Lower Secondary

Years of Teaching Experience: 6+
Degree & Certifications: B.A. with Honours in Politics, PGCE, Cambridge Assessment International Education course in IGCSE Literature in English.

Hannah gained both a BA degree and a teaching certificate in the UK before moving overseas, and in 2022, she will complete her Masters in Education. In 2020, Hannah completed a Cambridge Assessment International Education course in IGCSE Literature in English.

Under the HAIS Continuing Professional Development programme Hannah completed professional development training in Dyslexia Awareness, Marking & Feedback and facilitated training in EAL for Classroom Teachers.

Hannah always enjoyed learning and being in education as a student, so progressing to a teacher, where she gets to share that enjoyment with others, seemed like a logical career choice. Her teaching philosophy is to create an environment where students feel moved to learn – engaged learners are motivated learners. 

Fun Fact: Hannah has two cats and one dog, the best pets ever.

Years of Teaching Experience: 10+
Degree & Certifications: Bachelor of Science and Arts; United States Certification to Teach Secondary Science and Mathematics

David wants to inspire students to enjoy and see the relevance of mathematics and to share his passion for science. In short, and to steal a phrase from a former US president, he wants to make math great again.

HAIS is quite a bit smaller than the previous schools where David has worked. Here, he is able to have frequent and personal interactions with students versus merely delivering content, with a detached relationship with his classes as in previous schools.

David adopted his teaching style from teachers that he had in the past, including a few key teachers, Mr Soldo, Ms Wolfe and Mr Schuckman. While in their classes, he was an unwitting apprentice and learned from their teaching styles of consistently being patient and understanding that all students have different ways of learning and processing information. It should be known that David often tested teachers’ patience and the aforementioned teachers were consistent and level-headed with their approach to addressing some of the challenges that David posed.

Fun Fact: David was not very fond of math when he was younger. Now, he finds gratification after solving a problem and getting it correct.

Years of Teaching Experience: 10+
Degree & Certifications: Bachelor of English

Working at HAIS not only brings Hanh a lot of opportunities to improve her English, but also allows her to learn many different things from the teachers, subjects, teaching styles and culture.

Hanh has been teaching as an English teacher for 12 years with kindergarten to teenagers. Her style teaching is “be strict in a nice way” to help students improve both academic and social skills.

Years of Teaching Experience: 6+
Degree & Certifications: B.S. in Health Science, Teachers Board Teacher’s Licence.

Before becoming a teacher, Seth was a hospital technician for eight years, receiving a Bachelor’s of Science in Health Science from the University of Sacramento in California. Seth then completed his US teaching certification, specifically for grade 7-12 Biology. Seth taught Cambridge Checkpoint and IGCSE classes for four years at an international school in Ho Chi Minh City. Previously, he was the head of secondary at a bilingual international school. 

Under the HAIS Continuing Professional Development programme, Seth completed professional development training in Dyslexia Awareness, Marking & Feedback, EAL for Classroom Teachers, Managing Self-Harm and Tackling Low-Level Disruption

Seth became a teacher because he enjoys being engaged and being kept on his toes.

Fun Fact: Seth is an Eagle Scout and has a poodle named BeBe Zahara Benet.

Years of Teaching Experience: 5+
Degree & Certifications: Bachelor of English

By supporting students to progress in their studies, An feels that she can share the joy and jubilation when they achieve their potential. She has influenced by several important teachers in her life who have guided and inspired her in many ways. 

Her teaching philosofpy is to “Learn, Love, Laugh”.

Fun Fact: When she was a little girl, An dreamed of becoming an English teacher.

Years of Teaching Experience: 9+
Degree & Certifications: MSc Chemistry with Industrial Experience, PGCE Secondary Science with Chemistry specialism.

Mark has been teaching in Vietnam for 6 years already and is the new maths and science teacher for the HAIS IGCSE programme. Mark has high expectations for all his students in the IGCSE programme. Mark really enjoys running practical experiments in science, in particular in the field of chemistry. Mark used to teach in Vũng Tàu before coming to HAIS, and in Mongolia before that. Before going into education, he used to work in water hygiene and treatment. 

Mark decided to become a teacher after volunteering to help visually impaired children back in the United Kingdom called Visually Impaired Children – Taking Action or VICTA.  Mark is very happy about teaching at HAIS and looks forward to his time in the school.

