John Zermani: B.A., P.G.C.E.: Head of Primary. John is a graduate of The Faculty of Art and Design at Liverpool Polytechnic and gained his P.G.C.E at Goldsmith’s College, University of London. After initially working in The British School in Cairo he has most recently been Deputy Director of Satit Bilingual School, Thailand. He is currently working for a Masters degree in Bilingual Education. John is married with two children.

Wendy Durham: B.A., P.G.C.E.: Foundation Stage Coordinator, Reception teacher. Wendy comes to us from Glendower Prep School in London. She has considerable experience of working abroad in the Middle East and in Africa. She has interests in Art and in travel.

Patricia Pope: B.Ed., P.G.C.E.: Nursery Teacher. Patricia is a permanent resident of the USA. She received her PGCE from the University of Sunderland in northeast England. She has been teaching internationally for seven years. Patricia enjoys singing and dancing.

Russel Tilly: B.Ed. (Hons): Primary Year 1 Teacher. A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire, Russel has been working at Dr Tripletts CoE Primary School in Middlesex where has has helped developed the Art and Numeracy strategies. He is a keen world-wide traveller and is an active squash and tennis player.

Katie Jervis: BA (Hons.) PGCE. Primary Year 1 Teacher. Katie is a graduate of Brock University in Ontario, Canada and later went on to do my PGCE at Strathclyde University in Glasgow, Scotland. She spent two years teaching at both public elementary schools and private institutes in South Korea. She has also spent many years teaching recreational gymnastics. I enjoy traveling and practicing pilates in my free time.

Kevin Reay: BA Hons and PGCE. Primary Year 1 Teacher. Kevin is a graduate of Northumbria University. Initially he taught at Primary Schools in Gateshead, England. His experience includes teaching Reception, Year 1 classes and PE coordinator. He is a qualified football coach. He enjoys travelling, and is a keen keep fit enthusiast engaging in trekking, cross-country running and football.

Niki-Elise Tindal: M.A., P.G.C.E.: Primary Year 2 teacher. Niki is a graduate of St Andrew's University and gained her PGCE at the University of Warwick. She has worked most recently as a residential assistant housemistress at Pipers Corner School, Buckinghamshire and has had a variety of experience as a camp counsellor and teacher in the USA and teaching in the English International School, Padua, Italy. She is very keen on sport and holds lifeguard qualifications and she also enjoys ballet.

Rachael Sibley: B.Sc., P.G.C.E.: Primary Year 2 teacher and Key Stage 1 Coordinator. Rachael has been working in teaching for sixteen years after graduating, in Biomedical Sciences, from Nottingham Trent University in 1991 and completing her PGCE at Nene College in Northampton in 1992. She has taught in many different schools and had experience of teaching all Primary year groups. She has co-ordinated P.E., Numeracy, Literacy, Science, Assessment, Special Educational Needs, ICT, and DT as well as experience as Year Group leader and Key Stage responsibilities. Four years ago she became Acting Deputy Head Teacher and undertook her qualification for headship. Before joining REGO, as Year 2 Leader, she was Head Teacher of a small village primary school in Northamptonshire. Her interests include reading, computers, cross stitch, cinema and travelling.

Jo Hughson: B.Ed: Primary Year 2 teacher. Jo comes from Melbourne, Australia. She graduated from Deakin University, Australia and has spent the majority of her career teaching in Australia and the United Kingdom. She has extensive experience working as a Year Group Co-coordinator, Student Representative Council Leader and Subject Leader. Her main interests include music, dining out, photography, travelling, cooking and art-house cinema. Jo is married and has 2 young daughters.

Jonathon Donnelly: B.Ed., Dip Ed: Primary Year 2 teacher. Jonathon completed his degree with the University of Canberra, Australia. He is specialised in ICT and has experience teaching primary, secondary and adult classes. Interests and hobbies include ICT, touch football and travelling.

Lindsay Strickland: B.Ed.: Primary Year 2 teacher. Lindsay is currently teaching at Ranvilles Junior School, Hampshire. She is keen on developing multi-skills programmes for students and has a wide range of sporting interests including dance.

Diane Ladd: B.Ed.(Hons): Diane has a wide range of teaching experience and completed a variety of sporting qualifications including tennis, swimming and football teaching certificates. Diane especially enjoys playing the guitar and doing computer generated designs.

