New Faculty

Cait Winstanley (internal hire) -- MS Deputy Principal

Cait is moving into the role of Deputy Principal after successfully serving as a Grade Level Leader and Science Teacher here at UNIS.

Gareth Tebbutt -- Director of Finance & Operations

Gareth is a highly accomplished business professional with diverse experience spanning two decades across hospitality and education sectors. With over 20 years of senior management expertise and a recent Global MBA from Oxford Brookes, he brings unparalleled depth to his roles. Gareth held pivotal positions such as Domestic Bursar at Hertford College and St. Antony’s College, Oxford University, and served as Deputy Director of Business Administration at Dulwich College, Singapore. He also contributed significantly as Chief Operating Officer for Rugby School Thailand, enhancing operational efficiency.

Muhammad Azeem -- Director of Technology

Muhammad is an educational technology professional with 20+ years of experience in international non-profit schools settings in China, UAE and Singapore. He has a passion for both education and technology and holds a Bachelor degree with honours in Computer Science. Learn more about him at https://www.azeem.online/about-me/

Apostolos Mitrakos -- Aquatics Manager

My name is Apostolos Mitrakos, and I am Greek. My true passion lies in swimming. I have been working in the American School in London for the past 8 years, serving in the PE department, as well as in the Aquatics and Athletics departments, where I held roles as a Head Coach and Swim Coordinator. I hold a BA in Physical Education & Sport Sciences with a specialization in swimming. Recently, I completed my MSc in Sport Management at Birkbeck University in London.

Erica Grainger -- ES Art Teacher

Erica is an elementary art teacher from Ireland, whose educator journey began in Japan, spanning an 11-year tenure at Nishimachi International School (Tokyo), before moving to the International School of Luxembourg. Possessing a Masters in Art Education and a degree in Multimedia, Erica is passionate about integrating traditional art mediums with innovative digital tools.

Jacqui Stransky -- ES Homeroom Teacher (ECC)

My name is Jacqui Stransky and I am extremely excited and grateful to be returning to UNIS to join the EY team. This time around I am bringing my husband Jim and our beloved shitzu, Billy. I have been an Early Years teacher for the past 16 years. I believe it is important to create classroom communities where ideas, big and small, are valued, that student’s have agency and a strong sense of belonging. There is no learning without love! Previous schools I have worked at are Walworth Barbour International School in Israel, UNIS, and Dubai American Academy.

“You are the part of me I do not yet know.” - Valarie Kaur

Jenny Schmidli -- ES Homeroom Teacher (Upper)

Jenny is a passionate educator with 11 years of Elementary experience. After teaching in New Zealand for 5 years she made the move to Vietnam in 2018 where she taught at Hanoi International School and the American International School of Ho Chi Minh City. Jenny has a Bachelor of Arts in Education and a Masters of Arts in Educational Leadership. She is enthusiastic about creating opportunities for experiential and hands-on learning.

Juliette Awua-Kyerematen -- ES Homeroom Teacher (Upper)

My name is Juliette, and as is the custom in Ghana, West Africa, where I come from, I also have other African names. I love to read and write and I am currently a member of a number of book clubs and writing groups. I am also a lifelong learner. I have a PGCE and a Masters in Education. For twenty years, I have taught a number of elementary grade levels, sixteen years of which have been at Lincoln Community School in Accra, the capital city of Ghana. I have two adult sons living in London and a daughter, Esi, who is in boarding school in Ghana. When she is on holiday from school, Esi will spend her days at home with Francis, my husband.

Kate Mahon -- ES Homeroom Teacher (Upper)

Kate is a passionate educator who has worked across a variety of primary and middle school grade levels over the past 11 years. She has a Bachelor of Science in Sport and Exercise Science, and a Graduate Teaching Diploma, both of which she obtained in her native New Zealand. Kate is currently working at International College Hong Kong and has a particular interest in positive education and well-being in schools. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, pickleball, and reading a good book.

