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Where did you grow up/study?
I grew up in South Korea and attended an international school there. For university, I attended Michigan State University and I’m currently working towards my graduate degree there as well!

What attracted you to teach at CAIS?
One of the biggest pulls was how big the team is! I also loved how Christ-centered CAIS is and how the school works to show who God and Jesus is to the students.

Biggest challenge and rewarding moment working in education?
Biggest challenge is probably work-life balance as I find it easy to be ambitious and overwork. Another challenge may be delivering content in an engaging manner to the students. Rewarding moments are when students and I have a close relationship and students open up to me or become silly. Another rewarding moment is seeing the tremendous growth in students, whether that’s in grades or skills or more importantly, their confidence.

What do you miss most about your home when you are overseas?
Being able to spend time with family and friends, and food!

Can you share one of your favourite bible verses with us?
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord asking: Who will I send? Who will go for us? I said: Here I am. Send me.” – Isaiah 6:8

Where did you grow up/study?
I grew up and studied in Davao City, Philippines.

What attracted you to teach at CAIS?
The first thing that attracted me to teach at CAIS is the word “Christian”. It is an exciting feeling knowing that I will be teaching in an environment where people share the same faith as I have and I feel comfortable with the thought that it would be easy to share this faith to my colleagues and students. Another thing that attracted me to teach at CAIS is the vision mission of the school in cultivating learners to be a whole child by having the mind, heart and life of Jesus as a guiding core value through love, wisdom, integrity and service to the community.

Biggest challenge and rewarding moment working in education?
The biggest challenge I faced working in education is the lack of facilities or materials for the students’ use during PE classes.
The biggest rewarding moment I had working in education is when I see the students’ output in terms of their physical activities and when a student improves their attitude because of the lessons or discussions I had with them either as a class or when I speak with them individually when I process their feelings.

What do you miss most about your home when you are overseas?
The thing I miss most about my home when I am overseas is the presence, love and care of my family and friends.

Can you share one of your favourite bible verses with us?
Since I was in 4th grade, my favourite bible verse which I learned in bible school one summer is, “In everything you do, put God first and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success.” – Proverbs 3:6

This has been my guiding principle in life ever since I memorized this.

Where did you grow up/study?
I grew up in Tonga and then moved to Australia when I was 17 to finish high school and studied for an undergraduate degree in Chemistry and later a master’s in Educational Leadership.

What attracted you to teach at CAIS?
CAIS stood out to me because of the opportunity to be involved with a school that has Christianity at its core. Being a Christian, it is important to be surrounded by other Christians in order to grow and for my children to learn and live a Christian life. I also wanted to get back to the IB curriculum. It is the educational framework that I strongly believe is the best so far in the world for 21st century students.

Biggest challenge and rewarding moment working in education?
The most challenging part of education is not being able to provide quality education for every child. Every child is different and catering for all your students’ needs can be very demanding and frustrating especially when the barriers are beyond your control. The most rewarding part of working in education is witnessing the success of the students that you have influenced their journey. Seeing a few of my former students play for the New Zealand All Blacks gives me a great sense of achievement even though I only taught them chemistry and had nothing to do with their development as rugby players.

What do you miss most about your home when you are overseas?
I always miss the face-to-face contact and evening chats with my family and close friends over the barbecue. I also miss life by the sea and doing what I love doing with my kids like kayaking, fishing off the rocks and snorkelling for seafood.

Can you share one of your favourite bible verses with us?
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” This is one of the first verses that I learned. My dad shared and taught me this verse in the Tongan language when I was very young and it is one of my go-to verses when I need direction and confirmation of what is happening around me.

Where did you grow up/study?
I grew up and studied in South Africa.

What attracted you to teach at CAIS?
The opportunity to work in a school that shared my beliefs.

Biggest challenge and rewarding moment working in education?
My biggest challenge was moving away from the comfort of my home and family to pursue the path God was showing me He wanted me to take in teaching abroad. My most rewarding moment isn’t just one moment; it happens over and over. It is when I see my students grow and learn and achieve their goals.

What do you miss most about your home when you are overseas?
I miss my family, friends, Sunday braais, milk tart and sour candy.

Can you share one of your favourite bible verses with us?
My favourite bible verse is Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” This verse has helped guide me and remind me to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus always.

Where did you grow up/study?
I am originally from South Korea. However, I grew up in Hong Kong and later completed my bachelor’s degree (UCL), MPhil (Cambridge), and teacher training (Oxford) in the UK.

What attracted you to teach at CAIS?
“Soli Deo Gloria” is a motto that I live by. Consequently, I was immediately drawn to CAIS’ mission in nurturing Christian citizens who are best able to give glory to God.

