how we teach

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.

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. 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.

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.