OUR TEAM

To educate the human potential physically, intellectually, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. Through the process of self-actualizing, then transcending as individuals, we believe we can transform the Earth into a more positive, more just, more compassionate and enlightened version of itself.

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” ~Howard Thurman

PEDAGOGICAL LEADERSHIP

Dr. Chris Vicari
Dr. Chris Vicari
Director of QAIS
CEO of Baishan Education Group
Education:
  • EdD in Administration and Instructional Leadership
  • M.S. in School Administration and Supervision
  • M.A. in Teaching English and Italian
  • B.A. in English and Italian
Certifications:
  • New York State Teaching License English and Italian Grades 7-12
  • New York State School Administration and Supervision License
  • New York State School District Administrator License
  • American Montessori Society (AMS) Administrator Certification
  • IB Leadership Certification: PYP • MYP • DP
  • IB DP English Literature Certification
  • Positive Discipline Trainer Certification
  • CQSMA Team Evaluator
Honors & Awards:
  • Association of China and Mongolia International Schools Tom Uimet Leadership Award Inaugural Recipient (2025)
  • Class Nobel Educator of Distinction Award (2009)
  • USA Disney Teacher of the Year (2006)
  • Kinder Excellence in Teaching Award National Finalist (2006)
  • New York State English Council Educator of Excellence Award (2006)
  • National Honor Roll Outstanding American Teacher (2006)
  • New York City Teacher of the Year (2003 • 2005)
  • NYU Teaching Team for Italian Language (1997 – 1998)
  • Fulbright Scholarship to Bologna (1995 – 1997)
  • University of Notre Dame Scholar Award (1991 – 1995)
  • John F. Kennedy Memorial Citizenship Award (1991)
Kevin Wheeler
Kevin Wheeler
Assistant Director
Upper School Principal
Education:
  • M.A.T. Secondary Social Studies Harvard University
  • Harvard Graduate Certificate in Leadership
Certifications:
  • IB Educator Network Development
  • DP Coordinator
  • IB Workshop Leader
  • IB DP Examiner
  • IB MYP and DP Evaluation Leader
Consuelo Ravago
Consuelo Ravago
PYP Coordinator
Lower School Admin Assistant
Education:
  • Master of Arts in Education
  • Bachelor of Secondary Education in English
Certifications:
  • IB PYP Category 1 and 2
  • IB PYP Making the PYP Happen
Jakub Grzeszczuk
Jakub Grzeszczuk
MYP Coordinator
MYP DP Biology Teacher
DP ESS Teacher
Education:
  • M.A.T. Secondary Social Studies Harvard University
  • Graduate Certificate in School Management and Leadership
Certifications:
  • IB Educator Network Development
  • DP Examiner
  • IB MYP and DP Evaluation Leader
Stella Zhao
Stella Zhao
DP Coordinator
MYP DP Language Acquisition Teacher
Education:
  • Master of International Education of Chinese Language
  • Bachelor of Chinese Language and Literature
Certifications:
  • IB Workshop Leader
  • IB DP Examiner
  • Senior High School Teacher Qualification Certificate
Christopher Lehane-Kendrick
Christopher L-Kendrick
MYP DP Math Teacher
Head of Department
Education:
  • M.Ed. in Educational Leadership
  • PGCE in Secondary Mathematics
Certifications:
  • IB DP Mathematics Examiner
  • Leader Technology Workshop

