Tom has been teaching in China for over 7 years. He has worked in a variety of learning environments, including IB and Reggio Emilia schools. Tom has acquired a range of skills which he uses to create engaging lessons for students.
Having graduated from Cork Institute of Technology in 2016 with a BA Hons., Tom has gone on to receive a Postgraduate Certificate of Education from the University of Nottingham, where he is currently enrolled in the MA Educational Leadership and Management programme. Tom is also an IB-certified teacher with a passion for inquiry-based learning.
Nazeerah Petersen
Homeroom Teacher
Nazeerah is a passionate educator now in her eleventh year of teaching. She has previously worked in a range of schools and settings and holds extensive international Primary and Early Years education experience having worked in Kuwait and Qatar in the Middle East, as well as here in Guangzhou across a variety of age groups and Key Stages.
Nazeerah holds a Bachelor of Education. Having taught in both Primary and Early Years settings, Nazeerah works tirelessly to create fulfilling, challenging learning opportunities for her students rooted in learning environments that promote lifelong learning, inclusivity and respect.
Tom Grindley
Homeroom Teacher
Tom started teaching in his native Lake District of England and he has led groups and taught in a variety of countries over the last ten years including in Europe, Africa and Asia. Tom graduated from the University of Cumbria with an honours degree in Education and a a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (International) from the University of Nottingham, holds a CELTA Certificate in teaching EAL.
From his experience of education, he uses his knowledge of experiential learning to facilitate group and individual achievements in innovative and supportive settings.
Richard Mapp
Homeroom Teacher
As an Early Years homeroom teacher, Richard brings 7 years of international teaching experience to ISA Tianhe. He specializes in creating creative and tangible experiences for students to explore different learning environments. Besides, he has a strong passion for teaching phonetics and unlocking the abilities of reading for his students. His personal belief is that reading can open many doors in life and education.
Richard Graduated from Sheffield Hallam with a BA hons and attained a Postgraduate certificate of education from Leeds Beckett university. He has received the making PYP happen IB certificate and continues to achieve further milestones. Richard brings a respectful, friendly and creative environment for students to develop their learner profiles and to further their learning journeys.
Deanne Newton
Homeroom Teacher
Deanne Wyatt studied at Victoria University of Wellington, first undertaking her Diploma in Education and then further studying to acquire her Bachelor's in Education. Most recently, she completed her IPGCE at the University of Derby while previously teaching in China. Deanne is a passionate educator with ten years of teaching experience in New Zealand, England, China, and Japan. She has developed a deep understanding of diverse educational landscapes.
Deanne nurtures a vibrant learning environment where each child thrives holistically. She prioritises independence and confidence and fosters open-mindedness, cultural appreciation, and self-awareness. By creating a nurturing classroom atmosphere, Deanne encourages students to make choices, learn from experiences, and embrace mistakes in a supportive setting.
Nasreen Diedricks
Homeroom Teacher
Nasreen has over 5 years of experience in teaching and completed her teaching qualification in Canadian International Education Organization- CIEO. She is an experienced and qualified teacher.
She specialises in Early Years and loves broadening the horizons of students, helping students become independent thinkers who can recognise their talents and use it to create a better world. Early Years students are full of energy and ready to learn, they make teaching fun. They are also at an age where emotion and personality is a crucial part of their development which brings joy to her heart and seeing students grow mentally and emotionally is extremely rewarding. She appreciates the IB approach to learning because it encourages students to do their best in an enjoyable manner; it is lifelong learning that goes beyond the traditional way of teaching.
Eddy Rodriguez
Homeroom Teacher
As an Early Year's Homeroom teacher at ISA Tianhe, Eddy brings more than 6 years of education experience to the school. Throughout his career, Eddy has worked in international schools, implementing teaching methods to suit bilingual and multilingual students. His education experience has been focused on early years school in China.
Eddy graduated from the University of Nevada in Reno with a Bachelor of Science degree and holds a certificate in Teaching English (TEFL) and a graduate degree in education. He has dedicated his education experience in China to creating a safe, friendly, and inclusive learning environment for all of his students.
