Our Leadership
At ISHCMC we have a dedicated & professional leadership team from all corners of the world, whose role is to help students become the best they can be in all aspects of their lives.
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Kim GreenHead of School Ph.D. in Social Science UGSM-Monarch Business School Switzerland (In progress) |
Experience
“The best school in the universe is where there is a holistic culture of learning and wellbeing, substantive and sustainable improvement, and distributed agency-based leadership. It is where all learners collaborate to co-construct understandings and have a robust sense of collective efficacy. I believe that fundamental educational and leadership practices evident in the best school in the universe are interrelated and interdependent and based on the concepts of wellbeing and holistic learning, experiential learning, mindful communication & collaboration, engagement in reflection that inspires learning, being energized by challenges that lead to continuous improvement and empowering each individual to achieve beyond their goals.” |
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Douglas BalzerDeputy Head of School Bachelor of Education (Secondary Science), The University of Melbourne |
Experience
“After 25+ years in education, it has become obvious that a successful modern school has a unique obligation to not only instill the essential academic knowledge, cultural awareness and global mindset for students to develop, but also prepare them for the wider twenty-first century challenges they are yet to face. My overarching passion as an educator is in the development and guidance of well rounded, socially and emotionally balanced, young persons that are equipped with the academic skill sets, personal attributes and global awareness needed to achieve their dreams and meet their challenges. My hope is that my students not only engage in the wider global community but go on to thrive and be outstanding fervent moral leaders, well beyond the academics time they have spent at school and develop into the best versions of who they can be.” |
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Will HurtadoSecondary School Principal (Grades 6-12) M.Ed. Education Leadership and Management, University of Bath |
Experience
“Learning has to happen in students, not to them” - Carol Ann Tomlinson |
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Laney RweyemamuAssistant Principal M.Sc. University of Arkansas |
Experience
“Focusing on connections and relationships is the cornerstone in any opportunity for growth. Allowing students to make connections between one another, with those around them, and within themselves is what allows for perspectives to be seeded, cultivated and flourish. These perspectives empower students to be adaptable and conscious of the ever-changing needs of society. My role, in conjunction with students, parents, and the school, is to facilitate students in a community of collaboration that allows for a student’s development of confidence and the acquisition and refinement of skill development so they can forge their way in the uncertain world in front of them.” |
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Simon ScoonesAssistant Principal M.A. in Environment, Development & Policy, Sussex University |
Experience
“Despite the profound changes to education (and the world) since I started my career 30 years ago, my priority has always been to be student-centred. For me, learning should be inclusive, active, challenging and fun. The learning environment at ISHCMC clearly fosters a culture of collaboration and innovation amongst colleagues and students to make this happen. I am really excited by the opportunities presented by the new secondary campus to take authentic inquiry-based learning for all of us to a new, higher level.“ |
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Dylan CitrinAssistant Principal/Wellbeing Grades 9-12 M.A. Teaching History, Bard College |
Experience
“I believe in a simple approach to education: celebrate today’s successes and make honest, thoughtful, deliberate action steps to get better tomorrow. Key to that approach is looking at each situation with Carol Dweck’s “growth-mindset” model and emphasizing a positive, “can do” attitude, regardless of the challenge. Student and teacher collaboration is at the heart of creating a culture where people feel safe to take risks with their learning. My goal is to model this by working with students and teachers in classrooms as much as possible. In doing so, I find others see me as a teacher leader who wants to learn from them and with them." |
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Joanne SmithAssistant Principal/Well-being Grades 6-8 B.A. Physical Education (Secondary), University of Cumbria |
Experience
“I believe that it is our role as educators to teach our students to become adaptive thinkers in an ever-changing world. Students now have access to the world at their fingertips. Teaching them the life skills to deal with the information overload of the 21st century will allow them to achieve not only in school but in the real world. I am committed to creating a welcoming, challenging and inspiring environment which encourages students to become develop into individual learners. I view my role at ISHCMC as helping our students to engage in principled reflection to help build a collaborative learning community. It is imperative that we put the students at the heart of every decision and that meaningful relationships are created to empower our young people to be open-minded global citizens.“ |
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Dominic VerweyCo-curricular Coordinator P.G.C.E. Biology, General Science and Mathematics, University of Cape Town |
Experience
“As an educator entering the teaching world not so long ago, on the cusp of a drastic and rapid change in the workplace environment, I realized that our youth are searching for answers to an unpredictable future. They are desperate for those nearby to understand and engage with their needs. Mentoring young people is something I value, with an emphasis on a sustainable approach to a well-balanced and fulfilling life. So when the world changes, we are all ready to change and thrive with it. Following this outlook allows us to grasp a deeper understanding of ourselves and who we are in context, with an ultimate goal of gaining insight into, and showing empathy towards, our fellow humans and the planet as a whole.” |
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Kate GrantPrimary School Principal (EE2-Grade 5) Trained Teachers Certificate,Wellington Teacher’s College |
Experience
“Learning is at the centre of all my thinking and decision-making. I bring a high self-efficacy and a passion for life and learning to my work. Having lived in New Zealand, England, Bhutan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Thailand and Paris I value all peoples and thrive in multicultural settings where diversity provides a rich cultural experience and breeds intercultural understanding, open-mindedness and tolerance.” |
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Lianne KalapacaPrimary School Vice Principal (EE2-Grade 5) Graduate Diploma of Education K-6, University of Western |
Experience
“I believe that we should appreciate our differences but celebrate our commonalities. We are all different from our cultures and beliefs, talents and learning styles, looks and nationalities and it is the differences that set us apart and makes us unique. However, when we celebrate our commonalities, we are united in our philosophy, goals and efforts and it makes our experiences together richer. It’s all about the kids and making ISHCMC the best school in Vietnam through engaging lessons, collaboration, and responsible sustainable action.” |
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Tania MansfieldUpper IB PYP Coordinator M.B.A. Marketing (Distance Learning), Leicester University |
Experience
“I believe that learning takes many subtle forms and happens all the time. Good teachers know what learning looks like and know how to enhance it. When children are empowered and respected, they can achieve great things. As their competencies expand and their understanding of the world becomes more sophisticated, students are equipped with the things they need to become confident and ethical citizens. A powerful education is one that makes this happen.” |
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Ishbel HowLower IB PYP Coordinator Bachelor in Education and Geography Homerton College, Cambridge University |
Experience
"My passion for learning and travel came through my upbringing as an International School child myself. I was born and spent my early years in Hong Kong and the memories of my magical childhood inspire me to provide the same for our young learners. I have benefitted from working with many great Early Childhood teachers and mentors and believe strongly in the PYP framework, with inquiry and child centred learning at its heart, and the Reggio Emilia Approach which recognises the child as a competent learner. ‘Children are not things to be molded, but are people to be unfolded’ - Jess Mair" |
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