MONTESSORI TODDLER TEAM

Citizenship: Lithuania
Years in Education: 14
Joined QAIS: 2020

Rita Miao 

Montessori Toddler Bamboo Cottage

Lead Teacher 

Citizenship: China
Years in Education: 16
Joined QAIS: 2017

Jessica Wang 

Montessori Toddler Bamboo Cottage

Co-Teacher

Citizenship: China
Years in Education: 9
Joined QAIS: 2017

Serene Du 

Montessori Toddler Bamboo Cottage

Teacher Assistant 

Citizenship: China
Years in Education: 19
Joined QAIS: 2021

Lucy Qu

Montessori Toddler Bamboo Cottage

Teacher Assistant

EARLY CHILDHOOD-MONTESSORI-IB PYP TEAM

Citizenship: Philippines
Years in Education: 25
Joined QAIS: 2022

Hyacinth Masigman

Montessori EC Plum Blossom Cottage

Lead Teacher & Montessori Team Leader

Citizenship: China
Years in Education: 16
Joined QAIS: 2017

Kirsten Li

Montessori EC Plum Blossom Cottage

Co-Teacher

Citizenship: China
Years in Education: 13
Joined QAIS: 2022

Daisy Pang

Montessori EC Plum Blossom Cottage

Teacher Assistant 

Citizenship: Venezuela
Years in Education: 10
Joined QAIS: 2022

Lilianeth Morales

Montessori EC Lotus Cottage

Lead Teacher

Citizenship: China
Years in Education: 15
Joined QAIS: 2011

EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Early Childhood Education

Mia Xiao

Montessori EC Lotus Cottage  

Co-Lead Teacher 

Citizenship: China
Years in Education: 20
Joined QAIS: 2009

EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Early Childhood Education

Suzy Cui 

Montessori EC Lotus Cottage  

Teacher Assistant 

Citizenship: Sri Lanka
Years in Education: 10
Joined QAIS: 2022

EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education

Shabina Bastiansz 

Montessori EC Lavender Cottage

Co-Lead Teacher 

Citizenship: China
Years in Education: 9
Joined QAIS: 2020

EDUCATION:
Master of Foreign Linguistics and Applied Linguistics

Krystal Liu

Montessori EC Lavender Cottage

Co-Lead Teacher 

MONTESSORI & IB PYP LOWER ELEMENTARY TEAM

Citizenship: Nigeria
Years in Education: 20
Joined QAIS: 2022

EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Arts in English

Olanike Elizabeth I. Kolapo

Azalea Cottage Lead Teacher

Montessori Specialist 

Citizenship: South Africa
Years in Education: 14
Joined QAIS: 2025

EDUCATION:
MA in Library and Information Science
BA in Information Science

Lugisani Samuel Ramugondo 

Azalea Cottage Language Specialist 

Citizenship: China
Years in Education: 15
Joined QAIS: 2012

EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Chinese language and literature

Hailey Chen 

Azalea Cottage TA 

Chinese Language Teacher 

Citizenship: China
Years in Education: 13
Joined QAIS: 2012

EDUCATION:
Master of Art Design (Ceramic)

Li Yan 

Sunflower Cottage Lead Teacher

Citizenship: USA
Years in Education: 10
Joined QAIS: 2023

EDUCATION:
Master of Arts in Teaching

Kandice Jeffers 

Sunflower Cottage Literacy Specialist 

Citizenship: China
Years in Education: 16
Joined QAIS: 2017

EDUCATION:
Master of Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language

Veronica Huang 

Sunflower Cottage TA  

Chinese Language Teacher 

IB PYP GRADES 3-5 TEAM

Citizenship: Morocco
Years in Education: 9
Joined QAIS: 2021

EDUCATION:
Master of English Literature
Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence

David Nazari

IB PYP Grade 3 Homeroom Teacher 

Citizenship: China
Years in Education: 6
Joined QAIS: 2018

EDUCATION:
Master of Social Science

Daisy Yang 

Grade 3 Teacher Assistant 

Chinese Language Teacher 

Citizenship: USA
Years in Education: 15
Joined QAIS: 2021

EDUCATION:
Master’s in Diversity and Education (will be completed in August)
Bachelor of Science in Economics and Business

