Grade 1
Bryce Woodiwiss
Nationality: South African
Year starting at Clifford: 2022
Position: Grade 1 Teacher
Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree, TEFL
Teaching Experiences: Taught in South Africa and China to a wide range of students and age groups.
"I love facilitating fun, engaging and communicative classes. I believe strongly in learning by doing and love to see students doing things that inspire them to grow. I look forward to seeing my students grow into competent English speakers during their time at Clifford."
Megan Nielsen
Year starting at Clifford: 2017
Position: Grade 1 English Teacher
Qualifications: Masters of Arts in Teaching
Teaching Experiences: USA & Clifford's International Kindergarten
"I love watching students learn new things and gain confidence. It is so fun to watch them learn and grow each day!"
Jenna Hancock
Nationality: American
Year starting at Clifford: 2020
Position: Grade 1 English Teacher
Qualifications: Bachelor of Arts, Masters in International Studies, TEFL
Teaching Experiences: 13 years teaching in China, Japan, and Malaysia
"Seeing young learners develop into mature, confident, and happy students is always something I strive for. I look forward to watching them grown here at Clifford Bilingual and hope to encourage them to be kind and proactive members of society."
Iain Terhoch
Nationality: Canadian
Year starting at Clifford: 2010
Position: Grade 1 English teacher
Qualifications: Bachelor of Education; Bachelor of Fine Arts.
Teaching Experiences: Taught in Canada and at Clifford Bilingual Kindergarten.
“Learning is important for children. By learning to read, write, and speak students will develop their communication skills. Learning to read, write, and speak develops language skills and children’s enjoyment and helps them to prepare and become ready to learn. Eventually a student will progress and develop from learning to read, write, and speak and begin to read, write, and speak to learn.”
Matt Jarvis
Hometown: Lincoln, Nebraska U.S.A.
Year starting at Clifford: 2019
Grade level: Grade 1 English teacher
Qualifications: Teaching English as a Foreign Language.
Past Experiences: Clifford School Substitute – all levels KG and Elementary.
“I strive not only to teach English to my students, but also strong character traits. Teachers are a significant part of a child’s development, and I want my young learners to leave as better people than when they came.”
Grade 2
Nestor Daniel Martinez
Nationality: American
Year starting at Clifford: 2022
Grade level: Grade 2 English teacher
Qualifications: Bachelor of Communications & Digital Media. TEFL Certificate.
Teaching Experiences: TA in US, Middle school teacher at Maple Leaf International School Tianjin, and private tutor.
"What I love about Clifford Bilingual is that this is the time the students have the opportunity to become role models for younger students. It’s a sensitive time in the child’s life and it brings me great pleasure to teach, improve, and partake during this time of a student’s growth.”
Ryan Mountain
Nationality: British
Year starting at Clifford: 2021
Position: Grade 2 English teacher
Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in history and politics; TEFL.
Teaching Experiences: Taught in England and China.
“I am really looking forward to teaching at Clifford school! I believe that we will have a great year learning and growing together. Teaching should be about having fun too! It’s entirely possible!”
Allan Dunbar
Nationality: British
Year starting at Clifford: 2022
Position: Grade 2 English Teacher
Qualifications: B.A. (Hons) Business Information Technology (with Economics). TEFL
Teaching Experiences: I have taught in HK and the Mainland for 15 years
“I truly believe that students’ success begins with making them comfortable in the classroom and that learning should be fun! I encourage students to share their questions and opinions in an unbiased and open environment.”
Heinrich Rohde
Nationality: South African
Year starting at Clifford: 2022
Position: Grade 2 English teacher.
Qualifications: Bachelor of Education
Teaching Experiences: I have taught in South Africa and in China.
“It is my goal turning students into lifelong learners. Teaching is my passion, so there’s no better feeling in the world than seeing my students learned something from my classes.”
