Bishkek International School SPECIALIST TEACHING TEAM 2020/21 Head of Computer Science & Design Thierry Taberna Mr Thierry has a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from the University of Nantes, a Master’s Degree in Computing from the University of Toulouse and a Degree of Teaching French as a Second Language (DAEFLE). He has previously worked as a software engineer and software developer in various companies in France. Mr Thierry joined BIS in August 2015 and has been very effective in inspiring a wide range of students to improve their computer science and design skills and in guiding students through their graduating year. Head of Science; Physics & Science Teacher Alisher Arstanbek Mr Alisher has a Degree in Engineering from the Kyrgyz Russian Slavic University (KRSU) and has teaching and research experience at several educational institutions. He is currently working on his dissertation for postgraduate studies in Engineering at KRSU while he works full time at BIS. He enjoys teaching and helping students discover their abilities and talents. Mr Alisher joined BIS in 2016 and teaches Physics, Science and Mathematics in middle and high school. Mr Alisher is currently completing the UK Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) remote learning program. Biology & Science Teacher Pamela Reed Ms Pamela has a Bachelor's degree in Anthropology from Georgia State University. Her undergraduate research focus was primarily related to medical anthropology with a special interest in cancer cell biology and public health accessibility in the United States. She has many cultural interests and spent some time in Taiwan in 2013, where she served as an academic ambassador at China Medical University in Taichung. She has been teaching both Biology and Chemistry for four years in the Texas education system. Ms. Pamela joined BIS in August 2020. Chemistry & Science Teacher Soumiya Srinivasan Ms Soumiya has studied in India and Singapore and has obtained Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology, Genetics and Chemistry and two Master’s Degrees in Biochemistry. She has research experience and has worked for several years as a technical support and marketing specialist for researchers in Singapore. Ms Soumiya joined BIS in August 2020. Page 1 of 12 Science Laboratory Technician & Science Teacher Zhandos Bocholoev Mr Zhandos graduated with a Masters in Food Technology from Kyrgyz- Turkish Manas University, and has work experience in both Turkey and the Kyrgyz Republic, including laboratory experience with food companies. Mr Zhandos joined BIS in August 2019. Head of Math; Math Teacher Adelia Kadyralieva Ms Adelia graduated from the American University of Central Asia with a degree in Applied Mathematics and Informatics and a minor in Software Engineering. During her studies, she completed two academic exchange programs in the USA, worked as an English language and Math tutor, taught programming skills to teenagers and prepared high school graduates for the Republican Test. Ms Adelia joined the BIS team in July 2018 and was appointed as Head of Math Department in summer 2019. yo Math & DP Theory of Knowledge Teacher Toon Cavens Mr Cavens is originally from Belgium, where he studied Mathematics and Economics. He has also studied Philosophy in Paris, and English Literature in London. He joined BIS in August 2016 to teach Mathematics and Theory of Knowledge. Mr Cavens hopes to instill in his students a life-long passion for learning, and to help them to develop their own ideas. Math & Economics Teacher Azamat Kasymov Mr Azamat has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the American University of Central Asia (AUCA), where he also taught undergraduate level mathematics. He is a part-time research assistant at AUCA and has helped to write several mathematics textbooks for primary through to university level mathematics. Mr Azamat enjoys teaching mathematics at BIS with a special focus on our more advanced students. Mr Azamat is also currently completing his PhD in Economics. Page 2 of 12 Makerspace Manager; Math & Design Teacher Reza Danaei Mr Reza is originally from Iran. He graduated from the Charles Molnar University in Malaysia with a degree in Electronics Engineering at the Charles Molnar University in Malaysia, and worked in an electronics and physics lab at the APIIT University in Kuala-Lumpar after graduation. In recent years he has worked as an English language tutor in different language schools and international schools, though his passion has always been in math and applied sciences. He loves to encourage students to research, question the world around them, explore their environment, come up with ideas and solutions, and find answers of their own. Mr Reza joined BIS in August 2020. MYP Coordinator, Math and Spanish Language Acquisition Teacher, Extended Essay Coordinator Tim Johnson Mr Tim has a first-class honours degree in Modern Languages from the University of Oxford, and is a qualified teacher (University of Newcastle) with a Master’s in Education from the University