Faculty

Annie Peterson is in her seventh year of teaching. She began her career teaching for four years in Minnesota, USA as a science teacher for middle and high school students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders at Lionsgate Academy. The courses she taught include Biology, Environmental Science, Chemistry, and Earth Science. She then taught internationally at Korea International School, returning to the country where she taught ESL ten years earlier. Teaching ESL in Korea was the original inspiration to go back to university to study education. Prior to teaching at NCPA, Annie taught biology back in the USA in Salem, MA at Salem Academy Charter School, a college preparatory school. Additionally, she has participated in extra-curricular science club, environmental club, school gardens and service learning projects. She is originally from Minnesota and enjoyed years working as an environmental scientist for the US Forest Service before gaining a teaching license.

Degree
M.A., Hamline University, Saint Paul, MN
B.A., University of Minnesota, Duluth, MN

Aubrey Scholz is a Canadian certified teacher with a passion for middle school education and is in her fifth year of teaching. She began her teaching career with a short term Grade 5 English Language Arts position in Bangkok, Thailand, before returning to her home in British Columbia, Canada, where she gained experience teaching Grades 6 and 8 Humanities. Since then, Aubrey has lived abroad and taught Grade 6 Social Studies at Escuela Internacional Sampedrana in Honduras. She has advised and travelled with students for Model United Nations and has helped coach various athletic clubs such as swimming and cross country.

Degree
B.A., Trinity Western University, Langley, BC

Chris Cheronis is finishing his 5th year teaching. Chris began his teaching career at Mountain Range High School in Westminster, Colorado where he taught 9th, 11th and 12th grade Contemporary Math in Context (CMIC) 1 and 3 as well as Math Analysis. Just prior to coming to NCPA, he taught 9th through 12th grade mathematics at Jeddah Private International School (JPIS) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for 2 years. At JPIS he taught Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Trigonometry and PreCalculus. Chris has previously volunteered to be a sponsor for student government, a coach for "powder puff" football and a scorekeeper for volleyball and basketball games. Chris is a U.S. native who grew up in Colorado prior to moving overseas to teach. He has his Master's Degree in Education in Leadership, Renewal and Change and is licensed to teach in the United States.

Degree
M.Ed., B.S., Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado

Christine Palumbo earned her doctoral degree from the University of Arizona Second Language Acquisition and Teaching (SLAT) interdisciplinary program, and master’s degrees in Applied Linguistics from both the University of Maryland and the University of Arizona minoring in Teacher Training in Education (TTE) from the College of Education. Christine has developed pre- and in-service teacher development programs for L2 teachers in the US, Asia, Africa, and Central and South America. Her research interests include L2 assessment, sociolinguistics and the Non-Native English-speaking teacher (NNEST). Dr. Palumbo looks forward to her upcoming tenure as the Director of EAL at the Nansha College Preparatory Academy in Guangzhou, China.

Degree
Ph. D., M.A., Second Language Acquisition and Teaching (SLAT), University of Arizona
M.A., University of Maryland
B.S., University of Cincinnati

Elizabeth Shuler is in her fourth year of international school counseling. She started her career at The International Academy, Amman in Jordan. Prior to Jordan, Elizabeth worked in Colorado at a private practice and adolescent residential treatment center. Elizabeth is a licensed counselor in her native Wyoming.

Degree
M.S., B.A., University of Wyoming

Emily Sherwood has worked in the education field for 13 years. She began her career teaching English as a Second Language in rural schools in Tennessee, gaining experience in every grade and language level. Most recently, Emily has been teaching and completing research as a graduate assistant at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she is a doctoral candidate in Teacher Education, specializing in Literacy Studies. Emily's primary research and teaching interest is promoting literacy among multilingual students.

