SSIS

Bruce Sutherland - 5BS - Grade 5 Coordinator

I studied at the University of Lethbridge in Canada majoring in History and Social Studies Education. While I studied at university I also obtained a TESOL certificate for teaching English. In 2002 I spent a year and a half teaching English in Taiwan before returning to Canada to finish my studies. Since graduating university I have spent time teaching grade 5 at a bilingual school in Guangzhou before coming to SSIS in 2007. I have spent all of my time at SSIS teaching grade 4. I spent my first two years as a classroom teacher before becoming the grade level coordinator last year. I have co coached the Middle and High School swim team for the last four years.

Contact me at brucesutherland@ssis-suzhou.net

Andrew Bailey - 5AB

I am from the United States, most recently from Miami, Florida. I have lived and worked as a teacher overseas for almost 12 years now in Korea, Indonesia, Turkey and now China for the past nine years. I have taught mostly elementary age kids. I am now in my fifth year as a grade 5 teacher here at SSIS. I attended universities in Florida, Virginia and the UK obtaining a BA in English and a MSc. in English Language Teaching. My teacher training was completed at George Mason University.

Contact me at andrewbailey@ssis-suzhou.net

Bobbie Penrose - 5BP

I received my Teaching of Primary Education qualifications at Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. I have taught in upper Primary, particularly Years 6 & 7, for most of my teaching career. I have also taught multi- age classes in upper primary with the focus on catering for the needs of Gifted and Talented children. I was fortunate enough to teach Year 5 at SSIS 2001 -2003. I thoroughly enjoyed my time here and am happy to be back. During my teaching career I have helped to organize Public Speaking and Debating Competitions, Maths Challenge Competitions, Academic Challenges between local schools, Crime Stoppers Competitions and Sporting Competitions. My hobbies are camping, bush-walking and reading. I am looking forward to a great year.

Contact me at bobbiepenrose@ssis-suzhou.net

Kesaia Naisara - 5KN

I received my Teaching of Primary Education qualifications at Corpus Christi Teachers’ College in Suva, Fiji Islands. I have taught in lower and Middle Primary, particularly Years 5 & 6, for most of my teaching career. During my teaching career I have helped to organize whole school Mathletics Club, Class Camps and Sporting Competitions. I have taught in Fiji and Norway before taking up a position here at SSIS. I am fortunate to be part of a great school. My hobbies are flower arrangement, travelling and reading. I am looking forward to a great year.

Contact me at kesaianaisara@ssis-suzhou.net

Monique Donahue - 5MD

I am from The Netherlands and this is my fifth year at SSIS. I speak 5 languages including Dutch, English, French, Spanish, German, Turkish and I am working hard on my Chinese. I have worked and lived in 6 countries; either by myself or with my husband and two children, who attend SSIS. Previous to coming to China I studied Elementary Education at Inholland University in The Netherlands while working at a PYP International School in Istanbul, Turkey. I am a true model for being a lifelong learner as I previously worked for 10 years in Business Consulting after completing my Bachelors of Business Management but changed careers later in life to something far more meaningful for me: Education. In my teaching career I have taught Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 1 and now Grade 5. I am involved with charity activities inside and outside of school such as the “Kids4Kids” club and in my spare time I volunteer in Suzhou at an orphanage and at a migrant school. In the leftover time I like to go on hikes, camp, study Chinese and explore China’s cultural and historical sites. I am currently studying for my Masters in Education at Bath University in the U.K.

Contact me at moniquedonahue@ssis-suzhou.net

Peter Lundin - 5PL

I completed my teaching qualifications in Auckland, New Zealand. I have mostly taught as a homeroom teacher in elementary schools in New Zealand and I have also taught in Scotland. I have teaching experience in a wide variety of districts, grades and sizes of schools and I have held several positions of administrative and curriculum responsibility. My interest in using ICT as a means to develop children’s thinking and learning led me back to study to complete a Higher Diploma in Educational Computing at Auckland University College of Education. In, my first year at SSIS, I was an ICT teacher then I taught Grade 4 for two years and now I am working with the Grade 5 team.

My contact email is peterlundin@ssis-suzhou.net

Susan Badawi - 5SB

I had worked in the commercial arena for many years, however, when my children became more independent I decided to take up a new career. I attended The College of Education in Auckland, New Zealand, studying a Bachelor of Education (Teaching). Later I completed a Post Graduate Diploma through Auckland University, focusing on aspects of language acquisition, reading and writing.
Initially I taught in New Zealand, before moving to Amman, Jordan, to teach in an IB school in Grade 5. I spent 3 years in Amman before moving to China to take up a position as a Grade 3 teacher at SSIS.
This is my forth year here. Additional to my class room responsibilities, I was involved in the Elementary Production, helped with the choir, and ran an after school sports activity.

Contact me at susanbadawi@ssis-suzhou.net