Meet CIS Academic Team

Educational Background:

Master of Education

Educational Experience:

With over 25 years of educational experience, he is a seasoned district leadership certification holder who has served as a teacher, principal, district director, and executive director of an education group in Washington State, USA.

Aaron Chavez is a transformational leader and renowned author who combines servant leadership, academic rigor, and holistic development to build vibrant educational communities where everyone can discover their potential and enjoy learning.

Educational Background:

• Master of Education in Educational Leadership

• PhD in Organizational Leadership (in progress)

Educational Experience:

With over 23 years of experience in education, including 13 years in leadership roles. 

Stefan Sjodin has focused extensively on A Level courses, successfully leading academic teams to achieve excellent student outcomes and secure admissions to top universities worldwide.

Educational Background:

• Bachelor of Education and Diploma of Teaching

• Master of Education (Honors) in Leadership and Management

Educational Experience:

With over 30 years of extensive experience in education, including 17 years in senior leadership as a principal of K-12 schools.

"As Head of School, I am committed to ensuring that CIS Foshan is a safe, supportive and student-centered learning environment where every student has the opportunity to feel like they belong, are respected and have the opportunity to experience educational success and achieve far more than they ever thought possible. I am also committed to partnering with every family and serving the needs of our CIS community with integrity, respect and the greatest of care I can afford. "

Educational Background:

Master of Computer Science

Educational Experience:

With over 30 years in international education, he helped found a top-ranked Guangdong international school, led teams to national Computer Olympiad and robotics championships, and guided many students to top universities like Oxford, Cambridge, and the US Ivy League. His graduates have a 100% admission rate to the world’s top 100 universities. He was named China's "Most Influential International School Principal" in 2017.

"Respect the teacher and trust his teachings"

Educational Background:

• Bachelor of Education

• Bachelor of Arts in English Studies and Child & Family Studies
  

• Master of Education in Educational Leadership

Educational Experience:

With 10 years of educational experience in Kuwait, Qatar, and China, he has gained extensive expertise in Canadian and American curricula as well as the IB framework.

"In our educational journey, students and teachers learn from each other and grow together."

Educational Background:

• Bachelor of Arts and Design

• Master of Education

Educational Experience:

With nearly 10 years of teaching experience, she spent four years as a primary school teacher at an international school in Macau, and five years as a kindergarten homeroom teacher at CISGZ.

"CIS Kindergarten offers a great environment for growth. Here, children form friendships, learn to cooperate, and enhance their problem-solving and math skills through play. They develop motor skills through physical activities and establish routines and discipline, preparing them for a smooth transition to formal education."

Educational Background:

Bachelor of Education

Educational Experience:

With over 34 years of experience in educational leadership and reform, including 10+ years focused on the IB curriculum, he has spent 22 years in Asia—13 of them in  China—working in places such as Singapore. Guided by the belief in cultivating inquiring, globally minded learners, he combines strong pedagogical expertise with strategic leadership to advance holistic education.

"Education should inspire curiosity, empathy, and resilience."

Educational Background:

Master of Education

Educational Experience:

With 16 years of experience in research, development, and organizational management of international curricula such as IB, A-Level, and AP, has served as the Secondary Academic Director at renowned international schools in Beijing and Dalian. Additionally, he has teaching and management experience at international schools in the UK and Manila.

“Inspiring Hearts, Empowering Minds, Building Bridges to Belonging —‘When we know better, we do better.’”

Educational Background:

• Bachelor of Arts and Design

• Master of Education

Educational Experience:

With nearly 10 years of teaching experience, she spent four years as a primary school teacher at an international school in Macau, and five years as a kindergarten homeroom teacher at CISGZ.

"CIS Kindergarten offers a great environment for growth. Here, children form friendships, learn to cooperate, and enhance their problem-solving and math skills through play. They develop motor skills through physical activities and establish routines and discipline, preparing them for a smooth transition to formal education."

