Kat is an experienced international educator with 15 years’ teaching experience across New Zealand, the UK, mainland China, Hong Kong and Nepal. She has taught in both Early Years and Primary and holds a Bachelor of Teaching from New Zealand.
Kat previously worked at ISA Tianhe from 2017 to 2020, and is delighted to return. She has also worked in a PYP school in Hong Kong and, most recently, served as Mathematics and ICT Coordinator. Her expertise includes curriculum development, inquiry-based learning and the use of technology to enhance teaching. Kat creates purposeful learning experiences that develop curiosity, critical thinking, resilience and confidence.
Elliott Barr
Homeroom Teacher & Gifted and Talented Education Coordinator
Elliott has lived and worked in Guangzhou for several years, specialising in Early Years and Primary education within IB schools. He graduated from Loughborough University and holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Education. He has also completed IB professional development.
Elliott has contributed to discussions on curriculum modernisation in China at the International Education Development Forum and has led workshops for parents and teachers on positive behaviour management. As Gifted and Talented Education Coordinator, he supports the development of high-level learning opportunities across the school. He believes that excellent teaching equips students with the skills, independence and motivation to become successful learners.
Richard Mapp
Homeroom Teacher
Richard has 9 years’ experience in international education and specialises in Early Years teaching. He holds a BA (Hons) from Sheffield Hallam University and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from Leeds Beckett University. He has also completed IB Primary Years Programme professional development.
Richard is particularly passionate about phonics and early reading. He designs practical and creative learning experiences that help young children develop confidence in language and unlock the foundations of independent reading. His classroom combines clear expectations with opportunities to explore, question and apply new learning. Richard believes that strong reading skills open doors across the curriculum and provide an essential foundation for future success.
Deanne Newton
Homeroom Teacher
Deanne has 12 years’ teaching experience across New Zealand, the UK, China and Japan. She studied at Victoria University of Wellington, completing a Diploma in Education followed by a Bachelor of Education, and later earned an International Postgraduate Certificate in Education from the University of Derby.
Her experience across different countries and education systems has developed her strong understanding of international and intercultural learning. Deanne promotes independence, confidence, open-mindedness and self-awareness in the classroom. Through purposeful routines and a positive learning environment, she encourages students to make thoughtful choices, learn from experience and approach mistakes as an important part of progress.
Joseph Livingston
Homeroom Teacher
Joseph has 9 years’ teaching experience in the UK and Thailand. He holds a degree in Computing from Manchester Metropolitan University and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from the University of Sussex.
His combined expertise in education and technology enables him to incorporate digital tools and creative approaches into purposeful classroom learning. Joseph designs engaging lessons that encourage curiosity, active participation and problem-solving. He places particular emphasis on helping students become confident, independent thinkers who can develop and explain their own ideas. Through strong classroom relationships and clear expectations, Joseph creates an environment in which students are motivated to participate, experiment and make sustained progress.
Nasreen Diedricks
Homeroom Teacher
Nasreen has more than 7 years’ teaching experience and specialises in Early Years education. She holds a bachelor’s degree and a postgraduate professional teaching qualification.
Nasreen understands the importance of the Early Years in shaping children’s confidence, independence and attitudes towards learning. She creates engaging experiences that broaden students’ understanding of the world, encourage independent thought and help them recognise their individual strengths. Her classroom practice supports children’s academic, social and emotional development while maintaining clear expectations for learning. Nasreen values the IB approach because it encourages children to participate actively, think for themselves and develop a lasting enthusiasm for learning.
Eddy Rodriguez
Homeroom Teacher
Eddy has more than 8 years’ experience in international education, with a particular focus on Early Years and bilingual and multilingual learners in China. He holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Nevada, Reno, a TEFL certificate and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education.
Eddy’s experience enables him to adapt teaching effectively for children learning through more than one language. He combines clear routines, purposeful instruction and an inclusive classroom culture to help young learners settle confidently into school and make strong progress. His teaching supports the development of communication, independence and positive learning habits while ensuring that students feel secure, respected and ready to participate.
Georgia Floyd
Homeroom Teacher
Georgia holds a Bachelor of Education in Primary Education from the University of Plymouth, with a specialism in Mathematics. She has three years’ teaching experience in the UK and has held subject leadership responsibilities in History, Geography and Mathematics.
An accomplished musician, Georgia has many years’ experience playing the violin, saxophone and piano. She brings this creativity and discipline to her teaching, alongside strong subject knowledge and a clear understanding of Primary education. Georgia develops students’ curiosity, confidence and sense of belonging through purposeful, well-structured learning. She ensures that children feel known and valued while maintaining high expectations for their participation and progress.
Moises Marin
Homeroom Teacher
Moises holds a BA in Psychology from Carleton University and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education. He has 12 years’ teaching experience with students aged 4–11.
His background in psychology informs his understanding of children’s motivation, development and classroom behaviour. Moises creates an energetic and purposeful learning environment in which students are encouraged to participate, express their ideas and work towards ambitious goals. He also brings a broad international perspective developed through extensive travel and participation in international karate competitions. Moises combines clear direction with positive encouragement, helping students develop confidence, self-discipline and the determination to perform at their best.
Millie Deighton
Homeroom Teacher
Millie is a British educator with more than 5 years’ international teaching experience. She has taught students from Kindergarten to Middle School in South Korea and has held leadership positions as Head of Key Stage 1 and Curriculum Coordinator.
