OUR TEAM
PEDAGOGICAL LEADERSHIP
CEO of Baishan Education Group
- Ed.D. in Administration & Instructional Leadership
- M.S. in School Administration and Supervision
- M.A. in Teaching: English and Italian
- B.A. in English and Italian
- New York State Teaching License: English and Italian (Grades 7-12)
- New York State School Administration and Supervision (SAS) License
- New York State School District Administrator (SDA) License
- American Montessori Society (AMS) Administrator Certification
- IB Leadership Certification: PYP-MYP-DP
- IB DP English Literature Certification
- Positive Discipline Trainer’s Certification
- CIS/MSA Team Evaluator
- Association of China and Mongolia International Schools (ACAMIS) Tom Ulmet Leadership Award Inaugural Recipient (2025)
- Cleas 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’s Outstanding American Teacher (2006)
- Sam’s Club Teacher of the Year (2002-2003)
- New York University (NYU) Teaching Grant for Italian Language (1997-1998)
- Fulbright Scholarship to Bologna, Italy (1995-1996; Extension 1996-1997)
- University of Notre Dame Scholar Award (1991-1995)
- John F. Kennedy Memorial Citizenship Award (1991)
Upper School Principal
- M.A.T. Secondary Social Studies Harvard University
- Harvard Graduate Certificate in Leadership
- IB Educator Network Development
- DP Coordinator
- IB Workshop Leader
- IB DP Examiner
- IB MYP and DP Evaluation Leader
Lower School Principal
- Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction, American College of Education
- Master of Education in Educational Leadership, American College of Education
- Bachelor of Arts: Elementary Education, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
- State of New Jersey Teaching Certification with Advanced Standing
- South Carolina Professional Educator’s License
- PYP Certifications: Making the PYP Happen in the Classroom, Introduction to the PYP Curriculum Model, Leading the Learning
- ICA Certifications: IPC, IMYC, International Leadership & Management
MYP DP Biology Teacher
DP ESS Teacher
- M.A.T. Secondary Social Studies Harvard University
- Graduate Certificate in School Management and Leadership
- IB Educator Network Development
- DP Examiner
- IB MYP and DP Evaluation Leader
MYP DP Language Acquisition Teacher
- Master of International Education of Chinese Language
- Bachelor of Chinese Language and Literature
- IB Workshop Leader
- IB DP Examiner
- Senior High School Teacher Qualification Certificate
Head of Department
- M.Ed. in Educational Leadership
- PGCE in Secondary Mathematics
- IB DP Mathematics Examiner
- Leader Technology Workshop
MONTESSORI TODDLER TEAM
Years in Education: 15
Joined QAIS: 2018
Rita Miao
Montessori Toddler Bamboo Cottage
Lead Teacher
Years in Education: 17
Joined QAIS: 2017
Jessica Wang
Montessori Toddler Bamboo Cottage
Co-Teacher
Years in Education: 10
Joined QAIS: 2017
Serene Du
Montessori Toddler Bamboo Cottage
Teacher Assistant
EARLY CHILDHOOD-MONTESSORI-IB PYP TEAM
Years in Education: 26
Joined QAIS: 2022
Hyacinth Masigman
Montessori EC Plum Blossom Cottage
Lead Teacher & Montessori Team Leader
Years in Education: 11
Joined QAIS: 2022
Lilianeth Morales
Montessori EC Lotus Cottage
Lead Teacher
Years in Education: 11
Joined QAIS: 2022
EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education
Shabina Bastiansz
Montessori EC Lavender Cottage
Co-Lead Teacher
Years in Education: 17
Joined QAIS: 2017
Kirsten Li
Montessori EC Plum Blossom Cottage
Co-Teacher
Years in Education: 14
Joined QAIS: 2022
Daisy Pang
Montessori EC Lotus Cottage
Teacher Assistant
Years in Education: 10
Joined QAIS: 2020
EDUCATION:
Master of Foreign Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
Krystal Liu
Montessori EC Lavender Cottage
Co-Lead Teacher
Years in Education: 16
Joined QAIS: 2011
EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Early Childhood Education
Mia Xiao
Montessori EC Lotus Cottage
Co-Lead Teacher
Years in Education: 21
Joined QAIS: 2009
EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Early Childhood Education
