EARCOS Practitioner Presenters’ Biographies

ULKA ADIVREKAR Ulka has been an educator and college counselor at Oberoi International School, Mumbai, for seven years, working with the higher secondary students, supporting them to build their foundation for their career to understand and discover who they are and believe in what they think. She mentors the students to shape a dynamic and creative involvement in the school and the world. She holds a bachelor’s degree in fine arts and a master’s in ancient culture. She has attended workshops for college counseling conducted by IB and SIBSA.

ASHLEY ALFANO Ashley is from Texas and teaches at Concordia International School in Shanghai. She is passionate about early literacy and has attended reading and writing workshop trainings at Columbia Teachers College in NY. Last year, her 2nd grade classroom was featured on Columbia’s Reading and Writing Project website. She holds additional certifications in teaching ESL and talented and gifted students.

ROXANNE AMOR-ROSS Roxanne teaches grade 2 at Saigon South International School. In addition to her experience teaching grades 2-5, she has held positions as an upper grade literacy coach and as a literacy specialist teacher. Before moving to Vietnam, Roxanne worked at the International School of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and in Los Angeles, California.

SHELLEY ARNOLD Shelley is originally from the USA and has been teaching grade one for ten years. Seven of those years have been spent overseas in Dubai and Hong Kong, where she taught under the IBPYP framework of inquiry-based education. While she loves teaching all subjects, she has a special passion for teaching math and fostering the love for learning it in the early years.

PANA ASAVAVATANA Pana is the K-2 technology integration specialist at Taipei American School. She shares her insights on learning on her blog, mspanasays.com. Pana founded an educational hashtag chat on Twitter, #KchatAP (Kindergarten Chat Asia Pacific), and created a global education project called Traveling Teddy (travelingteddybear.com). She holds a B.A. in psychology from Ateneo de Manila University and a M.A. in early childhood education and special education from Teachers College, Columbia University.

AMY ATKINSON Amy is currently the secondary art teacher at ISE, Thailand. She has taught internationally in Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Australia and is a graduate of University of Toronto (BA) and Wollongong University (GradDipEd). She is currently in the ISLP course with Washington State University and University of San Francisco. Besides being a visual artist herself, Amy has worked in IT: web and graphic development and has spent many years exploring mindfulness becoming a certified Reiki practitioner and a Feng Shui Consultant (under Feng Shui Master Joseph Yu). MICHAEL E. BALDWIN Mike has presented at education conferences in the United States and internationally. He has published journal articles on topics from standardized testing, inquiry instruction, to science education. He has experience as a curriculum specialist, campus administrator, and science instructor. He has taught biology, chemistry, physics, AP science courses, education leadership, and pre-service science courses. Presently he is the curriculum coordinator and science teacher at the Dalian American International School in China.

EMMA BARNES Emma is currently the elementary counsellor and wellbeing coach at Suzhou Singapore International School in Suzhou, China. She has been involved in the therapeutic and educational field for over 20 years. Previously, she worked in clinical and private practice as well as lecturing in early years education and infant mental health. She is British born and educated but has developed both professionally and personally working and living in the USA, Israel, Italy, the Middle East, and now China.

PAUL BAWDEN Paul began teaching in Sydney, Australia, and has spent 22 of his 30 years in education in international schools in PNG, Japan, Thailand, and now Indonesia. He is currently the head of secondary at the AIS Pejaten campus. He has an M.Ed in leadership and an MBA. He believes strongly in inclusive education and that sports is the ultimate reality TV.

ROVANNA BAWDEN Rovanna is from Australia and has worked in early childhood up to senior studies across five international schools. She is currently the director of learning support services across the four campuses of AIS Indonesia, stretching from Jakarta to Bali and Balikpapan. She holds a master’s in special ed and in guidance and counseling.

MELISSA BERG Melissa is the middle school counselor at Seoul International School. She is from St. Louis Park, Minnesota, where she worked at a Spanish immersion elementary school for three years. SIS is her first international school. Ms. Berg especially enjoys working with young students in the areas of talent development and team building, as she believes that these skills will best equip children and teenagers to be happy, passionate, and successful students.

KIM BLAISE After 17 years teaching in New York, Kim has joined the world of international teaching. Her family moved to South Korea in August and they haven’t looked back. She feels lucky to teach in a progressive preschool, a dynamic public school in Lower Manhattan, and an intense public school in the suburbs of NYC. She continues to grow everyday, especially at their new home at Chadwick International School.

ELAINE BROOKER Elaine is a primary school teacher hailing from Ireland. She has 12 years of experience teaching a variety of levels and has taught in Korea, Costa Rica, and China, where she is currently teaching preschool. Her life is surrounded by young children, with three daughters aged 6, 4, and 2 as well as her wonderful class of 4-year olds, and it is at this level that she feels most passionate about teaching.