Georgina Hunter: B.Sc., P.G.C.E: Year 3C Teacher. Georgina’s degree was in Marine Biology with Ocean Science and after a brief career in the commercial and industrial field she did her P.G.C.E. at the University of Exeter. She taught initially in the UK but has most recently been working at Academia Numero Uno in Granada, Spain. She is a keen sportswoman and assisted in developing school sports whilst working in Devon. She is also learning to speak Spanish.

Mark Stringfellow: B.A. (Ed): Primary Year 3 teacher. A graduate of Canterbury Christ Church College with specialisms in History and ICT, Mark initially taught in and around Watford, Herts, before moving to The British International School of Jeddah. He returned to teach at Bradfield Junior School, Hemel Hempstead, in January 2004 but now wants to teach abroad again. He has held responsibility posts with regard to Maths, History and ICT in Key Stage 2. He is interested in football and enjoys music.

Joseph Dent: B.A., P.G.C.E.: Primary Year 3 teacher. A graduate of Hull University, Joseph gained his P.G.C.E. at Sunderland University and taught initially in the U.K. before going to work in the British International School in Moscow where he has been for the last two years. He enjoys sport, especially coaching soccer.

Philip Elder: M.A., B.A., P.G.C.E., T.E.F.L. Cert.: Primary Year 3 teacher. Philip comes from Dublin and married Jeanette, our music teacher, in 1988 in London. They moved to Hong Kong in 1998 where they adopted their two boys and then moved to Shanghai early 2008 to start work with SRIS. As well as teaching, Philip other professions have included professional diving and running his own business. If Philip had all the time in the world and the money to go with it, he would spend it travelling, scuba diving, swimming, learning to play golf, reading, etc. as well as, of course, with his family.

Janice Kilmurray: B.Ed., T.E.F.L. cert.: Primary Year 3 teacher. Janice spent several years working in Human Resources and Business Administration before returning to education, graduating with B Ed (Hons) from the University of Dundee. Having taught in various primary posts in her native Scotland, Janice is joined in China by her husband and 2 children. A keen traveller, she has lived in Hungary and toured extensively throughout the rest of Europe. She is a keen follower of rugby and enjoys participating in outdoor activities.

Darren Sibley: B.Ed. (Hons): Primary Year 4 teacher, Lower KS2 Coordinator. Darren taught in the UK for 17 years with the last four as Headteacher of Spratton C of E Primary School in Northampton. He joined REGO in 2007 and his main area of teaching is in the sciences and maths. He is a keen sports enthusiast and is an active rugby player. He enjoys travel and reading Sci Fi and Fantasy books

Annette Harvey: Primary Year 4 teacher. Annette initially trained in secondary education as a PE teacher, which she enjoyed for 10 years. She has spent the last 11 years working in various Primary schools in KS2 in England and abroad holding various areas of responsibilities. Her main interest is in field hockey as she is an international umpire both indoors and outdoors.

Debbie Fineberg: BEd (Hons): Pimary Year 4 teacher. Debbie is a graduate of Manchester Metropolitan University. She has been teaching in Liverpool across the Key Stages and has held various posts of responsibility. She is a keen traveller and enjoys sports activities.

Mark Scott: B.A., P.G.C.E.: Primary Year 5 teacher. A graduate of Essex University and subsequently trained at Moray House (Edinburgh University), Mark has worked both in primary schools in Scotland and in Japan, and Dali Medical College (Yunnan). Mark has been at SRIS for four years, teaching in years four and five. Previously he taught English in Japan for four years working in primary, secondary and special needs schools, and prior to that a year in China at a medical college. Before training to be a teacher at Edinburgh University Mark had an arts background. He also likes the outdoors.

Matthew Chapillon: M.A., B.A., P.G.C.E.: Primary Year 5 teacher. Matthew’s initial degrees were in Chinese and International Relations. After a career in finance, Matthew moved into teaching. He taught secondary school English and Media Studies before switching to primary school teaching following his arrival at REGO. He is currently teaching Year 5. Matthew’s interests include triathlon, dragon boat racing, hiking and reading.

