Faculty

Christopher Mark Leonhard

B.A. in Psychology from Shippensburg University; M.A. in Teaching Biology from Belmont University

Mr. Chris is originally from central Pennsylvania, USA. He is licensed through the state of Tennessee and is certified in Biology, Environmental Science, Geography, and Psychology. Mr. Chris spent four years working as a counselor and fifteen years working on a variety of research projects at Penn State University and Dartmouth College before entering the teaching profession.

Mr. Chris began his teaching career working with the Nashville Teaching Fellows to fill teaching needs in low-income urban schools in the Nashville area. His first international school position was at a boarding school in the mountains of Switzerland. He followed this position by working at schools in Beijing, China and Munich, Germany. Mr. Chris has worked as Science Department Head and MYP Service Coordinator and has founded Citizen Science programs, leading to talks at the European Citizen Science Association. He comes to TCIS with two daughters, who are in grades 1 and 7, respectively. Mr. Chris considers himself a lifelong learner and regularly attends workshops in sustainability, permaculture, and integrating service into the classroom.
 

David Kermit Law Jr.

Degree in Sociology, Morehouse College Teaching Certification, The University of West Florida

David Law is from Atlanta, GA. He graduated with a degree in Sociology from Morehouse College and earned my teaching certification from The University of West Florida. David has spent the last ten years teaching in Shanghai, China, and is excited to join TCIS. He is committed to making sure his students are well rounded individuals, who are global citizens, capable of critical thinking. In David’s free time, he loves puzzling, bike riding, and scuba diving. David is looking forward to a great year!

David Potvin

B.Sc. Chemistry (2008), B.A. Teaching (2012)

While he is new to TCIS, Mr. David has been teaching for several years, and he is passionate about languages. He was born in Quebec City, Canada, where he learned both French and English at a young age. After first pursuing a career in science, he realized his calling was teaching. In order to get some international experience, he left Canada to spend a few years teaching in a private school in Taiwan, all while picking up some Chinese along the way. He moved to Thailand and has been enjoying the change in lifestyle.

Mr. David loves to encourage his students to learn by appealing to their interests and by integrating technological support to both teach and entertain. He enjoys trying new things that he learns through professional development workshops. In his spare time, Mr. David enjoys learning languages and has been trying to understand Thai culture better.

Douglas Swartz

Mr. Douglas Swartz feels honored to be the new Grade 2B homeroom facilitator for the upcoming new school year. Mr. Douglas is from the USA and he is very eager to meet all his students and welcome them into the Grade 2B class. Over the last 14 years Mr. Douglas has taught in Bangkok in international schools. Hen is a graduate of The College of New Jersey and uses his experience and training to provide his students with a learning environment that helps to encourage student involvement & success. He is looking forward to making the Grade 2B class a great success this year.

Elizabeth Jendek

Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education, ACE program Queens’ University

Elizabeth was born and raised in Canada.  She has a degree in Fine Arts, where she focused on sculpture and painting, as well as a Bachelor of Education from Queen’s University, where she was accepted into the prestigious Artist in the Community (ACE) program.  She is a qualified Primary/Junior teacher and Senior Visual Arts teacher.  Over her twenty-five-year career, she has taught EAL, and elementary/ middle school art and has been the TCIS HS Art teacher for the last thirteen years.  Her students have been accepted at top 10 art schools, including the University of the Arts London, Parsons, SAIC, and Pratt.  A dedicated professional, Elizabeth received the Outstanding Teacher Award from the Private Educational Association of Samutprakarn in 2018. Elizabeth has had a life-long love of art and history.  She has used her travels to visit many of the world's most famous art collections and has twice participated in an archaeological dig in Greece at a 3,500-year-old Mycenaean site through the Iklaina Field School Project that is run by the University of St. Louis, Missouri. As a vegetarian and educator, she is always cautious of her environmental footprint and believes care for our planet should be embedded in all learning. She runs a classroom that is focused on sustainability as well as creativity and exploration.  Elizabeth has been the Head of the Arts Department for six years.

Emily Lacroix

Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and Psychology

Ms. Emily teaches 4th grade here at TCIS. Not only is this her first year at TCIS, but she is also new to Thailand. Ms. Emily has taught both 3rd and 4th grade in Colorado for the past 3 years. She believes in the whole child teaching approach, in that each learner has their own interest, abilities, and needs. She values relationships and laughter in the classroom, and believes that those are the biggest motivators for learning. Ms. Emily is very excited for the memories  and growth that will be made within her classroom this year!

Gabriel Jose Flores

Degrees in Political Science (BA, Ottawa; MA, Carleton) and Education (B.ED, Queen’s University; IB PYP, Windsor), Teaching Licenses in Canada (Ontario College of Teachers), the United Kingdom (QTS) and Thailand

Gabriel Flores is from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. He holds degrees in Political Science (BA, Ottawa; MA, Carleton) and Education (B.ED, Queen’s University; IB PYP, Windsor), along with teaching licenses in Canada (Ontario College of Teachers) and the United Kingdom (QTS) as well as Thailand. With over a decade of international teaching experience across multiple countries (Korea, United Kingdom and Thailand); He have enjoyed helping his students develop both academically and socially so that they can realize their fullest potential and become internationally minded, responsible and respectful global citizens who can make a positive contribution to their community and the world. Beyond teaching, Gabriel Flores loves reading, traveling, and watching the Premier League with friends whilst supporting Chelsea! Previously, he served as a policy analyst for the Government of Canada.

Gerardine (Gigi) Perez

Bachelor in Education, Master Degree in International Teaching & Post Graduate Diploma in Early Years Care and Education

Gerardine Perez, or as most people know her "Ms. Gigi", was born and raised in Lucena, Philippines. Ms. Gigi has a BA Education degree, a Master of Education in International Teaching, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Early Years Care and Education. She has over 24 years of experience in teaching and motivating young learners at international schools throughout Bangkok. Although Ms, Gigi has dedicated almost half of her life to teaching, her passion for instilling a love of learning in each one of her students remains undiminished. In her spare time, you will find her sipping coffee, immersed in the latest Korean soap operas, and planning her next trip overseas.

Grace (Bell) Khaobanna

Bachelor of Arts Major in Political Science, Teacher's Professional Degree Major in Education

Ms. Grace Khaobanna (Ms. Bell) has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of San Agustin, Iloilo City, Philippines. She took her Teacher’s Professional Degree with a  Major in Education at Suan Dusit Rajabhat University. Her license comes from Kurusapha,  The Teachers Council of Thailand. Ms. Bell has worked at TCIS as an early childhood and primary teacher since the year 2000.
Ms. Bell has experience in teaching first grade and as an ESL Support Teacher for Grades 2-4. She considers her passion for teaching to be a gift and tries to inject that into her classes. She believes that the more excited you are, the more excited your students will be.
 

Haley Carpenter

Bachelors: Environmental Science, Minor: Geology Minor: Regenerative Agriculture

Miss Haley is from the U.S. and grew up in the mountains of Colorado. She majored in Environmental Science at Fort Lewis College in Durango, where she also minored in Geology and Regenerative Agriculture. She received a scholarship to play lacrosse during college. After graduating, she worked as a science teacher for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders in Colorado for two years. For the past two years, she has been involved in outdoor education, blending her passion for the environment with her love for teaching. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, running, traveling, playing sports, and engaging in any outdoor activities. She thrives on staying active and connecting with nature, both professionally and personally