Degree
Ph.D. (cand.) University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
Ed.S., University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
M.A., Carson-Newman University, Jefferson City, TN
B.A., Maryville College, Maryville, TN

Jeff Thompson has been teaching English learners for 29 years. He began by teaching reading, writing, speaking, and listening courses in Tokyo, Japan for five years. He then taught the same subjects for 6 years in an intensive English program at Lake Forest Academy, a private boarding high school near Chicago. Following this, he taught writing and spoken English at Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) for six years. Mr. Thompson served the first three years at BFSU as a Senior Fellow in the U.S. State Department English Language Fellow Program and the final three working directly for BFSU as a professor. For the last seven years, he has served as the International Program Coordinator, ELL writing support specialist, English literature teacher, and tennis coach at Wayland Academy, a private boarding high school near Madison, Wisconsin. Mr. Thompson is a Chicago-area native who entered the teaching profession after a successful sales career with P&G (Procter & Gamble) in Honolulu, HI, USA.

Degree
M.A., Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL
B.A., St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN

Leo Kwong is on his 8th year of mathematics teaching. Leo started his teaching career at Wagor International School of Excellence where he taught 7th - 12th grade mathematics, AP Calculus AB, AP Statistics, and chemistry. He is trilingual in English, Mandarin and Cantonese, and is currently the Head of Math Department and developing professional interests and teaching certification in STEAM education. Before joining NCPA, Leo had expat living experiences in South Korea and Taiwan, and is licensed to teach in Ontario, Canada.

Degree
M. Math., University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario
B.Math., University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario

For the past three years, Rachel taught chemistry at The Nueva School in the San Francisco Bay Area. Rachel participated in the school’s Innovative Teacher Development Program and studied progressive pedagogy while collaborating with a total of five different mentor teachers in middle school and high school classrooms. Rachel served as an advisor for students in middle school and high school and travelled with students on regional, national, and international trips. She has designed curriculum in both middle school and high school chemistry classes including her popular elective course on Chemistry and Art. She has also worked in a science museum and, for two summers, at The Loomis Chaffee School Summer Program. Rachel is a graduate of Kenyon College where she was a double major in chemistry and English. Rachel loves to read, travel, and is a published poet.

Degree
B.A., Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio

Spencer Sheffield is in his fourth year of teaching. Before coming to NCPA, Spencer taught at Escuela Internacional La Lima in Honduras for three years. He taught 5th-7th grade Social Studies and 7th grade English Language Arts. He has worked as a Model United Nations advisor and has been involved as the lead coordinator for many outdoor leadership activities and helping coach different sports/clubs. Coming from Ontario, he is licensed to teach in Canada.

Degree
B.Ed., Queen's University, Kingston, ON
B.A., Trent University, Peterborough, ON

This year will be Tim Birkett's ninth as an EAL teacher. Tim has spent four years in China, including Xi’an and Dalian and most recently taught EAL and English Language and Literature in Yew Chung International School, Chongqing. Tim has also worked in Singapore as a Home Room Teacher in Konohana Japanese Kindergarten, and moved to NCPA from Seoul, where he taught Middle School English Speaking and Writing at Choi Son Academy. Tim is from NSW Australia, where he trained to teach EAL and English Language and Literature.

Degree
B.A., University of New England

During 2017-2018, Xiaoyu worked at the Confucius Institute in Korea as a Chinese teacher, mainly responsible for the primary and advanced Chinese in the Confucius Institute and Woosuk University. During her college years, she did some part-time jobs such as teaching Chinese in some training schools. A few months ago, she did her teaching practicum as a student teacher at Victoria Shanghai Academy, where she taught 10th grade Chinese, including IB language and IB literature.