Rebecca McDonald: B.A., Q.T.S.: Primary Year 5 teacher. Primary Humanities Coordinator. Rebecca is a graduate of John Moores University, Liverpool, and her area of specialism is in English. She initially taught at Boston Tower Road Primary School, Boston, and was involved with the school basketball club and running various school trips. She is a qualified netball coach and before attending university, spent her gap year travelling in Australia and working in America and Italy. She enjoys travelling and scuba diving.

Annette Bentley: BEd, Dip.Special Educational Needs, TEFL: Primary EAL, Learning Support. A graduate of Liverpool University, while working in England specialised in Learning Support and Inclusion. Annette has worked at REGO since January 2008, initially teaching Year 6. This year she has responsibility for Year 6 EAL and is developing a system of Learning Support across the whole school. She is also involved with the extra curricula swimming programmes. Her personal interests include swimming, cycling and travel.

Nathan Pope: B.A., P.G.C.E.: Primary Year 5 teacher. Nathan received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Charleston in South Carolina with a concentration in History. He formerly worked in the legal profession and has studied law. For the last eight years he has been teaching at several international schools in Asia. He received his PGCE from the University of Sunderland. Nathan loves to learn languages and enjoys studying comparative linguistics

Gary Ilines: BA, CTEFLA, PGCE: Gary graduated from The University of Sussex with honours in Economics with French. After completing the Cambridge CTEFLA,, he taught English as a foreign language for twelve years in Poland, Korea and finally Thailand where he became fluent in Thai. Gary worked as an HTML programmer for a company in the United States for eight years before returning to England where he completed his PGCE at Sussex University, specializing in modern languages – French and German. He taught primary maths in an international school in Thailand for two years before moving to Shanghai in 2008. He is an avid tropical gardener and is also keen on mountain biking, tennis, swimming and is currently football coach for Rego’s under-12 football team.

Emma Jane Tilly: M.A., P.G.C.E.: Primary Year 6 teacher. A graduate of the University of Glasgow, Emma-Jane went on to get her teaching qualification at the University of Plymouth. She has been teaching at Welldon Park First School, Harrow and is keen on swimming, squash and yoga.

Paul Gonsalves: B.Ed.: Primary Year 6 teacher/leader. Paul is an education graduate from The University of the West of England, Bristol, with his main area of expertise being Design and Technology. He previously taught in schools in Bristol where he also worked as and Adult Education Tutor and a Youth Worker. His most recent school was The International Community School, Amman, Jordan. Among his hobbies and interests he lists circus skills, scrabble and social philosophy.

Lindsay Strickland: BA(Hons): Primary Year 6 teacher. Lindsay is a Primary Education graduate of Chichester University with a specialism in Englsih. She had been teaching in England for two years before moving to Shanghai to teach Year 2 in 2007 . This year, Lindsay is teaching Year 6 and continues her role as Primary Maths Manager. Outside of school, Lindsay likes to read, listen to music and is hoping to do more horse riding since her adventures in Australia over the summer.

Primary Specialist Teachers

Christopher Brown: B.Ed.: Head of Primary PE. Christopher is a graduate of the University of Paisley and has worked for schools in Scotland and more recently for an International School in Uganda. He has many sports qualifications including Football, Rugby and Netball and is a fully qualified IRB Rugby Referee. He is a keen athlete and plays Football and Rugby on a regular basis for teams in based Shanghai.

Amy Gao: B.A. P.E.. Graduate of Shanghai Teachers University where she studied English Literature. Amy has been working as a translator and Chinese instructor with Englishtown Information Technology. Currently studying German and completing a course on English - Chinese interpretation.

Sara Howe: B.A. T.E.F.L. (Advanced). Head of English as Another Language (E.A.L). Sara is a geography graduate of Exeter University. She has worked for the Riding for the Disabled and taught in Mexico City for two years before moving to Shanghai. Sara is a keen horsewoman. She has competed at county level in show jumping and Tetrathlon. She holds a British Horse Society certificate to teach riding to children under the age of 14. Sara’s interests include photography, travel, music and swimming.

Robert Bounous: M.Sc., B.A., RSA Celta. E.A.L. Teacher. A graduate of The University of Greenwich, London, Robert has plied his language teaching trade in China teaching a wide range of age groups and also teaching business English backed up by his Business Administration degree. He has recently been working at Shanghai Korean International School.

