New Faculty

Emily Easterday - Director of Student Success and Wellbeing

Emily Easterday has worked in the field of student support for over twenty years, in the United States and Asia. Her international school experience has been at Jakarta Intercultural School, The American School in Japan, and Vientiane International School. Emily considers Colorado home now, enjoys running, hiking, and exploring local culture, and will relocate to Hanoi with her partner, John. She is excited to join the UNIS Hanoi community and to contribute to the continued growth of its student-centred and mission-aligned practices.

Kinjal Shah - Director of Marketing and Communications

Born and raised in India, Kinjal Shah is an educator-communicator who has lived in Australia, Indonesia, and Singapore. She holds a Master of Arts in Advertising from RMIT Australia and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of Mumbai. Kinjal has worked in tertiary education in Singapore and has been at Singapore American School since 2017, where she leads strategic communications and storytelling. She brings a global perspective, deep curiosity, and a commitment to community.

Derrick Quinet - Assistant Director of Activities

Derrick has guided successful, student-centered athletics and activities programs in international schools since 1999. He most recently led programs at Nido de Águilas in Santiago, Chile, and the International School Bangkok. A Seattle native, Derrick holds a Bachelor of Arts from Pitzer College and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Michigan State University. He has two daughters, Adina (a rising university freshman) and Eliana (rising G11). Eliana and Derrick are thrilled to be joining UNIS!

Seth Ellenz - EY-12 School Psychologist

Seth Ellenz is an American school psychologist from Washington State, USA. He holds a Master of Science in Applied Psychology and has worked as a school psychologist for the past eighteen years. Seth spent some years in U.S. public schools before moving into international education at the International School of Stuttgart. He has since worked at Concordian International School and the International Community School of Addis Ababa and is joining UNIS from International School Manila.

Amanda Brandt - Elementary School Learning Support Teacher

Amanda Brandt has a Master of Elementary Education and is a certified reading specialist with twenty-two years of experience. A passionate literacy advocate, she has previously worked at ICS in Addis Ababa, AISB in Bucharest and the American School Chennai.  For the past six years she has worked as an MTSS coordinator and reading specialist at the Winnetka Public Schools in Illinois. She will be joined by her son, Max, who will be a fourth grader.

Janice Eilken - Elementary School EAL Teacher (Lower Elementary)

Janice first became a teacher in the U.S. and brings twenty-seven years of experience from K-8. Her interests lie in the intersection of language, literacy, and culture.  She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Master degrees in Curriculum and Literacy.  Previous international placements were at San Roberto International School in Mexico, the American School of Doha, and the American Cooperative School of Tunis in learning support, EAL, and coaching. Janice is currently not traveling with pets, but may adopt.

Ingrid Ferguson - Elementary School Physical Education Teacher

Ingrid Ferguson is from Trinidad and Tobago and has passionately taught Physical Education for over thirty years. She has worked at the International School of Port of Spain, Jakarta Intercultural School, Cairo American College, American International School of Johannesburg and, most recently, Vientiane International School. Ingrid has also taught EAL and holds a Bachelor of Science in Adapted Physical Education, a Master of Science in Kinesiology, and a Master of Education in TESOL. She joins UNIS off of a brief sabbatical spent in Trinidad.

Chett Vosloo - Elementary School EAL Teacher (Upper Elementary)

Chett began his teaching career as an intern teacher at a private boarding school in South Africa, where he is originally from. Several years later, he moved to South Korea, where he discovered his passion for teaching English as an Additional Language. 

Chett has over fourteen years of teaching experience and holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Master of Education in Teaching Multilingual Learners. He is currently teaching at ISPP in Cambodia and previously spent five years teaching in Hangzhou and Guangzhou in China. Outside of school, Chett is passionate about sports, especially padel and kitesurfing, and he loves touring by motorcycle with his wife, Jay.

Dan Allbery - MSHS Individuals and Societies Teacher

Dan Allbery has been teaching middle school social studies and English for eighteen years. His teaching career spans seven countries on three continents. UNIS Hanoi is his third school in Southeast Asia, having most recently taught at International School Bangkok and Jakarta Intercultural School for the past ten years combined. 

Dan has a Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies Education and a Master of Education in Literacy Education, both from Washington State University (USA).