Educational Background:

Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education

Educational Experience:

Over 5 years of experience in international kindergartens and schools

"My ultimate goal is to create a forever bond with my students.
I want every child who enters my classroom to feel loved, cared for, and supported."

Educational Background:

Bachelor Of Science and Arts

Educational Experience:

Over 20 years of teaching experience

"As an educator, I believe one of the most crucial elements of effective teaching is cultivating a learning environment that allows students to engage, share, and explore freely."

Educational Background:

• Bachelor in Psychology

• Bachelor in Early Childhood Education

Educational Experience:

Over 13 years of international education experience

"Play is the highest form of research."

Educational Background:

• Bachelors Degree in Educational, majoring in Mathematics and Minor in Science and Arts

• Bachelor of Educational Psychology

• Studying for a Masters of Education with the focus on Inclusive Education

Educational Experience:

15 years of international teaching experience

"I believe every child has unique potential waiting to be unlocked through meaningful learning experiences."

Educational Background:

• Bachelor of Primary Education

• Master of Early Childhood Education

Educational Experience:

20 years of teaching experience, with nearly half of her career immersed in the enriching environment of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP).

"As a teacher, I want my students to understand what lifelong learning means.I want them to have this goal of understanding the concept of being a lifelong learner,who continuously build their skills and knowledge throughout their lifetime."

Educational Background:

Bachelor of Education and History/Anthropology

Educational Experience:

5 years of international education experience

"Teaching with Heart, Guiding with Purpose."

Educational Background:

Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in History + Bachelor of Education 

Educational Experience:

Gained solid teaching skills in diverse educational settings and is committed to creating a positive and caring classroom environment.

"I believe teaching is about enriching young minds, building community, and setting students up for success."

Educational Background:

Bachelor of primary education

Educational Experience:

over 5 years of international teaching experience

Educational Background:

Master of English / German education

Educational Experience:

over 9 years of international teaching experience

"Every child is a natural explorer. My role is to ignite their curiosity, guide their discoveries, and empower them to become lifelong learners who thrive in a global community."

Educational Background:

• Bachelor's degree in Education

• Studying for a Master of Advanced Education

Educational Experience:

over 14 years of international teaching experience

"Education is not the filling of a bucket, but the lighting of a fire."

Educational Background:

Bachelor’s degree from South China Normal University

Educational Experience:

• 4 years of overseas teaching experience

• 11 years of Chinese language teaching and homeroom experience at renowned bilingual schools in China

"Let trees be trees, and flowers be flowers."

Educational Background:

Master’s Degree in Education (Guangxi Normal University)

Educational Experience:

• 3 years’ experience teaching Chinese and IB in international schools; 

• two-time CIEO Outstanding Teacher and Panyu District Outstanding Teacher

"The purpose of education is not to provide answers, but to unlock the doors of the mind."

Educational Background:

Master of Education

Educational Experience:

With 16 years of experience in research, development, and organizational management of international curricula such as IB, A-Level, and AP, has served as the Secondary Academic Director at renowned international schools in Beijing and Dalian. Additionally, he has teaching and management experience at international schools in the UK and Manila.

“Inspiring Hearts, Empowering Minds, Building Bridges to Belonging —‘When we know better, we do better.’”

Educational Background:

Bachelor's Degree in Social Studies Education

Educational Experience:

Over 9 years of international teaching experience

"Together, we will build that connection, and create a more educated, thoughtful,and proficieworld. l look forward to the new schoolyear at ClS."

Educational Background:

Master of Education

Educational Experience:

31 years of international teaching experience

"Knowledge is Power, Education is Freedom"

Educational Background:

• Bachelor's degree in Physics

• Master's degree in Nuclear Physics

Educational Experience:

Over 20 years of international teaching experience

"Inspire students' enthusiasm for lifelong learning and prepare them for success in higher education and beyond."