Kenneth John Hall 

IB PYP Grade 4 Lead Teacher 

Lower School Events Coordinator 

Citizenship: China
Years in Education: 8
Joined QAIS: 2017

EDUCATION:
Master's degree in education

Gloria Qiao 

IB PYP Grade 4 Teacher Assistant 

Chinese Language Teacher 

Citizenship: Philippines
Years in Education: 10
Joined QAIS: 2024

EDUCATION:
Master of Elementary Education
Bachelor of Elementary Education

Alyssa Mae E. Oblefias 

IB PYP Grade 5 Lead Teacher 

Citizenship: UK
Years in Education: 12
Joined QAIS: 2024

EDUCATION:
Master of Arts in Education

Joseph P. Reynolds Acland 

IB PYP Grade 5 Language and

Literacy Specialist 

Citizenship: China
Years in Education: 6
Joined QAIS: 2020

EDUCATION:
Master's degree in international education

Judy Li 

IB PYP Grade 5 Teacher Assistant  

Chinese Language Teacher 

LOWER SCHOOL CHINESE LANGUAGE TEAM

Citizenship: China
Years in Education: 19
Joined QAIS: 2006

EDUCATION:
Master of International Chinese Language Education

Yuan Hui 

Chinese Language Teacher 

Citizenship: China
Years in Education: 21
Joined QAIS: 2010

EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Economic Management

Apple Liu 

Chinese Language Teacher 

Citizenship: China
Years in Education: 1
Joined QAIS: 2025

EDUCATION:
Master of Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages

Lynne Cui 

Chinese Language Teacher 

UPPER SCHOOL TEAM

Citizenship: USA
Years in Education: 16
Joined QAIS: 2021

EDUCATION:
Master of Arts in Teaching: Secondary English
Master of Arts in Literature and Cultural Studies

Ryan Edward Kalb  

Head of Language & Literature Department

DP English Language & Literature

TOK Coordinator

ATL Coordinator 

Student Council (STUCO) Advisor  

Citizenship: USA
Years in Education: 8
Joined QAIS: 2025

EDUCATION:
Master of Arts in Education
Bachelor of Arts in English, Secondary Education

Madeleine Victoria Dondit 

MYP English A Language & 

Literature Teacher 

Citizenship: China
Years in Education: 11
Joined QAIS: 2017

EDUCATION:
Master of Chinese Language and Literature

Bowen Li 

IB MYP/DP Chinese Language Teacher 

Citizenship: Korea
Years in Education: 20
Joined QAIS: 2017

EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Arts in Korean Language and Literature

HONORS & AWARDS:
IB Asia-Pacific Korean DP & MYP Workshop Leader
Qualified Screenwriter
Holder of 10 registered copyrights

Joon Yeong Park 

Korean Language and Literature Teacher

Korean College Counselor

Korean Community Liaison

Citizenship: China
Years in Education: 1
Joined QAIS: 2025

EDUCATION:
Master of Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages

Lynne Cui 

Chinese Lanaguage Teacher 

Citizenship: Kazakhstan
Years in Education: 10
Joined QAIS: 2025

EDUCATION:
Master of Arts in English Language Teaching

Gaukhar Shakirova 

MYP & DP English B Language

Acquisition Teacher

MYP & DP ESL Teacher 

Citizenship: China
Years in Education: 10
Joined QAIS: 2015

EDUCATION:
Master of International Education of Chinese language
Bachelor of Chinese language and Literature

Stella Zhao 

DP Coordinator 

MYP/DP Language Acquisition Teacher

Citizenship: Kazakhstan
Years in Education: 8
Joined QAIS: 2023

EDUCATION:
Master of Arts in Translation Studies
Bachelor of Education in Teaching English as a Foreign Language

Aisulu Kurmanova 

MYP & DP English B Language Acquisition Teacher 

Service as Action Coordinator (SAC) 

Community Service Coordinator 

Citizenship: USA
Years in Education: 10
Joined QAIS: 2019

EDUCATION:
Master of Science in Education

CERTIFICATIONS:
IB Workshop Leader
IB EE Examiner
CIS Accreditation Evaluator

Jessica Muriel Tsuchiya 

MYP/DP English Language Acquisition Teacher

Personal Project Coordinator 

EE Coordinator 

Citizenship: China
Years in Education: 19
Joined QAIS: 2006

EDUCATION:
Master of International Chinese Language Education

Yuan Hui 

Chinese Language Teacher 

Citizenship: China
Years in Education: 2
Joined QAIS: 2023

EDUCATION:
Master of TESOL

Cecelia Wang

IB MYP/DP Chinese Language Teacher 

Citizenship: Spain
Years in Education: 5
Joined QAIS: 2024

EDUCATION:
Master of Arts in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language
PGCEi
Bachelor of Arts in Humanities