Moises Marin
Homeroom Teacher
Moises graduated from Carleton University with a B.A in Psychology in 2011. He holds IB teacher certification and a PGCE from the UK. Moises has 10 years’ teaching experience with students aged from 4 to 11. Moises aims to motivate and direct students to maximise their performance by creating an encouraging, positive and energetic environment in the classroom. With the intent to allow the students to feel comfortable and safe while expressing themselves as they learn.
Moises has had many opportunities to travel and experience many diverse and interesting cultures due to competing in international karate competitions and his general love for travel.
Michelle Moberly
Homeroom Teacher
Michelle Moberly, an experienced educator from the UK, has been involved in teaching since 1997. She holds a First-Class Honors in Education from Surrey University and a PGCE from Winchester University. Michelle has taught students aged from 6-11 and has gained valuable experience from a school that received outstanding recognition from Ofsted. She also taught at an international boarding school in China and later moved to Moscow, Russia to teach students aged from 6-11 and deliver the Cambridge Curriculum.
Michelle emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive and caring classroom environment where students feel safe and are eager to learn.
Gracie Mulchrone
Homeroom Teacher
As a homeroom teacher, Gracie forms a warm, nurturing and fun atmosphere for students to learn. She creates a strong, lasting relationship with students and parents.
Gracie graduated from the university of Crown with a BA in English literature and language and a PGCE from University of Essex.
Throughout her career in education, she has worked to become a strong, innovative practitioner. With a history of working in international education for the last 6 years, Gracie enjoys assessing, observing and facilitating the needs for children to learn with genuine passion.
Bjorn Diedricks
Homeroom Teacher
Bjorn has over 5 years of experience in teaching and completed his teaching qualification in Canadian International Education Organization- CIEO. He is an experienced and qualified English Language teacher.
He thinks children have curious minds and he likes to harness that curiosity by encouraging them to ask questions because every question is worth asking. Questions need answers and that allows students to explore their skills and come up with independent solutions. He focuses on each student individually to assist them in their learning journey. He finds that this allows every student to fully understand each lesson, excel and bridge any gaps in their learning. Every student is different therefore creating mutually respectful relationships in a healthy class environment is important.
Brigitte Williams
Homeroom Teacher
Brigitte has been living and working in China for the past 7 years, teaching in International IB schools in Beijing, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou. With 23 years of experience, she has taught across various age groups ranging from Early Years to Grade 4. Brigitte holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and a postgraduate Diploma in education.
Throughout her career, Brigitte has actively engaged in extensive professional development, including a variety of IB courses. She has focused on enhancing thinking skills in children, implementing positive discipline strategies, and effectively teaching children in multilingual contexts. As a creative and caring teacher, Brigitte embraces the unique differences of each child and is passionate about fostering a nurturing and positive classroom environment. She thrives on the challenge of creating an inclusive space where every student can flourish.
Carly Smith
Homeroom Teacher
Carly has moved around the world most of her life where she was able to experience diverse cultures and new languages in places such as Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Canada, and Colombia. She moved back to Colombia in 2018, which is where her teaching experience started. She has 6 years’ experience teaching in international schools.
Carly graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Major in English Language and a Minor in Family Studies and Early Childhood Education. She has a Masters from the University of Ottawa in Education, specializing in Teaching and Learning. Carly always aims to create a safe and fun learning environment for her students, while also striving for a challenging and dynamic academic atmosphere.
Elliott Barr
Homeroom Teacher
Elliott has been living and working in Guangzhou for several years, specializing in early years and primary teaching in the IB programme. Following graduation from Loughborough University, Elliott has devoted himself to teaching and learning. He has completed a Postgraduate Certificate of Education, IB Professional Development courses.
As a respected educator, Elliott has also shared in discussions on Curriculum Modernization in China during the 2022 International Education Development Forum and has led workshops for parents and teachers on Positive Behavioural Management. He believes firmly that a teacher's responsibility is, above all else, to develop students' ability to learn and ignite students' passion for learning.
