VISUAL ARTS
JOANNE RODRIGUEZ
Head of Arts
Secondary Visual Arts/Graphic Design
I earned a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts with a major in Painting and Sculpture at the University of the Philippines. Prior to majoring in Painting and Sculpture, I studied Advertising Arts at the University of San Carlos. I decided to become a teacher while working at an international design company as a fashion and jewelry designer. After being granted my teaching certification by completing the Master of Education course in Educational Management from the University of San Carlos, I went on to get a Master's degree in International Education from Framingham State College in the United States. Currently, I am actively pursuing a Master of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design from the Academy of Arts University, San Francisco.
I currently teach the IB Diploma Visual Arts and MYP Technology Graphic Design. I am one of the supervisors for the SSIS Dragon Magazine and I'm currently offering a design course as one the extra-curricular activities in school.
My email address is: joannerodriguez@ssis-suzhou.net
NADINE BASTOW
Secondary Visual Arts
I am from the very sunny and beautiful coastal city of Perth, Western Australia. I began my teaching career in 1987 and since that time have spent most of my career teaching Art to West Australian secondary students. My International teaching career started 3 years ago, when I came to Suzhou with my husband , Michael Bastow and our 3 young boys.
Over the past 15 years I have had 3 solo Art exhibitions of my own work in Perth and have sculptures and paintings in collections in Melbourne, Perth and Singapore.
My University Education includes a Diploma of Teaching from the Western Australian College of Advanced Education in Perth and a Bachelor of Education from Edith Cowan University in Perth.
At present I teach Grade 8, 9, 10 and 11 Visual Art and Ceramics and I am a Homeroom teacher for Grade 12.
You can contact me at nadinebastow@ssis-suzhou.net
SARAH DALTON
Secondary Visual Arts
I come from England and I studied Fine Art in Manchester, gaining my degree in 1986. I spent two years after this dividing my time between designing cards and t-shirts and working for the city's art galleries. The Manchester rain inspired me to try a stint of EFL teaching in Greece, and I did not look back. I became a convert both to teaching and to travel. I taught English and Art in Greece for five years and then moved back to Liverpool for a year, gaining a PGCE in Secondary Art and Design education. I enjoyed the first seven of many more happy years of art teaching in a state school in Kent, England. This was followed by six years at an international school in Mallorca, Spain, and three at an international school In Moscow, Russia. In 2007 I returned to the UK for a year to study and gained a Master's of Arts degree in The Histories of Art and Design. Living in such a variety of interesting places has helped to inform and inspire my own artwork. I am presently teaching Visual Arts at SSIS.
My email address is: sarahdalton@ssis-suzhou.net
LARA SKADSEN
Secondary Visual Arts
Hi, my name is Lara Skadsen and I will be teaching grades 6-8, visual art at SSIS. I am originally from South Africa, but I grew up in San Diego, California. I graduated from San Diego State University. I am married and have two daughters. My husband teaches high school Math here at SSIS. My daughters are in grade 7 and 11. I have 15 years of teaching experience. My first teaching experience was at the International school of Johannesburg, South Africa. I lived and taught there for ten years. My entire teaching career has always been overseas. We have lived in St. Croix, a U.S. Virgin Island, Hendersonville, North Carolina. Other international teaching experience includes Qatar Academy at Qatar Foundation in Doha, Qatar and Casablanca American School in Morocco, where I taught elementary and middle school Art. I have another passion besides art and that is yoga. I am a certified yoga instructor for children and adults. We have been here in Suzhou for one year now and we love SSIS.
My email address is: laraskadsen@ssis-suzhou.net
MUSIC
CARL WACKERMAN
Secondary Music
I am from the Pacific Northwest in the United States and began my international teaching career in 1997. My university education includes a Bachelor of Music, Piano and Vocal, from the University of Missouri and a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Montana. Previous international music postings include Bangkok, Rome, Tokyo, Suzhou and Mumbai.For the current academic year at SSIS I am teaching Grade 8-9-10 MYP
Music and Grade 11 Diploma Music. In addition I serve as 12N Homeroom
teacher, conduct the MS/HS Orchestra and High School Jazz Ensemble.
My E-mail address is: carlwackerman@ssis-suzhou.net .
BRETT NUGENT
Secondary Music
I am now in my 20th year of teaching. Of that, I have taught music for a total of 6 years in Australia, New Zealand and now China. My music teaching strengths are in drumming, string and ethnomusicology. I have played in professional bands where my specialty is blues harp.
My email address is: brettnugent@ssis-suzhou.net
DRAMA
LYNDAL STUDDERT
Secondary Drama
I am originally from Brisbane, Australia. I have been involved in Education for almost 10 years, both as a Drama teacher and Humanities teacher. I have also taught ESL and Special Needs students in the UK. I studied Drama and Humanities Education at Griffith University in Brisbane and went on to complete a Graduate Diploma in Training and Development also at Griffith University in Brisbane. I arrived at SSIS in 2008. As well as teaching the Drama course to grades 6,7 & 8, I am involved in producing and directing school productions. I have also been involved in the Drama festivals, Arts week and other arts events.
My email address is:
lyndalstuddert@ssis-suzhou.net
SANTINA GAMBRILL
Secondary Drama
CAS Coordinator
I studied at the University of New South Wales in Sydney Australia. I have a combined Bachelor of Applied Arts, majoring in Dance, and Bachelor of Education degree. After several years of teaching I earned a scholarship to complete my Masters in Education. Prior to coming to China I was the Chief Examiner in New South Wales for Higher School Certificate Dance. I have taught a number of subjects including Dance, Drama, Personal Development, Health & Physical Education, Entertainment and Retail; the latter two being Vocational Education programs. I have taught all secondary grades from 7-12. In my previous experiences I have been a Head of Grade, a Careers Councilor, and I am currently the Creativity, Action and Service Coordinator here at SSIS.
In addition to my main duties, I like to co-lead a team of teachers and students in Drama Productions. I am also involved in many other extra-curricular activities that promote the Arts at SSIS. Please contact me santinagambrill@ssis-suzhou.net
