The team leaders and management at Panyaden are passionate people who strive for academic excellence across all aspects of the school programme.
Achieving academic excellence and a healthy attitude to life for all of our students is of paramount importance to the founders of Panyaden International School. The dedication our leaders demonstrate to upholding the school’s vision and mission is outstanding and provides a strong foundation for all teachers and staff to build upon. Each year, we read over 250 teacher applications before carefully selecting candidates for any new teaching positions. All new teachers receive 2 weeks of rigorous training and benefit from an additional 50 hours of ongoing professional development support throughout each school year.
We require that all our teachers hold suitable qualifications and be experienced educators. Most of all, our teachers must be ready to be suitable role models to our students. We know that 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. You will find our talented teachers under each year level, within our Academic Programme.
Pran Indhapan (Khun Nuchie)
School Director
Khun Nuchie has been a driving force behind Panyaden International School since its founding in 2010. With a clear vision and steadfast commitment, she has played a pivotal role in shaping a values-based learning environment where students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Under her leadership, Panyaden has become a school community known for its integration of Buddhist principles, academic excellence, environmental mindfulness, and holistic well-being.
Grounded in a strong belief in Buddhist education, experiential learning, and community connection, Khun Nuchie has nurtured Panyaden into a school of choice—one where students are guided to become compassionate global citizens who contribute positively to the world around them. Her leadership empowers a passionate and skilled teaching and support staff team, dynamic extracurricular programmes, and strong partnerships with families.
She holds two postgraduate degrees: a Master of Education Management from Western University and a Master of Arts in International Relations from the University of New South Wales. These academic foundations reflect her dedication to educational leadership and global understanding, shaping her inclusive and strategic approach.
In addition to her role at Panyaden, Khun Nuchie serves the broader education community as Vice President of the International Schools Association of Thailand (ISAT) and Co-Chair of its Communications and Development Sub-Committee. In this capacity, she works collaboratively with school leaders nationwide to strengthen the voice and impact of international education in Thailand.
Pete Corcoran (Kru Pete)
Head of School
For the first 25 years of his career, Kru Pete worked as a high school teacher and administrator in British Columbia, Canada. His first international posting was as a high school principal, then Head of School at Seoul International School in South Korea. Following this, he served as the founding Executive Director for Qatar Foundation Schools and then as Head of School at the Canadian International School in Singapore and Vietnam.
His professional interests include research on effective teaching and learning, the continuous school improvement cycle, and bilingual education. As a parent and an educator, he understands the powerful impact outstanding teachers have on the daily lives of our students. He is committed to supporting the delivery of outstanding learning with exceptional care and support.
He holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from the University of British Columbia, a Bachelor of Education from Simon Fraser University, and a B.Sc. (Honors) in Psychology from the University of Victoria.
Kathryn Mills (Kru Kathryn)
Primary School Principal
Kru Kathryn is a passionate and dedicated educator whose leadership is rooted in collaboration, compassion, and creativity. With a strong belief in the power of education to shape both the heart and mind, she is committed to nurturing learning environments that support academic achievement while fostering emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and personal growth.
Her educational philosophy is grounded in the belief that every child is capable of learning—each in their own unique way and at their own pace. She places high value on creating inclusive, student-centred classrooms where all learners feel safe, supported, and empowered to take ownership of their growth.
With extensive international experience as an instructional coach, mentor, and program leader, Kru Kathryn has successfully led inquiry-based curriculum design, championed sustainability initiatives, and cultivated school communities that reflect mutual respect and shared purpose. She actively seeks out opportunities to collaborate with colleagues, students, and families, believing that strong relationships are the foundation of impactful learning.
As a school leader, she models open communication, mindful presence, and a solutions-focused mindset. She believes that creativity in leadership—paired with empathy and thoughtful reflection—can unlock the full potential of both educators and students.
Kru Kathryn’s vision aligns seamlessly with Panyaden’s holistic approach to education. She is committed to supporting teachers and learners in becoming confident, compassionate, and curious citizens of the world, equipped with the skills and values to contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Daiju Vithayathil (Kru Daiju)
Secondary School Principal
Kru Daiju has been an educator for over 24 years, teaching Social Studies, Business and Management, Economics, and Theory of Knowledge in leading international schools across Beijing, Bangalore, Tokyo, Shenzhen and Manila. His global experience has shaped a reflective, student-centered approach to teaching and leadership.
A trained instructional coach, Daiju has worked closely with teachers to enhance their practice, build confidence, and grow professionally, many of whom have gone on to take on leadership roles themselves. He is committed to cultivating professional learning cultures that support both individual growth and collective efficacy.
Daiju is an active member of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Educator Network, serving as a workshop leader and examiner for Business and Management and Extended Essays. He has been invited to present at various conferences on topics such as pedagogy, Artificial Intelligence in education, and Strategic Emotional Intelligence (SEQ).
Throughout his career, Daiju has taken on a variety of leadership roles and chaired numerous school-wide initiatives, including IB coordination, technology integration, and strategic planning. He is known for fostering collaboration and aligning school improvement efforts with a clear purpose and shared values.
At the heart of his educational philosophy is a belief that all children can learn, each in their own way and at their own pace. He values a positive, inclusive environment built on open communication and strong relationships among staff, students, and families. He believes teamwork is key to helping every learner reach their full potential.
Valaya Dipongam (Khun Tumm)
Administration Director and School Manager
Valaya has more than 10 years of professional experience as a Business Development and Legal Consultant. She holds a Bachelor Degree in Law from Thammasat University and also a Master’s degree in Law in Corporate Law from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, New York.
She initially joined Panyaden in 2013 during a brief break from her career as a Legal Consultant in New York, but this year she decided to come back to Panyaden as Administration Director after having successfully established a stable business base for her family.
“I am impressed with the Panyaden philosophy as working here made me a better person from the inside. What we are trying to achieve at Panyaden is not only about improving our students’ futures but also about supporting the development of every employee and parent at school.”
As an Administration Director, she will lead and oversee all daily support operations of the school. This includes purchasing, maintenance, IT, catering, housekeeping and Human Resource departments, all vital operations to the school.