Degree
M.Ed., The University of Hong Kong
B.A., Shandong Normal University

Last Position
Deputy Principal, MS/HS, United Nations International School, Hanoi, Vietnam

Degree
Ed.D., M.Ed., Columbia University
M.Ed., Loyola University of Chicago
B.A., St. Norbert College

Last Position
Director of Learning Support, Leman Manhattan Preparatory School, NY, USA

Degree
Certificate in School Leadership, The College of New Jersey
M.Ed., TESOL, The College of New Jersey
B.A., Rutgers University

Last Position
MS/HS Assistant Principal, Curriculum Leader & Founding Faculty, HS/MS English & Social Studies Teacher, Raffles American School, Malaysia

Degree
M.Ed., Framingham State University
Bachelor of Political Science, Universidad Central de Venezuela

Last Position
IB MYP Music Technology Teacher, ACS Hillingdon International School, London, United Kingdom GBR

Degree
M.Education Leadership, Lehigh University
B.Ed., the University of British Columbia
Bachelor of Music, McGill University

Last Position
Chinese Teacher, Sacred Heart School-Adeneo de Cebu, Philippines

Degree
M.A., Sun Yat-sen University
B.A., Shandong University

Last Position
IT Coordinator, American International School of Bamako, Mali

Degree
M.S.Ed., Northwestern University
B.A., Northwestern University

Last Position
PE Teacher, Daegu International School, Korea

Degree
M.Ed., Instructional Leadership, Covenant College
B.S., Middle Grades Education, Toccoa Falls College

Last Position
Science Teacher (Biology A Level, Combined Science IGCSE, Science Cambridge Secondary 1), International School of Palmela, Portugal

Degree
Ph.D., University of Coimbra and Central Michigan University
M.S., University of Coimbra and Central Michigan University
B.A., University of Coimbra

Last Position
Librarian, Anglo-American School of Sofia, Bulgaria

Degree
M.Ed., Framingham State University
B.A., Virginia Tech University

Last Position
Admissions Director and Counselor, Daegu International School, Korea

Degree
M.A., Adams State University
B.S., The State University of New York at Brockport

Last Position
Professional School Counselor, Anne Arundel County Public School, USA

Degree
M.Ed., University of Maryland, College Park
B.A., University of Maryland, College Park

Last Position
School Guidance and College Counselor, International School of Tianjin, China

Degree
M.Ed., Lewis and Clark College
B.S., Lewis and Clark College

Last Position
School Counselor, Fluvanna County High School, Virginia, United States

Degree
M.Ed., University of Virginia
B.A., University of Alabama

Last Position
School Counselor, Battle Mountain High School/Austin Combined School, USA

Degree
M.S., Idaho State University
B.S., University of Utah

Last Position
Teacher, Politics and Law Institute, Hubei University, China

Degree
M.A., University of Hubei
B.A., University of Hubei

Last Position
Teacher, College of Chinese Language and Literature, Jinan University, China

Degree
M.A., Jinan University
B.A., Sichuan International Studies University

Last Position
Chinese Language and Literature Teacher, Chinese International School Manila, Philippines

Degree
M.A., Sun Yat-sen University
B.A., Zhengzhou University

Last Position
Chinese Language and Literature Teacher, Guangdong Maoming School, China

Degree
M.A., Guang’xi Normal University
B.A., Anhui Normal University

Last Position
Mandarin Teacher, Brookline Public Schools, Massachusetts, United States

Degree
M.A., Columbia University
B.A., University of Massachusetts Amherst

Last Position
Counselor, Fujian Jiang Xia College, China

Degree
M.A., Fujian Normal University
B.A., Fujian Normal University

Last Position
EAL Instructor Intern, American Language Center Rabat, Morocco

Degree
M.A., The School for International Training (SIT) Graduate Institute
B.A., Northwestern University

Last Position
Language Assistant, Liceo Scientifico Ettore Majorana, Rho, Italy

Degree
M.A., The School for International Training (SIT) Graduate Institute
B.A., Susquehanna University

Last Position
English Language Teacher, Qingdao Concord College of Sino-Canada, Jiaozhou, China

Degree
M.A., University of Idaho
B.A., Boise State University

Last Position
Chinese Culture and Literature Teacher, Concordia Language Villages, Minnesota, United States

Degree
M.Ed., University of Hong Kong
B.A., Hong Kong Baptist University

Last Position
ESOL Teacher, Tyler Heights/Linthicum/Pasadena Elementary, USA

Degree
M.A., University of Maryland Baltimore County
B.A., St. Mary's College of Maryland