Rafael Zamorano Verdu

MYP Individuals & Societies Head of Department

MYP Individuals & Societies Teacher

MMUN Coordinator

Citizenship: Kazakhstan
Years in Education: 6
Joined QAIS: 2024

EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology

Alzhan Achilov 

MYP Humanities Teacher 

DP Economics Teacher 

Citizenship: Ireland
Years in Education: 11
Joined QAIS: 2025

EDUCATION:
Master's in information technology
Master of Business

Farzad Azizi 

QAIS DP Business Management 

AWS Humanities  

AWS Community-Activity-Service (CAS) Coordinator 

Citizenship: USA
Years in Education: 11
Joined QAIS: 2025

EDUCATION:
Master of Arts in English Language Learners
Bachelor of Science in Biology Education and Earth and Space Sciences
Bachelor of Arts in Human Development and Family Science

Mark Joseph Burman 

MYP Integrated Science Teacher 

Citizenship: Poland
Years in Education: 8
Joined QAIS: 2022

EDUCATION:
Master of Sciences in Biology
Bachelor of Sciences in Biology

Jakub Grzeszczuk 

MYP Coordinator 

MYP/DP Biology Teacher 

DP ESS Teacher 

Citizenship: Turkey
Years in Education: 20+
Joined QAIS: 2025

EDUCATION:
Master of Education in Educational Leadership
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

Murat Kaya 

MYP & DP Chemistry Teacher 

Citizenship: UK
Years in Education: 13
Joined QAIS: 2024

EDUCATION:
PGCE Secondary Science (Physics)
Bachelor of Science (Hons.) in Physics

Richard Michael Jones 

Head of Science Department 

MYP & DP Physics Teacher 

CAS Coordinator 

Citizenship: Indonesia
Years in Education: 7
Joined QAIS: 2025

EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

Arief Pratama

MYP & DP Mathematics Teacher 

Citizenship: UK
Years in Education: 12
Joined QAIS: 2022

EDUCATION:
M. Ed in Educational Leadership
PGCE in Secondary Mathematics

Christopher Lehane-Kendrick 

Math Department Head 

MYP/DP Math Teacher 

Exams & Data for Teaching & Learning Coordinator (EDTLC) 

Citizenship: UK
Years in Education: 5
Joined QAIS: 2023

EDUCATION:
PGCE Secondary Mathematics
Bachelor of Science in Physics

Harry Peter Phillips 

MYP & DP Mathematics Teacher 

Community Project Coordinator 

Citizenship: USA
Years in Education: 10
Joined QAIS: 2023

EDUCATION:
Master of Arts in Technology Specialist

REWARDS:
2021 Nanshan Outstanding Teacher Award
2019 INA Innovation Awards Grand Prize Winner, Columbia University

M. Gannett W. Cassidy 

MYP & DP Design Teacher 

SPECIALISTS

Citizenship: USA
Years in Education: 37
Joined QAIS: 2013

EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Music with a Minor in Education

Charla Ann Esser 

Baishan Education Group Arts Director 

PYP Music Teacher 

MYP Choir Teacher 

Citizenship: USA
Years in Education: 13
Joined QAIS: 2023

EDUCATION:
Master of Education in Music
Master of Arts in Music Education

Michael J. Sobolak 

MYP/DP Music Teacher 

MYP Band Teacher 

Baishan IMYC Music Teacher 

Citizenship: USA
Years in Education: 17
Joined QAIS: 2019

EDUCATION:
Master of Science in Childhood Education

Kimihiro Tsuchiya 

Head of PHE Department 

PYP/MYP PHE Teacher 

Citizenship: Samoa
Years in Education: 8
Joined QAIS: 2021

EDUCATION:
Masters in education

Laki Faamamafa

Full School P.E. and Health Teacher 

Citizenship: India
Years in Education: 18
Joined QAIS: 2021

EDUCATION:
M.Ed. in Advanced Teaching at the Secondary Level
MFA in 2-Dimensional Art, Art History and Art Aesthetics