Suzy Cui
Montessori EC Lotus Cottage
Teacher Assistant
Years in Education: 20
Joined QAIS: 2021
Lucy Qu
Montessori Toddler Bamboo Cottage
Teacher Assistant
MONTESSORI & IB PYP LOWER ELEMENTARY TEAM
Years in Education: 21
Joined QAIS: 2022
EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Arts in English
Olanike Elizabeth I. Kolapo
Azalea Cottage Lead Teacher
Montessori Specialist
Years in Education: 10
Joined QAIS: 2026
EDUCATION:
Master of Education (Regents’ Award)
Fliora Fang
Azalea Cottage Co-Lead Teacher
Math Specialist
Years in Education: 16
Joined QAIS: 2012
EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Chinese language and literature
Hailey Chen
Azalea Cottage TA
Chinese Language Teacher
Years in Education: 14
Joined QAIS: 2012
EDUCATION:
Master of Art Design (Ceramic)
Li Yan
Sunflower Cottage Lead Teacher
Years in Education: 22
Joined QAIS: 2026
EDUCATION:
Doctor of Education Degree (in progress)
Alessia Chizzoniti
Sunflower Cottage
Literacy Specialist
Years in Education: 7
Joined QAIS: 2025
EDUCATION:
Master’s in Economics
Emma Ufaq Adnan
Sunflower Cottage TA
IB PYP GRADES 3-5 TEAM
Years in Education: 10
Joined QAIS: 2021
EDUCATION:
Master of English Literature
Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence
David Nazari
IB PYP Grade 3 Homeroom Teacher
Years in Education: 8
Joined QAIS: 2018
EDUCATION:
Master of Social Science
Daisy Yang
Grade 3 Teacher Assistant
Chinese Language Teacher
Years in Education: 16
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
Years in Education: 13
Joined QAIS: 2024
EDUCATION:
Master of Arts in Education
Joseph P. Reynolds Acland
IB PYP Grade 4 CO-Lead Teacher
Years in Education: 9
Joined QAIS: 2017
EDUCATION:
Master's degree in education
Gloria Qiao
IB PYP Grade 4 Teacher Assistant
Chinese Language Teacher
Years in Education: 11
Joined QAIS: 2024
EDUCATION:
Master of Elementary Education
Bachelor of Elementary Education
Alyssa Mae E. Oblefias
IB PYP Grade 5 Lead Teacher
Years in Education: 7
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
Years in Education: 20
Joined QAIS: 2006
EDUCATION:
Master of International Chinese Language Education
Yuan Hui
Chinese Language Teacher
Years in Education: 22
Joined QAIS: 2010
EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Economic Management
Apple Liu
Chinese Language Teacher
Years in Education: 8
Joined QAIS: 2023
EDUCATION:
Master of Teaching
Kandice Jeffers
ESL and Learning Support Teacher
UPPER SCHOOL TEAM
Years in Education: 17
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
Years in Education: 9
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
Years in Education: 11
Joined QAIS: 2021
EDUCATION:
Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership
Víctor López García
Upper School Operations & Innovation Director
Years in Education: 21
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
Years in Education: 2
Joined QAIS: 2025
EDUCATION:
Master of Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages
Lynne Cui
Chinese Lanaguage Teacher
Years in Education: 20+
Joined QAIS: 2026
EDUCATION:
Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership
Lucia Jin
IB MYP/DP Chinese Language Teacher
Years in Education: 11
Joined QAIS: 2025
EDUCATION:
Master of Arts in English Language Teaching
Gaukhar Shakirova
MYP & DP English B Language
Acquisition Teacher
MYP & DP ESL Teacher
Years in Education: 11
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
Years in Education: 11
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
Years in Education: 20
Joined QAIS: 2006
EDUCATION:
Master of International Chinese Language Education
Yuan Hui
Chinese Language Teacher
Years in Education: 17
Joined QAIS: 2017
EDUCATION:
Master of Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language
Veronica Huang
PYP & MYP Chinese Language Teacher
Years in Education: 6
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
Years in Education: 7
Joined QAIS: 2024
EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
