SSIS

Hilary Kristal - 4HK - Grade 4 Coordinator

I studied Economics at Indiana University (Bloomington, IN, USA) and Wayne State University (Detroit, MI, USA). In addition to this Bachelor’s Degree, I also received a Counseling Certificate from George Brown College (Toronto, ON, Canada) and a Bachelor of Education from University of Toronto (Toronto, ON, Canada). Before moving to China, I taught ESL (English as a Second Language) at a private language school in Toronto as well as to adult newcomers to Canada. Since moving to China, I have taught Grade 3 and Grade 4 ESL at SSIS and this year take on homeroom responsibilities. I have come to China with my husband, Doron, and 2 children, Jacob and Sydney.

Please contact me at hilarykristal@ssis-suzhou.net

Richard LaMonte-Bird - 4RL

I have taken two degrees at the University of Calgary. I graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in International Development Studies (Honours), with a minor in Fine Arts. A few years later I went back to university to complete the two year Bachelors of Education (Master of Teaching Programme). Before I came to China, I lived in Seoul, South Korea for three years. I taught Grade Four at a bilingual elementary school called Young Hoon. This school was unique because each classroom had a Korean teacher and an English-speaking teacher. This is my third year teaching at SSIS.

Contact me at richardlamonte-bird@ssis-suzhou.net

Scott Stocker - 4SS

I am from Nelson, New Zealand. I have a B.A. in Sociology from Canterbury University and a Teaching Diploma from Christchurch Teacher’s College. I have taught elementary school in different parts of New Zealand since 1991. Most of my teaching has been with grade 2-5 children. This is my third year at SSIS. I taught grade 3 for the last two years. This is my first experience teaching overseas, and my first experience living in China. At SSIS I have helped coach soccer and taught beginner guitar. My wife, Amanda Hedley, teaches Grade Two, and we have a 9 year-old son and a 12 year-old daughter at SSIS.

Contact me at scottstocker@ssis-suzhou.net

Selai Nawai - 4SN

I completed my teacher training in Fiji. In 1994 I was provided the opportunity to study at the University of Southern Queensland in Toowoomba, Australia where I graduated with a Bachelor of Science. Currently, I am studying a Masters of Education programme at Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia. I have about 13 years experience teaching all levels from Year 1 through to Year 8 in Fiji and Victoria, Australia. I taught at Suva International School, Fiji for a number of years before migrating to Melbourne, Australia in 2005. This is time my first year at SSIS and I look forward to experiencing the rich culture and opportunities that SSIS has to offer.

Contact me at selainawai@ssis-suzhou.net