Lower Secondary

Years of Teaching Experience: 5+

Degree & Certifications: Bachelor of Business in Tourism Management and Hospitality, Certificate Degree in Sustainable Tourism Management, Diploma in Pre and Primary Teaching, Diploma in French Literature, Master Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language

Marie has spent almost 20 years of her career in the Tourism & Hospitality industry with a specialty in Branding, Marketing and Sustainability. But she always found ways to also be involved in greater education and to perfect her teaching skills. Because teaching others brought her so much joy. Whether it was through teaching Tourism Management to college students, building training programs in the workplace or teaching English and French (her first language) around the world, she always felt most happy in a classroom. Marie is passionate about helping children navigate learning in an inclusive and fun environment. She loves sharing her experience and the lessons she’s learned in the Travel & Tourism business and helping kids and adults learn new languages or advance their literacy skills.

Fun Fact: Marie loves adventure and wildlife travel. She has trekked on many mountain chains (including to Everest Base Camp) and visited plenty of jungles, oceans and grasslands in search of endangered species. That’s her idea of a perfect vacation!

Teaching Role: French

Years of Teaching Experience: 10+

Degrees & Certificates: Master in Education Practice | Grad Diploma in French Language | Professional Specialisation Certificate in Teaching French Immersion | Bachelor of Elementary Education | NCCP Gymnastics Level 1 Coaching Course

Helena’s introduction to teaching began when she was recruited to coach recreational and competitive gymnastics. As a former competitive gymnast herself, she enjoyed creating gymnastics units that focused on progressive skill development and athlete goal-setting in an encouraging environment. This, along with a curated list of the qualities she wanted in a profession (use her creativity, interact with people, make a difference), led her to pursue a career in Education.

She has spent the past 10 years teaching French Immersion in Victoria, BC, Canada, and is looking forward to joining the HAIS team and growing professionally and personally. Although it is mostly in the East of Canada, namely Quebec, where French is spoken en-masse in the country, Helena spent her K-12 education in the successful French Immersion program in Western Canada. Graduating from high school with a Bilingual French/English Dogwood Degree sparked a lifelong love of the French language.

She practiced French with her grandparents while visiting them in Belgium, spent a summer in Quebec City being immersed in Quebecois culture, and eventually decided that teaching French was well-suited to her. After 10 years teaching and finding great success in using the AIM methodology, she is looking forward to enhancing her language-learning pedagogy to suit secondary students in both the French and English World Languages programs. Having grown up on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada, Helena has enjoyed an upbringing surrounded by nature, and has always felt a strong connection to the ocean; building sand castles for crabs and sailing with her father. While living in Australia, she learned to surf and was instantly hooked. She looks forward to finding the surf community in Vietnam and hopes to see familiar HAIS faces out in the waves. Helena is looking forward to sharing her love of the French language, gymnastics and surfing with the HAIS community.

Fun Fact: Helena’s record for holding a handstand is 1 minute and 59 seconds (…although this was recorded 20+ years ago!) – Challenge her to a contest sometime!

Teaching Roles: World Languages Coordinator (EAL & FFL), Secondary Humanities Teacher

Years of Teaching Experience: 10+

Degrees & Certifications: IPGCE, Bachelor of Science (Ecology), CELTA (Cambridge Certificate of English Language Teaching)

I have always had a keen interest in wildlife and the natural world and gained a degree in Ecology from the University of Brighton. After some time doing environmental work, I found my true passion was teaching. I gained a PGCE from the University of East London and have a CELTA in teaching ESL. My teaching career began at an agricultural college in the rural countryside of the UK, which included such topics as teaching students to drive tractors and how to herd wallabies. Since then, I have taught ESL and humanities subjects in schools in Greece, Laos and Malaysia. I am excited to join the team at HAIS and to explore this great country.

I have been head of humanities at two of my former schools and taught several humanities subjects including IGCSE and A level Geography, IGCSE Environmental Management and IGCSE Global Perspectives. I also have experience as Examination Officer and as the teacher lead of the student council. I believe students can gain invaluable skills and experience through taking part in leadership opportunities in school.

I want all students to become the best that they can be and to achieve their greatest potential. I aim to foster a positive learning environment for students and to encourage high expectations of learning.

Fun fact: As a student in school, I was “Chief Herdsman”, of the school steer team.

Dan holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Western Ontario and over a decade of classroom teaching experience in Canada and Vietnam. After many years as a Maths and Computer teacher, Dan has taken on the leadership role in the new HAIS A Level Programme in order to guarantee the best and most successful experience for our A Level students.

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 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: 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: 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: 12+
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: 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.