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OUR TEACHERS
Your child will learn better when they’re happy, our teachers are dedicated to making that a reality.
primary
  • Leadership Team
  • Elementary School
  • Secondary School

MEET OUR TEAM

Dr. Craig Wilson
Craig Wilson
Head of School

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.


Adam M. Vetrano
Adam M. Vetrano
Secondary School Principal & Deputy Head of School

Adam is a career educator and school leader with over 20 years of experience across the United States, the UAE, South Korea, and Vietnam. 

Adam’s leadership has focused on building coherent, high-functioning school systems. He holds a Master’s degree in Education, a postgraduate qualification in School Management and Leadership from Harvard University, and just completed a Global Executive Doctor of Education from the University of Southern California.

Ms. Lubaina Essack
Lubaina Essack
Elementary School Principal

Ms. Essack holds a Master's degree in Science and a PGCE in Education. Her professional experience spans leadership and teaching roles including Secondary School Principal, Curriculum Coordinator, Department Head, Middle/High School Science and Biology teacher, and School Guidance Counselor.

As a school leader, Lubaina values authenticity, transparency, academic rigor, and the spirit of harmonious collaboration. She is passionate about inquiry and skills-based teaching that nurtures critical and creative thinking, communication, and innovation.

Keto Richards
Keto Richards
Director of Counseling

Mr. Richards holds a double major in History and Psychology from Saint Mary’s University in Canada and is currently pursuing an MA in International Relations and Global Security at King’s College London.

With nearly 20 years of experience in the education industry, he has served in a wide range of roles, including Owner and Principal Consultant, Academic Principal (MS/HS), University Counselor, AP Teacher, and Teacher Trainer. A U.S. national, he brings extensive expertise in both academic leadership and student guidance.

Caitlin Aleksick
Caitlin Aleksick
Director of Student Services

Ms. Aleksick holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of Arizona and two Master of Education degrees in Educational Leadership and Special Education from Northern Arizona University. She also holds a Doctor of Education from the University of Oregon, along with an Oregon Professional Teaching Certificate and Principal License.

With over 20 years of experience in special education, she has held roles including Dean of Students, Head of School Summer Program, Special Education Assessment Specialist, Behavior Intervention Specialist, Secondary Special Education Learning Specialist, and Special Education Coordinator, bringing deep expertise in student support and inclusive education leadership.

Paul Robinson
Paul Robinson
Athletics and Activities Director
Mr. Robinson got his Bachelor of Science (Hons) degree in Sport & Fitness Science/Health Science from the University of Luton and his Master's degree with distinction (Performance Football Coaching) from St. Mary’s University. He has a FFA/AFC Coaching License (Australia/Scotland), Management and School Leadership Certification (Harvard Business School), and other certifications.

He has been working in education for more than 25 years, including 16 years as a teacher. Paul's interests include volleyball, basketball, swimming, softball, cricket, football, freeletics, gym, fitness, DDPY, boxercise coaching, cycling, running, golf, travel, history, music, cooking, and reading.

MEET OUR TEAM

Ms. Lauren Smith
Lauren Smith
Literacy Lead

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 six 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.

Tairo Medeiros
Tairo Medeiros
Mathematics Lead

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.

Jakolene Olivier
Jakolene Olivier​
STEM Lead

Ms. Olivier holds a B.Ed. with a double major in Science and English from the University of the Free State and an MA in Teaching English as a Second Language from The TEFL University in the United Kingdom.

With nearly 10 years of experience in education, her work is strongly focused on STEM, teaching subjects such as Biology, Environmental Science, and integrated science courses. She has held a range of roles including Middle School Coordinator and MYP Program Contributor, and has taught across IB and AP programs, bringing a strong interdisciplinary approach to science education.


Sharon Churchwell
Sharon Churchwell
Early Years Coordinator

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.

Lydia Donahue
Lydia Donahue
Grade 3 Teacher

She holds a Master of Education in Special Education and is a National Board-Certified Teacher in the United States.

With over 15 years of teaching experience, including two years in China, she has strong expertise as a homeroom teacher, creating supportive classroom environments and guiding students’ academic and personal growth.

Mr. Martin Moratillo
Martin Moratillo
Art Teacher

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. 

Judit Bugarne Acs
Bugárné Ács
PHE & Swimming Teacher

Judit holds qualifications in aerobics instruction from the Hungarian University of Sport Science, as well as degrees in Primary Education and Educational Science from Eötvös Loránd University, and is also a certified Swim Australia Teacher.

With 10 years of teaching experience, including one year in China, she brings a well-rounded approach to primary education, integrating physical education, wellness, and classroom learning to support students’ overall development.

MEET OUR TEAM

Gulnora Kuziyeva
Gulnora Kuziyeva
EAL Department Head, Pastoral Assistant Principal

Ms. Gulnora has 20+ years of experience working as an international teacher. She has a Master's degree in International Teaching from Framingham State University 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.


Image_NAS Dalian_2021-56_Jordan Reed
Jordan Reed
English Language Arts Department Head

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. 
 

Michael Kuropatwinski
Michael Kuropatwinski
Social Studies Department Head

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.

Dr. Liu Xiaoming
Xiaoming Liu
Math Department Head

Dr. Liu holds a Doctorate d’Université from Paris-Est and a Teaching Certificate in 7–12 Mathematics from Washington, D.C., USA.

With over 16 years of experience in education, she has strong university-level expertise, having served as both a lecturer and a Master’s supervisor at Dalian University of Technology, supporting undergraduate and graduate students in their academic development.

David Cong
David Cong
Science Department Head

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.


Angelia Guan
Angelia Guan
Mandarin Language Department Head

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.

EXPERIENCED INTERNATIONAL STAFF

Our outstanding and experienced teachers belong to an elite group of professionals aligned to the highest international standards, that share best practices with their colleagues around the world, helping students reach their maximum potential.

At DAIS, we’re the most forward-thinking educators in the world, and we use our global reach to create a learning experience like no other. We have a highly qualified and experienced faculty. 77% of our teaching team hold a Master’s degree or higher.

We commit considerable resources for recruitment every year to hire the absolute best teachers for our students. DAIS's outstanding reputation for educational excellence for the past 15 years allows us to compete for top teaching talent.

The world’s best educators inspire our students to achieve their personal excellence.
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TEACHER TRAINING

Our international teachers continually educate each other and provide support while getting the best ongoing development training available.

Teachers join training at Nord Anglia University, meaning our educators are at the cutting-edge of their profession. We offer an Executive Master’s in International Education from Kings College, providing our teachers with an in-depth understanding of school leadership in international settings. We take select teachers on subject-specific training every year with MIT. Our Regional Education Team provides all teachers with Becoming Bilingual training.
Professional learning
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JOIN OUR COMMUNITY

WORKING WITH US

Exceptional teachers make exceptional schools, and our educators are some of the very best. Our learning environment is enhanced by a balanced ratio of national and international teachers. 

Passionate about inspiring young minds and helping students thrive, our teachers never stop learning through local and global, continuous professional development programs – something that attracts talent both in China and from around the world. 
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