HS Science/Health Teacher/High School Director

Hugh Schalkwyk 

Hugh is from South Africa and is a qualified Petroleum Geologist with a master’s degree in Applied Geology.

His previous work experience has taken him to countries across the African continent, including the USA,France, Ireland, Scotland, and Norway.In his tenure, he became proficient at project management, operations, subsurface 3 dimensional well logging and training new staff. In 2015, Hugh turned his passion for training into a desire for education and completed a TEFL certification at The International English School (TIES) in South Africa. He has been teaching in Taiwan since 2017 and with his zeal for science, he became the Head Elementary STEM Teacher at Kang Chiao International School, Linkou Campus, not long after joining the institution.

Besides being flexible and responsive, Hugh brings an acute sense of loyalty to the rules and regulations that oversee projects. He believes that innovation is the key to success, be it in science or beyond.He is currently designing all the STEM programs for the Elementary School and is excited to introduce the broad field of science to young minds.Apart from education, Hugh is an avid sports person who revived his semi-professional rugby days playing for the Taipei Baboons International rugby club during the rugby season. He also loves cycling, hiking, and all things outdoorsy.Hugh looks forward to his new roles as both the STEM Coordinator for the Elementary School and as the new High School Director.

MS/HS Math Teacher/Middle School Director

Bernise Santos 

Bernadette Santos (Bernise) received a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from De La Salle University in Manila, Philippines, and obtained a Master's Degree in Mathematics from the same university. She taught senior high school and college students in De La Salle University for 3 years before moving to Taiwan to pursue higher education. In 2019, she entered National Taiwan Normal University as a PhD mathematics student. She joined TYAS as the middle school mathematics teacher in 2021. Bernise is passionate about teaching with the goal of making her students enjoy learning mathematics and apply it in life.

STEM/Science Teacher

Russell Stuart

Russell received a Bachelor of Arts from University of Otago. He also obtained a PGCE from Moreland University in America, TEFL through Hess Educational Organization in Taiwan, and his teaching license through the Hawaii Board of Education. 

Russell has a total of twenty years of teaching/coaching experience; twenty years coaching martial arts, and thirteen years teaching language and science in Taiwan. He strongly believes that students grow best in a fun learning environment that allows them to step out of their comfort zones and make mistakes. People learn best from mistakes with an understanding of how to process their mistakes into lessons for future reference.

In his free time, Russell enjoys playing strategy games, especially chess, watching debates and lectures, carving, cycling and gaming.

Social Science Teacher
Matt Swanston

Matt received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Stanford University while earning All-American honors on the varsity swim team. He then went on to complete his Postgraduate Certificate in Education while student teaching at the American School in Japan. After teaching for two years at the International School of Ningbo, he moved to Taiwan and worked part-time at both Taipei American and Taipei European Schools. He currently teaches High School Social Studies. His interests include writing, swimming, and travel.

Social Studies Teacher

Michael Allen Brockman

Mr. Michael Allen Brockman (Mike) is from Seattle, Washington USA. Mike visited Taiwan twice living and teaching for a year each time before returning in 2012 to make Taiwan his home. During the first 5 years, he was employed as a university English language lecturer. At university he instructed freshman and sophomore students in “4 skills” English. While there he also taught composition as well as TOEIC, TOEFL, and presentation. Additionally, he worked as the first Business English writing instructor at the Regional Civil Service Development Institute, DGPA, Executive Yuan where he taught civil servants from all across Taiwan. Most recently, Mike has been teaching middle school and high school social studies. He has taught grade 7 World Geography and Culture (eastern hemisphere) and grade 8 World Geography and Culture (western hemisphere). He has instructed grade 10 World History II, as well as a grade 12 composition course focusing on American History. He has taught 8th grade “4 skills” English and 12th grade composition and literature. He has mentored a middle school video production club, as well as mentoring the World Scholars Cup and Model United Nations teams. Aside from teaching experience, he has worked at professional development through attending seminars, workshops, and conferences, as well as attending talks given by professors who have experience and expertise on a variety of "how to's" in the classroom and in course design.Mike seeks to utilize the "flipped-classroom model” instructional strategies and project-based learning in order to encourage deeper, student-centered, active learning. His teaching philosophy is based on the understanding that learning is student centered and that students should be equal, if not greater, partners in the learning process. In the classroom, Mike sees his role as putting the necessary resources in the hands of students, or more likely, to be sure that students are well equipped to find and evaluate the resources they need in order to answer their own questions. Beyond striving to ensure that students learn the content of the courses he instructs, his objectives as a teacher are (a) to foster critical thinking skills, (b) to facilitate the acquisition of social skills, and (c) to instill lifelong learning skills.In 2011, Mike graduated from the University of Washington in Seattle earning a master's degree. His bachelor’s degree, earned in 2009, is also from the University of Washington in Seattle Washington, USA.

