Laxmi

Head of School

Welcome to ISC! I am pleased to be here for the 2021-2022 school year. I was born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand. Having spent all of my school life as an international student in Bangkok, I am a true reflection of the international school student. I understand and experienced it first hand. In 1997, I graduated from Ekamai International School. After high school, I joined Assumption University in the Faculty of Business Administration. There I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration majoring in General Management. It was after my graduation that I got a chance to start working at the Early Learning Centre in Bangkok, at the time, the only Reggio-Emilia inspired school in Thailand.

My experience there changed my life, and I discovered a new world of learning and teaching

I had this immense passion and enthusiasm for learning and development. That is when I realized that this was my true calling. I found my inspiration in being within a learning environment, in supporting the child and most importantly in believing in the importance of the journey that never ends, the journey of learning. That is when I went back to school and got myself a Master’s Degree in Education, majoring in Curriculum and Instruction. After that, it was one professional development after another specialising in Early Years and Multiple Intelligences. Although I have worked in several schools, my best experience would be with the team that brought in Helen Doron Early English into Thailand. There, I was encouraged to fill in the missing gap in education and with that intention I started ISC. I envisioned ISC as a school that values people, a school that is real and what idealists have written about. I promised myself that as long as I am here, I will be guided with my intentions as providing the very best for every single child that walks through these doors. All progress matters no matter how small.

Being an educator is like being on a never ending adventure, there is so much more to learn every single day. I have never stood still and that is why I ended up doing another Master’s Degree in Education, this time in Educational Administration. I have visited many schools as I am on the inspection committee of different accrediting agencies, which is where I learn and keep myself updated on best practices. Everywhere that I go, I end up looking back at my school and think to myself that ISC is a very special place. At ISC, we really put the children first and every child matters.

Linden

Deputy Head of School

Kia Ora and Sawasdee Kha. I'm Linden McDougall, the Deputy Head of School at ISC, and very fortunate to be able to call New Zealand and Thailand home.

I have been both, a student at international schools in Thailand and a teacher, first coming to Thailand as a child and then marrying a Thai and making my life here.
I left Thailand to finish high school and go to university and teachers college in New Zealand

My husband and I have two wonderful sons: Boss and Sam. I treasure family and friends and love getting the Sunday morning paper and finding a cafe somewhere to read it. I never miss a rugby game when the All Blacks are playing and find the perfect balance, coming to ISC each day, where the staff, parents and children give me great pleasure.

Freda

Early Years 1 and 2 Teacher

Let's play, learn, and grow together. Hi, my name is Freda Santos Catawe. Teaching is my passion and for that I completed my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, majoring in Pre-school at Benguet State University in the Philippines.

As an educator, and throughout my teaching experiences, I have always wished to share my big heart to make a difference, have a great impact on the lives of my students and to facilitate the development of their skills, talents, attitudes and maximise their full potential.

I am excited to teach Early Years at ISC and to have this opportunity to work together with all our community members.

Gabriela

Early Years 3 Teacher

So nice to meet you all! I am Gabriela Fanelli, and I am an Italo-Argentinian. I have worked in Beijing as a homeroom teacher for the past 2 years and I am super excited to be back in Thailand, working at the International School of Chonburi from August.

My parents grew up near the mountains, so I developed a strong bond with nature from an early age, as well as a love for books – writing and illustrating them. When I am not reading about educational trends or learning about science, I work on my art projects. I am currently starting my second illustrated little book for children of all ages.

I graduated from the University of Buenos Aires in 2013. I have always been privileged to connect my passions in education and design in the most beautiful places and varied work environments: a National Park near glaciers, a tropical island in the Great Barrier Reef, the Australian desert. In 2017 I became an English homeroom teacher in Chiang Rai.

As a ‘scientific artist’, I respect children as the young, yet deep, souls they are. I build a loving environment with them where all voices are important and where we acquire knowledge by investigating and developing creative strategies to express it. I have always worked in education to facilitate students to become active users of culture and media, instead of passive consumers, to help develop critical thinking. As a drama teacher, I also focus on the basis of self-mastery for inner confidence.

Natalia

Year 1 Teacher

My name is Natalia Vallejo and I am from Malaga, Spain. I have been a teacher for seven years, having qualified with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry, a Major in Analytical Chemistry, and having been awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Education by the University of Sunderland in the UK.

I started teaching in Primary and since then have taught Science to KS3 and KS4. I am very excited to get back to in primary and guarantee that we will have lots of Science experiments throughout the school year.

I came to Thailand with my family. My husband and I are both teachers and we have taught in International Schools in Brunei, Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia, and Spain.

In my spare time, I love to cycle and play badminton with my family.

Caitlin

Year 2 Teacher

My name is Caitlin Elder and I am pleased to announce that I will be joining the ISC community as the new Year 2 Teacher. While originally from the United States, I moved to Thailand in 2016 as a volunteer for the United States Peace Corps and fell in love with the country. For the past three years I have been teaching at an international school located in Bangkok.

I have over 15 years of experience working with children, both in and out of the classroom, including mentoring, after-school programs, and preschool. I graduated in 2014, with a degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Mathematics, in 2018 I completed my TEFL certification, and I am currently in the process of obtaining my Masters in Teaching School Mathematics.

In my free time I enjoy reading, cooking, and finding ways to stay active. I enjoy studying and am currently taking lessons to improve my Thai language skills.

