Meet our talented Secondary Years teachers.

We read over 250 applications each year before carefully selecting candidates for any new teaching positions. All teachers receive 2 weeks of rigorous training before they start and benefit from around 70 hours of ongoing professional development support throughout the school year.

Teachers must be qualified and experienced, but most of all they must be ready to be role models to our students. We know we ultimately teach through modelling and expect all teachers to fully embrace the values of the school and develop personal attributes in line with the school’s 12 Wise Habits.

At Panyaden, we value passion, personality, commitment.

Christine Vithayathil (Kru Christine)

Secondary School Vice Principal, Student Support Coordinator, IB English B

Kru Christine originally comes from a small and beautiful village in the Austrian Alps. She holds teaching qualifications from Austria as well as the UK. In addition, she has a Master’s Degree in English Literature and various certificates in English language teaching. Kru Christine also holds a Certificate of International School Leadership from the Principal’s Training Centre. She is also an IB DP Examiner for English B. After several years of teaching in Austria and the UK, she ventured into the world of teaching in international schools. As an English language learner, Kru Christine feels very passionately about advocating for multilingual learners.

Robert McConnon (Kru Robert)

Middle School Coordinator, Science and Technology, IB Chemistry

Kru Robert has been teaching Science (specialising in Chemistry) for the past 19 years. He studied Environmental Chemistry and Science education at the University of Melbourne and has taught science in countries including Singapore, Vietnam, the United Kingdom, Oman and Australia. Kru Robert has a young and energetic family. His interests include running, music, environmentalism and being outdoors.

 

Paul Sebastian (Kru Paul)

High School and IBDP Coordinator, Social Studies,  IB Economics

Kru Paul was born and raised in Saskatchewan, Canada. He has a BA in Economics (University of Regina, Saskatchewan), an MA in Curriculum; Int’l Teaching (Michigan State, USA), and a certificate in International School Leadership from the Principal’s Training Centre. He started his career in private business development and international trade with the Canadian government before beginning his teaching career at AISB (Hungary) in 1994. He has taught IBDP and IBMYP (Economics, ToK, Individuals & Societies, and various electives) and, for the past 17 years, has also been a principal and head of school.

Aaron Brice (Kru Aaron B.)

Science and Technology, IB Physics, IB Chemistry

Kru Aaron is fascinated by science and loves to learn about how things work. Kru Aaron grew up in Portland, Oregon, where he spent his summers camping and hiking in the Oregon backcountry. In high school, Kru Aaron spent a year as an exchange student in Portugal, an experience that inspired him to later become an international teacher. Kru Aaron earned a BS in Bioengineering from Rice University and worked as a research and development engineer before becoming a teacher. He has taught Chemistry, Physics, and various other science subjects in the US (Florida, Wyoming, California, and Hawaii) as well as in China and Brazil.

Aaron Davis (Kru Aaron D.)

English and Social Studies 

Kru Aaron has always had dreams and ambitions of traveling the world. From a young age, at his home in rural Illinois near Chicago, he would imagine encountering strange cultures and wonder at the lessons he might learn from them. Little did he know that one day his dreams would become a reality as he has had the opportunity to experience the customs, people and traditions of over 30 countries.

 

 

Alan Fleming (Kru Alan)

Middle School Counsellor and Life Skills

Kru Alan comes from Sydney, Australia. Before embarking on his teaching adventures 15 years ago, he worked in the finance industry, where he drew on the knowledge gained from his BA in Psychology, BA in Philosophy (Hons) and Masters of Legal Studies. After discovering the joy of teaching in 2008, he completed his teaching diploma and taught in both China and Thailand for 12 years, focusing on the subjects of Psychology, ToK and English.

 

 

Alana Riess (Kru Alana)

Middle School English Acquisition and EAL 

Kru Alana is from North Carolina, USA, and holds a Master’s degree in Teaching English as an Additional Language. Her nearly 15-year teaching journey has taken her across the globe, with experience in the US, Germany, Peru, and currently, Thailand. Her passion for continuous language learning fosters a deep empathy, which she seamlessly weaves into her teaching practice, enriching her students’ learning experiences. 

