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Dr. Craig Wilson brings extensive experience in international education, academic leadership, and operational excellence. He holds advanced degrees in education and has served diverse learning communities across North America, Asia, and Europe for over 30 years. Prior to joining DAIS, Dr. Wilson held senior leadership roles in international schools, where he championed student-centered learning and inclusive school cultures. Known for his strategic vision and collaborative approach, he is passionate about fostering global citizenship and academic rigor.
Outside of education, Dr. Wilson is an avid traveler and lifelong learner, committed to building strong relationships with students, staff, and families to support holistic development and community engagement.
Nathan has over 30 years of educational experience, including experience as an Assistant Principal, Athletic Director, Web Master, and professional tennis instructor.
A North Carolina native and world traveler, Nathan holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Education and a Master's degree in School Leadership. He brings his passions for service learning, global citizenry, and problem-based learning to DAIS.
Ms. Essack holds a Master's degree in Science and a PGCE in Education. Her professional experience includes being a Secondary School Principal, a Curriculum Coordinator, a Department Head, a Middle School/High School Science and Biology teacher and a School Guidance Counsellor.
As a school leader, Lubaina values authenticity, transparency, academic rigor, and the spirit of harmonious collaboration. Her primary educational focus is on inquiry and skills-based teaching that promotes critical and creative thinking, information literacy, communication, collaboration, and innovation.
Mr. Jones holds a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology and Communications Studies, and a Postgraduate Degree in Primary Education from the University of Toronto. He is a global citizen who was born in the U.K., raised in Canada, and has enjoyed his journey into international education at schools in Seoul, Beijing, Changsha and now Dalian as an Elementary Curriculum Coordinator, Grade Level Leader, Homeroom Teacher, Librarian, and Technology Integrator.
Mr. Jones is passionate about promoting 21st century skills, while encouraging students to develop a growth mindset, which will help them achieve their personal best in every aspect of their life. He is looking forward to creating an environment that fosters creativity and innovation, incorporating Inquiry Based Learning and Project Based Learning.
Mrs. Capozzoli obtained her Bachelor of Science from the University of Houston. She also has a Master's degree of Elementary Education and a post graduate degree in Educational Psychology.
She has been in education for 20 years and working internationally for over 10 years. Mrs. Capozzoli has served in several roles including curriculum, leadership, and teaching a variety of grade levels.
Ms. Chizzoniti holds an M.A. with Honors in Philology and Literatures from Sapienza University of Rome, a Certificate in Early Education Leadership from Harvard Graduate School of Education, and MACTE credentials across Infancy, Toddler, Early Childhood, and Elementary levels. With over 20 years of experience in education, she has worked with learners from infancy through high school.
Ms. Chizzoniti is a seasoned Montessori teacher trainer, instructor, and mentor, and the Founder and Director of Blossom Montessori Culture Center. Her leadership is rooted in child-centered pedagogy, cultural sensitivity, and a deep commitment to nurturing lifelong learning in diverse educational environments.
Ms. Smith graduated from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal with a degree in Business. She also has a Graduate Certificate in Education from the University of South Africa.
Lauren has more than four years of experience working in China. Her previous positions include a Kindergarten ESL homeroom teacher and Bilingual School Elementary teacher. She is passionately involved with sports and enjoys spending time outdoors.
Mr. Medeiros is an Upper Elementary Math and Science teacher originally from the US. He holds BA in Communications, a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction, MA in Teaching (K-6), a Teacher Certification and a K-6 General Educator License among other certificates.
With 15 years of teaching experience (Math, Science, STEM, ESOL, and homeroom), Mr. Medeiros is also a multi linguist: he speaks Spanish, Portuguese, French, English, and Mandarin.
Ms. Carey Clark holds a Master’s degree in Education from Oral Roberts University, a Bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Waterloo, and a Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language from the University of Toronto.
Originally from Canada, Ms. Clark brings over 20 years of teaching experience, including 16 years in China. Her expertise spans language instruction, curriculum development, and cross-cultural education. She is passionate about fostering inclusive learning environments and empowering students to become confident communicators.