Last Position
EAL/ESL Teacher (Yrs 7-11), CFBT, Brunei

Degree
M.A., Sheffield Hallam University
B.A., Oxford Brookes University

Last Position
ESL Teacher & English Teacher, Ivy Collegiate Academy, Taiwan

Degree
B.S., University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point

Last Position
English Teacher, Canadian History Teacher, Drama Teacher, Global Geography Teacher, ELL Support Teacher, Jilin No. 1 High School Sino-Canadian Program, China

Degree
M.Ed., Mount Saint Vincent University
B.S., University of Maine - Fort Kent
B.A., Mount Saint Vincent University

Last Position
EAL Teacher, Australian International School Malaysia, Malaysia

Degree
M.Ed., University of New England
B.A., University of Newcastle

Last Position
High School English Teacher and College Counselor, American International School of Bamako, Mali

Degree
M.S., University of Northern Colorado
B.A., Colorado College

Last Position
Honors English/General English Teacher, Grade 8 & Litearacy Coach, Grades 6-8, American School of Kuwait, Kuwait

Degree
Masters of Social Science, Tallinn University
B.S., University of Cincinnati

Last Position
Language Arts Teacher, West Linn High School, Oregon, USA

Degree
M.A., Lewis and Clark College
B.S., The Evergreen State College

Last Position
English/Language Arts Teacher, Chicago Math & Science Academy, Illinois, USA

Degree
B.S., Illinois State University

Last Position
English (AP) Teacher, Colegio Nueva Granada, Colombia

Degree
M.A., University of Virginia - Charlottesville
B.A., Gonzaga University

Last Position
Counsel, Commercial Closer for Guaranty Commercial Title, Inc.

Degree
J.D., William Mitchell School of Law
B.S., Minnesota State University, Moorhead

Last Position
Teacher of English and English as a Second Language, Cibola High School, Arizona, USA

Degree
B.S., Eastern Michigan University

Last Position
English Teacher, Beijing No. 4 High School, China

Degree
M.A., The New School
M.A., Brooklyn College, City College of New York
B.A., Brooklyn College, City College of New York

Last Position
Full Time Teacher, Rincon Valley Middle School

Degree
B.A., Sonoma State University

Last Position
Physical Education Teacher (PK-5)/After School Activities Coordinator, Shanghai Community International School, China

Degree
M.S., SUNY Buffalo State
B.S., West Virginia University

Last Position
Teacher of Science, Health & Physical Education, Eastdale Collegiate and Vocational Institute, Ontario, Canada

Degree
M.A.T., Griffith University
B.S., Brock University

Last Position
Physical Education, Maple Leaf International School, China

Degree
Graduate Diploma, Edith Cowan University
B.R.L.S., Brock University

Last Position
Department Head & Mathematics (AP) Teacher, Colegio Nueva Granada, Colombia

Degree
M.A., Princeton University
B.A., Harvard University

Last Position
Licensed Teacher (FIRST Robotics Club, Computer Programming Club), Edward W. Clark High School, Nevada, United States

Degree
B.S., University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Last Position
High School Math Teacher, American School of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Degree
B.A., University of North Texas

Last Position
Math Teacher, Clark County School Distirct, Nevada, USA

Degree
M.A., Sierra Nevada College
B.S., University of Nevada, Reno

Last Position
Math Teacher, Mesa Ridge High School, Colorado, USA

Degree
M.Ed., Grand Canyon University
B.S., University of Wisconsin - Green Bay

Last Position
Math Teacher 8-12/Volleyball & Soccer Coach, Granbury High School, Texas, United States

Degree
M.A., Brigham Young University
B.A., University of Utah

Last Position
Instructional Assistant, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong

Degree
M.Phil., Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
B.S., Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Last Position
Assistant Director of Bands, Dailey Middle School, Texas, United States