TIM BUNN Tim has been a educational psychologist in England for over 20 years, working in local authority and private schools. His doctorate was on interventions in (UK) years 3 & 4 for children with literacy difficulties. He was a teacher for nine years and an SEN officer for eight years. He was the Dyslexia Association of Singapore Research officer for 18 months and is now a full time consulting educational psychologist with the DAS working with students from the international and Ministry of Education schools.

SHELLEE BURROUGHS Shellee is a UK and Canadian trained art psychotherapist with over 10 years of experience working with traumatized children and adolescents. Her areas of experience include child and adolescent mental health disorders, children in the care system, refugee children, and supporting individuals who have been sexually abused.

CHRIS CAPADONA Chris is currently the curriculum coordinator for Chiang Mai International School. Prior to his current role he held leadership positions as an instructional specialist K-12, social studies curriculum specialist, and for the Arizona Department of Education and Maricopa County Educational Services Agency. He is a member of the National Council of Social Studies, National Council for History Education, former board member of the Arizona Council of History Education, and adjunct faculty for Arizona State University.

BETH CARLIN Beth is a fourth grade teacher who likes cats and tea. Liana Gilb is a fourth grade teacher who likes dogs and coffee. The fourth grade dynamic duo have been infusing sarcasm and joy into the learning process at the Thai Chinese International School in Bangkok for two years. They pride themselves on their use of adjectives and grandiose gestures.

JOANNE CHANG Joanne has been teaching kindergarten for nine years. She is the mother of two boys who have challenged and changed her thinking about violent play themes.

EVELYN CHAVERIAT Evelyn is the Academic Counselor for elementary at Concordia International School in Shanghai. She was previously a certified trainer for Institute for Multi-Sensory Education which provided training nation wide in United States for Orton-Gilliingham. Evelyn has a Masters degree in Elementary Education and Reading. She has taught in Bolivia, United States, Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong. Evelyn owned and provided reading remediation for Petoskey Reading and Tutoring in Michigan before arriving in Shanghai in 2009.

MIHOKO CHIDA Mihoko is currently the curriculum coordinator at Nishimachi International School in Tokyo, Japan. She works to drive curriculum, improve assessment practice, and facilitate conversations about best instructional practice. Before this position, she spent 12 years teaching upper elementary, serving as literacy coach and team leader. She earned a B.A. from Occidental College and a M.Ed. from University of California, Los Angeles. MELANIE CHUA Melanie is the grade 2 homeroom teacher at Cebu International School. She is currently in her third year of teaching. She is a graduate of De La Salle University, Manila, and specializes in early childhood education. In her spare time, Melanie creates digital layout and design for print ads. Her skills in layout design are useful tools in encouraging her students to create a published work.

MINQI CHUA Minqi is a specialist psychologist with the Dyslexia Association of Singapore. She has extensive experience in the assessment of children with special needs and also has a keen interest in working with students with dyslexia. She has taught students in a government primary school as well as provided specialist literacy remediation to students with dyslexia.

SANDRA CLARK-GUILLOTEL Sandra is a second grade and foreign language teacher with 30 years experience spanning primary school to adult education. She has worked in Canada, Germany, Mexico, Singapore, Swaziland, and the United States. She gained firsthand experience with pragmatics as a foreign language learner in Germany many years ago, and she is currently studying applied linguistics in Singapore where she also teaches English and French language acquisition to high school students.

DONNA CREWE Donna has an MED in counseling and is licensed school counselor and teacher. Before TAS, she had 29 years in secondary school counseling.

STACY CROWELL Stacy teaches middle school EAL at Saigon South International School. She has previously taught HS EAL at The American International School of Muscat in Oman and ES EAL in St. Louis, MO. Stacy is both passionate about empowering students to be intentional and reflective about their learning and helping them to cultivate the critical thinking skills to be successful lifelong learners.

SOPHIE DELAPORTE Sophie has been teaching French and Spanish in HS for the past 13 years. Originally from France, she moved to Ontario, Canada, in the late 90s. She has a BA in foreign languages applied to international business with a specialty in translation in French, English and Spanish. Sophie taught in Canada for most of her career. She also taught in Mexico and moved to China three years ago. She currently leads the FAL, French native, and IB Spanish programs in MS and HS at Shekou International School.

JAMES DENBY James has been a MS humanities teacher at ISB for the past seven year. He also presented at Learning 2.014 as well as led a variety of professional development sessions at ISB.