Fun Fact:
The faster you are moving, the longer time takes to go by, and the shorter distance becomes. Hard to believe, but it’s true. Last summer my wife and I drove from Hà Nội to Vũng Tàu on motorbikes that cost us less than 5 million VND. Mine is still going strong. POWERRRRRRRRR!!!!

Years of Teaching Experience: 11+
Degree & Certifications: B.A. in Education (Mathematics and History), Cambridge Introductory Training – Lower Secondary Mathematics, Cambridge Extension Training – IGCSE Mathematics.

Dan received his Bachelor’s of Education from the University of Western Ontario, then taught for four years in Canada, before coming to Vietnam. In 2020, he completed two Cambridge training courses: Cambridge Introductory Training – Lower Secondary Mathematics and Cambridge Extension Training – IGCSE Mathematics.

Under the HAIS Continuing Professional Development programme, Dan completed professional development training in Dyslexia Awareness, Marking & Feedback, EAL for Classroom Teachers, Understanding Stress and How to Manage it, Effective Self Care and Positive Relationships.

Dan became a teacher with the simple goal of demystifying Math for all students, so they can enjoy it and be successful. He has since realised that being a teacher goes beyond demystification and that the fundamental mission of education is to help students realise their own goals, and become happy, fulfilled and contributing members of the community.

Fun Fact:
Dan is a big fan of NBA basketball, he has two dogs, Carlos and Omar, and you can usually hear music playing from his classroom while he prepares lessons.

Years of Teaching Experience: 10+
Degree & Certifications: Bachelor of TESOL; Washington D.C. Teaching License 

When in university, Luke had a passion for new languages and cultures. Studying a degree in how to teach English seemed a natural pathway to experience those things. However, his first experiences as a student teacher is what really cemented his love for education. Watching students explore a topic, helping them to find their own voices and seeing the impacts of learning grow and shape them is a truly rewarding experience that he has enjoyed since his first day. 

As a former international school student myself, I have unique insight into what students are going through. I try to use that insight to meet my students’ needs and make learning an enjoyable experience for them. 

With more than ten years of teaching experience and as a father now, Luke feels he has the skills, insight and understanding to create a fulfilling educational experience for our students.

Luke believe that a classroom should first and foremost be a safe place for students to express themselves and take risks. He finds the best learning takes place when students are confident to make mistakes and learn from them.

Following this, having high standards for both himself and his students is very important. In his experience, students rise to meet expectations and even exceed them when encouraged and motivated to do so. For this reason, he believes in pushing his students to stretch themselves beyond what they are comfortable with.

Fun Fact: Luke’s passions involve stories in any shape or form, whether they be in books, movies, games or various other types of media. He enjoys hobby writing, and hopes to one day publish his own novel.

Years of Teaching Experience: 5+
Degree & Certifications: PGCEi from Liverpool John Moores University; Bachelor of Business in Advertising major from Auckland University of Technology

Initially, Linh was introduced to a few Korean students who struggled in their international schools due to the language barrier. Their significant improvement help her to experience an ikigai – a reason for being – That is what she had been searching for throughout her entire career. Becoming a new mum has also given her the motivation and the patience needed for the job. Thus, she decided to make it official with a UK PGCEi qualification and started her teaching journey.  

Linh has worked in education for five years but didn’t think she was ready for a teaching position. Yet her tutoring experience confirmed the calling that she had been neglecting. Her students’ improvements further set her determination. She believes that her prior international working experience in consultancy for higher education contributes to practical and career-oriented lessons that her students need. 

She believes that all students are rough gems. With the right motivation and enough exposure, they will find a place to set root and grow into their best selves. As for teaching content, she strives to create practical and relevant content that has been proven to give a lifelong learning experience to students.

Fun Fact: Linh loves music and can be quite a performer. She was always in her school’s annual performances either singing or dancing from Kindergarten until the end of her university years. She starred in a mime play with a high school friend that got them both quite famous at their school then. She was also in a K-pop dance club at her universities in both Vietnam and New Zealand. So, if you see her suddenly striking a dance move or singing a line or two, don’t be too surprised.