Lais Brito -- ES Homeroom Teacher (Upper)

Laís has been passionate about international education for the past 13 years. Her first introduction to education was as a kindergarten teacher in Brazil in 2010. She holds a BA in Pedagogy and a BA in English Language and Literature. Laís is deeply committed to DEIJ and has previously worked at various schools in her home country, Brazil, as well as at Pechersk School International in Ukraine. Currently, she is teaching at Bonn International School in Germany.

Laquinna (Quinna) Allen -- ES PE Teacher

For the past nine years, Quinna has been passionately teaching physical education. Having been a competitive athlete in her youth, when she played basketball, track and field, and softball, she developed a love for physical activity and fitness. Quinna holds an MS in Health Promotion with a concentration in Wellness and Fitness and a BS in Physical Education/Health from the University of Central Oklahoma. Additionally, she is working on a doctoral degree in educational leadership. She has taught in Kuwait, China, and the United States.

Aliyah Hicks -- MSHS English/Media Studies Teacher

Aliyah, an educator with six years of secondary experience, discovered her passion for teaching literature while serving in AmeriCorps at university. With a Master's Degree in Education, she has taught at the UCLA Community School and, most recently, at Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles, California. In her classroom, Aliyah emphasizes the pivotal role studying and creating literature play in fostering empathy and a deeper understanding of the world.

Amber Godfrey -- MS Counselor 

Amber is a dual Canadian/American citizen who has been a School Counselor in international schools for the past 7 years. She previously worked at the International School of Ouagadougou and is coming to UNIS Hanoi from British International School Phuket. As an Adult Third Culture Kid who attended international schools in Asia as a child, Amber has a passion for supporting young people who face the joys and challenges of life in this unique environment. Before receiving her MSEd in School Counseling from CUNY Hunter College, Amber worked at the Canadian Consulate General in New York. Prior to that, she was an actor working throughout Canada and putting her BA in Theatre Studies from Acadia University to use.

Bill Vaughn -- HS Art Teacher

Bill Vaughn is a dedicated art educator from New York, holding a Bachelors and Masters degree in art education from SUNY New Paltz and Brooklyn College respectively. For the past nine years, Bill has served as a visual arts teacher and team leader at the American International School of Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City. He is very excited to contribute to the UNIS community and explore Hanoi along with his wife and dog!

Celine Madaule -- MSHS French and Spanish Teacher

Céline Madaule, a French educator with a Master's Degree in Education in English, holds an ESL teaching license from the French Ministry of National Education, and has obtained the DAEFLE from the Alliance Française to teach French as a Second Language. With a rich teaching experience spanning from the PYP to IB DP, encompassing the New Brunswick and IGCSE curriculums, she has contributed her expertise at esteemed institutions such as the American School of Paris, the Canadian International School of Beijing, China, and the Canadian International School of Bangalore, India. Emphasizing the importance of Social Emotional Learning, she firmly believes that it benefits everyone. Outside of her professional pursuits, she finds joy in traveling, hearing people's life stories, and learning new languages.

John Roche -- MS Science Teacher

John’s teaching experience spans seven years across various educational levels, including 6th through 10th grade sciences in Washington State and Hanoi, and extends his expertise to adult learners in non-traditional formats such as snowboarding instruction, English language teaching, and business leadership. His passion lies in exploring and integrating cutting-edge educational practices into his curriculum. Academically, John holds a Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences with a minor in Broad Area Sciences and a M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction.

Katrina (Katie) Shea -- Design Teacher & Tech Coach

Katie Shea was born and raised in Montreal, Canada. The 2024/2025 school year will be her 10th year as an educator. She commenced her teaching career in Montreal; she ventured abroad after four years in the public sector. Over the last five years, she has worked at the Canadian International School of Phnom Penh, serving as the STEAM and Ed Tech Lead and as a Middle and High School Technology teacher. Katie holds a Diploma in Media Arts, a BEd in Secondary Social Studies and an MA in Educational Technology.