AMY DIEFENDORF Amy is a nationally board certified counselor (US) with seventeen years of experience in counseling students from diverse backgrounds. She enjoys developing new counseling ideas to address the age-old problems in school and working with a school-wide team to change student behavior.

KIRSTEN DURWARD Kirsten Durward is the ES learning coach at the International School of Kuala Lumpur, working with faculty to implement research-based strategies that enhance student learning. Her 22 years of experience at six different international schools give her a wide perspective on learning approaches. As an IBPYP workshop leader and CBCI trainer, she regularly supports professional learning on literacy, inquiry, assessment, and transdisciplinary learning.

JOHN EVERET John is part of the middle school counseling team at Shanghai American School, Puxi Campus. They believe child protection is obtainable in the international school setting and that the school counselor plays a vital role helping to reshape parental perspectives and equipping families with new tools to create a positive family environment.

ROMY FRIEDMAN Romy attended McGill University in Montreal, Canada, to complete a bachelor of science, and went on to Trent University to complete her bachelor of education. Romy comes to BCIS having just completed her master of arts degree in science education at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. Having worked in two previous international schools, Romy is very excited to be now working in China. An avid traveller and explorer, she is currently exploring Asia.

SHERRY FU Sherry received her degrees from the University of Queensland and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in speech pathology while working as an SLP at Taipei American School. She has been working in Taipei as a bilingual speech pathologist.

DIANNE GAMAGE Dianne is an EAL teacher at NIST, Bangkok, where she has worked for three years. During this time she has participated in teacher in-country service trips to Laos to work with a service project she established in 2008. She is currently exploring ways of further developing intercultural understanding through connection and participation to authentic service opportunities.

KATE GARDNER Originally from Connecticut, Kate spent her formative years moving around the U.S. and Asia. She discovered an interest in motivation theory in graduate school. A certified school psychologist, Kate enjoys using the concepts of positive discipline and positive psychology in her professional work as well as with her own young children. She is delighted to work in a school that is eager to focus more on student strengths and that understands the importance of helping children to flourish. LIANA GILB Liana is a fourth grade teacher who likes dogs and coffee. Beth Carlin is a fourth grade teacher who likes cats and tea. The fourth grade dynamic duo have been infusing sarcasm and joy into the learning process at the Thai Chinese International School in Bangkok for two years. They pride themselves on their use of adjectives and grandiose gestures.

ALIS GORCEA Alis is originally from Romania. She has been a teacher for 11 years and has taught middle school ELD/ESL on three different continents. Currently she is the middle school ELD head of department and 7th grade ELD teacher at Ruamrudee International School in Bangkok, Thailand. She has a masters degree in TEFL and is also attending the current COETAIL cohort.

SYBIL HALL Sybil is the early childhood technology and literacy coach at the Shanghai American School in Shanghai, China. She has been an international and US educator for the last 16 years. Sybil has combined her two passions—literacy and technology—in both classroom teaching and coaching. She believes that technology integration is engaging, requires high level thinking, builds community, and gives 21st century learners authentic and purposeful ways to access information and share their thinking and learning globally.

SONG EUN HAN Song Eun has an MED in education and school counseling. She is a licensed school counselor and teacher. Before she went to TAS, she had two years of teaching.

LINDA HAYAKAWA Linda maintains several library websites, has taught technology at Temple University in Tokyo, and presented workshops on technology and research in Tokyo and Bangkok. She is currently the high school teacher-librarian at the American School in Japan.

JOSEPH HILL Joseph is an elementary school counselor at Shanghai American School. He was born and raised in California; however he considers himself to be somewhat of a global nomad. His career in education has taken him from New York City to San Francisco to Jakarta and now to Shanghai, China. He is passionate about working with and celebrating the diverse strengths among us and creating a place for every student to shine.

SARAH HUEBNER Sarah, raised speaking German and English, is a passionate educator and theatre practitioner. She has been working full-time in secondary education since 2007 and within the IB since 2009. She is currently teaching German language and literature at Suzhou Singapore International School. Previously, she taught German language, drama, and TOK in the U.K. and Germany. She regularly holds theatre workshops on a variety of topics in Europe and Asia.

STEPHANIE HUESTIS Stephanie is from Houston, Texas, and received her degrees from Lamar University (MS, CCC-SLP). She has worked in the school setting for 20 years as a speech pathologist and early childhood teacher.

JOSEPH JASINA Joseph is a teacher of high school English with experience teaching MYP, DP, and iGCSE English in Bangkok, Hong Kong, and currently, Singapore. Having earned his MA in curriculum development from the University of Michigan in 2010, Joseph has striven to apply the principles of backward curriculum design and formative assessment in the secondary English classroom. Joseph has previously led workshops in Hong Kong on interdisciplinary curriculum design in the MYP.

