The Early Years curriculum at RIS follows a learning and development continuum based on Early Childhood standards and also incorporates the Reggio Emilia approach where teachers follow the children’s interests to shape the units of investigation.
Early Childhood is a very specialized area within education, requiring very special teachers! All Early Years teachers at RIS are certified and trained in Early Childhood education, including the Reggio Emilia approach to learning, and continue to study with ongoing professional development.
Sign up for our Early Years Open House and meet our Early Years teachers on November 23 and 30! And get to know more about them right here!
BEFORE RIS
I received my teaching certification in Germany in 1993 and have grown since then into a passionate Early Childhood Educator. This is my 3rd year at Ruamrudee. Previously, I taught pre-school in Germany, Thailand, and China.
My youngest daughter Angelina and my husband Patrick live here in Thailand with me, while my two oldest daughters have already moved to Germany for work and to study at university.
JOYS IN LIFE
My biggest joys in life are spending time with my family and working with young learners. I love being able to share their journey of exploration, discovery and the excitement of understanding “Who? What? Where? When? Why? and How?”
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
My work as an Early Childhood Educator is based on the development of social and emotional skills in a warm, safe, and caring play-based learning environment. In my work, I challenge my students to look closely at the world around them. I see them as curious, competent, creative, and powerful learners and researchers that I support by providing them with strategies and gentle scaffolding in their ambition to find the answers to their questions and their inquiries
BEFORE RIS
I am from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Teaching is a passion and profession that has been passed down through many generations in my family. My grandparents, aunts, uncles, and even my mother was a teacher.
I received my Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education from Saint Vincent College in the U.S. I also have a certification in Special Education (K-8). I have over 6 years of teaching experience in Asia and have worked in international schools both in Korea and Thailand. This will be my 6th year in Thailand and my 3rd year teaching at RIS!
JOYS IN LIFE
When I am not in the classroom I enjoy reading, exercising, cooking, and traveling!
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
One of my main focuses in the classroom is building relationships. I believe that when students have positive rapport with their teachers, peers, and community it creates a wonderful foundation for learning. A comfortable, safe learning environment allows children the freedom and confidence to explore, ask questions, and develop at their own pace.
Instruction in my classroom is “Reggio-Inspired” and driven by the students’ curiosities. My role as the teacher is to lead the children in exploring and learning about the world around them through play, art, music, movement, and social interactions. I view every student in my classroom as a capable, creative, and intelligent learner.
I am also excited to be working alongside my instructional assistant, Ms. Jeab, for a third year in a row. Ms. Jeab attended Ramkhamhaeng University and has been working at RIS since 2010. She is a wonderful, experienced teacher and cares deeply about the students and families at RIS.
BEFORE RIS
This is my 17th year as an Early Childhood Educator, and I am very much looking forward to my 3rd year of teaching here at RIS. Prior to teaching here in Thailand, I have taught Pre-K and Kindergarten in the US and the Philippines.
I have a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology. I am currently working on my Certification in School Management and Leadership with Harvard Graduate School of Education.
JOYS IN LIFE
When not in the classroom, I enjoy hiking, dancing, biking, watching movies, reading good books and traveling with family! I love yoga, dolphins, and Harry Potter!
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
I have dedicated my life to becoming a passionate and reflective teacher who is committed to providing a well-balanced, supportive, and engaging learning environment for all the children in my care.
BEFORE RIS
I come from the United States and teaching has been my profession of choice for over a decade. This is my fourth year at RIS, but I have been teaching and living in Bangkok since 2012. During this time, I have taught a number of Elementary school grade levels.
However, for the past six years, I have had a great time teaching in the Early Years. Before my time in Thailand, I taught in Japan and the United States. I hold a B.A. in Modern Languages and Cultures as well as a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies (K-6). The experience that I gained in these endeavors gives me perspective with regards to my approach and goals when teaching Kindergarten students.
JOYS IN LIFE
My family and I love going to the beach, seeing animals, and watching movies.
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
In my opinion, children make the most progress when teaching and learning is done in a holistic manner. For this reason, my students learn in differentiated ways that help them develop socially, emotionally, and academically. I start this process by eliciting information from students. Each individual has a wealth of knowledge, and this gives the children a chance to learn from each other while exploring and expressing the things that they know. In order to ensure the success of each child, we build a classroom environment based on curiosity, respect, and collaboration. This helps each individual learn to become more independent and outgoing as the year progresses.
BEFORE RIS
I am from Toronto, Canada, and have been in the field of education for the past 13 years, teaching in Canada and Thailand. I am certified by the Canadian Board Of Education and licensed by the College of Early Childhood Educators in Ontario, Canada. I am certified to teach children with exceptionalities and have been certified as a child nutritionist as well.
JOYS IN LIFE
Although I’m Canadian, I was born in the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro and have felt deeply connected to nature since a very early age. The beauty around me inspired me to be an artist, which is how I found my calling in my life. My passion has always been educating children through a practical and natural approach.
My family and I have been a part of RIS for the past 14 years. My husband is a teacher in high school, and my daughter is in grade 9. We have grown together to be a part of the RIS community and family.
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
I believe that education begins at conception, and the first plane of development begins at birth, which extends through the first six years of life. It is a time when immense physical and brain development takes place, especially during these foundational years. Children go through various stages of awareness, whether it is body awareness, movement, independence or language growth.
As an educator, it is my joy to create a safe and calm environment for children to develop through nature, play, music and movement, and sensory exploration. A significant part of teaching is to allow children to be curious and creative through play-based learning. I love building relationships with each and every child and learning about their personalities, which plays a key role in my classroom to help them develop and be a part of our warm, kind, and compassionate community.
