Our Senior Leadership Team
At International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC), we have a dedicated and professional faculty of teachers and administrators, gathered from all corners of the world, whose role is to help students become the best they can be in all aspects of their lives.
 |
Adrian WattsHead of School P.G.C.E., Loughborough University |
Experience
“Having lived and worked internationally for over thirty years my philosophy of education has been strongly influenced by the different schools I have been fortunate to work in. I have learned that it is important for students to be educated and prepared for the challenges of the global society of the twenty-first century through a balanced approach that encompasses both academics and social and emotional student growth. Our fast changing world demands that students are critical thinkers and able to communicate, connect and collaborate effectively with others. Schools need to be producing students who are resilient and creative innovators who will become the entrepreneurs and employers for a sustainable world.” |
|
 |
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.” |
|
 |
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 |
|
 |
Teresa FoardAssistant Principal/Well-being Grades 11-12 M.Ed., The University of Melbourne |
Experience
"My 20+ years in education have taught me that building relationships is at the heart of being an effective educator. I am committed to supporting students to identify and pursue their own unique individual passions, talents and pathways. I view my role at ISHCMC as one of enabling students to thrive holistically in our rich and diverse community and to prepare them to better understand and manage the complexities of life in the 21st century." |
|
 |
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.“ |
|
 |
Dylan CitrinAssistant Principal/Well-being Grades 8-10 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." |
|
 |
Joanne SmithAssistant Principal/Well-being Grades 6-7 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.“ |
|
 |
Laney RweyemamuProjects Coordinator 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.” |
|
 |
Dominic VerweyCAS 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.” |
|
 |
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.” |
|
 |
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.” |
|
 |
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.” |
|
 |
Nancy SnyderLower IB PYP Coordinator M.Ed. Elementary Reading, Graduated with Distinction, Northern Arizona University |
Experience
"In my years working in many educational settings, I have observed young students’ learning, agency and engagement as a fundamental ingredient to building life-long learners. Seeing young learners as capable and thinking individuals helps us support the best learning possible. By building relationship based on two-way conversations grounded in respectful interchange and collaborative problem solving, I continue to work successfully with teachers and teaching teams to help create environments and learning engagements that supports quality teaching and learning. Above all else, as educators our job is to work together to meet the needs and work towards serving the best interests of the learners." |
|