Dr Allan Weston joins CIS in 2022 and has over 25 years of experience in prestigious schools in Australia, the US and South East Asia. Prior to his appointment at CIS, Allan served as Head of Greenfield International School in Dubai, a member of the highly regarded Taaleem group.

Allan also served for eight years as CEO and Executive Head at the prestigious Taipei European School, a group of schools that offered the IB diploma, French, German, and British sections, and a strong Chinese language and culture programme. Allan believes that schools must provide an optimal learning environment for the young people in a school’s care. He shares, “a balanced education is one that does not simply focus on the academics, but also the social, pastoral, creative and physical development of each and every child.” He holds a EdD in Education from Portland State University and a Masters in Education from Deakin University.

Carol is a highly experienced IB school leader who has worked in leadership positions over the past 25 years. For the last seven years, Carol has served as Director of Teaching and Learning & Assistant Director at the American School of Warsaw in Poland. Prior to Poland, she spent 11 years at Shanghai American School in China in a number of leadership roles that included IB Diploma and AP coordinator.

Carol believes a great school has an energy created by students who are passionate about learning, are empowered to act and who know that they will be supported by committed and caring adults. A native of New Zealand, Carol holds a Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) from Auckland University, a Diploma of Teaching from Auckland University, a Master of Education in Curriculum and Administration from Deakin University, Australia and is currently completing her Doctor of Education in Leadership at Bath University in the UK.

Daniel Smith has worked in international education for the past 20 years in a variety of outstanding schools in Russia, India and Thailand. He earned his MA in Social Studies at Teachers College Columbia University and returned there to complete his M.Ed in Private School Leadership at the Klingenstein Center where he later served as the Assistant Director. During the course of his career, Daniel has worked in US independent schools as a teacher and administrator including travel to many international schools as the Director of International Partnerships for a US based international boarding school. His most recent position was as Head of School at Ruamrudee International School in Bangkok, Thailand.

With over 13 years as an educator, Nicholas Kolentse has worked in schools in South Korea, Columbia, Myanmar, Germany and now Singapore. Most recently, Nicholas was Middle School Assistant Principal & Dean of Students at the Franconian International School in Germany. Nicholas is a passionate educational leader who believes that by adopting a learner-centered approach, students will be prepared for success in a rapidly changing world. Nicholas holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Boston College (USA), a Master in Teaching from Whitworth University (USA) and is completing his UK Principal’s Training Center certificate in leadership.

Julie is an experienced school leader who has over 22 years experience in school leadership, counselling and student support. Julie worked in schools in Canada, Beijing, Macao and most recently in Morocco, where Jullie was the Secondary Assistant Principal at Rabat American School. Julie, a native of Canada, holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Alberta, a Bachelor of Education from the University of Calgary and a Master of Arts from Gonzaga University.

Julie believes that “high-quality learning requires a school culture characterised by authentic, compassionate relationships amongst learners and faculty; relationships that are inspiring, positive, and collaborative, and that leverage curiosity, inquiry, and creative expression.

Dr. Colleen Drisner is a highly respected educator who has spent the last 29 years in senior leadership positions in international schools globally. Most recently, Colleen was Head of Student Support and Wellbeing at CIS where she oversaw the delivery of integrated services of our school counsellors, psychologist, nurses, Learning Support and English Language Learner teachers. Prior to this, Colleen was the Secondary Principal at Beijing City International School. She has also worked as a DP Coordinator, as well as having taught DP Business Management and MYP English. Colleen earned her Bachelor of Arts from Waterloo, Ontario, a Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto and a Masters in Business from the University of Melbourne. Colleen holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, USA.