Trish Makhubele
Nationality: South African
Year starting at Clifford: 2022
Grade level: Grade 2 English teacher
Qualifications: Bachelor of Law, TEFL
Past Experiences: Taught in China
“For me, the ideal classroom environment is student-centered. I always ensure that my lessons involve multiple learning styles so that students learn through their preferred learning style. I am excited to be part of the Clifford Team”
Grade 3
Stephen Keeler
Nationality: British
Year starting at Clifford: 2020
Position: Grade 3 English Teacher
Qualifications: Bachelor of Arts, BTEC Diploma & TEFL Certification
Teaching Experiences: Over 7 years teaching experience in China and 2 years’ experience working in a primary school setting in the UK.
"Teaching English to elementary students here at Clifford is a rewarding experience for me where every day brings new opportunities. Every lesson is a chance to spark curiosity, build confidence and celebrate the joy of learning together”
John Stolk
Nationality: South African
Year starting at Clifford: 2022
Position: Grade 3 English teacher
Qualifications: Bachelor of Education, TEFL
Teaching Experiences: Taught in South Africa and China
“I love teaching. It’s a job that lasts forever. Whatever I teach children today travels with them far in the future.”
James Bayern-Hindle
Nationality: British
Year starting at Clifford: 2016
Position: Grade 3 English Teacher
Qualifications: LLB & LLM Degrees in Law; PGCE+QTS; TEFL Cert
Teaching Experiences: Teaching in England; Teaching in China since 2006
“I am really excited about my two super classes this year! I’m looking forward to developing their enthusiasm for speaking English, and helping them to become the best language-learners they can be.”
Shawn Hare
Nationality: American
Year starting at Clifford: 2022
Position: Grade 3 English teacher
Qualifications: Bachelor of Science, TEFL, Cert TESOL
Teaching Experiences: Have been teaching in China for 6 years.
“I believe the best way to make children enjoy learning is through fun and engaging activities that provide them with a sense of adventure and accomplishment. “
Drew Wachter
Nationality: American
Year starting at Clifford: 2019
Position: Grade 3 English Teacher
Qualifications: B.A. Psychology TEFL-C Certification
Teaching Experiences: Over 8 years teaching in China
"The best part of my job is seeing the smile on a students face when they know that they have done a good job and have learned something new, used it independently, and had fun doing it. My goal is to see this type of smile every day.
Grade 4
Trudy DeMercado
Nationality: Jamaican/British
Year starting at Clifford: 2021
Position: Grade 4 English teacher
Qualifications: Bachelors of Science (Chemistry), TEFL
Teaching Experiences: 3 years teaching ESL in China
“I am passionate about the growth of the future generation and as such, I get immense pleasure seeing the progress made by my students mastering and honing English as a second language. It is truly a satisfying feeling.”
Frank Swain
Nationality: American
Year starting at Clifford: 2020
Position: Grade 4 English Teacher
Qualifications: Bachelor of Psychology, CELTA certification, TEFL certification
Teaching Experiences: Taught in China (Shanghai, Tianjin, Guangzhou), Malaysia, and Japan
I'm am eager to get know the 4th grade students and help them to express their dreams and goals in English. Let's have a magical year."
Rebecca Hagon
Nationality: British
Year starting at Clifford: 2017
Position: Grade 4 English Teacher
Qualifications: BA Honors in Education, Diploma in Primary Education, CELTA
Teaching Experiences: 8 yrs in Japan, Nepal & New Zealand
“I enjoy watching students increasing their confidence and language skills and making great progress. It’s a great pleasure to be part of the Clifford staff, working together to make this school a great place to be."
Nathan Overmann
Nationality: American
Year starting at Clifford: 2015
Position: Grade 4 English Teacher
Qualifications: Masters in Education Technology, Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning, and TESOL Certification
Teaching Experiences: I have taught 5 years in Thailand
“I enjoy having the opportunity to teach at a school that cares about their students and offers a great educational program that motivates its students to learn English.”
Tim Little
Nationality: American
Year starting at Clifford: 2006
Position: Grade 4 English Teacher
Qualifications: Bachelor of Education & Masters in Education
Teaching Experiences: TESOL in China
"It is a pleasure to help the children build and maintain an interest in learning English, which will benefit them throughout their lives. I also encourage them to protect the Earth for future generations.”