 

 

Alejandra Jimenez Ossa (Kru Ali)

Spanish

Kru Ali is from Cúcuta, Colombia, bringing a wealth of experience and passion for education to our classrooms. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Education and Human Rights. Kru Ali’s previous work in Colombia focused on supporting emotional healing for victims of armed conflict and fostering peaceful coexistence within educational institutions

 

Amy Hanson (Kru Amy)

Visual Arts

Kru Amy grew up around Seattle and received her BA in Art Education from Western Washington University. She went on to earn her Master’s Degree at The State University of New York, Buffalo State. With a teaching career spanning Washington state, Kuwait, China, Vietnam, Germany, Portugal, and Singapore, Kru Amy brings international experience to her role as a Secondary Visual Arts teacher. She is passionate about sharing the arts with students from diverse backgrounds, fostering an environment where they can inquire, create, and explore safely.

 

Blair Cameron (Kru Blair)

Middle School Science and Mathematics 

Kru Blair is Canadian and started his teaching career in Toronto. He has taught all ages from primary years to the IB Diploma Programme and enjoys science, mathematics, physical education, and environmental science. He earned three degrees from Queen’s University: Life Science; Physical & Health Education; and a Bachelors of Education. He also holds a Masters from SUNY with a focus on the impact of technology in education.

Bongkot Theppiman (Kru Ying)

Thai Language Coordinator, Thai, IB Thai A

Kru Ying is from Kamphaeng Phet, a province in the middle between Bangkok and Chiang Mai, or next to Sukhothai. Since she graduated from Chiang Mai University, she has taught Thai language and culture at international schools in Chiang Mai for over 13 years. She has been at Panyaden since 2013 and continues to learn and grow in this warm and loving community. Kru Ying is passionate about teaching and believes that education should focus on teaching students a sense of responsibility towards themselves, their community and the environment.

David Quesada Aznar (Kru David)

 Mathematics

Kru David was born and raised in the Mediterranean city of Barcelona, Spain, where he also completed his BE in Industrial Engineering. After several years working in environmental conservation, he embarked on the unique adventure of education, teaching in his hometown and countries such as Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the British Virgin Islands. His passion for teaching goes beyond academics and extends into sports, particularly ultimate frisbee, which he has coached for teams of young and adult players for over a decade.

 

Gabriela Di Muro Arcia (Kru Gaby)

High School Counsellor and University Counsellor

Kru Gaby is originally from Maracay, Venezuela. This is her fourth year at Panyaden International School and her ninth year as an international school counsellor. Since graduating as a clinical psychologist, Kru Gaby was interested in the relationship between psychology and education, which led her to pursue a career in school counselling. Kru Gaby’s role includes social-emotional counselling and university and career counselling. Social-emotional counselling focuses on students’ well-being, both as individuals and as members of our community.

 

Jonathon Burch (Kru Jonathon)

English Acquisition, EAL, IB English B 

Born in the USA, Kru Jonathon spent most of his childhood in London. He holds a BA in Middle Eastern Studies from SOAS, University of London, and is currently pursuing a Master of Education in Advanced Teaching. With a teaching qualification from the UK, Kru Jonathon has been instructing high school students in Turkey for several years, spanning from EAL beginners to IB students.

 

Joseph Barry (Kru Joe)

English Language, Literature and Social Studies

Kru Joe is originally from Wisconsin, USA, and has taught Social Studies, English and elementary grades for 15 years. He began his career teaching in Southern California, spent several years in Colorado, and most recently taught in Kansas City, Missouri. He holds a BA in English Literature from the Colorado College and a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Missouri.

 

Junho Lee (Kru Wes)

Music 

Originally from Seoul, South Korea, Kru Wes holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education – Instrumental Emphasis from the University of Utah. Like many other international students, Kru Wes grew up outside his home country. He spent most of his time in India and Bolivia, where he experienced the powerful connection experience of music across different cultures and grew his dream to become a music educator. His speciality is early Western classical music, and his repertoire contains music starting from the 15th century. He also actively performed in the University of Utah Early Music Ensemble as a treble and bass violist and participated in early music festivals/workshops.

 

Jutharat  Songkham (Kru Goong)

Thai 

Kru Goong was born and raised in Chiang Mai. She has dedicated her life to teaching. She studied Special Education at Rajabhat Chiang Mai University before embarking on her teaching journey. Kru Goong spent her first three years teaching at a public school in Chiang Mai, where she shared her knowledge and expertise with her students. Seeking to expand her horizons, Kru Goong travelled to New York to improve her English skills and teach the wonders of the Thai language and culture. After returning to her hometown, she taught Thai language and culture at an international school for twelve years.