Ms. Tafoya has more than 12 years of teaching experience.
Ms. Tafoya has a Bachelor's degree of Applied Science in Elementary Education and Master of Arts in Elementary Education with a Math, Science, and Educational Technology (MSET) Concentration. Her prior roles include a Classroom Teacher, Lead Engineering Teacher, Reading Interventionist, Robotics Coach, Grade Level Design Lead, and Head of Educational IT.
Mr. Martin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts, and a Master’s degree in Education Management.
Working in education since 1991, Mr. Martin taught in the UK and US as an artist and teacher visitor. He also traveled to Pakistan under a UNESCO scholarship to show his artwork and to teach drawing. In Peru, he taught Creativity, Art History and Drawing of the Human Figure in local universities and art schools. Recently, Mr. Martin has been giving talks and lectures to local art teachers in different cities of China, regarding Creativity, Art History, and Sustainability in Art Education.
Ms. Morillo has developed expertise in curriculum design and implementation with over three decades of experience in academia. As an international educator she has acquired cultural awareness, as well as teaching and learning expertise while working in South Korea, Ecuador, Morocco, USA, and China.
Ms. Morillo earned her Master of Education in Educational Leadership from the Montclair State University of New Jersey and Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Universidad Central Del Ecuador. Her previous positions include a university professor, Curriculum Coordinator, IB Coordinator, IB Extended Essay Coordinator, Head of Department, ELL Specialist, and Spanish and English Language Arts Educator.
Mr. Reed graduated from the University of Akron with a Bachelor of Art degree in Integrated Language and his secondary teaching certification. He received his Master’s degree in International Education from King’s College London.
In 2011, Jordan moved to Dalian to teach English in a different environment. Jordan is a lifelong learner who brings his enthusiasm for learning into the classroom every day. His love of writing and literature propels him to help students find a voice that is their own.
Mr. Kuropatwinski holds an M.A. in Liberal Studies and a B.A. in Economics from the State University of New York. Originally from the United States, he has over 13 years of teaching experience, including 11 years at Dalian American International School/Dalian Huamei School. He teaches a range of social studies subjects at the junior and high school levels, including AP Microeconomics, AP United States History, Modern World History, Current Issues, and Government.
His long-standing commitment to DAIS/DHS reflects his dedication to academic instruction and curriculum delivery in the humanities and social sciences.
Mr. Iwanyshyn is a proud graduate of MacEwan University (Bachelor of Science), and the University of Alberta (Bachelor of Education), both in Edmonton, Canada. His educational expertise lies in the physical sciences, with specializations in Physics, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and Psychology.
Besides an extensive teaching experience, Brandon ran multiple summer fitness camp programs for students and organized, created and lead a weekly student newscast.
Dr. Libingi holds a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), an M.Sc. in Accounting and Finance, a BSc in Business Studies and Mathematics, a B.Ed. in Secondary Mathematics, and a Diploma in Accounting (AAT UK). He has over 27 years of teaching experience, including more than 7 years in China. His teaching portfolio includes mathematics (AP Calculus, IGCSE, A-Level), economics (BC curriculum), and senior-level instruction from upper primary through MYP.
He has also served as a lecturer in financial management and trade mathematics, and is certified to teach in British Columbia, Canada.
Ms. Guan joined DAIS in August 2011 after she earned her Master of Education degree from Hong Kong University in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language. She holds both National Teacher Certificate and a Certificate for Teachers of Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages.
During working time in DAIS, Ms. Guan attended many workshops as she loves to try new teaching methods. She also enjoys to take students out for study trips and make students learn in authentic community.
Ms. Gulnora has 18 years of experience working as an international teacher. She has a Bachelor’s degree in English Philology from Samarkand State Institute of Foreign Languages and a Postgraduate Certificate of Special Study in Teaching and Learning from Westminster International University in Tashkent.
Her previous positions include ESL teacher, ESL Head of Department, MYP and DP English teacher, grade level coordinator and summer camp director.