Meet our talented Early Years teachers.
We read over 250 applications each year before carefully selecting candidates for any new teaching positions. All teachers receive 2 weeks of rigorous training before they start and benefit from around 70 hours of ongoing professional development support throughout the school year.
Teachers must be qualified and experienced, but most of all they must be ready to be role models to our students. We know we ultimately teach through modelling and expect all teachers to fully embrace the values of the school and develop personal attributes in line with the school’s 12 Wise Habits.
At Panyaden, we value passion, personality, commitment.

Britt Danbois (Kru Britt)
Fireflies Homeroom Teacher
Kru Britt brings 12 years of international teaching experience to her classroom, having worked with children from infancy to Grade 3 in places as diverse as New York, New Zealand, Benin, France, South Korea, Vietnam, and Germany. She holds degrees in Childhood Education and Communication Studies from the State University of New York at Oswego.
Phatcharaphorn Kwanthong (Kru Pond)
Fireflies Homeroom Teacher
Kru Pond brings over 23 years of rich teaching experience across a variety of settings—from kindergarten and primary schools to vocational education and university levels, both in Thailand and internationally. She holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Chiang Mai University, grounding her work in a strong academic foundation.
What truly sets Kru Pond apart is her heartfelt commitment to nurturing the whole child. She believes that education should support not only academic growth but also the social and emotional development that builds self-confidence, self-discipline, and compassion for others and the environment. She sees these qualities as essential for helping children thrive both inside and outside the classroom.
Kru Pond’s passion for Buddhist Education complements her personal interests in baking and healthy painting, providing her with meaningful ways to encourage mindfulness and joy. Her warm, caring approach inspires students to find inner peace and to appreciate the simple, fulfilling moments in life—creating a learning environment where children feel supported, valued, and motivated to grow.
Sureerat Prayoonwong (Tookta)
Fireflies Teaching Assistant
Kru Tookta brings both a wealth of knowledge and a warm heart to her work with children. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Gemology from Chiang Mai University and a Bachelor of Education in Education and Communication Technology from Sukhothai Thammathirat University. With her strong academic background, she is deeply committed to helping children learn and grow in ways that feel natural, joyful, and meaningful.
Her teaching philosophy centers around play-based learning, where children can explore, imagine, and discover at their own pace. She believes that through play, children not only build important skills but also develop confidence, independence, and a love for learning that will serve them throughout their lives.
Beyond the classroom, Kru Tookta has a love for singing, traveling, cooking, and sharing new experiences with others. She treasures the opportunity to create warm, trusting relationships with her students and their families, and she takes great joy in watching each child’s unique personality and abilities shine.
Alexis Egan (Kru Alexis)
Butterflies Homeroom Teacher
Kru Alexis brings over 11 years of Early Years teaching experience from around the world, having worked with young learners in Qatar, China, and Angola. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Bryn Mawr College, with a focus on educational psychology and symbolic thought, as well as a Master’s in Early Childhood Education from Towson University.
Her passion lies in creating nurturing, play-based learning environments where children feel safe, valued, and free to follow their natural curiosity. Alexis believes that early childhood is a magical time for exploration, and she strives to build classrooms filled with wonder, discovery, and joy. She has a special interest in early literacy, sensory play, and the art of storytelling to build connection and understanding.
Nature is also an essential part of her approach, both as a setting and a co-teacher which offers children space to grow, observe and learn in meaningful ways.
Kru Alexis is thrilled to be part of the Panyaden community, especially alongside her husband, Kru Brian, who teaches in the Secondary School.
Tassanee Naksin (Kru Jeab)
Butterflies Homeroom Teacher
Kru Jeab brings over 22 years of dedicated experience working with kindergarten children, making her a cherished part of the Panyaden community since its opening in 2011. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication from Ramkhamhaeng University, along with a professional teaching license.
Her teaching philosophy centers around the belief that art, music, and movement are essential tools for young learners. Kru Jeab passionately integrates these creative activities into her lessons, knowing they nurture children’s emotional, social, and cognitive growth in meaningful ways. She understands that early childhood is a crucial time for exploration, expression, and building confidence.
What truly drives Kru Jeab is her love for teaching and the joy she finds in brightening children’s days. She believes learning should be fun and filled with happiness, creating a warm, welcoming environment where every child feels valued and inspired to grow. Her gentle enthusiasm helps spark a lifelong love of learning in her students, laying a strong foundation for their futures.
Mintra Tisakit (Kru Mintra)
Butterflies Teaching Assistant
Kru Mintra brings a wonderful blend of international experience and heartfelt dedication to her work with young children. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Management from the Thai-Nichi Institute of Technology, followed by a Diploma in Early Childhood Education in Melbourne, Australia. Before joining Panyaden, Kru Mintra spent over five years working in childcare in Australia, and she has now been an important part of the Panyaden family for more than three years.