 

Keri Risien (Kru Keri)

Physical Education and Life Skills

Kru Keri was raised in Alberta, Canada, but being the product of teacher parents who loved to travel, she spent parts of her childhood living internationally. Growing up, volleyball was a huge part of her life which led her to where she spent her post-secondary education playing college volleyball and completing her Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education degrees alongside her sister.She has been living internationally between the UK and Qatar for the last five years. Next year will be her fourth year teaching and her first year in Thailand with Panyaden. Kru Keri is joining us to teach Middle School and High School PE and
Life Skills.

 

Linda Breard (Kru Linda)

Librarian, Media and Communication, and IB Extended Essay Coordinator

Kru Linda is originally from Montréal, Canada, and is fluent in English and French. She has a BS in Library and Information Technology (University of Maine at Augusta) and a Master of Library and Information Studies from McGill University. With over 20 years experience as a librarian in 6 countries and 4 IB World Schools, she has a strong background in research support. She is passionate about fostering a love of reading and creating a dynamic library environment that inspires exploration and discovery.

 

Lin, Hsin-Ju (Kru Amy)

Mandarin Acquisition, IB Mandarin ab initio

Kru Amy’s journey as an international Mandarin teacher can be summed up by the phrase “Do What You Love and Love What You Do.” Originally from Taiwan, Kru Amy became certified in teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language in 2007. Over the years, she has combined her passion for teaching Mandarin with her love for scuba diving and exploring different countries and cultures. Before joining Panyaden as a secondary Mandarin teacher in 2019, Kru Amy taught at the United Nations International School (UNIS) in Hanoi, Vietnam and Garden International School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Lindsey Long (Kru Lindsey)

Learning Support Teacher

Kru Lindsey is a nature-loving, holistic living enthusiast from the great state of Michigan. She has an MA in Transformational Healing and a BA in Cognitive Science. As a learning specialist with 14 years of experience in Oxford, MI, Amsterdam, and Dakar IB World Schools she advocates for access and inclusion for all learners. Kru Lindsey is a transformative educator who cultivates a compassionate and supportive learning environment. By infusing her teaching with loving kindness and equanimity, she empowers students and teachers alike to thrive.

 

Richard Ghent (Kru Richard)

PE and Life Skills 

Kru Richard was born and raised on the south coast of England. He came to teaching quite late, having spent time playing and coaching football in Australia and New Zealand, before returning to the UK as a mature student studying PE at both undergraduate and master’s levels.

Ruonan Li (Kru Leslie)

Mandarin Teacher and Student Support TA

Kru Leslie was born and raised on a small fishery island in northern China. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Language and Literature and a Master of Education degree. Additionally, she is a certified IB DP educator and a government-qualified teacher in China. As a lifelong learner, she is currently pursuing the PGCE programme. Kru Leslie has lived in Beijing for 6 years and Hong Kong for 3 years, gaining rich cultural and educational experiences.

Max Werner (Kru Max)

English Language and Literature, Social Studies and Buddhist Education Coordinator

Kru Max was born and raised in Denmark. His academic expertise lies in the fields of social science and the humanities, and he holds a BA in English from Copenhagen University, an MA in History from McGill University, as well as a Master’s degree in Education from McGill University. With many years teaching experience in- and outside of classrooms in both Denmark and Canada, Kru Max has taught students of all ages in a variety of subjects.

Meriska Bock (Kru Meriska)

Science and Technology IB Biology

Kru Meriska is an enthusiastic, compassionate, and goal-driven Science teacher. She advocates for the environment and enjoys being outdoors, hiking, and exploring the ocean and its conservation through diving. In 2013 she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Life Sciences and Psychology; in 2014, she qualified as a teacher after completing a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). Previously, Kru Meriska taught Science and Mathematics in South Africa at an underprivileged school for two years, followed by three years in an international school in Dubai teaching Mathematics. This is her fifth year at Panyaden, teaching Year 8 Science, Year 10 Pre-IB Science, and IB Biology for Years 12 and 13.

Owen Haywood (Kru Owen)

Service Learning Coordinator and Mathematics

Kru Owen hails from Durham, England. He has a BSc in Mathematics from Leeds University and a Master’s in Education for Sustainability from London South Bank University. After gaining his university degree, he started teaching EAL in South Korea for one year, then travelled around Asia with his twin brother for a year. He settled in Bangkok for two years, teaching Mathematics, then went to Laos to build and set up a restaurant in Vang Vieng, where he stayed for five years. Keen to get back into the world of education, he moved back to England to gain his teaching certificate.

