Meet our talented Secondary 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.
Christine Vithayathil (Kru Christine)
Middle School Coordinator
Student Support Coordinator
English Acquisition
Kru Christine originally comes from a small and beautiful village in the Austrian Alps. She holds teaching qualifications from Austria, as well as the UK. In addition to this, she holds a Master’s Degree in English Literature and various certificates in English language teaching. After several years of teaching in Austria and the UK, she ventured into the big wide world of teaching in international schools.
As an English language learner herself, Kru Christine feels very passionately about being an advocate for multilingual learners. She has shared this passion with students, parents and staff at international schools in Austria, the UK, India, Japan, China, the Philippines and now at Panyaden International School.
At Panyaden Kru Christine serves as the Student Support Coordinator and Middle School Coordinator. She also teaches English Acquisition in the high school and supports students with their academic English language development throughout the secondary school.
Outside of school she keeps herself busy by reading books about education and connecting with and learning from educators around the world. She enjoys spending time in the kitchen baking bread, sweet treats and making jams. She also enjoys knitting and drinking cups of tea in her garden. Most of all, she loves spending time with her family: her husband Daiju, their daughter Nina (Year 5) and their two cats, Oreo and Rollo.
Charles Tetreault (Kru Charles)
High School and IBDP Coordinator
Social Studies, IB Economics
Kru Charles was born and raised in Halifax, Canada. He has been an IBDP educator for eleven years, and has been a teacher for twenty years. Prior to Panyaden, Charles worked at Shekou International School in Shenzhen, China, and Colegio Internacional de Caracas in Caracas, Venezuela. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History and Political Science from McGill University in Montreal, Canada and a Master’s Degree in Social Studies Education from Hunter College in New York City.
Kru Charles is joined by his wife, Kru Susan, who supports the primary as an EAL teacher, and his daughters Penny (6) and Lucy (4). In his spare time he enjoys sports, travel, and tabletop role-playing games.
Christopher O’Connor (Kru Chris)
Science, Theatre, Media and Communication
Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, USA, Kru Chris taught basic STEM engineering in Shenzhen, China. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Communication from Southern New Hampshire University. Kru Chris was also a performer in New York City for over a decade where he performed sketch, improv, stand up, and theater. He enjoys designing, building, writing, performing, film making, and spending time with his wife, 10 year old daughter, and pets. His wife is an English and Film teacher here at Panyaden and his daughter is a Year 6 student. This is Kru Chris’s second year teaching at Panyaden International School.
Clayton Dowty (Kru Clayton)
English Language and Literature, Film and IB English A
Like many of our students, Kru Clayton grew up outside of her home country. She spent most of her childhood in Malaysia, and moved to New York at the age of 18, where she experienced some of the same cultural diversity she enjoyed as an international student. She was an actress for six years before getting a Master’s Degree in English and Theater Education. She taught English and Drama in public schools in Harlem and Queens for seven years before moving to China, where she taught at Shekou International School in Shenzhen, China.
Kru Clayton loves acting, writing, and filmmaking, and is passionate about infusing physical play and movement into everyday learning. She is excited to start her second year at Panyaden!
Dean Jackson (Kru Dean)
Physical Education and Life Skills
Kru Dean comes from Tasmania, Australia. He holds a Bachelor of Education Degree from the University of Tasmania, Australia. This is his third year at Panyaden. Kru Dean has been teaching internationally for 17+ years in Kuwait, Jordan, Mexico, Dubai, Thailand and China. He also taught extensively in Australia prior to teaching internationally. Aside from teaching PE and coaching various sports, he also teaches Life Skills.
As well as being qualified to teach Physical Education and Health, he is also a qualified varsity basketball coach, a teacher of swimming and water safety, and a Level 2 coach of volleyball, badminton, tennis, cricket, gymnastics and Aussie Rules football. Kru Dean’s passion is to teach and coach the benefits that a healthy, active lifestyle has to offer. Music is his second passion and he plays and teaches guitar. He is very much looking forward to another exciting year at Panyaden!
Denison Lane (Kru Denny)
Social Studies, English Language and Literature, IB Theory of Knowledge
Buddhist Education Coordinator
Kru Denny is originally from Sonoma, California, where he taught English literature and composition at the high school level. He received his bachelor’s degree in English Literature and teaching degree from Sonoma State University, where he focused on literacy for English Learners. This is Kru Denny’s fifth year teaching at Panyaden. Outside of work, his hobbies include reading, hiking, swimming, cycling, and playing games with friends and family.