Biggest challenge and rewarding moment working in education?
The biggest challenges have stemmed from students refusing to recognise their own talents and potential as learners. The most rewarding moments are when I witness my students garner confidence in themselves and in the English classroom.

What do you miss most about your home when you are overseas?
I definitely miss my parents the most. Authentic dim-sum is a close second.

Can you share one of your favourite bible verses with us?
“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:20

Where did you grow up/study?
I grew up splitting time between the UK and Hong Kong. I was born in the UK and then moved back to Hong Kong shortly after and had my primary education here. Then I went back to the UK to study in a boarding school for my secondary education.

What attracted you to teach at CAIS?
The vibrant community and Christ-centred approach to learning and teaching.

Biggest challenge and rewarding moment working in education?
There are many eureka moments for me. The one that excites me the most is the challenge of inquiring with students as it’s always so unpredictable but when you see students developing their thinking and having a change of mind, the light bulb moment is definitely the most rewarding!

What do you miss most about your home when you are overseas?
My family. Back then, technology was not as advanced, and we were only given 30 minutes’ phone time every day. I remember I had to purchase phone cards from a local village shop and queue outside a phone box every weekend to grab a chance to speak with my family. Now since it’s not as difficult to be in touch, I would say the convenience of exploring Hong Kong’s nature and city within an hour’s reach.

Can you share one of your favourite bible verses with us?
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9

Where did you grow up/study?
I grew up in the Toronto area in Ontario, Canada, where I also did my studies.

What attracted you to teach at CAIS?
One of the biggest things that attracted me to teach at CAIS is that it is a Christian school. I really enjoy being able to share and discuss my faith, the Bible, and the gospel with students and colleagues. I’ve also heard great things about CAIS from friends and former colleagues who have highly recommended the school.

Biggest challenge and rewarding moment working in education?
The biggest challenge was definitely my first week as a teacher – having to teach solo, acting calm, and pretending everything is under control! The most rewarding moments are when I see former students come back to visit and recollect something we did that they really enjoyed – even small things or events that I totally don’t remember!
Also, when I see students build a growth mindset, try their best, and are finally able to understand a concept or achieve a goal.

What do you miss most about your home when you are overseas?
Some things that I miss about home are my family and friends that I grew up with; the weather, fresh air, and open space, and (ice) hockey!

Can you share one of your favourite bible verses with us?
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” – John 15:12

Where did you grow up/study?
I grew up in Korea and went to elementary school in the United States. Living in the United States opened my eyes to the world and broadened the scope of my future to across borders. I also realized that learning a new language brings me to new places, leads me to new opportunities, and connects me with new people. This became one of the fundamental reasons why I chose to teach languages mainly as a teacher. I’ve had many more opportunities to explore different parts of the world through my schooling and work experience. During university, as I student-taught at an international school in Korea and at an American middle school I made up my mind to become a teacher.

What attracted you to teach at CAIS?
I fell in love with the genuine and rich Christian culture and the academically rigorous curriculum CAIS has. I am eager to join the welcoming, inspiring, and collaborative community of CAIS teachers. When I student-taught at an IB world school in Korea before, I found the IB Diploma Programme very exciting to teach. The opportunity to integrate social studies and global issues with some language arts throughout the curriculum at CAIS really thrills me. The school’s dynamic location in Hong Kong, where I really enjoyed traveling to before and which is also near my home country, was indeed an attraction, too.

Can you share one of your favourite bible verses with us?
Psalm 40 led my steps to CAIS as an international teacher with a missionary mindset. Putting my hope and trust solely in the Lord, I prayed with the chapter to be sent to the mission field God has planned for me. Just like verse 8: “I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness from the great assembly (Psalms 40:8 b)”, I wished to respond to God’s love and faithfulness by praising him and spreading the Gospel to the students I meet. To my surprise, Mr. Vanderpyl, the Head of School, mentioned this chapter during my job interview, and I could feel God’s strong lead and providence. As a teacher, I hope to confess my faith like verse 8 every day, and express God’s love and faithfulness to everyone I meet.

Where did you grow up/study?
My name is Taryn and I’m a born and bred Capetonian. I am a wife to Ferdi and mum of two children, Sarah and Kye. We’ve been in Hong Kong since 2020.

What attracted you to teach at CAIS?
I’ve been involved in education for over 17 years as a classroom teacher, learning support and more recently pastorally within a senior leadership team. I absolutely love my job but most importantly, the ability to build relationships and walk journeys alongside students and their families. I am excited about joining the CAIS team and am drawn to the warm, loving and value-based feeling of the school.

Biggest challenge and rewarding moment working in education?
There are so many encouraging truths in the Word but within my classroom I like to remember that we are all God’s masterpieces designed with purpose!