FACULTY AND STAFF

Administration

Bruce Ashton

Director

New Zealand

Years of Educational Experience
39 Years

Degree
M.Ed., The College of New Jersey, USA
PgDip (Learning and Behaviour)., Massey University, New Zealand
Advanced Teaching Diplomas., Auckland College of Education and University of Auckland, New Zealand

Fun Fact
I have worked in 10 different countries.

Philosophy
Invitational education focuses on creating a school environment that encourages everyone to reach their full potential. It takes into account the diverse and interconnected nature of schools and aims to make the school experience more enjoyable, fulfilling, and meaningful for everyone involved.

Jazlyn Cai

Accountant

China

Degree
B.Mgt., South China Business College Guangdong University of Foreign Studies,China

Melody Chen

Purchasing Assistant

China

Degree
B.Mgt., Shantou University, China
B.A., Shantou University, China

Yanki Zhang

Admissions Assistant

China

Degree
B.A., Shenzhen University, China

Catherine Lin

Operations & Government Affairs Manager

China

Degree
M.Com., University of Queensland, Australia
B.Ec., University of Queensland, Australia

Joy Xu

Administration Specialist

China

Degree
B.A., University of Sydney, Australia

Boying Chen

Marketing Assistant

China

Degree
M.A., Newcastle University, United Kindom
B.A., Guangzhou Xinhua University, China

Serena Zhang

Academic Specialist

China

Educational Experience
9 Years

Degree
M.Ed., Shantou University, China
B.A. in English Hanshan Normal University, China

Fun Fact
The bravest thing I've ever done was travel alone around the United States by Amtrak when I was a Junior.

Philosophy
I see education as a lifelong journey, and I strive to instill a love for learning in my students. I encourage them to be curious, critical thinkers who embrace challenges and view failures as opportunities for growth.

Faculty and Specialists

Tina Cooper

Student Support Coordinator

New Zealand

Years of Educational Experience
31 Years

Degree
Bachelor of Education, Auckland University, New Zealand

Fun Fact
I love experiencing new things and I have a great sense of humor (I love to laugh).

Philosophy
I'm a passionate educator with a strong commitment to creating inclusive and supportive Learning Environments.

Sarah Dimalibot

Early Years Teacher

Philippines

Years of Educational Experience
11 Years

Degree
B.Ed., Assumption College, Philippines

Previous School
Assumption College, Philippines

Fun Fact
We have a dog at home. His name is Lucio, and he is 4 years old.

Philosophy
I am committed to creating a nurturing, safe environment for each child, fostering lifelong learning through collaboration between teachers and parents.

Gustavo Maglioni

Grade 3 Teacher

Colombia

Years of Educational Experience
10 Years

Degree
M.Ed., University of the People, US
B.Ed., Universidad del Valle, Colombia

Previous School
Rochester School, Colombia

Fun Fact
I root for Manchester City, and I love to collect vinyl records and football trading cards.

Philosophy
I strongly believe that every student can succeed regardless of their circumstances. As educators, it is our responsibility to guide them on their learning journey while appreciating their individual uniqueness.

Thomas Leigh

High School English (EAL) & Global Perspectives Teacher

United States

Years of Educational Experience
11 Years

Degree
M.A., University of Northern Lowa, USA
B.A., Louisiana State University, USA

Previous School
Beijing 21st Century School, China

Fun Fact
I've traveled to Germany and Kuwait.

Philosophy
Rigorous standards and a lively classroom.

Sun Fei

Pastoral Coordinator / High School Chemistry Teacher

China

Years of Educational Experience
10 Years+

Degree
B.S., Beijing University of Chemical Technology, China
M.S., Beijing University of Chemical Technology, China

Fun Fact
Actively guides outstanding students in participating in various internationally renowned competitions, such as the UK Chemistry Olympiad (UKChO), Canadian Chemistry Contest (CCC), and HOSA-Future Health Professionals.

Philosophy
I firmly believe in a pragmatic approach to education — focusing not only on grades, but more importantly on cultivating strong critical thinking skills and independent learning habits that will benefit students long after graduation.

Deborah Yu

High School Economics Teacher

China

Years of Educational Experience
Multiple Years

Degree
M.A., Aalto University, Finland

Fun Fact
An elite competition coach who has guided students to outstanding results in top international events such as the National Economics Challenge (NEC) and the International Economics Olympiad (IEO). Her student teams have won Regional Gold Awards (Top 1%) and advanced to the Global Finals.

Philosophy
Committed to expanding the academic potential of outstanding students and helping them build key financial literacy competencies for modern society.

Helen Chen

High School Chinese Teacher

China

Years of Educational Experience
10 Years+

Degree
M.A., Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Fun Fact
Her classes are known for being lively and well-organized, viewing language learning as a bridge toward global citizenship and deep cross-cultural understanding.

Philosophy
Driven by patience, dedication, and care, her educational philosophy focuses on inspiring students' intrinsic motivation for learning and supporting them in steadily pursuing their personal ideals. As a homeroom teacher, she is committed to creating a safe, orderly, and caring classroom community environment.

Doris Chen

Art Teacher

China

Years of Educational Experience
3 Years

Degree
B.Ed., Guangdong Ocean University, China

Fun Fact
I enjoy creating handmade crafts to give to others.