Danielle Baccioli (Kru Danielle)
English Language and Literature, Mathematics, Social Studies
Kru Danielle has taught many subjects and ages, but middle school is her favourite age group to teach. This year will be Kru Danielle’s 14th year as an educator. Prior to joining Panyaden, Kru Danielle taught middle school Humanities at the International School of Beijing, China and Shekou International School in Shenzhen, China. She also taught upper years PYP at the Qatar Academy Al Wakra in Doha, Qatar as well as middle school Language Arts and Maths in Oregon, USA. Kru Danielle has a Master’s of Arts in Teaching from Lewis and Clark Graduate School of Education, as well as a teaching license from the State of Oregon.
Meriska Bock (Kru Meriska)
Science, Mathematics, IB Biology
Kru Meriska is an enthusiastic, compassionate and goal driven Science and Mathematics teacher who is living out her passion for teaching and traveling, teaching Science and Mathematics at Panyaden International School. She advocates for the environment, enjoys being outdoors hiking and exploring the ocean and its conservation through diving. In 2013 she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Life Sciences and Psychology, and in 2014 she qualified as a teacher after completing a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). Previously, Kru Meriska taught in South Africa at an under-privileged school for two years followed by three years in an international school in Dubai.
This is her third year teaching at Panyaden teaching Year 7 Mathematics, Year 8 and 9 Science and Technology, Years 10 and 11 Pre-IB Science (focusing on Biology) and IB Biology for Year 12.
Michael Arthur Neights (Kru Michael)
Mathematics and IB Physics
Kru Michael was born in central Pennsylvania, USA and moved to Philadelphia to study secondary math education at Temple University. After teaching for 20 years at the J.R. Masterman School in the School District of Philadelphia, he went on to teach at the American School of Angola and Colegio Maya in Guatemala. This is Michael’s first year at Panyaden and he will be teaching Mathematics and Physics. He enjoys outdoor activities such as backpacking, white water kayaking, sailing and gardening, along with a love for travel and experiencing new places, cultures and people.
Bradley Nelson (Kru Brad)
Science and IB Chemistry
Kru Brad was born in California, raised in Utah, and spent much of his adult life in Boise, Idaho. He has 24 years teaching experience in Science and Chemistry at public and international schools. Before Panyaden he taught in the Bahamas, Qatar, and the Cayman Islands. His educational background is in genetics with a BS in Botany/Biotechnology but has focused his teaching in chemistry and has a MS in Educational Technology.
Kru Brad has an appreciation for science education as an important means of understanding and appreciating the world around us. Hopefully, along with increased understanding, students also gain a greater level of respect for the world they live in which influences decisions and actions. Brad loves the outdoors and outdoor adventures including mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, backpacking, backcountry skiing, and anything else he can squeeze into his life.
Gabriela Di Muro Arcia (Kru Gaby)
Middle School/High School School Counselor and College Counselor
Kru Gaby is originally from Maracay, Venezuela. She holds a BS in Psychology from Universidad Arturo Michelena and has a Certificate of International School Counseling. For the past six years, she was a secondary counselor at Colegio Internacional de Carabobo in Valencia, Venezuela. At Panyaden, Kru Gaby will work as a member of the Student Support team, as a social emotional counselor and college counselor, as well as a co-teacher for Life Skills. Kru Gaby will also be an important supporter of our first IB class as they start their college application journey.
Outside of school, Kru Gaby enjoys reading literature from all parts of the world, cycling and cooking. Although she will miss her family and friends, she will miss her cats, Cafe and Ponque, the most. Kru Gaby is very excited to be in Thailand and she has no doubt she will meet many wonderful people this school year.
Angeline J. Angeles (Kru Angie)
Middle School/High School Learning Support
Kru Angie graduated with a BA in Communication Arts from the University of the Philippines, Los Baños. She is also a certified MARIO Educator and is currently finishing her Master’s Degree in Special Education from the University of the Philippines, Diliman. Prior to Panyaden, she spent eight years working at Brent International School Manila (BISM) and three years at the International School Manila (ISM). She supported students with special needs from primary to middle school. She actively attended seminars, including Social Thinking and SENIA (Special Education Network and Inclusion Association) workshops held in the Philippines.
Most of Kru Angie’s time is spent with her husband, Earle John, and two lovely kids, Andrei and Andrea. She loves hiking, travelling, and is passionate about helping students become successful self-directed learners. She is very excited to start her first year at Panyaden!
