Shark Scholar
Campus News

Teacher Questionnaire

Polly Pui

Questions:

1. What classes do you teach?

2. Where are you from? What did you do before coming here?

3. How are you enjoying SMIC-I so far?

4. What do you like to do in your free time?

Sixth Grade

Ms. Christian standing in front of the Forbidden Palace in Beijing Photo courtesy of Helen Safronova

Ms. Rachel Christian

1. What classes do you teach?

I teach 6th grade English Language Arts for four out of the five classes.

2. Where are you from? What did you do before coming here?

I am from Milton, Keynes in England. I worked at a school in Puxi for two years before coming here.

3. How are you enjoying SMIC-I so far?

I’m really enjoying it here. I like how it’s busy with lots of exciting things going on

every day. I’m also enjoying getting to know my new students and colleagues.

4. What do you like to do in your free time?

During school vacations I like to travel around Asia. During the weekends, I like to see my friends and play with my two cats.

Mrs. Jolie at a restaurant Photo courtesy of Austin Lim

Mrs. Jolie Lim

1. What classes do you teach?

I teach 3 applied math classes and 1 regular for the 6th grade.

2. Where are you from? What did you do before coming here?

I came from the elementary school (as the fifth grade math teacher). I am from Hangzhou, China.

3. How are you enjoying SMIC-I so far?

I know most of the kids, so that helps. I like some of the changes here. It’s a bit more organized. The sixth grade team is very nice and supportive.

4. What do you like to do in your free time?

I like to play piano and do math questions and read.

Ms. Ruby taking a professional photo Photo courtesy of Kodak Pictures

Ms. Ruby Xiao

1. What classes do you teach?

I teach 6th grade science and math, and I also teach math and science for 9th grade ESL.

2. Where are you from? What did you do before coming here?

I am from Hubei. Before this, I also worked around SMIC.

3. How are you enjoying SMIC-I so far?

I really like the Science Department, who I used to work with.

4. What do you like to do in your free time?

I like to read books and watch TV.

Ms. Liu in front of a blue screen Photo courtesy of Suing Li

Ms. Coco Liu

1. What classes do you teach?

I am teaching grade 5-8 Visual Art.

2. Where are you from? What did you do before coming here?

I am from Shandong. Before I became a teacher, I was a designer.

3. How are you enjoying SMIC-I so far?

SMIC-I is a great community, everyone here is friendly and willing to help others. I am so glad to have this opportunity to grow together with this school.

4. What do you like to do in your free time?

I like to read books and watch movies when I have time.

Mr. Kelkis in front of a wall Photo courtesy of Edward Kelkis

Mr. Edward Kelkis

1. What classes do you teach?

I teach 6th grade Social Studies, English Language Arts, AP Psychology, and am also a 6th

grade Writing Specialist.

2. Where are you from? What did you do before coming here?

I am from Bridgeport, Connecticut. I used to be a curriculum developer for Chongde School

in Yongkang, Jinhua, Zhejiang Province.

3. How are you enjoying SMIC-I so far?

I like it a lot. There’s a great team of teachers and students here that I’m happy to work with.

I like being part of the 6th grade team.

4. What do you like to do in your free time?

I like to travel and read.

Seventh Grade

Ms. Arnold in Vietnam Photo courtesy of Premier Studios

Ms. Martha Arnold

1. What classes do you teach?

I teach Writing Lab for the 6th and 7th grade.

2. Where are you from? What did you do before coming here?

I am from Virginia. Before this I taught at Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam for 5 years, also writing for the 6th and 7th grade.

3. How are you enjoying SMIC-I so far?

I really like the enthusiasm of the students.

4. What do you like to do in your free time?

I have 2 kids, so I don’t really have that much free time.

Mr. Cade in a blue suit Photo courtesy of Karen L. Bondi

Mr. Anthony Cade

1. What classes do you teach?

7th grade geography.

2. Where are you from? What did you do before coming here?

Carson City, Nevada, next to Lake Tahoe.

3. How are you enjoying SMIC-I so far?

I think they have made it easy, especially for new teachers. All the functions they put on to introduce people to each other makes transfering to a new school much easier.

4. What do you like to do in your free time?

I’m big into traveling and this was a major reason for me coming to China. I also enjoy camping and most outdoor activities. But trying new food is becoming one of my favorite things!

Ms. Kolb outdoors posing for a professional photo Photo courtesy of Megan DeWit Photography

Ms. Krista Kolb

1. What classes do you teach?

I am teaching 7th grade language arts, and also an EEE teacher.

2. Where are you from? What did you do before coming here?

I am from Maryland in the United States.  I came to SMIC-I two years ago to teach 4th grade Language Arts.  Before that, I taught for 19 years in the U.S. for grades 2-8. 

3. How are you enjoying SMIC-I so far?

I absolutely love it in Shanghai and teaching here at SMIC-I.  The students are dedicated and enjoy learning.  It makes me excited to come to work each day. 

4. What do you like to do in your free time?

In my free time, I love cooking and baking.  I also enjoy photography, and I write short articles and stories for my blog.

Eighth grade

Ms. Stroud on the first day of this school year Photo courtesy of Nicole Stroud

Ms. Nicole Stroud

1. What classes do you teach?

I am the 8th grade Writing Specialist.

2. Where are you from? What did you do before coming here?

I am from the Bronx, NY. I taught ELA (English Language Arts) in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

3. How are you enjoying SMIC-I so far?

I am enjoying my experience in SMIC-I. Everyone is friendly and helpful.

