Our Teachers at ISSP

Educating, encouraging, inspiring and always learning

Our commitment to the recruitment, professional development and strong support of teachers at ISSP is reflected in the excellent results we consistently achieve.

Our teachers are highly experienced and qualified. Beyond their dedication and passion for their specialist areas, our teachers help students form connections across subjects and emphasize active, collaborative learning. We are proud to have an international faculty that are enthusiastic about working in our diverse school community, where they continually inspire our young learners to achieve more.

Open-minded and curious, our teachers never stop learning. We prioritize their continuous professional development using best practices from leading educators. Only in this way can we ensure adherence to our professional standards, expectations and reputation.

International School Saigon Pearl Teaching Faculty 2021-2022:

Early Years

Cheska Valdes

Early Years 1

Qualifications:

• Bachelor in Science, Child Development and Education Minor in Special Education, Manila Philippines
• Certified Professional Teacher, Professional Regulation Commission, Philippines
• Diploma In Early Childhood Education
• IELTS Certification, British Council Vietnam
• Making the PYP Happen, Category 1, International Baccalaureate Organization

Grace Collantes

Early Years 2

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science, Major in Child Development and Education, Miriam College
• Certified Professional Teacher, Professional Regulation
• Commission Philippines Diploma In Early Childhood Education
• Making the PYP Happen, Category 1, International Baccalaureate Organization
• IELTS Certification

Marithel Macarine

Early Years 2

Qualifications:

• BSc in Elementary Education, University of Cebu
• Licensure Examination for Teachers, Professional Regulation Commission
• Diploma in Montessori Early Childhood (age 3-6) Teachers Training, Montitute International
• TESOL/TEFL Certificate, Harvest Christian School International
• Making the PYP Happen, Category 1, International Baccalaureate Organization

Sajani Shah

Early Years 3

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science in Management, Warwick University
• Postgraduate Certificate of Education International (PGCE), University of Nottingham
• Certificate IV IN TESOL, Australia Vietnam School of English
• Making the PYP Happen, Category 1, International Baccalaureate Organization

Kathryn Waldron

Early Years 3

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Arts in Social Care Practice, The Institute of Technology Sligo
• Post-Graduate in Early Years Education, The University of the West of England
• Making the PYP Happen, Category 1, International Baccalaureate Organization

Helen Orobia

Early Years 3

Qualifications:

• Bachelor in Elementary Education, St. Paul College of Ilocos Sur
• Certified Professional Teacher, Philippine Regulation Commission
• Diploma In Early Childhood Education, Council for Creative Education, Finland
• PYP Certification, International Baccalaureate Organization
• International TEFL Teacher Training Certification IELTS Certification, British Council Vietnam
• Making the PYP Happen, Category 1, International Baccalaureate Organization

 

Lanie Nacario

Early Years 4

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy, Emilio Aguinaldo College
• Certified Professional Teacher, Professional Regulation Commission
• Diploma in Special Education, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila
• Making the PYP Happen, Category 1, International Baccalaureate Organization

Alpha Butil

Early Years 4

Qualifications:

• Masters in Early Childhood Education, Philippine Women University(Pursuing)                                                                                                                                      
• Bachelor of Secondary Education, Mindanao State University                                                                                                                                                        
• Program in Pedagogical Leadership Certificate, Council for Creative Education, Finland                                                                                                                    
• Diploma in Montessori Early Childhood (age 3-6) Teachers Training, Montitute International    
• TESOL Certificate,  West Visayas State University
• Induction to PYP Certification, International Baccalaureate Organzation
• Making the PYP Happen, Category 1, International Baccalaureate Organization

Cara Giblin

Early Years 4

Qualifications:

• Bachelors Degree with Honours, Birmingham City University
• Art Foundation Certificate - Merit Grade, Stourbridge College
• Making the PYP Happen, Category 1, International Baccalaureate Organization

Elementary

Ethan King

Kindergarten

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Arts: Humanities, University College Utrech
• Teacher’s Training: Single-subjects, English and Social Studies, Mills College
• Teacher’s Training: Multiple Subjects, K-8 Homeroom, Mills College
• Teacher’s Training: ESL, The College of New Jersey
• Master of Arts: Education, The College of New Jersey
• Making the PYP Happen, Category 1, International Baccalaureate Organization

Evie Cobb

Kindergarten

Qualifications:

• Master of Education in Learning and Technology, Western Governor’s University
• Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology with a focus in Primatology, Arizona State University
• Florida Professional Teaching Certificate Grades K-6, Florida Department of Education
• TESOL Certificate, International TEFL Academy 
• Making the PYP Happen, Category 1, International Baccalaureate Organization