Degree
B.M., Texas Tech University

Last Position
Marketing Assistant & Communications Project Manager, AEI Capital Corporation, Minnesota, United States

Degree
B.A., Lawrence University

Last Position
Music Teacher and Coordinator of After-School Activities, Seoul Scholars International, South Korea

Degree
B.M.E., Otterbein University

Last Position
Strings Teacher, Lakewood Montessori Middle School, North Carolina, United States

Degree
B.Ed., North Carolina Central University
B.M., North Carolina Central University

Last Position
Teaching Fellowship, Asia Pacific International School, South Korea

Degree
B.A., Kennesaw State University

Last Position
Music Teacher, 2nd-11th grade, Vision International School, Qatar

Degree
B.F.A., Wayne State University

Last Position
Science Teacher, Ivy Collegiate Academy, China (Taiwan)

Degree
M.S.Ed., University of Nebraska at Kearney
B.S., Culver-Stockton College

Last Position
7th/8th Grade Science Teacher, Le Pera Elementary School, Arizona, United States

Degree
B.A., University of Minnesota - Morris

Last Position
AP Biology, AP Environmental Science, Biology, and Earth Science Instructor, Big Briage Academy, China

Degree
M.Ed., Milligan College
B.S., East Tennessee State University

Last Position
Chemistry (AP) & Chemistry Teacher, Thurgood Marshall Academy Public Charter High School, Washington, D.C., United States

Degree
M.A.T., American University
B.A., Scripps College

Last Position
Science Teacher, Discovery Middle School, Washington, USA

Degree
M.A., Lewis & Clark College
B.A., University of Vermont

Last Position
Science Teacher, Denver South High School, Colorado, USA

Degree
M.A., University of New Mexico
B.S., University of New Mexico

Last Position
Physics & General Science 8th Grade, Cascade Middle School, Washington, United States

Degree
M.S., Lesley University
B.S., Concordia University

Last Position
Billingual Social Studies Teacher, Grade 6-8, Coppell Middle School West and Coppell Middle School North, Texas, USA

Degree
M.Ed., Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM)
B.S., Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM)

Last Position
Social Studies Teacher, Denver South High School, Colorado, USA

Degree
Ph.D., University of New Mexico 
M.A., University of New Mexico
B.A., University of Florida

Last Position
G10-12 Social Studies (History, Government and Modern Problems) and EFL Instructor, Qingdao Concord College of Sino-Canada, China

Degree
M.A., University of Idaho
B.A., Boise State University

Last Position
Social Studies Teacher, Minnesota Virtual High School, United States

Degree
B.A., University of Wisconsin-Madison

Last Position
Mathematics (MYP & IB), Activities Director, Humanities (MYP), UCSI International School, Malaysia

Degree
M.Ed., South Dakota State University
B.S., Ball State University

Last Position
9th Grade Global History & 10th Grade Intervention Teacher, Unity Preparatory Charter School of Brooklyn, New York, USA

Degree
M.A., Columbia University
B.A., University of California, Berkeley

Last Position
Social Studies Teacher (Government/Economics 9-12), Parker High School, Arizona, United States

Degree
M.S., University of Wyoming
B.Ed., University of Wyoming

Last Position
Art and Social Studies Teacher, British Columbia Canadian International School, Egypt

Degree
B.F.A., Thomson Rivers University
B.Ed., Thompson Rivers University

Last Position
Art and English Teacher, Lanzhou Oriental Canada Secondary School, China

Degree
Bachelors of Art Education, the University of Victoria
B.F.A., Thompson Rivers University

Last Position
Art Teacher, Shanghai High School International Division, China

Degree
M.A., University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
B.A., University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
B.A., Luther College

Last Position
Art Teacher, Liceo Experimental, Chile

Degree
B.A., University of Durham
B.A., Universidad de Chile

Last Position
9-12th Grade Art Teacher, Trevor Browne High School, Arizona, United States

Degree
M.F.A., University of Pennsylvania
B.F.A., Northern Illinois University