better understand the world through projects designed based on UN Sustainable Development Goals, both of which have significantly increased the motivation and empathy of his students.

Name: Catherine Clemente
Position: Head of English Teaching/Homeroom Teacher
School: Journey Academy of Beijing

Catherine joined Journey Academy when the school was first founded in 2016. She is a certified early years educator. She holds a degree in elementary education and has 17 years’ teaching experience. With extensive teaching experience as lead teacher in an international school, Catherine is currently the Academic Leader and Head of English Teaching at Journey Academy. She is an inspiring teacher, always telling her students that knowledge not only comes from books, but also from observing nature and the environment around us, from communication and cooperation, and from reflecting on our explorations. She is a supportive colleague, always reminding staff to build a positive environment for children and support their brave adventures. She is also a loving mother, bringing all JA children together to start a journey of exploration and unlimited discovery.

Name: Martina Xiang 向容
Position: Academic Supervisor, English teaching department; CASA lead teacher
School: Kidtopia

Martina graduated from Beijing Language and Culture University with a bachelor’s degree in English language. In her nine years of Montessori teaching experience, she has deeply cultivated and practiced Montessori theories and helped children to develop their minds. During her classroom teaching, she has provided parents with professional education guides and practical at-home teaching suggestions by holding parent workshops, parent salons, and parent reading clubs, offering parents scientific parenting awareness, and helping them to establish effective methods of parenting to help their children grow up in a harmonious atmosphere. Through a large number of teaching and research conferences, the teachers in the kindergarten have obtained professional knowledge and theories, improved their teaching skills, and indirectly helped the children to develop better. Martina is also dedicated to lifelong learning, visiting, and studying in the Montessori environment in Taiwan and overseas.

“Follow the child” is one of her favorite Montessori theories. In continuous practical teaching, she adheres to the child-centered approach, through observation, discovering children’s interests, guiding students in accordance with their aptitude, and assisting children in their growth with a professional attitude.

Name: Martin Wigley
Position: English Curriculum Coordinator
School: New Oriental Academy

Martin hails from the UK and has more than seven years of teaching experience. He holds a master’s degree in education, a master’s degree in creative writing, and a bachelor’s degree in media studies. He began his teaching career in Bangkok, where he worked as an ESL teacher at a number of prestigious private schools. This gave him a great foundation in teaching English to those students who are approaching the language with little-to-no background knowledge. Later, he began working as a homeroom teacher at an international school where he gained valuable experience with inquiry-based curriculums.

Martin is currently the grade 5 homeroom teacher at NOA and was recently appointed as the English curriculum coordinator. Martin places a lot of emphasis on inquiry and creating a learning environment that encourages students to inquire and think critically about the world around them. He believes that it is important to provide students with the tools to develop important life skills such as self-management and social skills. Additionally, he values meaningful and effective assessment techniques and believes that assessment should be an ongoing process that not only assesses student progress but also informs future learning and helps to refine curricula.

Name: Louise Chapman
Position: English Teacher/EPQ Coordinator
School: Wellington College Tianjin

Prior to joining the Wellington family, Louise Chapman taught English at an all-girls 11-18 state school in Hertfordshire, before relocating to Tianjin. In the UK, Louise studied for her BA in English and philosophy at the University of Bristol, before going on to study for both a PGCE and Master of Education degree at the University of Cambridge. During her post-graduate studies, Louise specialized in researching the role of reading in secondary schools and is keen on developing whole-school strategies that motivate young people to read. After her second year of teaching, Louise was afforded a fantastic opportunity to accompany a group of sixth-form students around the island of Borneo for an entire month; a trip that sparked her desire to travel and teach internationally. Last academic year, Louise undertook a mentoring program run by the University of Cambridge to become a mentor for trainee English teachers, resulting in her mentoring and supporting two PGCE English students through their training. When she is not teaching, Louise enjoys yoga, reading, and watching live theatre.

KEEP READING: Jing Educators Award 2020: Elementary/Middle School Principals

Images courtesy of the schools