4. What do you like to do in your free time?

I like to read and listen to podcasts.

Ms. Coezter on the third floor hallway Photo courtesy of Sophia Shan (9B)

Ms. Sonya Coezter

1. What classes do you teach?

I teach 8th grade ELA (English Language Arts). I’m the homeroom teacher for 8A, the advisor for 8A1, and I do Triple EEE, and I’m the team lead for 8th grade.

2. Where are you from? What did you do before coming here?

I was from South Africa, but also Australia. I taught in South Africa, Australia, South Korea, and now China.

3. How are you enjoying SMIC-I so far?

I love the students. They’re very active, participative, and the discussions with them are really great, and they enjoy them too. I also like living in Shanghai. It’s so cosmopolitan and vibrant, but I don’t really like the weather. It’s too hot at first, then too humid, and now too windy.

4. What do you like to do in your free time?

I like to travel. I’ve traveled a lot in China, visited a lot of places, and I’m looking forward to visiting more. It’s very exciting.

High School (Ninth and Tenth grade)

Mr. Coakley standing in the science office Photo courtesy of Sophia Shan

Mr. Matthew Coakley

1. What classes do you teach?

I teach health, chemistry, and math.

2. Where are you from? What did you do before coming here?

I am from Tampa, Florida. There is a lot of beautiful nature and wildlife there. Last year I worked as a teacher in the GAP Program here at SMIC-I.

3. How are you enjoying SMIC-I so far?

I like the students. They are good, respectful, and they work hard.

4. What do you like to do in your free time?

I like to coach, play, and follow basketball.

Ms. Sullivan smiling at the camera Photo courtesy of Sara Frickenschmidt

Ms. Laurie Sullivan

1. What classes do you teach?

I teach two regular English classes for 9th grade, one World Literature class for 10th, and AP Language and Composition.

2. Where are you from? What did you do before coming here?

I am from Springfield, Missouri. I taught 29 years of high school before this.

3. How are you enjoying SMIC-I so far?

I love it. I love the colors in the hallways and on the wall. I don’t love the bell though. It’s too long, and I love the students and what I’m teaching. The welcome faculty has been so kind and helpful, and they’ve taught me things like how to use Wechat and how to pay with it.

4. What do you like to do in your free time?

I like theater. I’m actually watching a show somewhere in the city this weekend with Ms. Sternin, and I also like to travel.

Ms. Lou at a city wall Photo courtesy of Wenmei Lou

Ms. Wendy Lou

1. What classes do you teach?

I teach 10th grade Chemistry, Nutritional Science, and AP Chemistry.

2. Where are you from? What did you do before coming here?

I am from Sichuan. I taught the GAP program before this.

3. How are you enjoying SMIC-I so far?

I really like it, I think it’s a great family, I have had a great experience here. And there are awesome students, excellent colleagues, and this is a great school.

4. What do you like to do in your free time?

I like shopping, hiking, jogging in the park, and being outdoors.

Other

Ms. Dully standing in front of the school logo in the new MHS lobby Photo courtesy of Ms. Kitty Chen

Ms. Danielle Dully

1. What classes do you teach?

I am the Middle School Counselor for grades 6 – 8th. I am also a 6th grade advisor and give lessons for Advisory/Life Skills.

2. Where are you from? What did you do before coming here?

I am from New Jersey, USA. Last school year I was an elementary counselor in Kuwait. Before that, I was at many different teaching positions in the US, and a full-time student in my Master’s program.

3. How are you enjoying SMIC-I so far?

I love it! It’s a really good school, and a great fit and experience for me. I have awesome colleagues and great students. They really care about learning, which is amazing and I truly appreciate it.

4. What do you like to do in your free time?

I like to watch TV, go out, travel, meet people, watch movies, and eat out. But my favorite thing to do is have game nights where I can play board games and card games.

Ms. Nicholas in her car Photo courtesy of Blessing Nicholas

Ms. Blessing Nicholas

1. What classes do you teach?

I teach the 9th, 10th, and the 10th grade Life Skills classes.

2. Where are you from? What did you do before coming here?

I was born in Nigeria. I moved to Washington, D.C. when I was 10, and the States are home to me. I was a school counselor there, and a behavior therapist.

3. How are you enjoying SMIC-I so far?

I love it! I read a lot about Chinese students before I came here, and I can really see it, how they’re really respectful. I like that, and the environment here.

4. What do you like to do in your free time?

I like to travel. I like exploring, babysitting, cooking, and meeting new people.

Ms. Tice standing in the library lobby by the glass windows Photo courtesy of Sophia Shan

Ms. Debi Tice

1. What classes do you teach?

Any class that they’ll let me. Actually, I’m the Librarian Director.

2. Where are you from? What did you do before coming here?

I am from North Pole, Alaska. I used to be the middle school librarian.

3. How are you enjoying SMIC-I so far?

There are many fun things here. I like getting to know students, and their interests, and how I can help them. I also like the teachers that let me into their classrooms.

4. What do you like to do in your free time?

I like to travel and see fun things.

Featured Image– Collage of teachers Courtesy of Helen Safronova, Austin Lim, Kodak pictures, Suing Li, Edward Kelkis, Premier Studios, Megan DeWit Photography, Nicole Stroud, Sara Frickenschmidt, Kitty Chen, Blessing Nicholas, Wenmei Lou, and Karen L. Bondi.

By Sophia Shan