Cath Bae - Secondary Librarian

Catherine Bae is a teacher-librarian of nine years and an educator of twenty-three, who strives to build library programs that feel equal parts welcoming sanctuary and high-expectations learning studio. As a Korean-born, Generation 1.5 Australian, she brings a culturally responsive lens to her work, and establishing student representation in the collection. Her international teaching journey spans Brazil, Malaysia, Qatar, Taiwan, and South Korea, shaping a practice grounded in belonging, curiosity, and thoughtful global mindedness. 

As she joins as the MSHS librarian, Cath is excited to partner with teachers and students to make the library a vibrant third space for joyful reading, purposeful inquiry, and community connection. Outside the stacks, she is a devoted foodie who experiments with sourdough baking and loves long walks that turn unfamiliar streets into small adventures.

Tahar Benattia - MYP/DP Mathematics Teacher

Tahar is a passionate mathematics teacher with over nine years of teaching experience across Algeria, Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City), and Thailand. Tahar discovered his love for education while volunteering abroad with AIESEC. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Engineering, as well as a U.S. teaching license. Tahar aims to make mathematics accessible and enjoyable for all learners, believing it is a universal language that can help make our world a better place. Outside the classroom, Tahar enjoys spending time with his little family, cooking, and playing his favorite sport—soccer.

Sophie Faylor - MSHS English as an Additional Language (EAL) Teacher

Sophie has been an enthusiastic EAL teacher for the past eight years. She has her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and English and a Master of Education with a concentration in TESL. She is coming to UNIS from St. Paul American School, where she worked with various grade levels and led the development of the Elementary co-teaching model. She has a love of baking bagels, dancing, connecting with the community, and is looking forward to the new school year!

Jen Graham - MSHS Counselor

Originally from Canada, Jen has dedicated twenty-one years to education, including nine years in counseling, supporting students across Grades 1-12. Currently working as a College Counselor at CNG in Bogotá, she brings twelve years of international school experience spanning Vietnam, Costa Rica, Indonesia, Canada, and Colombia. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Social Work and Psychology from the University of Waterloo, a Bachelor of Education from Nipissing University, and a Specialist in Guidance and Career Education. Jen and her husband, Ken, enjoy outdoor activities, travel adventures, and experiencing new cultures; they are thrilled to be returning to Vietnam.

Josh Hudson - High School Mathematics Teacher

Josh is an experienced high school math teacher from the UK. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in Math from Lancaster University and furthered his education with a Master of Education in Math from Chadron State, Nebraska. His global teaching career includes positions at The Lakes School in England, Parkland High School in North Carolina, Atlanta International School, Hiroshima International School, Canadian Academy in Kobe, and International School Manila.

Ryan McKinnie - Technology and Innovation Coach

Ryan McKinnie is an American educator and technology coordinator currently working at the American Embassy School in New Delhi. He holds a Graduate Diploma in Education from the University of the Sunshine Coast and a Master of Science degree in Instructional Technology from Fort Hays State University.  For the past fifteen years, he has taught at international schools in China, Lebanon, and India, and is passionate about empowering students and educators through emerging technology.  Ryan will be accompanied by his wife, Nichole, and their two children, Josie (KG) and Perry (2 years old).

John Milton - DP Economics and Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS)

John is thrilled to be joining the UNIS community with his wife, Emily Easterday. John was born in Germany and grew up in Northern Virginia; however, he now calls Colorado home. John is currently living and working in Vientiane as a DP and MYP Individuals and Societies teacher. The next school year will mark his twentieth year as an educator and coach! John’s international teaching journey has taken him to Japan, Indonesia, Ghana, China, and the DRC, and each experience has deepened his commitment to global education. In his free time, John enjoys traveling, reading, hiking, camping, exploring local cuisine, and learning about the cultures and histories of the places he calls home.

Joycelyn Wei - Mandarin Teacher (50%)

Joycelyn Wei is a Taiwanese Mandarin educator shaped by immersion and multilingual learning. She currently teaches at Saigon South International School and has worked in international school communities across Taiwan, U.S., Thailand, and Vietnam. She holds an Master of Education from the University of Exeter and professional training in IB, inquiry driven, and standards based education. Her work centers on clarity, connection, and belonging, creating classrooms where language carries meaning and learning earns trust.

Jon Wood - MYP Mathematics Teacher

Jon Wood is an American educator coming from Lincoln Community School in Ghana. Over the past fourteen years, he has taught Grades 4–8 in a variety of roles, including middle school math and science, as well as classroom teaching and math intervention support. Jon has a son currently studying at a university in the USA. Outside of school, he enjoys playing sports, board games, making art, traveling, and discovering new foods.