Kru Mintra has a deep love for working with children and feels truly inspired by the joy and curiosity they bring each day. She believes that children learn best through creative, play-based experiences that allow them to explore, discover, and grow in meaningful ways. Her greatest happiness comes from seeing each child develop new skills, gain confidence, and express their unique personalities.
With her warm and caring approach, she creates a nurturing environment where children feel safe, valued, and excited to learn—helping them to grow not only academically, but also socially and emotionally.
Laura Lucia Puga Kurucz (Kru Laura)
Caterpillars Homeroom Teacher
Originally from Hungary, Laura spent most of her life in Ecuador, where her passion for education first took root. She holds a Master’s in Special Education from the Universidad de La Rioja in Spain and has over a decade of experience in international schools. Her teaching journey began at the American School of Quito, where she moved from a Primary Teaching Assistant role into Early Years teaching, a stage she continues to love deeply.
Now in her fourth year in Thailand, Kru Laura is excited to continue her journey at Panyaden, a school that beautifully reflects her values and child-centered approach. She brings warmth, inclusivity, and creativity to the classroom, encouraging young children to explore, express themselves, and grow with confidence.
She finds great meaning in teaching the 12 Wise Habits, believing they lay the foundation for compassion, mindfulness, and resilience. Passionate about Thai culture and Buddhism, Laura continues to deepen her understanding through daily practice.
She feels grateful to be part of the Panyaden community and looks forward to another joyful, inspiring year with her students.
Wanlaya Loetphornphisit (Kru Mint)
Caterpillars Homeroom Teacher
Kru Mint brings more than 20 years of teaching experience in both private and international schools, along with a deep passion for supporting children’s growth in every aspect of their development. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Chiang Mai Rajabhat University and is dedicated to helping each child discover their unique strengths and reach their full potential.
In her classroom, Kru Mint values the importance of honoring individual differences and uses a variety of creative learning strategies to engage children in meaningful ways. Her approach is grounded in Conscious Discipline, child development principles, and Panyaden’s 12 Wise Habits, which together create a caring and well-structured learning environment.
At the heart of her teaching philosophy is a commitment to nurturing love, kindness, sharing, and independence. Kru Mint believes that when children feel valued and supported, they gain the confidence and joy that make learning a lifelong adventure. She is devoted to helping her students grow socially, emotionally, physically, and cognitively, laying a strong foundation for their future success.
Natee Kwansriwong (Kru Natee)
Caterpillars Teaching Assistant
Kru Natee, brings a wealth of life experience and a deep commitment to early childhood education. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Chiang Mai University and initially worked in the financial sector before pursuing his long-held dream of exploring the world. His journey led him to Australia, where he gained valuable life experiences and discovered his true passion for working with young children.
While in Australia, Natee was inspired by his part-time work in childcare to complete a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care at TAFE Queensland in Brisbane. During this time, he developed a particular interest in supporting toddlers, recognizing the importance of these formative years in laying the foundation for lifelong learning. Natee is dedicated to nurturing every child’s social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development with care, respect, and intentionality.
Beyond his professional role, Natee enjoys traveling and exploring different cultures, as well as maintaining a healthy lifestyle through fitness and time in nature. These pursuits bring balance and inspiration to his work with young learners.
Kevin Charles Lewis (Kru Kevin)
Kindergarten 2 (Busy Ants) Homeroom Teacher
With over 20 years of teaching experience, 17 of those in Early Years, Kru Kevin has dedicated most of his career in Thailand to nurturing young learners through play-based, child-led approaches. Now in his fourth year at Panyaden, he brings deep expertise and a heartfelt passion for fostering curiosity, creativity, and confidence in early childhood education
Before joining Panyaden, he served as Deputy Head of Early Years at the Singapore International School of Bangkok, supporting teams in creating high-quality, holistic learning environments. Kevin strongly believes that play is the foundation of all learning. Through open-ended exploration and imaginative play, children develop critical thinking, resilience, and a lifelong love of discovery.
As a qualified Forest School Leader, he’s also a passionate advocate for outdoor education. Whether it’s woodland walks, mud kitchens, or group challenges under the trees, he sees nature as a powerful co-teacher.
Kru Kevin is proud to be part of a school community that values mindfulness, sustainability, and whole-child development where every child is supported to grow academically, socially, and emotionally in meaningful ways.