Joel Bevan has over 15 years of teaching experience and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Primary Education from the University of Northumbria in Newcastle, UK and a Masters degree in Multidisciplinary Education Studies from Suny Buffalo State. Most recently, Joel was elementary curriculum coordinator and a member of the teaching and learning team at the International School of Panama. He also worked as a COETAIL online 12 instructor and an online coach for Harvard Graduate School of Education (Project Zero). He says: “Creating a culture in a school empowers learners to flourish, make a positive difference and reimagine the world around us. We as educators have an amazing opportunity to empower students to understand themselves as learners enabling them to transform their understandings, dispositions, and skills.”

Xiomara Cruz is an experienced educator and school leader with over 14 years teaching experience. For the last decade, she has focused on supporting the development of cohesive data-driven Bilingual education programmes. Xiomara has worked in Puerto Rico, the United States and Singapore and is skilled in educational leadership, lesson planning, educational technology, curriculum development and teacher training. She holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Administration from Northcentral University, a Bachelor’s degree in Political Sciences from Universidad de Puerto Rico, a Master’s degree in Child Development from Texas Woman’s University and a Masters Degree in Bilingual Education from Southern Methodist University in Texas, United States. Most recently, Xiomara was Elementary Deputy Principal at Stamford American International School in Singapore.

Alison Jamieson is an experienced educator with over 14 years experience teaching primary children and conducting professional development in Canada and Singapore. During her 6 years at CIS, Alison has focussed on helping students become “Calm, Alert and Ready to Learn”.

She holds a Master’s degree in Educational Practices from Simon Fraser University, with a focus on executive functioning skills in students. As a lifelong learner, she is currently taking educational courses through Harvard. Alison’s philosophy is to create a culture of curiosity and provide opportunities for students to make discoveries about the world around them.

Cherie Boltong is a passionate educator with 27 years experience: 10 years in Australia and 17 in Singapore. She has a special interest and passion for early years education. Serving as Vice Principal at the CIS TK campus, Cherie has gained a significant amount of educational expertise by working across a diverse range of roles including PYP coordinator and Open Minds Coordinator. Cherie’s Bachelor of Education was awarded by the Australian Catholic University (ACU), and she remains committed to staff and students though her current study towards a Diploma of Counselling at the internationally recognised Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors. She looks forward to progressing into a Masters in the same field.

Huali Xiong has 35 years experience in education, 18 of which have been in an international setting. Huali is the author of the acclaimed Big Apple Chinese reader series which is used in schools around the world. Huali is frequently invited to be the keynote speaker at language conferences, consults to schools regarding Chinese curriculum development, and is an adjunct lecturer at NTU (National Technological University). Huali holds a Master of Science in international education - from the State University of New York.

Ms Yingtao Lang is an experienced educator with over 13 years of teaching and leadership experience. She is experienced in Chinese/English bilingual education, bilingual curriculum design, second language teaching, assessment design and bilingual education training for teachers, etc.

She is an IB workshop leader who provides IB professional training to teachers and schools across different countries. She is also an IB school visit team member and IB Programme Leader who represents IB to authorise and evaluate IB schools around the world.

Yingtao holds a master’s degree in education from the University of Hong Kong, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Shanghai Normal University. Presently Yingtao is the Bilingual PYP Coordinator at CIS Lakeside Campus.

With a degree from Beijing Normal University, majoring in Chinese language and literature, Yong Kai has been teaching in both the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP) for over 15 years in international schools in Singapore. With a solid understanding of the IB philosophy and the needs of our students, he believes that the acquisition of understanding and knowledge is directly related to living and experiencing it, just as the famous Confucius saying goes “ I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand. “

From teaching and coordinating a team of language teachers who teach different language levels and programmes, Yongkai understands that leadership skills are essential for effective promotion of Chinese language and culture.

Egmond Boon has been with CIS since 2013 and has over 15 years of experience in international education. Egmond brings extensive knowledge and experience in curriculum leadership and innovative practices to his role as Head of Creativity and Innovation. Since joining CIS, he has played an integral role in shaping the meaningful use of technology to effectively support teaching, implementing Robotics, STEAM and innovative learning spaces. Egmond has received a variety of awards for his ongoing commitment to innovation in education and holds a Bachelor of Education from Inholland University.