Benjamin Hughson: BEd, TEFL: Primary EAL. Ben is a graduate of Monash University in Australia who has spent the majority of his career working as an engineer in private consulting firms, water authorities and local government. Ben started teaching EAL at REGO in 2007. He has also spent time teaching children at the Shanghai American School, Rainbow Bridge International School and Hillingdon Manor School in the UK. He is a lover of the outdoors and enjoys hiking, fishing, and nature study. Currently most of his leisure time is spent writing his masters thesis and keeping his wife and two young daughters under control.

Carmen Amerstorfer: M.Ed. (Edin): Primary EAL Teacher. Carmen is a graduate of Edinburgh University who started putting her theoretical knowledge into practice as an English teacher and course co-ordinator at Maastricht University (Netherlands). Most recently she has worked at another international school in Shanghai. Having taught English to students of all ages and of different cultural backgrounds, she has become an open-minded teacher, who adapts her teaching methods to different situations focusing on students’ needs and abilities. Besides foreign languages her interests include travelling, sports and music.

Greta Ickx: M.A. T. Cert. Dutch Programme administration and teacher. Greta graduated from the University of Leuven and holds a Primary school teaching certificate. She has also studied and is qualified in oral and written Chinese from East China Normal University. She has taught in Primary schools in Holland and most recently has worked at De Oranje Draak School. Her interests include classical ballet and dance and she is also a pianist

Jeannette Elder: G.R.S.M., P.G.C.E., L.R.A.M, L.L.C..M and A.L.C.M.: Head of Primary Music. Jeanette is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, London and later on gained her teaching qualification at Oxford Brookes University. She has been teaching both instrumental and class music for over 20 years of which half of that time has been spent working with the English Schools Foundation in Hong Kong. Jeanette is married to Philip who also teaches at this school.

Gabriele Meirano: B.A., ABRSM Teaching Cert.: Music Administration (individual music tuition programme) and Piano Teacher. Gabriel will be joining us to organise the peripatetic music service and to be our main school piano teacher for private tuition. Currently he is teaching for the Soundstep Music School in London for whom he tutors keyboard work to primary and middle school students throughout the city. He is also an experienced modern jazz pianist and has performed at many London venues.

Maggie Zhang: B.A.: KS1 Music teacher. Maggie has been a part of Rego family for three years. Moreover she has helped to organize and participate in Rego’s annual school performances. As a music teacher in Key Stage 1, Maggie provides the children with a firm foundation on which to build their musical skills and knowledge. Also, her understanding of Children’s psychology makes her establish the communication between them effectively and easily. In addition to the flute, Maggie is also an accomplished singer and pianist. Outside of school she likes to travel and has recently returned from a summer trip to Europe.

Mandarin Teachers and Classroom Assistants

Eva Xu: B.A.. Head of Mandarin. Graduate of East China Normal University before joining Rego she had three years teaching English Language at local schools.

Michelle Chen: B.A. Primary Mandarin Teacher. Michelle has studied at Anhui BengBu Radio and TV University where she graduated in English. She also completed further studies at Shanghai International Studies University. She has worked for the QunLun International Education company as a teacher and translator.

Sybil Chen: B.A. Classroom Assistant Nursery Sybil graduated from Shanghai Normal University, majoring in Biology. Sybil has a passion for education

Vivien Zhang: B.A. Classroom Assistant RC. Vivien graduated from Shanghai International Study University. Before joining SRIS, she taught at Tiny Tots for one and a half years. She in interested in reading and in travelling.

Lala Jiang: Cert Ed. Classroom Assistant Y1A. Lala studied at the East China Normal Teacher’s college and has been teaching locally for 8 years. Initially working at a Chinese school her most recent experience has been at a local Kindergarten. She has qualifications in ballet and music.

Arlene Huang: Dip Business English: Classroom Assistant Y1B. Arlene studied at Shanghai Marketing International Business College and has been working as a teaching assistant at Shanghai Sunflower Montessori School after a brief period in the field of commerce including work at the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum. She joins SRIS as a classroom assistant in the Nursery class (Foundation Stage.)

Gina Gu: B.A., Cert. Ed. Classroom Assistant Y1C. Gina graduated in International Business from Shanghai Jiaotong University. Before joining SRIS, she taught in a local primary school for 6 years and in a training institution for 2 years. Gina is interested in photography.

Yvonne Fu: B.A. Classroom Assistant Y2A. Yvonne is a graduate of Shanghai Normal University where she majored in early childhood education. She is interested in singing.

