Counselor and Wellbeing Coordinator
LINDSEY WALSH

I’m Lindsey Walsh, the incoming School Counselor and Deputy Head of Boarding. I am an experienced counselor and Boarding practitioner with nearly seven years of experience in boarding. I specialize in creating a home life atmosphere in all boarding houses I work in, and I strongly believe in the principles of positive education and solutions-focused practice.

I am currently undertaking a Master of Science in Psychology from Liverpool University. I hold a Masters’s Degree in Anthropology and Environmental Sciences (graduated Cum Laude) and an Honours Degree in Psychology from Rhodes University. I also earned my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (graduated Cum Laude) from the University of South Africa. I work in Berlin, Germany, providing socio-emotional support and academic mentoring to MYP and IB students aged 14 – 19. I am also a Cross Country and Basketball Coach. Before that, I worked at Letovo School in Moscow, providing pastoral and well-being training to the boarding staff and serving on the well-being committee. Before that, I was a House Parent in South Africa. I also have experience as a psychiatric support volunteer at Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital.

In my personal life, I am married to Nicholas Heymans, an experienced boarding practitioner with ten years of boarding experience. I love the outdoors, and running is my favorite hobby.

We are so excited to join the team at UISZ and can’t wait to meet everyone in person.

Chinese Teacher
YOLANDA YAN

“Nǐ Hǎo. I’m Yolanda Yan. You can call me Yo Yo just as my friends and students usually do. I’m the Chinese Culture Coordinator at UISZ. I also teach different curriculums and subjects here, including IBDP and MYP Chinese Language and Literature, MYP Chinese Acquisition, and HKDSE Chinese Language. I’m the EE and PP supervisor at UISZ as well.

I’ve been obsessed with the Chinese language, culture, cultural exchanges, and intercultural relationships for many years. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Chinese Language and Literature and a Master’s in Comparative Literature and World Literature. I’m a lifelong learner and dedicated teacher with many years of international teaching experience. For instance, I have taught Mandarin and Chinese culture at the Confucius Institute of Prince of Songkhla University（Thailand) and IGCSE Chinese at an international school in Thailand. I’m also a qualified high school teacher with both an IBDP Teaching Certificate (provided by IBO and the University of Toronto) and a National Qualification for Chinese Teacher in Senior High School.
I enjoy reading, writing, travelling and making crafts in my spare time. I find many joys in connecting these hobbies. For example, I wrote a thesis about cultural relationships based on my field trips overseas and taught people to make crafts when travelling. I’ve been teaching Chinese knots to different people while volunteering abroad since 2015. I have travelled to Nepal and Thailand as a volunteer. I love to explore the local culture and make friends with local people when I travel to other places. These experiences finally inspired me to become an international educator. “

SEN Coordinator
PAUL BRANDT

“I am Pauli, the Special Education Needs coordinator. This is my first year at UISZ, and my first time living overseas. This is my sixth year of teaching special education, and I have worked with adults who have disabilities for several years on top of that. I have two undergraduate degrees, one in History and Political Science, the other in Forestry, and a master’s in special education with concentration in autism-spectrum disorder. I am currently working on a second master’s in literature and composition.

I have lived in multiple US states, though Colorado and Minnesota are home. I love skiing, kayaking & canoeing, running, mountain climbing, coffee, and I am an avid reader. I’m also trying to teach myself Mandarin. “

Science Teacher / Chemistry Teacher
IVY LIU

My name is Ivy Liu, I got my master’s degree in chemical engineering and teaching certificate in Guangzhou University. I have 14 years of experience in teaching MYP Science and DP Chemistry in UISZ. With rich experience in e-Assessment, personal project, internal and extended essay of IB program, I have ability to make profound contributions both in and out of the classroom. As a service as action coordinator, I have taken on the responsibilities of the role with supporting students to build authentic connections between what they learn in the classroom and what they encounter in the community. I am a dedicated and hard-working individual, with a passion for learning and facilitating the learning of others. And This is my first year as a teacher teaching DP Chemistry and HKDSE Chemistry. As a teacher, I can offer students much as well, in terms of academic knowledge, life experience and passion.

Director of Sports / PE Teacher
ALEX MARINESCU

After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education, I have been an educator for 15 years in various locations and contexts including Europe, the Middle East and now here in China where I have lived for the past seven years.

In addition to teaching, I also have extensive experience in curriculum development. For the past five years, I have been leading PE Departments in creating curricula with the associated documents and resources.

I have also been a professional football (soccer) referee for more than 18 years with more than 1000 games refereed national and international.

I am happy to join UISZ with my wife and our two boys and be a part of this wonderful community.

Economics and CSD Teacher
RITA RUAN

Hello, I’m Rita. I’m glad to join the big family of uiszc. I’m from Guangzhou and graduated from Nanguo Business School of Guangdong University of Foreign Studies and has 2 years of international education experience. I once worked as a bilingual economics teacher in Zhixin middle school and served as an economic trainer of asdan simulated business competition. I am familiar with the economic syllabus of AP / Al / DSE systems, accurately grasp the key and difficult points, and help students to successfully upgrade and pass the international examination with high scores. Economics is a very life-oriented discipline. While teaching knowledge, it will also incorporate current events, news and life examples, so that students can have fun in learning. It not only enriches the basic knowledge of economics, but also forms economic thinking and makes rational decisions on matters in life.

Maths & Physics Teacher
FEI WANG

“My name is Fei Wang. I am from Guangzhou.

I got my master degree of science in Finance in University of Houston Clear Lake, bachelor degree of science in Mathematics in Guangzhou University.

I have Senior Teacher Certificate in Maths and 2 years IB experience. It is my pleasure to join UISZC. Nice to meet you all! “

English Teacher
HARPER GAO

Harper Gao is a DSE English teacher at UISZ with over 6 years of English teaching experience. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Shanghai International Studies University as well as the certificates of TEM8 and Advanced English Interpretation. During the early phase of Covid-19 epidemic in WuHan, Harper actively participated in the volunteer translation service and was praised by CCTV. Also she has a certificate of Harvard Management Mentor, equipping herself with useful management skills such as time management, goal setting and coaching.