I believe the classroom should be a place of exploratory learning, and a teacher’s role is to help guide the students on their paths of discovery. I enjoy creating thematic lessons that engage students in cross discipline learning. I believe that learning should be fun, and that a classroom should be a safe place to make mistakes.

Victoria Kate Felts

Year 3 Teacher

My name is Kate Felts and I will be your Year 3 teacher. I come from England. I attended an International School in Zambia where I was brought up. I returned to the UK to finish Secondary School and attend University to do a degree and Post Certificate of Education (PGCE).

I am fortunate to have travelled and taught in The Emirates, Egypt, Vietnam, Ethiopia and Venezuela teaching children from different cultures and places. I find teaching primary children an extremely exciting and rewarding job.

I have been in Thailand for five years and love living here. My husband and I have a son and enjoy spending time together and watching him play football at weekends.

I am really excited to be at ISC and I look forward to get to know the staff, parents and especially the children

Vida

Year 4 Teacher

My name is Vida Ebrahimi and I am originally from Iran. After finishing my Bachelor’s degree in Tehran I moved to Sweden. Ever since then I have worked in international schools around the world. I believe teaching has always been my destiny. I come from a family of teachers. My first ever job was teaching English to my cousins. As a child, my role plays involved teaching and I ended up marrying a teacher.

I received my qualification from University of Sunderland, England, and continued my studies to a Masters in International Education.

Living an international life has made me a risk-taker and I challenge myself to trying new things. In my spare time I read, practice yoga, paint, cook and write stories. I also enjoy learning different languages.

I feel very lucky to have such an amazing job and am very excited to start a fresh school year here at ISC.

Clare

Year 5 Teacher

My name is Clare Scribner and I am from the United States of America. I am really looking forward to moving to Pattaya in August to become the Year 5 teacher at ISC. I have spent the past three years teaching Year 5 at the Australian International School in Bangkok.

For the 10 years prior to that, I taught in private schools in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I currently hold a Master’s Degrees in Education and Conflict Resolution.While my background and certifications are in teaching English and Spanish literacy, I am passionate about technology and the arts as well. Within my classroom I try to create an atmosphere that invites students to share their ideas, take risks, and meet their full potential. Children make incredible progress when we foster their natural interests, so I like to provide lots of hands-on activities that encourage students to make choices and let curiosity direct their learning. I can’t wait to share my energy and enthusiasm for learning with students, and to see where their interests and questions will take us this year.

Outside of school, I love to walk, read, bake, practise yoga and travel. I look forward to getting to know you all. Thank you for welcoming me into the ISC community!

Liliedale

Music Teacher

My name is Liliedale Gladden and I am from The Philippines. It has always been my passion to follow in my dad’s footsteps to be an inspirational teacher since I was very young. After I graduated high school, I received a Bachelor of Elementary Education with a specialisation in primary music.

I have also worked as a Homeroom teacher for children between the ages of 3 to 7 years old so I understand the needs of every individual child that walks into my classroom. Teaching children is an honour I take seriously as I am helping to shape their lives and using my skills to create a perfect environment for them to learn and grow.

I have a number of hobbies such as playing basketball and volleyball. Of course, being a music teacher I love singing, dancing and performing arts. My number one passion in this area is playing the piano.

I am blessed to be able to travel the world and teach and am delighted to be in Thailand. I am keen to learn the language and culture of this amazing country and I hope my enthusiasm and passion shines through to every child who steps into music class at ISC.

JP

P.E. Teacher

My name is JP Oosthuizen, and I’d like to introduce myself as the new Physical Education Teacher at our amazing school!

I’m an energetic and enthusiastic Physical Education Teacher with more than five years of dynamic experience promoting physical activity and healthy habits amongst students. I’m originally from South Africa, and for the last three years I’ve been living and teaching in Shanghai, China.

I have a bachelors degree in Human Movement Science and completed my Post Graduate Certificate in Education with an emphasis on physical education.

A few things that I think are important to know about me is that I love sports, especially Football, Swimming and Rugby. When I’m not doing what I love which is teaching Physical Education to our youth, I enjoy traveling, hiking and going to the gym.

I look forward to making memories and seeing everyone real soon! Have an amazing summer, Go outside and Get moving!

Khun Pray

Teacher of Thai

Sawaddee kha,

My name is Pray Charuchinda. I teach Thai to Thai students (Thai Language) and Non-Thai students (Thai Studies). I have been a Thai teacher for 16 years in international schools and have worked at ISC for 6 years.

I did my Masters Degree at Dhurakijpundit University, majoring in Business Communication (PR and Advertising Marketing). At the same time, I worked with my uncle's production company for Channel 3, Thailand. I was an Assistant Director. I enjoyed this work but in my mind, I thought this is not for me. I love children and I wanted to stay or work with them.

I feel all children are like a white cloth. As adults, our job is to give them colour. At home, I live with my retired parents and our family cat. We enjoy cooking, eating and spending time together.

Samik

Yoga Teacher

My name is Samik Majumder. I am a professional yoga, rikki and wellness instructor, and I am delighted to be able to share my passions and explore the many benefits of yoga with our ISC community.

I started my journey in 2005, travelling the world and have received a range of yoga teacher training qualifications during that time, including from the Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana in Bangalore, India.

In 2019, I was awarded a best yoga instructor award in Thailand.