Grade 1
Raquel Silva
Nationality: South African
Year starting at Clifford: 2020
Position: Grade 1 English teacher
Qualifications: Bachelor of Social Science and International Relations; TEFL
Teaching Experiences: Teaching in China for two years
“As a teacher I can have a huge impact on a child’s life, and to see a child progress and grow is something that brings great joy to me.”
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!"
Natalie Rowlands
Nationality: British
Year starting at Clifford: 2021
Position: Grade 1 English teacher
Qualifications: Bachelor of Business Administration;
Teaching Experiences: Two years teaching in China
“Being able to pass on knowledge and seeing children grow and learn is one of the most enjoyable and fulfilling achievements I have experienced. I am looking forward to guiding these future leaders and watching them grow in confidence as they develop their understanding and use of English.”
Michael Coney
Nationality: British
Year starting at Clifford: 2021
Position: Grade 1 English teacher
Qualifications: Bachelor in Law and Politics; TEFL
Teaching Experiences: Taught in China for four years.
“It is very enjoyable watching students learn and develop in the classroom, gaining in confidence and using the language skills they have acquired. I’m looking forward to the year ahead.”
Jan Anderson
Nationality: Canadian
Year starting at Clifford: 2007
Position: Grade 1 English Teacher
Qualifications: Bachelor of Education
Teaching Experiences: Taught in South Korea, Thailand, America and China.
“I enjoy watching the students become more confident readers and writers and expressing their thoughts in English.”
Jenna Hancock
Nationality: USA
Year starting at Clifford: 2020
Position: Grade 1 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.
Grade 2
Ryan Mountain
Nationality: United Kingdom
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!”
Joe Mock
Nationality: American
Year starting at Clifford: 2018
Position: Grade 2 English Teacher
Qualifications: Bachelor's of History & Elementary Teaching
Teaching Experiences: Taught in Colorado and Shenzhen
"I'm excited for a new experience at Clifford! I am looking forward to seeing all the growth the students will achieve this year in my classroom."
Laurel Bergsma
Nationality: Canadian
Year starting at Clifford: 2014
Position: Grade 2 English Teacher & Grade 2 Team Leader
Qualifications: BA of English Literature & Political Science, BA of Education
Teaching Experiences: Taught in South Korea and Spain
“I truly enjoy helping my students progress in their study of English. It's incredibly rewarding to watch a child grow to become more confident and independent. My time at Clifford Bilingual School is very gratifying.”
James Bayern-Hindle
Nationality: British
Year starting at Clifford: 2016
Position: Grade 2 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.”
Kay Jarvis
Nationality: American
Year starting at Clifford: 2010
Position: Grade 2 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!"
Grade 3
Marit Turner
Nationality: American
Year starting at Clifford: 2019
Position: Grade 3 English Teacher
Qualifications:Bachelor of Arts TEFL
Teaching Experiences: 11 years teaching in Korea and China
“I am looking forward to my time at Clifford. It's always nice to see students having fun while learning as well as seeing their educational growth.”
Nicholas Shelhamer
Nationality: United States
Year starting at Clifford: 2021
Position: Grade 3 English teacher
Qualifications: Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering; TEFL.
Teaching Experiences: Teaching in Chengdu and Guangzhou,, China.
“I enjoy teaching young children because everything is new to them. Being with my students while they discover the world, that’s a rewarding experience.”
Brian McNeill
Nationality: United Kingdom
Year starting at Clifford: 2020
Position: Grade 3 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."
Stephen Keeler
Nationality: United Kingdon
Year starting at Clifford: 2020
Position:Grade 3 Teacher
Qualifications: Bachelor of Music, TEFL (UK)
Teaching Experiences: Taught in Guangdong and Inner Mongolia, also worked in a Primary School in the U.k.
"I'm really looking forward to teaching these fantastic students in Grade 3 here at Clifford Bilingual School. I enjoy seeing the students progress throughout the year and developing confidence in their English."
Drew Wachter
Nationality: U.S.A
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
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.”
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.”
Trudy DeMercado
Nationality: Jamaican
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.”
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: United Kingdom
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.”
Alexander Harris
Nationality: Canadian
Year starting at Clifford: 2019
Position: Grade 5 English Teacher
Qualifications: Bachelor of Arts
Teaching Experiences: Taught in Canada and China
"I love learning and experiencing new things so I became a teacher to share the love that I have for my passions. I cant wait to teach the kids in Clifford
Bilingual so we can all few and learn to together!"
Rob Ward
Nationality: USA
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. "
Grade 6
Ashley King
Nationality: American
Year starting at Clifford: 2016
Position: Grade 6 English Teacher
Qualifications: Bachelors in Political Science; Masters in Elementary Education
Teaching Experiences: Taught in the United States for 8 years.
“I really enjoy helping students to achieve and grow in their strengths academically at Clifford. Teaching at Clifford is my first experience teaching abroad and it thus far has been a rewarding one.”
Adam Huffey
Nationality: British
Year starting at Clifford: 2018
Position: Grade 6 English Teacher
Qualifications: Bachelor of Social Science, Post-graduate Certificate of Education (U.K.)
Teaching Experiences: Taught in all levels in Thailand & China
“I have spent most of my adult life teaching English to Asian learners, and I am looking forward to contributing towards the betterment of the Clifford school environment and especially, my Grade 4 students.”
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."
Ian McCutcheon
Nationality: United Kingdom/ South African
Year starting at Clifford: 2020
Position: Grade 6
Qualifications: Bachelor of Science (Honours), TESOL Certified
Teaching Experiences: Taught in South Africa and China.
"I am really looking forward to getting to know the students this year. I am very fortunate to have this opportunity to teach at Clifford and am looking forward to helping the children learn and progress with their English."
Fahad Shaikh
Nationality: United Kingdom
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!”