 

 

Piti-an Jamoosri (Kru Toey)

Thai Language Teacher

Kru Toey was born in Phijit province in northern Thailand and raised in Chiang Mai since she was 2 years old. Kru Toey loves learning Thai and wants to share her passion with others, so she holds a Bachelor of Arts focusing on Thai Language and a Master’s degree in Education with a specialisation in teaching Thai language, both from Chiang Mai University. This marks her sixth year at Panyaden. She is passionate about teaching and values the learning experiences she gains from her students. Before joining Panyaden, she taught Thai at an international school for a decade and served as a Thai lecturer at Chiang Mai University for four years.

 

 

Shauna Le Conte (Kru Shauna)

Mathematics

Kru Shauna has 14 years of international school experience in Malaysia and Thailand. Originally from Ontario, Canada, the first overseas opportunity was via an Ontario overseas school in Subang Jaya, Malaysia, where Kru Shauna had the chance to teach the Ontario mathematics curriculum to students from a wide variety of nationalities and cultures.

 

Supharada Phasataroj (Kru Yuyii)

Thai and Buddhist Education

Kru Yuyii is originally from Buriram and loves Thai culture, especially Isaan culture. After graduating from the Faculty of Education at Chulalongkorn University, she went to the United States to be a volunteer teacher at Wat Thai of Los Angeles for a year. Since then, she found her passion in teaching the Thai language to half Thai students and non-Thai adults and appreciating the art of living by Buddhist wisdom. Therefore, after returning to Thailand, she decided to work as a Thai teacher at an international school in Krabi for four years. This is her second year at Panyaden as a Thai language and Buddhist Education teacher.

 

 

 Tanawut Panyanant (Kru Benz)

Thai Language and Buddhist Education 

Kru Benz is originally from Tak province, in western Thailand. He loves to read fiction and enjoys watching movies. When he found his passions, he decided to study history, cultural studies, and Thai language. Currently, Kru Benz is a Ph.D. student in comparative literature at Chulalongkorn University. He has published many academic articles which analysing short stories, literature, and films. Kru Benz’ prior experience include two years as an instructor at King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi and four years as a researcher at Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Center.

 

Vineet Singh (Kru Vineet)

Theatre and Film 

Kru Vineet is thrilled to join the Panyaden community as a secondary school Theatre and Film teacher. With over 17 years of experience as a Theatre teacher and Head of Performing Arts, he has designed, scripted, and directed numerous school productions, shaped the drama curricula and established the theatre departments. Post the start of his professional career as a software engineer, he co-founded Edu Art Solutions LLP and United Arts Society, promoting arts in K-12 education through innovative programs and workshops from 2007 to 2015.

 

 

Vinita Nair (Kru Vinita)

English Language and Literature, IB TOK 

Kru Vinita is from India and has been in the city of Bangalore for the last couple of years. She is currently in the last phase of completing her PhD which is in an integrative field called Interactive Fiction, combining literature and technology. Along with teaching English and Theory of Knowledge, she is also an IB examiner and an IB Workshop Leader. She is also a part of the IB TOK Curriculum Review Committee for the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO). 

 

 

 

 

 Napaporn Poovananuwat (Kru Pom)

Student Support Teaching Assistant

ru Pom was born and grown up in Bangkok. She graduated from Bangkok Technical college in Hotel Business. After having a family she changed direction to run her own small garment business. Life took Kru Pom to live in Bali, Indonesia, India and later in Sweden. In Sweden she had opportunities to work with students and decided to take further education in teaching. She studied a two years Art foundation program at Munka Ljungby Art School in Sweden and later studied and earned a certificate in Art Education for Teacher student from Dalarna University, Sweden.

 

 

 

 

Chomnaad Suteevasinnon (Kru Fai)

Science Laboratory Technician

Khun Fai joined Panyaden in 2019, holding a Bachelor of Science degree. She worked at an international school in Bangkok for four years as a senior laboratory technician and supported a science department at an IB school in Chiang Mai for three years. At Panyaden, Khun Fai is a science laboratory technician. She is based in the Science Preparation Room to prepare and deliver equipment and materials for science classes and set up laboratory apparatus. 

 

 

Phatnaree PhahonThammasan (Khun Tukta)

Secondary School Teaching Assistant

Kru Tukta graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna. She has 16 years of experience working in international schools. In her free time, she enjoys running (road and trail), cycling, travelling and reading books.