GABRIELA JIMENEZ Gabriela has taught MS Spanish at ISB for the last 10 years. She takes an interdisciplinary approach to teaching by collaborating with colleagues across the curriculum. She is a strong proponent of embedding technology in world language classes.

MICHAEL JUNKINS Michael is a certified US occupational therapist who has been working in the international school setting for the past eight years. He has integrated his OT background within the realms of learning support and counselling. Presently, he is an elementary school counselor and student support team facilitator at JIS.

KAREN KAM Karen is originally from Canada and currently resides in Hong Kong. As an educator, she has worked abroad for the last 14 years in different international schools. She has taught grade 1 students for eight years and is located at the Canadian International School of Hong Kong. She is qualified to teach Ontario and IB curriculum in multiple subjects. Her passion is for finding new ways to make learning fun!

PAUL KANG Paul has been making websites for 13 years. Paul currently works as the webmaster and IT coordinator at Seoul International School. Paul loves to read, play with technology, and spend time with his wife and two girls (one more on the way in February 2015).

NAOMI KELLY Naomi is head of counseling at UWCSEA East and has a wealth of experience working with international schools in Brunei, Australia, and Singapore. Her work with parents and staff in schools has included psycho-education and clinic support.

TANJA KERBS Tanja is the middle school teacher-librarian at The American School in Japan. Before Tokyo, she spent 12 years in Hong Kong teaching middle school students at Hong Kong International School and elementary school students at Canadian International School. KAREN KINSELLA Karen is part of the middle school counseling team at Shanghai American School, Puxi Campus. She believe child protection is obtainable in the international school setting and that the school counselor plays a vital role helping to reshape parental perspectives and equipping families with new tools to create a positive family environment.

JODI KITTLE Jodi has always been fascinated by “meta-schooling” and crossing boundaries. In the role of learning specialist, she found her niche in which to embrace these ideals and pursue methods of implementation, such as the Educational Support Internship program. Jodie is currently middle and upper school learning specialist at Chadwick International in Songdo, Korea.

RACHEL KNUDSEN Rachel is in her third year as the early childhood learning and elementary counselor at Shekou International School. She holds master’s and doctoral degrees in clinical psychology, with specialties in family systems, child and adolescent, and diversity fields. She has a passion for children on the autism spectrum, and believes in systemic psychology, where an individual is looked at holistically, in all environments. She has practiced psychology with children and families in the United States and Norway before assuming her current position in Shekou.

KARLI KONING Karli is a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) and special educator with experience in low-income, international, and metropolitan communities. Her area of expertise is creating programs for students with behavioral needs, training staff, and aiding as a consultant for school-wide programming.

BRIAN KREMBS Brian has been an elementary school counselor at Jakarta International School for the past six years and an active member of the international community for the past nine years. He is passionate about his family, exploring new travels, and about improving counseling practices specifically related to the protection of children.

JENNIFER KREMBS San Juan Island is the place Jennifer calls home when I am not in beautiful Indonesia. This is her sixth year teaching at JIS, and her 12th year teaching art and early childhood education. She feels fortunate to have studied her passion for art and to have her master’s in early childhood education. At JIS, she feels as though she has her “dream job” as both an atelierista and an early years program teacher. When she is not teaching, she likes to spend most of her time with her family (Mr. Krembs, PIE counselor, and her two boys Anthony and Henry). Additionally, she loves exercising her creativity: painting, collaging, creating ceramics, exploring new places through travel, working-out, and spending time with good friends.

PRISCILLA LEIGHTON Priscilla is the student service coordinator at Brent International School Manila. Previously, she spent 12 years in California. She completed a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies and a master’s degree in special education from Azusa Pacific University. She studied autism at California State Fullerton, earned a California teachers credential in mild-moderate disabilities for K-12th grade, and has a cross-cultural language and development credential. Priscilla taught language arts and algebra to junior high special needs students in Los Angeles, California for seven years.

SUSAN LEPRY Sue has taught science and mathematics in the elementary, middle, and high school for over 25 years. While she hails from the US, the majority of her career has been spent internationally. She has been fortunate to have worked in Vietnam, Venezuela, and Azerbaijan to name a few. Sue recently received her M.S. in instructional technology from the University of Wyoming. She also holds two bachelors degrees, one in biology and the other in education from The Evergreen State College.

JULIE LINDSAY Julie is a high school counselor at Brent International School Manila where she tries hard to educate her parent community while caring for her students. Julie has presented at EARCOS in past years on teacher collaboration, building professional learning communities, and has hosted job-alike sessions. This is her 20th year in international schools.