Alzhan Achilov
MYP Humanities Teacher
DP Economics Teacher
Years in Education: 12
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
Years in Education: 12
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
Years in Education: 9
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
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
Years in Education: 36
Joined QAIS: 2026
EDUCATION:
Master of Education in Curriculum Development Master of Education in Administration & Leadership 2 Bachelor Degrees: Physics and Mathematics
Mark Power
MYP & DP Physics Teacher
Years in Education: 8
Joined QAIS: 2025
EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Arief Pratama
MYP & DP Mathematics Teacher
Years in Education: 13
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)
Years in Education: 8
Joined QAIS: 2026
EDUCATION:
Master’s Degree in Special Education (In progress) Bachelors in Neuroscience & English Literature, Hamilton College (USA)
Tanapat “Ice” Treyanurak
MYP & DP Mathematics Teacher
Years in Education: 11
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
Years in Education: 38
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
Years in Education: 14
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
Years in Education: 18
Joined QAIS: 2019
EDUCATION:
Master of Science in Childhood Education
Kimihiro Tsuchiya
Head of PHE Department
PYP/MYP PHE Teacher
Years in Education: 9
Joined QAIS: 2021
EDUCATION:
Masters in education
Laki Faamamafa
Full School P.E. and Health Teacher
Years in Education: 19
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
Years in Education: 12
Joined QAIS: 2024
EDUCATION:
Master’s in Multidisciplinary Studies
Hanna Siankevich
PYP Art Teacher
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
Years in Education: 16
Joined QAIS: 2022
EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Science in Biology (Economics Minor)
Evan Charles Brewster
English Foundation Teacher
Joined QAIS: 2019
EDUCATION:
Bachelor of English
Kerry Yu
Librarian
Joined QAIS: 2012
EDUCATION:
M.S. Electrical Engineering
B.S. Electronic Engineering
Nathan Ashelman
MYP Design and DP Computer Science and EduTech Specialist
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
Years in Education: 25
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
Years in Education: 23
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
Director of Enrichment & Community Wellbeing
Years in Education: 30
Joined QAIS: 2026
EDUCATION:
Masters of Science in Education & Tech Integration
2 Bachelor’s Degrees: Education & Media Arts
Ryan Bollhorn
Director of Communication and Marketing
Joined QAIS: 2014
EDUCATION:
Bachelor of English
Lynn Wang
Director of Admissions
Joined QAIS: 2018
EDUCATION:
Bachelor of English
MBA
Lulu Xu
Administrative Director
Joined QAIS: 2019
EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Industrial Design
Miao Guang
Director of Designer and Photographer
Joined QAIS: 2024
EDUCATION:
Bachelor Arts, Honours English
Bachelor Economics and Commerce
Andrew Sifton
BGE Director of Strategic Development
Joined QAIS: 10
EDUCATION:
Bachelor
Nancy Wan
Admissions Coordinator
Joined QAIS: 2010
EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Business Administration
IB Librarian certificate
Megan Li
BEG HR Director-Foreigner Division
Joined QAIS: 2016
EDUCATION:
Master's in marketing and management
Amy Tian
Facilities Manager and HR Director-Chinese Division
Joined QAIS: 2025
EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting)
Esther Ma
Office Manager
Joined QAIS: 2026
EDUCATION:
Ph.D. in Molecular Medicine from the School of Medicine
Tatjana Bollhorn
Office Manager
Science Lab Technician
Joined QAIS: 2020
EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Accounting
Lavinia Dai
Cashier
Joined QAIS: 2026
EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Financial Management
Amanda Ding
Accountant
Joined QAIS: 2020
EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Nursing
Angel Wang
Nurse