Educational Background:

• Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Environmental Science

• Master of Education

Educational Experience:

Over 3 years of international education experience

"Learning isn’t a finish line. It’s a path we walk together, one discovery at a time."

Educational Background:

Master of Chemical Engineering

Educational Experience:

Over 5 years of international teaching experience

"Advocate group discussions, mutual learning, happy learning, and natural talent must be useful."

Educational Background:

Master of Mathematics and Physics

Educational Experience:

• Cambridge CELTA Certificate

• Eight years as an IELTS examiner

"I hope we can work together at CIS and equip this generation of keen young minds with first-class communication skills and give them the best possible advantage throughout their future careers and lives."

Educational Background:

• Bachelor of Fine Arts Honours 

• Bachelor of Education Honours 

Educational Experience:

Having over 20 years of teaching and leadership experience in top schools in Canada, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, and China

"Community is the foundation of learning."

Educational Background:

• Master’s Degree in Education (CUHK)

Educational Experience:

• Taught at multiple international and bilingual schools

• Over 10 years of English teaching experience

“The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.”

Educational Background:

Bachelor of Business Administration (San Diego State University, USA)

Educational Experience:

Over 10 years of international education experience

"I believe it’s crucial to meet students where they are and cultivate their learning in positive and uplifting ways. By building on their strengths and providing a fun and engaging learning environment, we can foster their growth and curiosity."

Educational Background:

• Bachelor of International Economics and Trade

• Master of Marketing Management (CUHK)

Educational Experience:

With substantial frontline expertise in securities analysis and financial auditing, he excels at transforming business acumen into dynamic case-based learning experiences.

"Explore the unknown, challenge the difficult"

Educational Background:

Master of Chinese International Education (Beijing Language and Culture University)

Educational Experience:
Over 9 years of international education experience

"Focus on the effort, not the outcome."

Educational Background:

• Bachelor of Oil Painting 

• Master of Fine Arts

Educational Experience:

Over 10 years of international education experience

"There are always flowers to give to those who want to see."

Educational Background:

Master of Music Composition

Educational Experience:

Over 9 years of international education experience

"Practice makes better!"

Educational Background:

Bachelor of Sports Studies

Educational Experience:

Over 9 years of international education experience

Educational Background:

Bachelor in education

Educational Experience:

Over 13 years of international education experience

"Relationships are the key to success in education."

Educational Background:

• Bachelor of Science in Urban Planning

• Master of Education

Educational Experience:

Over 8 years of international education experience

"My goal is to nurture critical thinking and problem-solving skills in my students, essential abilities for our ever-changing world."

Educational Background:

Bachelor of Education

Educational Experience:

Over 30 years of international education experience

Educational Background:

• Master's Degree in Applied Psychology, South China Normal University

• Level 3 Psychological Counselor Certification (China)

• High School Psychological Teacher Certification (China)

Educational Experience:
5 years of experience with over 800 hours of cumulative psychological counseling

"Every child deserves to be seen, the mist will dissipate through listening and companionship, and then flowers will become flowers, and trees will become trees."

Qualification background:

• UCAS Certified Adviser

• Common App Ready Certification Consultant

• Level 4 Diploma in Career Information and Advice 

• US News Ranking Navigator-US News

Guidance experience in academic planning:

• Extensive experience in undergraduate,postgraduate and doctoral applications

• Successfully guided over 700 students to enter world-renowned universities

"The whole art of education is to enable the student to become himself."

Educational Background:

• pursuing a Master's degree in Educational Management at the Education University of Hong Kong

• National second level athlete

• National first level referee

Educational Experience:

• 15 years of international education experience

• Having rich experience in organizing and planning student activities both on and off campus

• Led student teams to win special and first prizes in provincial and municipal competitions multiple times

"Guided by rules, moistened by emotions."

Educational Background:

Bachelor's Degree, South China Normal University

Educational Experience:
10 years of international education experience