New Primary Teachers in Academic Year 2019/2020
Mr. Jason Hill – English and Drama
Personal background and education: Mr. Hill is originally from Hampshire, England, and this is his seventh year of living and working internationally in Hong Kong. He resides here with his wife and one year old daughter. Mr. Hill holds a First Class Bachelor of Arts in Education Degree (specialising in English and with Qualified Teaching Status) from the University of Brighton in England.
Work experience: Mr. Hill brings over a decade of primary school teaching experience to SISHK, specialising in English. He has been involved in over half a dozen primary school English language productions and musicals, and has also been responsible for a dual language (English and Mandarin) production of William Shakespeare’s ‘Twelfth Night’.
Teaching philosophy: Mr. Hill believes that all students are individual and everyone learns in their own unique way. He uses multiple methods of teaching to reach students, so that all have the chance to meet and exceed their potential.
Ms Sunny Yeung – Chinese
Personal background and education: Ms. Sunny Yeung is from Taiwan. She has a BA and an MA from National Chengchi University in Taiwan and an MA degree in Educational Studies from Sheffield University, England.
Work experience: She has been working as a Chinese teacher at Chinese International School, Shanghai American School, and Canadian International School of Hong Kong.
Teaching philosophy: Throughout her teaching career she has taught in several IB schools, she embraces the values of IB teaching philosophy. She dedicates herself to cultivate the students as active learners and to engage them in project-based learning. She promotes the ideas of student agency and empowers the student with their voice, their choice, and their ownership of learning.
Mr. James Lie – Music
Personal background and education: Mr. James is from Hong Kong. He graduated with a Master of Arts in Music and Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics. Mr. James loves to attend different concerts and galleries, and enjoys reading in his spare time.
Work experience: Mr. James began his teaching career in 2010 and he was appointed Cultural Co-ordinator in 2015.
Teaching philosophy: Mr. James believes that each one of our children is unique and special in their own right. As a music teacher he treasures the opportunity to meet up with a talented group of musicians in different music teams. Every member plays an integral and unique role in a team. They teach, share and inspire one another to complete a beautiful puzzle.
Mr. Liam Devitt – English
Personal background and education: Mr. Devitt is from the United Kingdom but has lived in Hong Kong for three years. He studied Philosophy at the University of Leeds before completing a PGCE Primary Education. He taught in Vietnam and Chile then moved to Hong Kong in 2016.
Work experience: Mr. Devitt worked in the Hong Kong Japanese School for 2 years before starting here at SIS. He began his teaching career in 2013, specialising mostly in teaching English.
Teaching philosophy: Mr. Devitt believes that learning should be a collaborative process and tries to instill in his students the importance of working together and supporting each other to achieve their goals. He aims to create a classroom culture based around the sharing of ideas and tries to develop a love of learning in his students.
Ms Emma Gregory – PE & Swimming
Personal background and education: Ms. Gregory is originally from England but was born and grew up in Hong Kong. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Sport & Physical Education from The University of Wales Institute Cardiff (UK) and a Post Graduate Certificate of Education from The University of Sunderland (UK). Ms Gregory is an active sportsperson and has competed at international level for the Hong Kong Netball Team.
Work experience: Ms. Gregory has taught in various international schools across Hong Kong with her experience ranging from students in year 2 to year 11.
Teaching philosophy: Ms. Gregory aims to provide a positive learning environment which will foster affective, cognitive and psychomotor development so that all students can achieve success. She believes that Physical Education plays a huge role in developing appropriate social skills which students will use constantly as they grow older. Overall, she wishes to promote a lifelong understanding and passion for health and fitness to live a healthy, active and fun life
Ms Ashley Tang – Chinese
Personal background and education: Ms. Tang is from Hong Kong. She grew up in a Taiwanese family. She holds a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in psychology, a Master of Education in Chinese Language and Literature and a PGDE in Chinese (Distinction in Professional Practicum), all from the University of Hong Kong.
Work experience: Ms. Tang worked in a local school before joining SISHK. She taught Chinese and Performing Arts in the previous school.
Teaching philosophy: Ms. Tang has some strong beliefs when it comes to education. First, she believes in equity rather than equality. Second, she believes in the power of value education. Third, she believes that it is the best for children when teachers and parents communicate well and work together. Last but not least, every child should be loved.
Ms Dimple Manglani – English, Math, Drama
Personal background and education: Ms. Manglani is originally from India but was born and brought up in Hong Kong. She holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Psychology from the University of Nottingham and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) from the University of Sunderland.