May Ye: B.A. Classroom Assistant Y2B. Graduate of Shanghai Tourism Vocational School majoring in English. Has taught at Tin Tots Kindergarten and Ren Heng Kindergarten and pre-school before joining SRIS.

Sophia Li: B.A., Cert Ed.: Classroom Assistant 2C. Sophia is a graduate of Shanghai Normal University and since qualifying has worked in local schools. Because of her qualifications in psychology she has worked with special needs students. Her interests are in sport and reading.

Mandy Ren: B.A. Classroom Assistant 2D. Many graduated from Shanghai University majoring in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language. She taught Mandarin Chinese in a Chinese Language Institute before joining SRIS.

Felicia Yang: B.A. Classroom Assistant Y3A: Xiaoyang is a graduate in Psychology and Teaching from the East of China Normal University. She has been working at Shanghai Changning Kindergarten and will be joining SRIS as a classroom assistant in the Reception class (Foundation Stage.)

Michelle Pu: B.A. Classroom Assistant Y3B. Michelle graduated from East China Normal University majoring in International Chinese Studies (known as Teaching Chinese as a Foreign language). Before she joined Rego, I worked at Berlitz Shanghai as a Mandarin instructor for over two years. She loves teaching Mandarin and loves kids.

Daisy Tian: B.A. Classroom Assistant Y3C: Daisy is a graduate of Shanghai International Studies University. She has worked as a Education Counselor Assistant at Shanghai Haiyi Education Group and also at Shanghai Shangde School where she taught Mandarin and English. She joins SRIS as a classroom assistant in Key Stage Year 1, year 1.

Tina Chen: B.A. Classroom Assistant Y3D. Graduate of East China Normal University majoring in Early Childhood Learning. Granted first level teacher’s certificate by the National Ministry of Education and worked in Shanghai JinMeng Kindergarten before joining SRIS.

Joanna He: B.A. Classroom Assistant Y3E. Graduate of Shanghai Finance and Economics University with experience in working in publishing and as a private tutor of Mandarin.

Pucca Liu: B.A. Classroom Assistant Y4A Pucca graduated from Shanghai Second Technology University and obtained a junior high school English teaching certificate. Pucca has more than 3 years experience of teaching in international schools. She is good at teaching non-Chinese speakers Mandarin. She is also fluent in German and Korean.

Jessica Wang: B.A. Classroom Assistant Y4B. Jessica graduated from Huadong Normal University and has previously worked at Donggou Kindergarten in Shanghai.

Chenyu Li (Lucia): B.A. Classroom Assistant Y4C. Lucia was educated at East China Normal University where she graduated in International Chinese Studies. Lucia has worked as an English tutor and also at an International school summer camp as well as being involved with the recent Shanghai Film and Television Centre. She is looking forward to working in an International school environment.

Rachel Jiang: B.A. Classroom Assistant Y4D. Graduated from Jiaxing University, Zhejiang, Rachel was awarded a major in English and a certificate of English and Interpretation Grade 8. Working in Rego is her first full-time job after graduation although she tried to gain work experience while at university. She has worked as an interpreter and a translator in some International Exhibitions and also worked as a personal tutor teaching Mandarin and English to foreign professionals. Rachel is now completing her TEFL courses.

Nancy Yu: B.A. Classroom Assistant Y5. A graduate of Hongkong Finance College majoring in English. Nancy has worked as both a TA and a Mandarin teacher at Livingston American School (3 years) and as a private tutor (2 years) for the students from Yew Chung International School, Yew Wah International School, Dulwich College and Livingston American School aged 9-13. She is keen on Chinese cooking and enjoys swimming and yoga.

Sarah Zhu: B.A.: Classroom Assistant Y6. Sarah graduated from Tianjin Normal University with B.A degree in English Education (Primary School). She was a teacher for 5 years and has gained a lot of experience. Sarah loves being a teacher. She used to work as an English teacher in a university & completed a training course for teaching Mandarin Chinese to non-native speaker. She obtained the certificate for College English Teacher and for common speech ( Top level). She is an easy-going, optimistic and outgoing girl who enjoys listening to music & watching movies.

Karen Wang: M.A, T.E.F L. Primary Mandarin Teacher, E.A.L Assistant: Karen is keen to share her variety of talents with the students. Dancing is one of her interests.