Kirsty Kirtley
Homeroom Teacher
Kirsty Kirtley brings over 20 years of passionate educational teaching and leadership experience to our community. Armed with a master’s degree in education and an IB Leadership Certification from the University of Dundee in Scotland, Kirsty is dedicated to fostering academic excellence and holistic student development.
Kirsty Kirtley is not just an educator; she is a dedicated advocate for student success and well-being. Her holistic approach to education aligns seamlessly with ISA Tianhe School's commitment to providing a nurturing and empowering learning environment.
Jo Williams
Homeroom Teacher
Jo is a qualified teacher from England with previous experience as the Head of Phonics, Head of Maths and Art Subject Lead in British and Chinese primary schools. Whilst teaching in China, she continued her love of art by pioneering the extracurricular arts and crafts club ‘Home Crafts’ which taught children skills such as solar printing, paper making and soap making. She is a trained Duke of Edinburgh Award supervisor and enjoys hiking, singing and crafting in her free time.
Jo graduated from Loughborough University at the top of her class with a BA Hons. Since then, she has gained her qualified teacher status in England as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in education. She is dedicated to developing her own teaching practice and has also trained teachers in maths and phonics whilst working in China. She describes her teaching style as warm and respectful, and her classroom is a place where students are able to deepen their understanding in an inclusive environment.
Irina Toma
Homeroom Teacher
Irina has over 16-year experience, teaching children both in Europe/England and Hong Kong. She graduated University with a BA degree in Teaching English as a Foreign Language - teaching both Primary and Secondary level students. Irina achieved a Qualified Teacher Status, UK and a postgraduate qualification in teaching English as a Second Language, CELTA – UK.
She incorporates multi-sensory teaching along with carefully noted individual learning styles, interests and backgrounds to enable students to access the curriculum across all subjects. Irina has a holistic approach to teaching and her primary goal is to support students to achieve their academic potential to their very best.
Jo Slatter
Homeroom Teacher
Jo has been teaching for over 25 years after gaining her PGCE in the UK. Jo S then got a teaching job in Qatar at a new school, so she had direct impact on what was taught and ideas to take the school forward. Next, was a move to Oman where she taught the PYP. She particularly enjoyed leading the PYPX.
She believes in creating a respectful classroom with a focus on academic success for each student.
Charlotte Aucamp
Homeroom Teacher
Charlotte Aucamp brings 30 years of educational experience to our institution. Formerly serving as the Head of PYP and EY in Zhuhai, she is also a founding member of an international school in Chengdu. Throughout her career, she has worked in Primary and Early Years schools in South Africa and China, as well as in Head Librarian roles. Charlotte graduated from TUKS University and holds a SACE teacher license.
With expertise in Pedagogical Leadership and numerous IB Certificates, she exemplifies dedication to lifelong learning. Charlotte has also contributed as an EAL curriculum developer. Her relentless efforts as an educational leader aim to foster respectful, friendly, and inclusive learning environments where students can experience the joy of learning.
Tara O'mahony
Homeroom Teacher
Tara has been living and teaching in China for more than 7 years now. Prior to her teaching career in China, Tara has graduated from the University College Cork in Ireland with a degree in Social Science and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education from the University of Derby. Tara was in education in Ireland before bringing in her teaching skills to China 5 years ago, where she has been teaching young children, focusing on skills that improves critical thinking, creativity and raising awareness and understanding of the world.
With all she has achieved thus far, Tara continues aiming to teach her students in a positive, encouraging environment, focusing on independent learning. She believes that learning takes place both in the classroom and at home, leading her to work closely with parents, keeping them informed to better help their children be the best they can be.
David Firth
Homeroom Teacher
David is thrilled to be joining ISA Tianhe International School as a homeroom teacher in 2024, bringing over 20 years of experience working with children and young people. He has taught in various educational roles in New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Germany, and South Korea.
David holds a Bachelor Degree and a Graduate Diploma of Teaching from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. David creates vibrant and safe learning spaces where students are excited to come to school every day.
With his enthusiasm and dedication, David looks forward to inspiring his students to embrace learning and grow into confident, compassionate global citizens.