of Leeds. His work experience covers both NGO leadership and teaching in Austria, Portugal and the UK. Tim joined BIS in August 2019. He is MYP Coordinator, as well as teaching some Math and Spanish in MYP. He is also Extended Essay Coordinator for the IB Diploma Programme. Head of Individuals and Societies Department; History Teacher Darren Simpson Mr Darren has a teaching qualification and Master’s Degree in education policy from the University of Glasgow. He joined BIS in August 2019 following teaching in the UK and South Korea and three years at Wellington College, Shanghai, where he led the history department and worked in student welfare roles. Mr Darren is also Head of Student Welfare and Designated Safeguarding Lead at BIS. Individuals and Societies & History Teacher Claire Berger Ms Claire graduated with a Master of Arts in International Affairs from Texas A&M University. She worked in the private and non-profit sectors before earning a social studies teaching license. She has previously taught in South Korea, Washington, and Texas. Ms Claire joined the BIS community in August 2020. Page 3 of 12 Geography Teacher; DP CAS Coordinator Andrew Wheeler Mr Andrew has a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies, Cross-Cultural Studies, and Peace Studies from Whitworth University, Washington State. Before joining the BIS team in August 2018, he served for two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer teaching English as a Foreign Language in Naryn, Kyrgyzstan. As well as teaching Geography and being CAS Coordinator, Mr Andrew also leads Model UN and leads the annual international educational visit for students. Economics & Business Studies Teacher Jacques Prinsloo Mr Jacques has a PGCE in Secondary teaching from the University of South Africa, a Diploma in Investment Management from the University of South Africa, a Bachelors in Economics from the University of Pretoria, a Diploma in teaching English as an Additional Language and is currently completing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Illinois. Mr Jacques taught EAL in South Korea for several years before joining BIS in August 2017. Mr Jacques is also Assistant Head of School and IGCSE Coordinator. Individuals and Societies Teacher Olen King Mr Olen graduated from Hastings College, Nebraska, with a B.A. in Secondary Education, Language Arts. A desire to learn Russian led him to a semester abroad in Pyatigorsk, Russia. After graduating, he taught English in the Republic of Georgia and southern Russia, while also getting a certification in TEFL. He then spent 6 years teaching in an international school in Khartoum, Sudan. He enjoys being active in school activities, including the arts. A passion for sports, particularly basketball and track/running, are personal interests, along with coaching sports. Head of Performing Arts; Music Teacher Grant Chamberlain Mr Grant has a Master’s Degree in Music from the Australian National University (ANU) and Graduate Diploma of Education from the University of New England (UNE). He has been teaching music for over 20 years in Australia, the West Bank, Washington DC, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Tanzania, Vietnam and Ethiopia, including substantive experience teaching music in the Primary Years Programme and Middle Years Programme. Mr Grant joined BIS in August 2019 and since then has been developing all aspects of music performance for students from Preschool to IB Diploma graduates. Page 4 of 12 Music & Drama Teacher David Lien Mr David has a BA in Music Composition from The New England Conservatory of Music and an MA in Theatre Education from Emerson College. He most recently taught Music and Theatre at a Public Middle School in Massachusetts. He has been involved in a variety of music and theatre projects in the Boston and Seattle area (where he is originally from). Mr. David joined BIS in August 2020. Music Teacher Munara Korpotaeva Ms Munara graduated from Kyrgyz National Conservatory as a pianist. In 2015 she finished her postgraduate studies in the class of Professor Tsokurenko. Currently she is also working in the Conservatory at the “solo singing” department. She is the prize winner of national competitions and the scholarship holder of the KR President’s scholarship “Altyn Shaty”. Ms Munara joined BIS in October 2019. Head of Visual Arts; Art & Design Teacher Anna Phillips Dr Anna has over twenty-five years teaching experience in both international and Australian schools, and a PhD from the University of Tasmania. She is a practicing artist and has exhibited her work in Germany, South Korea, and Australia. Dr Anna believes in student centered and enquiry-based learning, and is certain that making art assists students in the problem-solving process and encourages them to gain confidence and imaginative thinking while learning new skills. Dr Anna joined BIS team in summer 2019. Art & Host Country Studies Teacher Anna Balduk Ms Anna studied at the Children’s Art School and graduated from the Kyrgyz State Art School in 1991 with a degree in Teaching Art.