Podchanart Manipuntee (Kru R)
Kindergarten 2 (Busy Ants) Homeroom Teacher
Kru R holds a Bachelor’s degree in Thai Language from Payap University and a Master’s degree in Education Administration from Chiang Mai University. She joined the Panyaden community in 2019, bringing with her 15 years of experience in education, including working closely with Early Years students.
Before Panyaden, Kru R worked as a Primary and Secondary School Thai Teacher and later led the Thai Department at a top international school in Chiang Mai. She guided and mentored Thai teachers to improve their skills, aiming to provide students with engaging and meaningful learning experiences. Her teaching approach focuses on fostering curiosity, encouraging creativity, and nurturing a lifelong passion for learning.
At Panyaden, as a Thai Homeroom Teacher, Kru R continues to apply her expertise. Her experience with Early Years students has strengthened her ability to design lessons that meet the developmental needs of young learners, helping them build a strong foundation in both academics and character.
With her academic background, leadership experience, and dedication to education, Kru R remains passionate about shaping meaningful learning journeys for both students and teachers within the Panyaden community.
Nundapatr Mongkolsitchoth (Kru Kookkai)
Kindergarten 2 (Busy Ants) Teaching Assistant
Kru Kookkai graduated from Thammasat University with a degree in Social Work. With a deep passion for nurturing both children and the elderly, she has always been dedicated to making a positive impact in people’s lives. Before joining Panyaden, she spent three years working at a child development centre, where she supported young children in their early learning journey. Additionally, she has experience organising creative and engaging activities for children through a tour agency, combining education with fun.
Kru Kookkai is also a sports enthusiast who enjoys playing table tennis, badminton, volleyball, and football. She believes that sports not only promote physical well-being but also teach important life skills such as teamwork, discipline, and perseverance. In her free time, she loves watching movies, reading books, and exploring new places through travel.
Beyond her professional work, Kru Kookkai is passionate about community service. Whenever she has the opportunity, she and her friends volunteer to organise activities that support child development and contribute to the well-being of the local community. She finds great joy in giving back and believes that small acts of kindness can lead to meaningful change.
Anna Perez (Kru Anna)
Kindergarten 2 (Honey Bees) Homeroom Teacher
The adventure and joy of international teaching have taken Kru Anna from her home in the Philippines to classrooms in Venezuela, China, Qatar, Colombia, Singapore, and now Thailand.
With a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s degree in International Teaching, Anna has dedicated most of her professional life to nurturing young children in the Early Years. She feels truly fulfilled being part of each child’s educational journey, and she treasures the many ways her students inspire her with their curiosity, creativity, and unique perspectives.
Kru Anna believes in creating a warm, joyful, and supportive learning environment where children feel safe to explore, discover, and grow at their own pace. She is passionate about helping children develop not only academic skills but also the confidence, kindness, and independence that will serve them throughout life.
Outside the classroom, Anna enjoys hiking, surf skating, reading, making her own kombucha, and connecting with her family and friends.
Naranya Tanakulparat (Kru Neung)
Kindergarten 2 (Honey Bees) Homeroom Teacher
Kru Neung brings 17 years of teaching experience, with a background that spans both the United States and Bangkok. Since joining Panyaden, she has become a valued member of our community, sharing her warmth, energy, and dedication to supporting children’s growth—both academically and spiritually.
Neung believes that a strong foundation in values is essential for helping children grow into happy, confident, and responsible individuals. She is especially passionate about guiding young learners in developing self-regulation, cultivating inner values, and experiencing the joy of learning. For her, the early years are a special time when these qualities first begin to take shape, and she feels honored to be part of that journey with each child.
Her approach is rooted in a deep care for the holistic well-being of her students. Kru Neung strives to create a nurturing environment where children feel safe, valued, and inspired to explore, setting the stage for a lifetime of curiosity, resilience, and meaningful growth.
Nanticha Chutikul (Kru Gift)
Kindergarten 2 (Honey Bees) Teaching Assistant
Kru Gift is originally from Chiang Rai, a peaceful and culturally rich province in northern Thailand. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Technology from Maejo University and later pursued a Master’s degree in Professional Accounting in Sydney, Australia. While living in Sydney, she volunteered at a local library, reading stories to young children during weekend storytime sessions. This experience sparked her true passion for working with children, inspiring her to shift her career toward education.
Kru Gift believes that the early years are crucial for a child’s development. She is deeply committed to creating a nurturing, engaging, and supportive environment where each child feels valued and encouraged to explore their curiosity and creativity. She is passionate about helping children grow not only academically but also emotionally and socially.
What drew Kru Gift to Panyaden International School is its unique blend of academic excellence with mindfulness, respect for nature, and sustainable living. She also values the school’s serene environment, knowing it plays a key role in fostering children’s well-being and love of learning.