Millie holds a bachelor’s degree in History and a master’s degree in International Human Rights Law from Swansea University, together with a postgraduate professional teaching qualification. Her academic background and leadership experience support a thoughtful, well-informed approach to curriculum development and classroom teaching. Millie establishes clear expectations, encourages confident participation and builds strong relationships with students, enabling them to develop academically while gaining greater independence and awareness of the wider world.
Michelle Moberly
Homeroom Teacher
Michelle is an experienced British educator who has taught since 1997. She holds a First-Class Honours degree in Education from the University of Surrey and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from the University of Winchester.
Michelle has taught Primary students aged 6–11 in the UK and internationally. Her experience includes working in an Ofsted-rated Outstanding school, an international boarding school in China and a school delivering the Cambridge Curriculum in Moscow. This varied experience has given her a strong understanding of British and international education. Michelle combines high expectations with a calm and caring approach, creating a classroom in which students feel secure, engaged and ready to learn.
Bjorn Diedricks
Homeroom Teacher
Bjorn has over 7 years of teaching experience and holds a bachelor’s degree, alongside a postgraduate professional teaching qualification from Leeds Beckett University. He specialises in teaching maths, phonics and reading, with additional expertise in English‑language teaching.
Bjorn uses children's natural curiosity as a starting point for purposeful learning. He encourages students to ask thoughtful questions, investigate possibilities and develop independent solutions. His teaching recognises the importance of secure subject knowledge while giving students opportunities to explain their reasoning and apply what they have learned. Bjorn pays close attention to individual progress and uses clear expectations and responsive teaching to ensure that every student can participate successfully and extend their understanding.
Louise Ivey
Homeroom Teacher
Louise has more than 15 years’ experience in education and has worked in schools in the UK and Russia. She holds a BA (Hons) and MA in Linguistics from the University of Cambridge and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from the University of Roehampton, specialising in teaching children aged 3–7.
Louise’s expertise lies in Early Years education and the development of strong foundations in literacy and mathematics. She has undertaken further study in childhood practice at the University of Edinburgh and has served as a curriculum coordinator and mentor for trainee teachers. Her combination of academic expertise, classroom experience and teacher development enables her to support both high-quality learning and effective professional practice.
Brigitte Williams
Homeroom Teacher
Brigitte has 25 years’ teaching experience, including 9 years in China at international IB schools in Beijing, Shenzhen and Guangzhou. She has taught students from Early Years to Grade 4 and holds a Bachelor of Arts and a postgraduate qualification in education.
Brigitte has completed extensive professional development in IB education, thinking skills, positive discipline and teaching in multilingual classrooms. Her breadth of experience enables her to understand the developmental and academic requirements of different Primary age groups. She uses clear routines, creative teaching and purposeful questioning to develop students’ thinking and engagement, while recognising the individual strengths and experiences each child brings to the classroom.
James Tristram
Homeroom Teacher
James has more than 10 years’ teaching experience in China and the UK. He holds a First-Class BSc (Hons) in Conservation Biology and has previously worked as a Specialist Leader in Education at University College London.
James combines strong academic knowledge with experience in curriculum and teacher development. His background in conservation biology brings particular depth to science and environmental learning, enabling him to connect classroom study with significant real-world issues. He designs purposeful learning experiences that develop subject knowledge, independent thinking and informed discussion. James encourages students to examine different perspectives, apply their learning and understand how thoughtful individual and collective choices can contribute to the wider world.
Irina Toma
Homeroom Teacher
Irina has more than 18 years’ teaching experience across Europe, the UK and Hong Kong. She holds a BA in Teaching English as a Foreign Language, UK Qualified Teacher Status, a postgraduate qualification in teaching English as a second language and the Cambridge CELTA.
Her extensive language-teaching expertise enables her to support students in accessing learning across the curriculum while maintaining strong academic expectations. Irina draws on a range of teaching approaches and carefully considers students’ prior knowledge, interests and linguistic backgrounds when planning lessons. She focuses on building secure understanding, effective communication and increasing independence, enabling students to participate confidently and make sustained academic progress.
Jo Slatter
Homeroom Teacher
Jo has more than 25 years’ teaching experience and holds a UK Postgraduate Certificate in Education. Her international career has included teaching in Qatar and Oman, where she gained extensive experience in school development and the IB Primary Years Programme.
While working in a newly established school in Qatar, Jo contributed directly to curriculum planning and the development of teaching practice. In Oman, she taught within the PYP and particularly valued leading the Primary Years Programme Exhibition. Jo creates a respectful, academically focused classroom in which students are expected to take responsibility for their learning, contribute thoughtfully and work towards individual success.
Tara O'mahony
Homeroom Teacher
Tara has more than 9 years’ teaching experience in China, following earlier work in education in Ireland. She holds a degree in Social Science from University College Cork and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from the University of Derby.
Tara’s teaching develops critical thinking, creativity and an informed understanding of the world. She establishes a positive and purposeful classroom in which students are encouraged to work independently, contribute ideas and take responsibility for their progress. Recognising that children’s learning extends beyond school, Tara values constructive communication with families and works closely with parents to reinforce consistent expectations and support students’ academic and personal development.
David Firth
Homeroom Teacher
David has more than 20 years’ experience working with children and young people in New Zealand, the UK, Germany and South Korea. He holds a Bachelor of Music and a Graduate Diploma of Teaching from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.
David’s international experience and musical background bring energy, creativity and cultural breadth to his teaching. He creates purposeful learning experiences that encourage students to participate enthusiastically, express themselves confidently and develop consideration for others. Through clear expectations and engaging classroom practice, David inspires students to approach learning with curiosity, commitment and growing independence.