Philosophy
Creativity and imagination of children are boundless. Their artwork allows us to have a glimpse into a vivid and surprising world.

Estelle Chen

Teaching Assistant

China

Years of Educational Experience
1 Years

Degree
B.FA., Guangzhou University, China
M.Mus., The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), China

Fun Fact
I like to study herbal medicine.

Philosophy
I hope my students can learn and grow in a happy atmosphere.

Ceiba Wu

Teaching Assistant

China

Years of Educational Experience
2 Years

Degree
B.F.A., Shenzhen university, China

Fun Fact
One of my cats can play Frisbee and stand on its hind legs, and the other can pretend to be shot and fall.

Philosophy
Soak children's hearts with love, let them grow in love.

Melanie Williams

Academic Coordinator / Grades 4 & 5 Teacher

South Africa

Years of Educational Experience
27 Years

Degree
H.D.E., Durban College of Education, South Africa
B.Ed., University of South Africa, South Africa
M.A., University of South Africa, South Africa

Fun Fact
Lived in South Africa, Botswana, Mauritius, Thailand, and Saudi Arabia.

Philosophy
I believe in teaching with compassion and purpose, fostering curiosity and resilience so that every learner can grow in confidence and make a positive impact in the world.

Dwight McFarlane

IGCSE & A-Level Coordinator / High School Physics & Mathematics Teacher

Jamaica

Years of Educational Experience
20 Years

Degree
M.Ed., University of the West Indie, Jamaica
B.Sc., University of the West Indie, Jamaica

Previous School
Guangdong Country Garden School, China

Fun Fact
I love science and carrying conducting experiments. I enjoy playing volleyball, boardgames, and writing.

Philosophy
I am quite passionate when it comes to working with youth people; I love to see them develop. In my classroom, students become engaged in their learning process. Every child is valued and is given the opportunity to get involved, which helps to develop confidence and critical thinking skills.

Winnie Lin

Chinese Teacher

China

Years of Educational Experience
11 Years

Degree
B.A., Huashang College, Guangdong University of Finance and Economics, China

Fun Fact
I recently studied Chinese classical dance for a year which fulfilled a wish I had when I was a child.

Philosophy
Helping students grow into passionate and life-long learners.

Maggie Guo

Chinese Teacher

China

Years of Educational Experience
11 Years

Degree
B.Ed., Tianjin Normal University, China
M.Ed., Moreland University, US

Fun Fact
I successfully challenged myself to ride a roller coaster though I was so terrified.

Philosophy
I always have passion of my job due to developments of children and I also believe that every child is special and has own strengths.

Craig James Emmerson

Middle School Humanities Teacher

United Kingdom

Years of Educational Experience
10 Years

Degree
BSc., University of Salford, UK

Fun Fact
Loves hands-on crafts and DIY projects, enjoys organizing community gatherings, and is passionate about exploring the unique narrative charm in board games, tabletop RPGs, and classic films.

Philosophy
Views learning as a journey of exploring the universe, rather than a simple process of repetition. He compares knowledge to independent islands in a vast ocean, believing the true purpose of education is to equip students with analytical tools and personal confidence, helping them chart exciting new paths to new horizons.

Jason Ramos Ballesteros

STEM Teacher

Philippines

Years of Educational Experience
16 Years

Degree
BEd., Pangasinan State University, Philippines

Fun Fact
Specializes in integrating physics, chemistry, and robotics into engaging, high-tech classroom experiences.

Philosophy
Student-centered and rooted in inquiry-based learning. Encourages students to explore, question, and discover through collaborative hands-on experiments rather than relying on traditional rote memorization. Committed to creating an inclusive and encouraging learning environment where every child feels safe, respected, and inspired to fully unleash their academic potential.

Vivian Shen

Music Teacher

China

Years of Educational Experience
5 Years

Degree
M.Ed., Monash University, Australia
B.F.A., Xinghai Conservatory of Music, China

Fun Fact
I taught my cat to shake a paw.

Philosophy
Education is not to be viewed as something like filling a vessel with water, but rather, assisting a flower to grow in its own way.

Jasmine Lin

Teaching Assistant

China

Years of Educational Experience
3 Years

Degree
B.A., in Business Guangdong Business and Technology University, China

Fun Fact
I enjoy learning Korean and Spainish, and watching documentaries.

Philosophy
Educators not only teach subjects but also support students' exploration of themselves, society, and the world, respecting and empowering them with creativity and diversity.

Ying Lin

Teaching Assistant

China

Years of Educational Experience

Degree
B.Mus., Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, United Kindom
M.Mus., Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, United Kindom

Fun Fact
I love butterflies!

Philosophy
Every student is a unique star, and I am committed to helping them grow and shine!

Cindy Zhang

Teaching Assistant

China

Years of Educational Experience
3 Years

Degree
B.A., Guangzhou college of Technology and Business, China

Fun Fact
I once worked as a laboratory technician at an international school.

Philosophy
I aspire to be a student-centered, inclusive, and supportive lifelong learner and collaborator.

Connect with us

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Admissions

GTAIS seeks to admit students of expatriate families residing in Shantou. Families who enroll at GTAIS agree with the school vision and mission and can benefit from the types of programs offered.

Not quite ready to apply? We invite prospective families to inquire to learn more about our school.

Accreditations & Memberships