SSIS

Lee Preston - 2LP - Grade 2 Coordinator

I am from Arizona in the United States. I graduated with a degree in Humanities from Arizona State University, where I studied Linguistics, Photography and Art History. I also have a Masters degree in Special Education from the University of Phoenix and certification as a specialist in English as a Second Language. I began teaching in Phoenix, Arizona as a middle school special education teacher, where I taught students with learning disabilities. Many of my students were also learning English. In 2006 I was selected as a Tempe, Arizona Sister City delegate to Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China, and decided I wanted to return with my family to live in China. I am now in my second year at SSIS and love working and living in China. I enjoy working with the Grade Three students and staff and look forward to a great school year.

Contact me at leepreston@ssis-suzhou.net

Brent Baumgartner - 2BB

In 1996 I graduated from the University of Regina in Saskatchewan, Canada with an advanced English and Philosophy degree. In 2003 I received a Graduate Diploma in Primary Education from Edith Cowan University in Perth, Australia. In 2006 and 2007 I completed an ESL specialist certification from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto. Currently, I am beginning a Masters of Education programme at the University of Bath in the UK. I moved to Kaohsiung, Taiwan in 1997 to teach ESL. I received my teaching diploma in 2003 and returned to Taiwan to teach ESL at the Kaohsiung American School. In 2005, I returned to Canada and taught ESL in Toronto, Ontario. I have been teaching at SSIS since 2006. In that time I have taught two years in Grade 2, two years in Grade 3 and one year in Grade 5.

Contact me at brentbaumgartner@ssis-suzhou.net

Julie Nugent - 2JN

I began my teaching career more than 20 years ago and have about 15 years experience teaching all levels from Pre-Primary through to Year 8 in New Zealand and Western Australia. I have a Diploma of Teaching, a Bachelor of Education and a Post Grad Certificate in Gifted and Talented Education. My interest in the education of students that don't always 'fit the norm' has led me to undertake study and practise in the areas of Specific Learning Difficulties and Gifted and Talented Education. I have enjoyed assuming leadership and faciltator roles in these fields and my teaching has been enhanced and extended because of these experiences. My most recent teaching experience in New Zealand was as a classroom teacher of a Year 4/5 class and as the ICT/ Library manager for my school. This is my first International School Teaching position and I am very much looking forward to the challenges and opportunities it will bring. I have two children, Darcy who is 17 years old and Eleanor who is 6. My husband, Brett, is also a teacher and will be joining the SSIS Middle School team this year.

Contact me at julienugent@ssis-suzhou.net

Kate Holmes - 2KH

I am a New Zealand trained primary teacher, with five years teaching experience. I studied at the University of Otago and have a Bachelor of Primary Teaching and specific experience teaching the Arts. I taught Secondary English and Upper Primary in New Zealand for five years, before I moved to China to join the SSIS team. This is my first year teaching Grade Two, which I am very excited about. SSIS is my first overseas teaching experience and I feel privileged to be part of such a reputable school. My interests include sports and creative arts. I am particularly excited to be living in Suzhou and look forward to the new opportunities that it will bring.

Contact me at kateholmes@ssis-suzhou.net