HEATHER LINHARDT Heather currently works for commercial development and sustainability at Hong Kong Academy. Formerly, she was in Latin America for 10 years, where she was the executive director of Outward Bound Mexico, and founding director of Foundation Fuego Nuevo. She brings to the conference a combined experience of 18 years in education and organizational development in North America, Asia, and Europe. Her current passion is to raise the level of environmental sustainability dialogue in the SE Asia region through student learning and action, community engagement, and strategic partnerships.

JOEL LLABAN, JR. Joel is a grade 5 teacher and ES accreditation coordinator at the Int’l School of Beijing. He is also involved in accreditation team visits representing NEASC and CIS. He is passionate about cultivating a culture of thinking across various areas of adult and student learning. He leads workshops and facilitates a PLC geared towards the understanding of visible thinking. Joel taught at Cebu Int’l School where he also served as a department coordinator and a PD workshop leader on the use of UbD. He holds a masters degree in international education administration.

LEAH LLAMZON Leah is a speech language pathologist who is currently at Singapore American School. Since moving to Singapore in 1998, she has taken an interest in childhood speech and language disorders. Her first job in Singapore was with a local school for special needs of all types. In 2001, she began working for a private practice specializing in children with communication disorders. Her special interest is working with children with social cognitive variations. JUAN CARLOS LOPEZ Juan Carlos is a world languages teacher (French and Spanish) who started teaching in Canada (Calgary, Alberta) and internationally in El Salvador and China. He has taught a variety of courses, including IB. Juan Carlos has been teaching at the International School of Beijing for the last 10 years.

GRAY MACKLIN Gray taught history for 10 years in the US and internationally. He has been a counselor and testing coordinator at Seoul International School since 2010. Gray is also a certified coaching clinic facilitator through Corporate Coach U. He is in the process of completing his EdD in educational leadership.

SHELLY MALDONADO Shelly has been an elementary and/or middle school counselor for the past eight years in the United States, South Korea, and the Philippines. Before school counseling, she was a high school social studies teacher and has worked with students, ages 3-19, in a variety of educational settings.

MARISOL MARANAN Marisol is a TCK who has taught English and ESL. She is currently the elementary school counselor at Brent International School Manila, a position she has held for the past 18 years. Together, Shelly Maldonando and Marisol have presented numerous workshops to teachers and parents to benefit the academic and social progress of all children at their school.

MARGOT MARKS Margot is the primary service coordinator at UWCSEA East, where she has worked for seven years. During this time she has established a three-tiered service program from K1 to grade 5, including curricular links, class service visits within Singapore, and regional service trips that have impassioned students and parents to make change. She has also established a Training Teachers in Cambodia program, whereby expat teachers pass on their knowledge and skills to teachers working in NGO’s in Cambodia.

EMMA MCBRIDE Emma and Neila Steele have 30 years experience between them as educators. They are currently teaching and supporting English language learners, at Nanjing International School. Masters of modeling a ‘growth mindset,’ they bring to you a collection of strategies that have been tried and tested in their classes. Emma and Neila strive to build an inclusive learning community that supports all language learners.

STEVE MCCALLUM Steve has been teaching in early years for over 20 years. He is an advocate for making schools a place where all children’s interests are accepted and valued.

CATHERINE MCKENNA Catie is an early childhood educator with 11 years of teaching experience, 8 being in international schools outside of the United States. She has worked in a variety of different cultures and with diverse communities in various locations throughout the world. Catie’s educational background has a focus on emergent curriculum, and she actively incorporates the Reggio Emilia approach into her teaching communities.

LORRAINE MCMULLEN Lorraine’s teaching experience over the past decade includes Ireland, Germany, the U.A.E. and China. As a teacher of business, economics, and German, a key objective is to teach these subjects in a global context and make them relevant to all students regardless of their cultural background. In her current role as global citizenship/CAS coordinator at WAB, Lorraine is deeply committed to encouraging students to make a difference by thinking global and acting local.

CATH MELLOR Catherine is a play therapist and systemic family therapist with extensive experience working with children and families. She has recently joined the international school community after many years experience working within child and adolescent mental health services in the UK.

MICHELLE MESKIN Michelle is a school psychologist currently working at Ruamrudee International School in Bangkok. Prior to that she has worked as a school psychologist in New York for 12 years. In addition, Michelle has served as an adjunct assistant professor of graduate classes in school psychology at St. John’s University and has been published in the Journal of the Trainers of School Psychologists. Michelle received degrees from the University of Rhode Island (BA) and St. John’s University (MS and PsyD), and holds a permanent certification as a school psychologist in the State of New York.