HONORS & AWARDS:
Ngoma Award: Best Female Artist, Zambia

Vandita Sahay 

MYP & DP Visual Arts Teacher 

Citizenship: Belarus
Years in Education: 11
Joined QAIS: 2024

EDUCATION:
Master’s in Multidisciplinary Studies

Hanna Siankevich 

PYP Art Teacher 

Citizenship: Canada
Years in Education: 30+
Joined QAIS: 2024

EDUCATION:
M.Ed. Leadership and Learning in Inclusive Education
Bachelor of Education in Early Years Education

Krista R. Sifton 

BEG Director of Learning Support 

Citizenship: USA
Years in Education: 15
Joined QAIS: 2022

EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Science in Biology (Economics Minor)

Evan Charles Brewster 

English Foundation Teacher 

Citizenship: China
Joined QAIS: 2019

EDUCATION:
Bachelor of English

Kerry Yu  

Librarian 

Citizenship: USA
Years in Education: 25+
Joined QAIS: 2024

EDUCATION:
PhD. in International Literacy, Culture & English Language Education
Master of Science in International Literacy, Culture & English Language Education
Master of Science in Education & Technology

Dr. Kierstan F. Connors 

BEG Director of College & Careers Counseling 

ADMINISTRATION

Citizenship: China
Years in Education: 24
Joined QAIS: 2006

EDUCATION:
Master of Educational Leadership

CERTIFICATIONS:
Principal Certificate
IB Governor Certificate
Safeguarding and Child Protection Advanced course

Lily Xing 

Business Manager 

COO of Baishan Education Group 

Citizenship: China
Years in Education: 22
Joined QAIS: 2015

EDUCATION:
Master of Translation Studies

CERTIFICATIONS:
Safeguarding and Child Protection Advanced course
ACAMIS PeerSphere: Safeguarding/Child Protection
ACAMIS PeerSphere: Administrator

Min Luo 

Administrative Director 

Citizenship: South Africa and British
Years in Education: 12
Joined QAIS: 2019

EDUCATION:
Master of Laws
Bachelor of Laws

Comine Howe 

Director of Communication and Marketing 

Citizenship: China
Joined QAIS: 2014

EDUCATION:
Bachelor of English

Lynn Wang 

Director of Admissions 

Citizenship: China
Joined QAIS: 2018

EDUCATION:
Bachelor of English
MBA - pending

Lulu Xu 

Executive Assistant and Events Coordinator 

Citizenship: China
Joined QAIS: 2019

EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Industrial Design

Miao Guang 

Director of Designer and Photographer 

Citizenship: Canada
Joined QAIS: 2024

EDUCATION:
Bachelor Arts, Honours English
Bachelor Economics and Commerce

Andrew Sifton 

BGE Director of Strategic Development 

Administration & Marketing Support 

Citizenship: China
Joined QAIS: 2016

EDUCATION:
Master's in marketing and management

Amy Tian 

Facilities Manager and HR Director-Chinese Division 

Citizenship: China
Joined QAIS: 2010

EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Business Administration
IB Librarian certificate

 Megan Li 

BEG HR Director-Foreigner Division 

Citizenship: U.S.A.
Joined QAIS: 2012

EDUCATION:
M.S. Electrical Engineering
B.S. Electronic Engineering

Nathan Ashelman 

BEG Director of Technology 

Nationality: China
Joined QAIS: 2025

EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting)

Esther Ma 

Office Manager 

Nationality: China
Joined QAIS: 2018

EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Financial Management

Vivian Zhao  

Accountant 

Nationality: China
Joined QAIS: 2020

EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Accounting

Lavinia Dai

Cashier 

Nationality: Korea
Joined QAIS: 2025

EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Science

Kathy Choi 

Korean Marketing

RecruitmentTranslation 

Nationality: Italy
Joined QAIS: 2025

EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Hospitality Management (graduate in 2026)

Giordano Bellondi 

Marketing & Communications Intern 

Nationality: China
Joined QAIS: 2020

EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Nursing

Angel Wang

Nurse

CONTACT QAIS

info@QingdaoAmerasia.org
(+86 532) 8388-9900
Baishan Campus, Dongjiang, Shazikou, Laoshan District, Qingdao, China 266102
青岛市崂山区沙子口东姜青岛白珊学校

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