Lin, Hsin-Ju (Kru Amy)
Mandarin Acquisition, IB Mandarin ab initio
Kru Amy is from Taiwan and earned her qualification of Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language in 2007. Since then, she has been exploring the world through teaching Mandarin and scuba diving internationally. She joined Panyaden as the secondary Mandarin teacher in 2019 after teaching at the United Nations International School (UNIS) in Hanoi, Vietnam. This is her third year of teaching at Panyaden and she teaches students from Year 7 to Year 12.
She believes that a positive interpersonal environment is vital to student growth. In class, students will learn from a variety of activities that explore different dimensions of Chinese culture through an international perspective. Her goal is to make learning Mandarin meaningful and fun for all students. In addition to her passion for Mandarin teaching, Kru Amy also loves practicing yoga, hiking, rock climbing, playing badminton, squash and, last, but by no means least, scuba diving!
Theodore Guggenheim (Kru Ted)
English Acquisition Teacher
Kru Ted is from New Jersey, USA. He holds a BA in Political Science and Middle Eastern Studies, an MA in Political Theory, and an MEd in Teaching English as a Second Language. He has taught at secondary schools in Namibia, China, and now Thailand. He enjoys reading about history and politics, gardening, woodworking, playing rugby, backcountry hiking and camping, and fitness. He is very excited to begin another academic year as a teacher-learner at Panyaden!
Bongkot Theppiman (Kru Ying)
Thai Language Teacher, IB Thai A , Thai Culture Coordinator
Kru Ying has worked as a Thai language and culture teacher at an international school in Chiang Mai and as an English teacher at a secondary school in her hometown, Kamphaeng Phet. This is Kru Ying’s ninth year at Panyaden. Kru Ying is passionate about working with children and believes that the focus of education should be to teach children a sense of responsibility towards themselves, their community and the environment.
Prawitra Chaimanee (Kru Fern)
Thai Language
Kru Fern graduated from Chiang Mai University, Faculty of Humanities with a major in English. Kru Fern has been living in Chiang Mai for 16 years. This year is her fifth year as a Thai teacher. Kru Fern believes that learning new languages opens doors to a new world. She enjoys seeing students use their newly acquired language skills in their daily life. She is also very passionate about baking either alternative baked goods for those with food allergies or extraordinarily delicious cakes!
Jutharat Songkham (Kru Goong)
Thai Language
Kru Goong graduated from Rajabhat Chiang Mai University, Faculty of Education with a major in Special Education. Having worked as a primary homeroom teacher at a public school in Chiang Mai for three years, she then went to New York and spent almost five years learning English whilst teaching Thai language and culture to Thai families there. After moving back to her hometown of Chiang Mai, she then taught Thai language and culture at an international school for almost ten years. This is her first year at Panyaden as Thai language and culture teacher.
Kru Goong is so excited to join the wonderful Panyaden team and she will do her absolute best for the students and the school community. She enjoys reading, watching movies, and travelling. She also loves crafting. In particular, she enjoys paper crafting, sewing, scrapbooking or making other handmade gifts. But, the most joyful moment for her is when she can gift her creations to someone and brighten their day!
Phatnaree PhahonThammasan (Kru Tukta)
Secondary Teacher Assistant
Kru Tukta graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna. She has 16 years of experience working in international schools. In her free time, she enjoys running (road and trail), cycling, travelling and reading books.
Nipada Punjai (Kru Maggie)
Secondary Teacher Assistant
Kru Maggie received her degree in Business Administration from Payap University. After graduation, she worked in Queenstown, New Zealand for almost three years before moving back to her hometown, Chiang Mai. She completed the Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Certificate at Chiang Mai University. As a former member of the Thailand national badminton youth team, she believes that a vital part of success is having a great coach. She, therefore, would like to support all students with the same dedication as her coach showed her team.
She spends most of her free time wandering in books, learning Mandarin, listening to podcasts, and playing Thai traditional xylophone (rá-nâat àyk).
Chomnaad Suteevasinnon (Kru Fai)
Science Laboratory Technician
Kru Fai came to Panyaden in 2019, holding a Bachelor of Science degree. Before joining Panyaden she worked as a senior laboratory technician at an international school in Bangkok for four years and supported a science department at an IB school in Chiang Mai for three years. At Panyaden, Kru Fai is the science laboratory technician. She is based in the Science Preparation Room where she prepares and delivers equipment and materials for science classes and sets up apparatus in the laboratories. She is responsible for maintaining the science laboratories and preparing the rooms, equipment and services so that they are in good order and in line with health and safety expectations.
She also provides support to other teachers upon request: preparing classrooms and experiments, supporting during examinations, student field trips and science activities, translating documents, and creating practical resources.