ROBIN MONTGOMERY Robin is an Apple Distinguished Educator and a media integration specialist at Gyeonggi Suwon International School in Suwon, South Korea. Robin’s teaching career has spanned English, philosophy, and computers. Robin holds a BA in English and philosophy and an MEd. See Robin’s musings at www.coetail.com/rgmontgomery.

MICHELE MOSKOWITZ Michele had been in education for over 20 years as an elementary teacher and counselor (working with elementary, middle, and high school students). She was born in the United States where she lived, attended university, and worked until five years ago when she entered the international school scene.

TIMOTHY MULLIGAN Timothy has Ph.D. in counseling psychology. Before TAS, he spent 12 years in university counseling centers and counselor education/training. KATHLEEN NICKLE Kathleen heads the English language learning program in the middle school at The American School in Japan. She previously worked as a lecturer at Tokyo University in partnership with the University of Montana and as a classroom teacher in Taipei, Taiwan. She completed her MEd program at the University of Alberta, and has research interests in grammar, differentiated instruction, writing feedback, and assessment.

CLAIRE OLIVIER Claire trained in South Africa where she reached the semifinals for the 2014 “National Teaching Awards” for her work with township children. She taught for five years in Rochdate, UK (where she co-founded a children’s charity) and worked for two years in the learning support department at Seoul Foreign School where she now teaches English. She is currently studying French before pursuing her doctorate.

DOUG PARKER Doug is currently head of English at Shanghai American School, Pudong. He has taught English for the past 28 years, in Canada, Mexico, Indonesia, Taiwan, and China. He lives in Pudong, Shanghai, with his wife and inspiration, Lorna.

KRISTIN PARTRIDGE Kristin is an early years teacher and learner. She has been in the field of education for many years and has held myriad roles such as teacher, curriculum coordinator, principal, international workshop leader, department coordinator, consultant, and creator of Reggio Emilia networks. She has worked in the United States, Indonesia, and China. As an educator and advocate for children, Kristin strives to see all the possibilities in children and teachers.

SHIRLEY PENG Shirley has an MA in TESL, an MS in social work, and is a licensed counseling psychologist. Before TAS, she was a therapist in community and university counseling.

KASEY PERRY Kasey is a long-time classroom teacher with a passion for learning—both my own and my students’. I taught in the United States in the ‘dark ages’ and have for the past 45 years been teaching internationally. During my career, I have worked as a classroom teacher, team leader, curriculum leader, literacy coach, and consultant. Since hearing Michael Thompson speak, I have been especially interested in boy writers.

MARIA PETERS Maria is a kindergarten teacher at Taipei American School. She has been teaching for 17 years, 13 in early childhood classrooms. She has taught in Portland, Beirut, Manila, and now Taipei. Maria enjoys extending her students’ thinking by integrating coding in her classroom. She has attended a NXT-G Robotics course at Carnegie Mellon and has a M.A. from SUNY Buffalo and a B.A. from Gonzaga University.

MEGAN PETTIGREW Megan has taught 5th grade, middle school humanities, and is now a middle school counselor. After years of watching students come and go from her schools, she is thrilled to have developed a program that really does ease their pain!

TIMOTHY PETTINE Teacher, coach, and innovation specialist, Tim currently is the technology director at Ruamrudee International School in Bangkok, Thailand. A passionate learner, Tim assists teachers in transforming their instructional design and practice. He has been an educator for 19 years (10 internationally) and holds degrees in humanities and educational technology.

LISA MICHELE PIRIE Lisa is an English language support teacher working with the elementary division at Korea International School, Jeju. Before this, she worked in Cambodia and in the United States. She has an M.A. in special education and enjoys working with students and teachers to address individual learning needs.

TIM PRUZINSKY Tim is an IB English teacher, IB examiner, IB workshop leader, and an author of an English Journal article in March 2013. He currently works at United World College South East AsiaDover where he passionately experiments in his classroom with implementing reading and writing workshop pedagogy within an IB framework. You can reach him at tip@gapps. uwcsea.edu.sg

MARIA RICHARDSON Maria is a Third Culture Kid, originally from New York, currently working in Bangkok, Thailand teaching 8th grade ELD. For the past 12 years she has been teaching in the Middle East and the United States working in special education and ELD. She received her M.A. from the University of West Florida in special education/ ESOL and is working on her M.S from SUNY Buffalo in integrated studies/technology.

LORI RICHARDSON Lori is in her fourth year as a middle school counselor at Taipei American School. Originally from the US, she worked as a school counselor in public middle and high schools in North Carolina and Virginia prior to coming to TAS. She is a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) and has a special interest in the needs of third culture kids (TCKs).