Work experience: Ms. Manglani began her teaching career at ABC Pathways, a learning centre in Hong Kong and then moved on to teaching in numerous international schools. She has taught children within the age range of 5-11 years. She has also previously taught drama to kindergarten students at Faust International Youth Theatre in Hong Kong.
Teaching philosophy:
Ms. Manglani strongly believes each student can make a difference and has their own way of shining, both inside the classroom and out. She encourages determination from all children to challenge themselves while instilling a collaborative platform in different learning environments. Most importantly, she believes each child will progress at their own pace and needs to be loved, praised and given a chance to showcase their abilities.
Ms Jenny Gao – Chinese
Personal background and education: Ms. Gao is originally from Jilin, China. She graduated from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University with a Master Degree, majoring in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language. She also holds PGDE in Chinese & Putonghua (Distinction in Professional Practicum) from The Education University of Hong Kong.
Work experience: Ms. Gao has been working at ESF for the last five years before joining SISHK. She also previously taught Chinese in a bilingual kindergarten in Hong Kong.
Teaching philosophy: Ms. Gao firmly believes that each student is unique and should be valued. Each could be a different type of learner with different strengths and aptitudes, and the differences should be respected. She believes that it is her responsibility as a teacher to facilitate the learning process, to ensure a safe, creativity-promoting environment of inclusive education by providing the tools and activities for students to learn inside and outside of the class.
Ms Ariana Ong – Primary, Mathematics and Science
Personal background and education: Ms Ariana is from Singapore. She graduated from the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore and holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Education. Ms Ariana also completed her Postgraduate Certificate in Special Needs Education from the National Institute of Education in Singapore and IB Certification in Teaching and Learning from the University of Windsor.
Work experience: Ms. Ariana has 7 years of teaching experience in Singapore, specialising in Mathematics and Science.
Teaching philosophy: Ms. Ariana believes that every child has their unique strengths. Her teaching philosophy is to cultivate the love for lifelong learning in her students by helping them find a connection between the curriculum and their interests. Ms Ariana also embraces the value of an inquiry-based teaching approach to promote independent learning and collaboration with peers.
Ms. Sandra Popovic – Preparatory Years, English
Personal background and education: Ms. Popovic is from Perth, Western Australia and has been living in Hong Kong for 17 years. She resides here with her husband and two sons. She graduated with a BA from the University of Strathclyde and attained her Dip Ed with Distinction from The University of Hong Kong. Ms. Popovic is currently enrolled in a Master of Teaching majoring in Early Childhood Education.
Work experience: Ms. Popovic has come to SISHK with over 10 years of teaching experience working in Early Years Education. Prior to joining SISHK her work experience includes teaching at an ESF Kindergarten for 4 years, Korean International School and various other International Kindergartens.
Teaching philosophy: Ms. Popovic believes in a whole child approach. She aims to provide a safe and nurturing environment where each student is actively engaged. Her hope is to have confident individuals, who are developing their skills, attitudes and a love for life long learning.
Ms Xu Weijuan – Chinese
Personal background and education: Ms. Xu is originally from mainland China. She has got her Bachelor Degree in Chinese Language and Literature and now living in Hong Kong where she has got her Master Degree in Chinese Linguistics.
Work experience: Ms. Xu has two years of teaching experience in mainland China in a provincial level key middle school, and she also has five years of teaching experience in a local school (secondary section). She was Stage 2 Coordinator of Chinese Department in AY 18/19.
Teaching philosophy: The potential of students to learn is unlimited. Teachers should use a variety of teaching methods to give students more opportunities to learn. During the teaching activities, I believe that students are not bottles waiting to be filled. They should dominate the learning process. At the same time, the role of teachers in guiding and deepening students’ abilities should not be ignored. Therefore, a balance between the two is required. As a Chinese teacher, I have always had a sense of responsibility for not only imparting knowledge but also promoting Chinese Culture.
Jayne Kenny – English & Drama
Personal background and education: Ms. Kenny is from Melbourne, Australia. She moved to Hong Kong in late 2013 after graduating from her B.Ed in Education from Victoria University. In 2017 she returned to Australia to undertake a Master of Education degree in Literacy from the University of Melbourne.
Work experience: Ms. Kenny has taught in both secondary and primary sections. Initially she was teaching in a secondary school when she first came to Hong Kong. She then returned to primary education as a homeroom teacher at Christian Alliance International School before returning to Australia and then coming back to Hong Kong.
Teaching philosophy: Ms. Kenny believes that all children have the potential to grow and succeed in their own timing. She believes that modern students require a range of flexible skills which can be taught and reinforced in all areas of the curriculum. To achieve this Ms. Kenny works to create fun student-centered lessons which motivate and engage students, and builds positive relationships with them.
