The Chief Academic Officer, Academic Director, and Principals all have a rich experience in managing bilingual schools and international schools. The international teachers come from various English-speaking countries (including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia) and are professionally qualified. The Chinese teaching team are all well-experienced teachers from international schools or public schools and are led by academically outstanding teachers. Every member of our teaching team embraces education with full passion and commitment to academic excellence. Each class has an international teacher, a Chinese teacher and a learning facilitator. Teachers will get to know each child as an individual and will offer a personalised education for each child. We offer a unique curriculum integrated with character education.
Mr. Warren Johnston formerly served as the Executive President of Shanghai YK Pao School, and as the Elementary Principal of The German Swiss International School Hong Kong (GSIS). His unique personality, extraordinary leadership, and his insight of both international and Chinese culture have underpinned his high reputation among the International Education Industry of China.
Ms.Feng graduated from East China Normal University majoring in preschool education, served in Xiehe Education Group and has over 15 years working experience in international kindergarten. She used to be the curriculum director and the Chinese director. She co-founded the first nursery project in Yangpu District.
Ms. Viola Zhu is a core member of the development of the Chinese Integrated Curriculum, a Chinese teaching expert, and a pioneer of classical Chinese curriculum design at the primary school level. Ms. Zhu was named as one of ‘the top ten figures promoting reading activities’ in 2016. She has been engaged in teaching and research for more than 30 years, working as the Associate Editor of a well-known education magazine in China called ‘Contemporary Educators’, the Executive Vice-President of the Contemporary Educator Research Institute, and the director of a teaching and research department. Ms. Zhu also has vast experience in editing and publishing and has participated in editing primary Chinese textbooks to a national standard. One of her famous works, ‘100 Short Pieces of Classical Chinese Writings’, is the first textbook on teaching classical Chinese systematically to primary school students and has sold over two million copies since being published.
Juliette has had a lifelong interest in education, and graduated with a first class honours Bachelor and Masters’ degrees in Education from Trinity College, Dublin University. Before coming to China, Juliette worked in Ireland and in the Middle East, teaching in a variety of educational contexts, such as primary education, adult education, and bilingual schools. She believes in the value of a multi-disciplinary, integrated curriculum, which can provide a sound basis for the holistic growth of each learner. She has experience in leading teams of educators through whole-school inspections and takes a particular interest in mentoring new teachers as they enter the profession.
As an Integrated Chinese Curriculum Specialist and Senior secondary teacher, Ms. Yu is dedicated to exploring the potential in every student. Since gradution from Hangzhou Normal University majoring in Management in Education, she has acquired over 10 years of management experience in public and bilingual schools, as well as enriched experience in teaching and designing the cross-disciplinary curriculum. She has previously been given the Exemplary Teacher of The Province and the Rising Star of Teachers awards. During 2018 when she taught primary Chinese and researched Grade 7 curriculum, the achievements made by her both in teaching and researching were published and awarded multiple times by the local government. She has participated in educational research projects with the Shanghai Academy of Educational Science. Ms. Yu traveled to Finland and Singapore, by learning about the primary and secondary education abroad, she has gained a very broad educational philosophy and international perspective.
Ms. Yang has over 12 years of experience serving as the principal of Hengfeng No.1 Elementary School, and over 30 years of teaching experience in the rural primary schools in JiangXi Province and Beida Affiliated High School Shenzhen South Mountain Branch School. Ms. Yang is acclaimed by both parents and teachers for her continued dedication to the creation of a school-wide reading culture, curriculum design and professional development for teachers. With a belief in education as an awakening process, she looks forward to supporting students and teachers though learning activities to find out more about ourselves and the world, to develop our critical thinking and mutual respect, to pursue happiness and independence and learn to appreciate beauty and love.
Sophie Che graduated from Sichuan University, with a Master’s degree in Linguistics and applied Linguistics and studied a Master’s in International Education and Globalization at the University of Bath from 2017 to 2018. She has over 20 years’ teaching and management experience in public and international school and worked as an IB teacher and Chinese curriculum supervisor in Meishi international school of Chengdu. Ms. Che has vast experience in resource managing and Instructional leading, conflict resolution and school cultural development in multicultural settings. She is dedicated to developing students into lifelong learners.
Mr. Christopher Van Volkom began his education career in the United States teaching English Language Arts and Political Science. In 2007, he began his international education journey as a Director of Studies for English First in Shanghai. In 2010, he joined Yew Chung International School (Chongqing) supporting the development of the Secondary program while serving as whole-school Vice Principal and Head of Secondary. During this time, Chris has lead school accreditation with the Council of International Schools (CIS), New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), and NCCT. He is also experienced in authorization and program implementation for the IGCSE, A-level, and IB Diploma programs. Chris is excited to be continuing his 10+ years of education leadership in China as a member of the Shanghai HD team.