SCOTT RILEY Across his teaching career that has spanned decades and continents, one constant in Scott’s life has been his love of learning. As a reader, writer, artist, and more, Scott finds inspiration and meaning when picking up anything from a pen to a set of bagpipes. Currently, Scott lives in Singapore with his wife and two children. He is the middle school literacy coach at Singapore American School where he finds additional inspiration from students and colleagues. NOEL ROBERTS Noel has six years experience as an international school counselor. His undergraduate studies are in community psychology with graduate studies in social work. He holds certificates in addiction studies, special needs support, and is an ASCA certified bullying prevention specialist. In the past 27 years he has worked with NYC public schools, The NYC Administration of Children’s Services, NYC Family Court, NYC Department of Juvenile Justice, and the NYC Mayor’s Office of the Criminal Justice Coordinator.

ALYSSA ROY Born and raised in California, Alyssa obtained her bachelor’s in elementary education from Northern Arizona University and a master’s in technology integration from California State University, Fullerton. As a Google Trainer, she is a Google Summit speaker and educate various private audiences on technology tools. Teaching primary classes in California prior to moving to the American School of Bangkok as technology integration coordinator, Alyssa studied different positive technology techniques including project based learning.

CAMARIN SACHDEV Camarin holds a bachelor degree in secondary education and masters degree in counseling from University of Guam. At present she is completing her masters studies in SEN from University of North Hampton, U.K. Other education includes advance studies in transpersonal psychology at ITP, Palo Alto, California, and numerous workshops in counseling and special needs fields. At present she works as a primary school counselor and consultant for special needs at Wells International School, Bangkok. Her targeted future goals include completion of her book in 2015 and continuation with the research in the area of working memory and reading. Her paper on suicide among older people was presented at American Counseling Association in 2005.

JESSIE SACLO III Jessie has been teaching in the elementary department of Cebu International School for six years. He also works as a freelance artist and photographer and teaches part-time at the University of the Philippines. Jessie currently finished illustrating a story app approved by Apple, “The Boy Who Wanted to Catch a Dragonfly” for Mystorya Company in California. This is the first ever English-Filipino-Cebuano storybook app to be sold in app stores worldwide.

DAVID SLADE David has worked in education for over 15 years and currently leads and manages a vibrant high school team in an outstanding international school. His leadership experience has been within schools and local education authorities in the UK. David’s academic profile includes completing an associate degree in natural science, MChem Hons, and currently a masters in applied leadership and management.

JACKALYNN SNOW Jackalynn comes from the mountains of Montana in the United States. She holds a master’s degree in arts integration in education from the University of Montana and a bachelor’s in English language arts and drama. She is passionate about theatre and uses it with students to do everything from practicing simple skills to fighting for social justice. Jackalynn currently teaches at SIS in Indonesia with her husband and two sons.

NANCY SOUSA Nancy is a high school counselor currently working at Ruamrudee International School in Bangkok. Prior to that, she worked at the American School of Bombay in India and schools throughout New Jersey. Nancy received degrees from Rutgers University (BA) and The College of New Jersey (MA) and holds certifications as a school counselor, substance abuse counselor, and National Certified Counselor (NCC).

LAIMA VINCE SRUOGINIS Laima has been teaching creative writing at both the university and high school level for two decades. Using a program of linked creative writing exercises designed to unlock the creativity innate in the unconscious mind, Laima has successfully taught writing workshops in the United States, Europe, and Asia. For five years she was the faculty director of the Stonecoast Summer Writers Conference at the University of Southern Maine and presently is the head of high school English at the American International School of Hong Kong. Under the name Laima Vince, she has published three works of literary nonfiction, a novel, two children’s novels, and a play..

RON STARKER Ron Starker is the middle school librarian at Singapore American School. He spent the first half of his career as a high school counselor and the second half as a high school and middle school librarian.

NEILA STEELE Neila and Emma McBride have 30 years experience between them as educators. They are currently teaching and supporting English language learners at Nanjing International School. Masters of modeling a ‘growth mindset,’ they bring to you a collection of strategies that have been tried and tested in their classes. Emma and Neila strive to build an inclusive learning community that supports all language learners.

HEIDI STEINBRING Heidi is a kindergarten two teacher at Chatsworth International School in Singapore. She has a wealth of experience working with early years students in international schools across the globe and is passionate about helping children learn to love learning from a very young age. Her current focus in the classroom is inquiry learning through play. Heidi is currently working on a master’s degree related specifically to international education and early years students.