Years of Teaching Experience: 3+
Degree & Certifications: Bachelor of Education in Teaching Chemistry

Through her study of science at University, Jasmine is well prepared to work as a Science Lab Technician and she feels her personality thoroughly suits the role.

By taking a leap of faith to move to a totally unfamiliar environment, she has increased her adaptability and flexibility. Moreover, in order to fulfil the job requirements, she has also improved her management capability, with the goal of becoming a Laboratory Coordinator in the future.

Her educational philosophy is: “By learning we will teach; by teaching we will learn”

Fun Fact: If you are lucky, you will see her driving a motorbike with a chubby Corgi that she “kidnapped” from her neighbourhood.

Years of Teaching Experience: 11+
Degree & Certifications: B.A. (Fine Arts), PGCE, Developmental Lesson Observation.

Frances has taught Art and Design across a range of age groups in both the UK and Hong Kong. She is a skilled painter and drawer and also enjoys printmaking, mixed media, conceptual art and ceramics. She brings a wide range of experience and expertise to the classroom, including the ability to instruct students across a broad range of techniques and processes. 

Under the HAIS Continuing Professional Development programme, Frances completed professional development training in Dyslexia Awareness, EAL for Classroom Teachers, Tackling Low-Level Disruption and Developmental Lesson Observation.

Frances believes in the importance of providing outlets for creative expression at all ages. She feels that the HAIS programmes allow students to learn the fundamental elements of art and explore, experiment, and build on that knowledge, refining their skills as they progress from EYFS into primary, secondary and beyond.

Fun Fact: Frances loves to travel and has visited 37 countries in the last nine years. She is also an accomplished musician and plays piano and violin.

Years of Teaching Experience: 11+
Degree & Certifications: M.S. in Sports and Physical Education, M.A. in American Studies, Teaching Training and Certification Program (Physical Education), AustSwim Accreditation – Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety.

After completing his Master’s in Sports Education, Yoann spent one year in America as a teaching assistant. He then obtained a Master’s degree in American Studies. Yoann has a wide-range of experience with children in varying posts such as lifeguard, camp counsellor, coach, and most recently, as a PE teacher in Hanoi for six years. In early 2021, Yoann completed a Cambridge Assessment International Education course in Primary Physical Education. 

Under the HAIS Continuing Professional Development programme, Yoann completed professional development training in Dyslexia Awareness, EAL for Classroom Teachers, the Teacher Development Program and Middle Leadership Essentials.

Yoann decided to become a PE teacher because he wanted to share his love of sports with children and encourage healthy, active lifestyles. His teaching philosophy centres around teaching students how to be physically active, not just as youth, but to provide them with the tools and knowledge to remain healthy and active throughout their lives.

Fun Fact: Yoann participated in the World Championship of Ping Pong in London in 2013; it was shown live on SkySports TV

Years of Teaching Experience: 25+
Degree & Certifications: Bachelor of Music

Becoming a teacher and educator has blessed Tass with the opportunity to not only teach the facts, but also have some form of impact as a mentor to a student’s development and inspire them to learn to think. In the process, it has also provided him with great real-life communication skills.

Fun Fact: Tass’ family is from Greece! He also enjoys fitness and composing in his home studio.

Years of Teaching Experience: 10+
Degree & Certifications: Bachelor of Science in Childhood Education; Masters in Librarian and Information Science

Katya has over a decade of teaching experience in public and private schools in the United States and internationally in Europe and Asia.

She began her teaching career as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Bulgaria from  2005-2007. This experience gave her an appreciation for exploring other languages and cultures.  

Katya also has experience in bilingual education. Four years ago, she was a founding member of a new bilingual school in Shanghai, China.  She founded the library programme for both bilingual and international students.

Fun Fact: Katya loves to travel and looks forward to exploring Vietnam. She also enjoys running and swimming in her spare time.

Years of Teaching Experience: 2+
Degree & Certifications: Certificate of Training in Library and Information Competence; Bachelor of Tourism & Hospitality Management

After earning a Bachelors in Tourism & Hospitality Management, Thuy An realized that her passion is in education, so she has been pursuing this career and constantly improving herself. Thuy An has been working as an Assistant Librarian at HAIS for 2 years now. She loves working with students, in education and with books, which led her to this job.

Fun Fact: Thuy An loves dancing although she feels she is not really good at it. She enjoys reading and running in her spare time.