MS Math/Physics Teacher

Marcello Johnson

Marcello Johnson received his Bachelor’s degree of Education in Intermediate and Senior phase from Cape peninsula University of Technology. Before working in Taiwan, Marcello traveled to Thailand to teach in a private school in the small province of Ranong. He has currently been living in Taiwan for the last 3 and a half years, by teaching English and STEM.He currently teaches the Third Grade, and hopes that his students know that his classroom door will always be open, that he can help them to realize their full potential, and that they care for their classmates and work together in reaching each other’s goals. Marcello enjoys spending time in the outdoors and partaking in different sports activities such as swimming, cricket and football. He is a qualified scuba diver and enjoys nature conservation as well. When he is at his happiest though, is when he is spending time with his family and friends.

MS Ela Teacher

Lance Tober

Lance completed his undergraduate studies at Grand Valley State University in his home state of Michigan, where he studied East Asian Studies and Mathematics. He went on to gain additional license in teaching English at the middle and high school level from the state of Massachusetts. Lance has been teaching middle and high school English and math classes in Taiwan for the past 6 years. As an educator Lance believes strongly in collaborative learning and providing students with a supportive learning environment. He believes that, no matter the subject, good communication skills and command of language are essential for success. Lance’s personal interests include SCUBA diving, snowboarding, and hiking.

College Counselor/Digital Publication Teacher

Steven Sung

Steven received a Bachelor of Arts in Archaeology from Simon Fraser University. He is originally from Taiwan and moved to Canada when he was 10 years old. He started his professional career as an archaeologist working in Japan and he later moved back to Taiwan to work as a research assistant at Academia Sinica. He moved on to the education field in 2015 and has worked as a college counselor since 2017. In the past, he has organized college visits, workshops, and field trips to college fairs. Steven will help students to find the universities that are their best fit. He is also the AP coordinator for TYAS and will oversee the AP curriculum and administer the AP exams.

HS Ela Teacher

Mornay Coetzee

Janina Carrera obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Food Sciences at Equinoctial Technological University in Ecuador. Later, she obtained a Master’s degree in Biotechnology and Bioengineering in Taiwan. She has 6 years of teaching experience that includes 3 years in Ecuador at the Metropolitan Institute of Design and the past 3 years in Taiwan. Janina has been living in Taiwan for the last 5 years. She enjoys reading, hiking, cycling, jogging and traveling.

College Counselor/Digital Publication Teacher

Minnie Tsai

Minnie Tsai is joining the TYAS faculty this year as the College Counselor and Digital Publications Teacher. While born in Taiwan, Minnie’s schooling and work have brought her to Thailand, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Florida. Minnie has obtained a M.S.Ed from Ivy League School University of Pennsylvania, a M.S. in both School and Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Villanova University, and B.S. majoring in Elementary/Special Education from University of Miami where she graduated as Summa Cum Laude and received the Department Award for Scholarship. Minnie has a diverse background having worked in school counseling, college counseling, elementary education, community mental health, and residence life in higher education. As a counselor, Minnie utilizes the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) framework to provide all her students support in their academic success, socio-emotional health, and college/career readiness. In her free time, Minnie enjoys traveling, Zumba, art, and spending time with family.

General Affairs Assistant
Robin Liu

rliu@tyas.tyc.edu.tw

Robin joined Taoyuan American School in 2018. He grew up in Taiwan and graduated from the Republic of China Army Official School. After graduation, he served in the Army Airborne Special Forces, specializing in integrated combat techniques. He is the general assistant of TYAS. He loves sports, and participates in marathons and triathlons..

Students Affairs Assistant
Indigo Hsu

ihsu@tyas.tyc.edu.tw

Indigo joined TYAS in 2018, She graduated from Tainan National University of Arts, majoring material arts and design, and she has been working as an illustrator and a ceramic artist for years. After being an artist-in-residency in US, now she is an assistant in the student affairs office in TYAS. She loves traveling, reading and making ceramic sculptures in her leisure time.

Nurse
Amber Chang

achang@tyas.tyc.edu.tw

Amber joined TYAS in 2018. She was born and grew up in Taiwan. She graduated from Chang Gung University of Science and Technology with a major in nursing. She is a Taiwan Registered Professional Nurse and has BLS (Basic Life Support) certification. She loves traveling , listening to music and outdoor activities.