Zunaid Bux
Nationality: South African
Year starting at Clifford: 2021
Position: Grade 4 English Teacher
Qualifications: Masters of Business Administration, Post-Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCEi)
Teaching Experiences: I've taught in China, the Caribbean, and South Africa
“I am looking forward to working with all of our ELS students and team, and bringing my fun and interactive teaching style into the classroom.”
Grade 5
Maria Martensson
Nationality: American
Year starting at Clifford : 2015
Position: Grade 5 English Teacher
Qualifications: Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies, Teaching Certificate for all subjects EC to Year 8
Teaching Experiences: One year in Kuwait & two years in USA
“I enjoy teaching and exploring books with students and seeing them grow as individuals and in their capabilities in English.”
Jemma Hutchins
Nationality: British
Year starting at Clifford: 2021
Position: Grade 5 English Teacher
Qualifications: Bachelor of Arts in History, Master of Arts in TEFL
Teaching Experiences: Taught in China for 13 years.
“I am looking forward to meeting all the students getting to know their different personalities and watching them grow.”
Sergio G. Valdez, Jr
Nationality: American
Year starting at Clifford: 2022
Position: Grade 5 English teacher
Qualifications: Master of Education; TESOL
Teaching Experiences: Taught in the United States and China.
I really enjoy sharing the classroom with instructing the students and witnessing their progress in English language acquisition. Clifford Bilingual provides a great learning environment for students to prepare for the highly competitive professional world and it’s an honor to be a part of their academic progression.
Rob Ward
Nationality: American
Year starting at Clifford: 2020
Position: Grade 5 English Teacher
Qualifications: Bachelor of Education, TESOL
Teaching Experiences:
I taught middle and high school in the US for 4 years. 3 years teaching in Guangzhou, China.
"I am
excited to join Clifford school. I love working with kids and am looking forward to teaching 5th grade. "
Antasha René
Nationality: American
Year starting at Clifford: 2021
Position: Grade 5
Qualifications: Bachelor of Arts and TEFL-C
Teaching Experiences: I have taught in the USA and China “I am ready to lead our 5th graders on an exciting learning adventure!”
Grade 6
Kay Jarvis
Nationality: American
Year starting at Clifford: 2010
Position: Grade 6 English Teacher
Qualifications:Bachelor of Education and Human Sciences
Teaching Experiences: 5 years teaching in the United States
“I am excited to be teaching at Clifford Bilingual! I aspire to not only help my student grow in their
learning but also have fun with it, too!"
Brian McNeill
Nationality: British
Year starting at Clifford: 2020
Position: Grade 6 English teacher
Qualifications: Degree in Podiatry, TELF(International)
Teaching Experiences: 15 years experience teaching in China "This is my first year at Clifford. With my years of experience, I hope to share my knowledge with the students and also give them an understanding of western culture."
Thomas Reynolds
Nationality: American
Year starting at Clifford: 2017
Position: Grade 6 English Teacher
Qualifications: Masters in Education
Teaching Experiences: Throughout Asia, including Korea, Thailand and China
"Teaching is a long time passion of mine. Throughout my many years of teaching I have enjoyed watching my students grow into strong and independent learners. My teaching involves having students problem solve and develop into lifelong learners."
Ryan Otto
Nationality: South African
Year starting at Clifford: 2020
Position: Grade 6 English Teacher
Qualifications:Bachelor of Arts; Post Graduate Certificate in Education; Post Graduate Diploma in Business and Marketing; TEFL
Teaching Experiences: Three years teaching in Guangzhou
“My goal is to ensure the students work environment is stimulating, rewarding and interesting and to promote students to actively participate and have fun while learning.”
Fahad Shaikh
Nationality: British
Year starting at Clifford: 2020
Position: Grade 6
Qualifications: Bachelor of Science
Teaching Experiences: Five years teaching in China.
“I'm looking forward to a wonderful year at Clifford Bilingual. I am excited to see students progress and improvements as well as wanting to share and grow with my students. I'm ecstatic to see what the future will bring!”