JEFF STEURNAGEL Jeff is a high school counselor at Hong Kong International School. He recently completed his doctorate in international education from the University of Minnesota. His research explored factors that contribute to the development of intercultural sensitivity of school counselors in international schools. He is passionate about counseling across cultural contexts and implementing developmental guidance programs. He is a co-developer of the Global Perspective Domain, a foundational component of the International Model for School Counseling Programs. Jeff has worked in international schools for 10 years. PAUL SWANSON Paul is currently working as the technology coordinator for the United Nations International School of Hanoi and tries to help teachers use technology purposefully and creatively. Prior to this, he worked for six years in the United States teaching history, culture, music, and technology at a small high school in Indiana. When he’s not working, he enjoys traveling, training martial arts, playing music, and playing in the ocean.

AMY THOMPSON Amy has been a secondary school counselor for 10 years. She is from Charleston, SC, where she worked in public title-I schools for seven years. Seoul International School is her first international school. As a global career development facilitator, Ms. Thompson enjoys teaching college/ career lesson plans to her student and is always researching new ways to better enable her students to envision and work towards a successful future.

DOUG TINDALL Doug works in the SAS middle school library as a tech coach and library assistant. He has been the manager of a Home Depot store and worked on digital logistics in the US Army.

ROBIN ULSTER Robin have been a MS humanities teacher at ISB for the past seven years. He also presented at Learning 2.014 as well as led a variety professional development sessions at ISB.

MARC VERMEIERE Marc has a B.S. in biology and Asian studies from Augustana College, a M.S. in oceanography from National Taiwan University, teaching credentials from Western Washington University, and his K-12 principal certification from City University. He has taught science and been a MS/HS administrator for 18 years in the in the United States, China, and Vietnam.

COLIN WEAVER Colin is a literacy consultant and coach currently working as a middle school teacher at Hong Kong International School. Since 2006 he has been training teachers from China, Australia, South Sudan, and Thailand to nurture thinking skills in their learners. You can check out more of his ideas on his blog http://thoughtfulliteracy.wordpress.com/ or follow him on Twitter @ThoughtfulLit.

CLAIR WESTON Clair is from the UK and grew up in Reading. This is her second year at JIS, and she is enjoying the school and Indonesia very much. Previously she has worked in international schools in Japan and Africa and also in the UK. She loves opportunities for hiking, camping, and cycling.

TROY WHITE In his sixteen-years as an educator, Troy has worked on four continents and served in a number of roles: from teaching the diploma to being a grade 6 bilingual generalist. Holding an Ed.S in instructional design and technology, Troy is a Google Certified Teacher and a staunch proponent of tech integration. He currently teaches language & literature at the American International School of Guangzhou.

JAIME WILDE Jaime comes from the sunny Okanagan valley, Kelowna, B.C., where she worked as a school psychologist and school counselor for the Central Okanagan district, working with numerous schools from kindergarten to grade twelve. She worked with a multidisciplinary team, which included speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists, resource teachers, deaf and hard of hearing teachers, vision teachers, and learning support teachers. She also worked with the district behavior specialist team assisting in assessments for students with emotional and behavioral needs. She currently works at Canadian International School of Hong Kong as a school-wide school psychologist.

CORY WILLEY Cory is the student advisory coordinator at International School Manila. He previously taught in the US, Netherlands, and Korea, and is currently in the dissertation phase of his doctor of education in educational leadership. He has worked to fortify ISM’s infrastructure for social emotional learning with advisory as a foundation. He also coordinates middle school service learning at ISM. His other interests include reading books, the Boston Red Sox, and “hanging out with friends.” DOUGLAS WILLIAMSON Doug is originally from Miami, FL, and has been an elementary school counselor at ISB for the past 12 years. Prior to that he was is Cairo, Egypt, for three years. A nationally certified school counselor, he has presented at various conferences, including EARCOS, NESA, ASCA, and ACA. Recently he was part of an ACA panel in Hawaii addressing international counseling.

CHRIS WRIGHT Chris is a grade 2 teacher at the International School of Kuala Lumpur. She has been using technology in her classroom for many years but has been amazed at the power of blogging and how it empowers students with choice in their learning.

JEFFREY YACUK Jeff is a USA certified ESOL and Spanish instructor/coordinator. He has spent 10 years coordinating ESOL programs at the HS and MS levels in the U.S. public system. He currently enjoys working in the international circuit where he plans to remain for years to come.

The ETC Advisory Committee Members

(Front L-R) Dick Krajczar(EARCOS), Amy Morretti(ISKL), Robert Appino(SSIS), Keith Allerton(JIS),Dee Mulligan(HKIS), Sylvain Jacques(IS Beijing), Erin McCall(Shanghai AS), Carrie Bennett(ASIJ), Elaine Repatacodo(EARCOS), Marnie Hurst(IS Manila), Vasudha Hurkat(IS Yangon), Ross Tague(IS Bangkok), Ben Robertaccio (Singapore AS), Peter Kimball(Taipei AS).