Marla Berarducci

Kindergarten

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, California University of Pennsylvania

• Professional Educator License, North Carolina

• Making the PYP Happen, Category 1, International Baccalaureate Organization

 

Vicky Hinson

Grade 1

Qualifications:

• BSc in Human Development, Family Studies and Early Childhood Education, University of North Texas
• Certified Teacher, Early Childhood through Grade 4, Texas Education Agency
• English as a Second Language Supplemental Certification
• Bachelor of Science in Education, California University of Pennsylvania * Professional Educator License - Making the PYP Happen, Category 1, International Baccalaureate Organization

Megan Malenfant (Ms. Nicole)

Grade 1

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, University of South Florida

• Educator Certificate: K-6, State of Florida Department of Education

• Making the PYP Happen, Category 1, International Baccalaureate Organization

Keith Way

Grade 1

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Arts (Honors) in Communications and Creative Multimedia, Dundalk Institute of Technology
• Teacher Preparation Certification Program - Moreland University, Teach-Now Graduate School of Education
• Making the PYP Happen, Category 1, International Baccalaureate Organization

Adam Whiteman

Grade 2

Qualifications:

• Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching (Primary), University of Southern Queensland
• Graduate Diploma in Arts (Christian Studies), Alphacrucis College
• Bachelor of Business (Accountancy), Queensland University of Technology

Stephanie Keller

Grade 2

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education, Bowling - Green State University
• Professional Educator License, Illinois
• Making the PYP Happen Cat 1 Certification, International Baccalaureate Organization
• Leading the Learning Cat 1 Certification, International Baccalaureate Organization
• Concept-based Learning Cat 3 Certification, International Baccalaureate Organization

Shelly Hosler

Grade 3

Qualifications:

• MSc in Education, Hunter College
• Bachelor of Science, Middle Tennessee State University
• Making the PYP Happen Cat 1 Certification, International Baccalaureate Organization

Nathan Bennetts

Grade 3

Qualifications:

• BSc in Physical Geography Major with Human Geography Minor, University of Gloucestershire
• Qualified Teacher Status: Early Years and Primary Education,Cheltenham CHE
• Making the PYP Happen Cat 1 Certification, International Baccalaureate Organization

Ronan Donohue

Grade 4

Qualifications:

• BA in Languages, National University of Ireland
• Qualified Teacher Status (Elementary Education), TEACH-NOW Graduate School of Education
• TESOL Certificate
• Making the PYP Happen Cat 1 Certification, International Baccalaureate Organization

Stuart Sutherland

Grade 4

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Arts, University of South Africa (UNISA)
• Postgraduate Certificate in Education, University of South Africa (UNISA)
• Making the PYP Happen Cat 1 Certification, International Baccalaureate Organization

Sara Nieuwkoop

Grade 4

Qualifications:

• Masters in Education, Grand Valley State University
• BA Elementary Education, Calvin College
• Making the PYP Happen Cat 1 Certification, International Baccalaureate Organization

 

 

 

Samantha Medema

Grade 5

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Arts in American Studies, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
• Teaching Certificate in Elementary Grades 1-6 Level, Moreland University and the Office of the State Superintendent of Education in Washington, DC
• Making the PYP Happen Cat 1 Certification, International Baccalaureate Organization

 

Luke Runnoe

Grade 5

Qualifications:

• Masters in Education, University of Illinois
• BA in Sociology, University of Wisconsin
• Making the PYP Happen Cat 1 Certification, International Baccalaureate Organization

Specialist Subjects

Mariano di Guglielmo

Visual Arts

Qualifications:

• PGCE Education, Sunderland University
• Bachelor of Industrial Design, Syracuse University
• Making the PYP Happen, Category 1, International Baccalaureate Organization

Victor Sifontes

English as an Additional Language

Qualifications:

• Bachelor Degree in Education (minor in EFL), Universidad de Carabobo 
• Making the PYP Happen Cat 1 Certification, International Baccalaureate Organization

Debbie Lewis-William

English as an Additional Language

Qualifications:

• Teacher's Diploma, Grahamstown Training College
• Teacher's Diploma, Physical Education Graaff-Reinee Teacher's College
• Making the PYP Happen Cat 1 Certification, International Baccalaureate Organization

Ngan Bui

English as an Additional Language

Qualifications:

• BA in Business Administration, Hutech
• Teaching Certificate BA in English Linguistics and Literature, VNUHCM-USSH
• WIDA Climbs course Certificate Certificate for Teaching Every Reader 2.0
• Making the PYP Happen Cat 1 Certification, International Baccalaureate Organization

Jin Ge

Mandarin

Qualifications:

• Masters in Education Teaching & Learning, Bryan College
• Bachelor of Literature in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language, Beijing Language and Culture University
• IB Certificate in Teaching & Learning, International Baccalaureate Organization
• Making the PYP Happen Cat 1 Certification, International Baccalaureate Organization

Barbara Amador

Technology Integration Specialist

Qualifications:

• Master of Education Degree with a concentration in International Teaching, Framingham State University
• Bachelor's Degree in Education Sciences with emphasis on Mathematics, Universidad Católica Redemp​toris Máter
• Bachelor of Science Degree in Systems Engineering, Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería
• Making the PYP Happen, Category 1, International Baccalaureate Organization

Jennifer Shine

Performing Arts Specialist

Qualifications:

• Master in Elementary Education, The College of New Jersey
• BA Theatre Arts/ Peace and Justice Studies, Marquette University
• Making the PYP Happen, Category 1, International Baccalaureate Organization

James Whitehead

PE/Activities Coordinator

Qualifications:

• BSc in Early Childhood Education, Aspen University
• Associates Degree in Science Biology - concentration Occupational Therapy, Kingsborough Community College

• Elementary Education Teaching Certificate, American Board

• Making the PYP Happen, Category 1, International Baccalaureate Organization

Holly Younglove

PE/Activities Coordinator

Qualifications:

• Masters in Physical Education and Health Science, Emporia State University
• Bachelor in Science in Education, SUNY Cortland
• Certified Professional PE/Health Teacher K-12
• MYP Certificate in Teaching & Learning
• Making the PYP Happen, Category 1, International Baccalaureate Organization

Thuy Pham

Vietnamese/Host Country Studies

Qualifications:

• Bachelor degree of Primary Education, Ho Chi Minh city University of Pedagogy
• Chinese Certificate, Minister of Education Republic of China (Taiwan)
• English Certificate, Vietnam National University-HCMC ENGLISH TESTING CENTER
• Teaching Vietnamese as Additional Language, Vietnamese Language school (VLS)
• Making the PYP Happen, Category 1, International Baccalaureate Organization

Quyen Nguyen

Vietnamese/Host Country Studies

Qualifications:

• Bachelor in Primary Education, Ho Chi Minh City University Pedagogy
• Diploma in Early Childhood Education, Ho Chi Minh City Pedagogy College
• Early Years Leadership Certificate
• Making the PYP Happen, Category 1, International Baccalaureate Organization

Thuy Nguyen

Vietnamese/Host Country Studies

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, Ho Chi Minh City University of Pedagogy
• Bachelor of Primary Education, Ho Chi Minh City University of Pedagogy
• Certificate in Teaching Vietnamese as a Foreign Language
• Making the PYP Happen, Category 1, International Baccalaureate Organization

Trang Nguyen

Vietnamese/Host Country Studies

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Degree – Primary Education, Ho Chi Minh City University of Pedagogy
• Making the PYP Happen, Category 1, International Baccalaureate Organization

Kristin Wegner

School Counselor cum Designated Safeguarding Lead

Qualifications:

• Master of Science In Education- University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
• Bachelor of Science in Psychology - University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
• School Counseling License - Wisconsin Department of Education
• Making the PYP Happen, Category 1, International Baccalaureate Organization

Fred Meneses

Special Educational Needs

Qualifications:

• MEd Special Education, University of the Philippines
• Certificate in Indigenous Education, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane
• Making the PYP Happen, Category 1, International Baccalaureate Organization

June Butil

Early Years Utility

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Secondary Education (English), Mindanao State University
• Certified Professional Teacher, Professional Regulation Commission 
• Diploma in Montessori Early Childhood Education, Montitute Montessori Training Institute
• Making the PYP Happen, Category 1, International Baccalaureate Organization
• TESOL Certificate

Dhruv Kalakoti

Outdoor Education and Educational Visits Coordinator

Qualifications:

• Tourism Certificate
• Certificate in Outdoor Education
• Adventurous Journey Supervisor and Assessor Training, Duke Of Edinburg
• Mountaineering Course, NIM, India
• Child Safe Training Certificate
• Pediatric First Aid and Emergency Certificate
• Wilderness Advance First Aid (WAFA) - WMTC
• Pool Life Guard, Swimming Teacher’s Association (UK)