Jamila Mac Arthur has over 16 years of teaching and leadership experience. Jamila earned an MA in Primary Education from Loyola Marymount University and an MA in Educational Leadership from California State University. Prior to her appointment at CIS, Jamila served as Senior Partner of School Design Services at Transcend Education. She says: “Students’ academic success is inextricably linked to their overall well-being and that we can—and must—attend to the development of the whole child while also achieving excellence in academics.”

Dr Allan Weston joins CIS in 2022 and has over 25 years of experience in prestigious schools in Australia, the US and South East Asia. Prior to his appointment at CIS, Allan served as Head of Greenfield International School in Dubai, a member of the highly regarded Taaleem group.

Allan also served for eight years as CEO and Executive Head at the prestigious Taipei European School, a group of schools that offered the IB diploma, French, German, and British sections, and a strong Chinese language and culture programme. Allan believes that schools must provide an optimal learning environment for the young people in a school’s care. He shares, “a balanced education is one that does not simply focus on the academics, but also the social, pastoral, creative and physical development of each and every child.” He holds a EdD in Education from Portland State University and a Masters in Education from Deakin University.

Carol is a highly experienced IB school leader who has worked in leadership positions over the past 25 years. For the last seven years, Carol has served as Director of Teaching and Learning & Assistant Director at the American School of Warsaw in Poland. Prior to Poland, she spent 11 years at Shanghai American School in China in a number of leadership roles that included IB Diploma and AP coordinator.

Carol believes a great school has an energy created by students who are passionate about learning, are empowered to act and who know that they will be supported by committed and caring adults. A native of New Zealand, Carol holds a Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) from Auckland University, a Diploma of Teaching from Auckland University, a Master of Education in Curriculum and Administration from Deakin University, Australia and is currently completing her Doctor of Education in Leadership at Bath University in the UK.

Daniel Smith has worked in international education for the past 20 years in a variety of outstanding schools in Russia, India and Thailand. He earned his MA in Social Studies at Teachers College Columbia University and returned there to complete his M.Ed in Private School Leadership at the Klingenstein Center where he later served as the Assistant Director. During the course of his career, Daniel has worked in US independent schools as a teacher and administrator including travel to many international schools as the Director of International Partnerships for a US based international boarding school. His most recent position was as Head of School at Ruamrudee International School in Bangkok, Thailand.

Dr. Colleen Drisner is a highly respected educator who has spent the last 29 years in senior leadership positions in international schools globally. Most recently, Colleen was Head of Student Support and Wellbeing at CIS where she oversaw the delivery of integrated services of our school counsellors, psychologist, nurses, Learning Support and English Language Learner teachers. Prior to this, Colleen was the Secondary Principal at Beijing City International School. She has also worked as a DP Coordinator, as well as having taught DP Business Management and MYP English. Colleen earned her Bachelor of Arts from Waterloo, Ontario, a Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto and a Masters in Business from the University of Melbourne. Colleen holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, USA.

Huali Xiong has 35 years experience in education, 18 of which have been in an international setting. Huali is the author of the acclaimed Big Apple Chinese reader series which is used in schools around the world. Huali is frequently invited to be the keynote speaker at language conferences, consults to schools regarding Chinese curriculum development, and is an adjunct lecturer at NTU (National Technological University). Huali holds a Master of Science in international education - from the State University of New York.

Jamila Mac Arthur has over 16 years of teaching and leadership experience. Jamila earned an MA in Primary Education from Loyola Marymount University and an MA in Educational Leadership from California State University. Prior to her appointment at CIS, Jamila served as Senior Partner of School Design Services at Transcend Education. She says: “Students’ academic success is inextricably linked to their overall well-being and that we can—and must—attend to the development of the whole child while also achieving excellence in academics.”