Some people join a school. Others become part of its soul.
At Hoi An International School, Ms Liz and Mr Elton are exactly that; a duo of kindness whose presence has quietly shaped our community with love, strength, and grace.
For over four years, this South African couple has not only been part of our teaching team, they have built a life here, as both educators and parents. Their journey is a testament to the kind of school that HAIS strives to be: one that feels like family, and one that truly becomes home.
Before settling in Hoi An, Liz and Elton taught at a boarding school in Zambia, where they weren’t just teachers, they were ‘parents’ to dozens of children living far from home. It was there they discovered the true meaning of nurturing, of seeing every child as someone to care for, not just to educate. That philosophy followed them across continents.
In 2021, they moved to Vietnam, choosing Hanoi as their first destination, where they taught at an international school. It didn’t take long for them to realise that city life wasn’t what they were looking for. From bustling Hanoi to the peaceful charm of Hoi An, they searched for a place that felt right for their own family, a place to grow roots. And when they found HAIS, they found more than a scho
Some people join a school. Others become part of its soul.
At Hoi An International School, Ms Liz and Mr Elton are exactly that; a duo of kindness whose presence has quietly shaped our community with love, strength, and grace.
For over four years, this South African couple has not only been part of our teaching team, they have built a life here, as both educators and parents. Their journey is a testament to the kind of school that HAIS strives to be: one that feels like family, and one that truly becomes home.
Before settling in Hoi An, Liz and Elton taught at a boarding school in Zambia, where they weren’t just teachers, they were ‘parents’ to dozens of children living far from home. It was there they discovered the true meaning of nurturing, of seeing every child as someone to care for, not just to educate. That philosophy followed them across continents.
In 2021, they moved to Vietnam, choosing Hanoi as their first destination, where they taught at an international school. It didn’t take long for them to realise that city life wasn’t what they were looking for. From bustling Hanoi to the peaceful charm of Hoi An, they searched for a place that felt right for their own family, a place to grow roots. And when they found HAIS, they found more than a school, they found belonging.
Today, Liz and Elton are beloved members of our Primary teaching team. In Liz’s classroom, learning is gentle, joyful, and full of heart. She teaches with the soul of a mother, soft-spoken, endlessly patient, and deeply passionate. Elton, known for his calm strength and unwavering kindness, brings balance and thoughtfulness to everything he does, whether guiding students, supporting colleagues, or cheering on a child’s small victory. Liz also leads our basketball team, while Elton coaches swimming, further nurturing students through sport and teamwork.
But what makes their story even more special is that their son, Codlin, affectionately called Đức, a tender nod to their love for Vietnam. He is also an Early Years student at HAIS. Every morning, they walk into school not just as teachers, but as parents, sharing in the same hopes, dreams, and little worries that so many of our HAIS families know.
This unique blend of roles makes their care feel even more real. Their investment in our school community is not just professional, it’s deeply personal. They are living, breathing proof that HAIS is a place where families can grow together.
Outside the classroom, you’ll find Liz and Elton participating in triathlons, cheering at student events, or simply enjoying the rhythm of Hoi An life, one that reminds them of their South African roots. They’ve embraced the language, the culture, and the people. And in turn, they’ve become part of the heartbeat of this town.
At HAIS, we say we are a community. But families like Liz and Elton’s are what make that real.
They show us that when a school becomes your second home, when your colleagues become friends, your students feel like your own, and your child thrives just a few classrooms away, education becomes something more. It becomes life itself.
