Students

Chris Ludwig, Middle School Mathematics Teacher

Chris Ludwig, originally from Racine, Wisconsin, earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois. His passion for education led him to pursue a master’s degree at the National Institute of Education at NTU, Singapore, where he specialized in educational technology and digital fabrication. He also has a CELTA certification and is a FabLab certified instructor.

Chris has spent years teaching in various educational settings across Asia, with a strong focus
on Mathematics, technology, and digital fabrication. His commitment to fostering a culture of
continuous improvement has driven him to stay at the forefront of educational research,
ensuring that his teaching methods are always evolving to meet the needs of his students.

In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Chris has actively contributed to the development of
FabLabs in international schools across Singapore and Malaysia. These hands-on, project-
based learning environments have allowed students to explore digital design and fabrication,
fostering creativity and innovation. Chris’s leadership in these initiatives has deepened his
appreciation for the importance of integrating technology and practical skills into the modern
educational landscape.

In his personal time, Chris enjoys strategy games, swimming, and weightlifting. These activities not only provide balance to his professional life but also reflect his love for challenges and continuous self-improvement. Chris is excited about the opportunity to continue his journey in education, contributing to the growth and development of a distinctive international school, and enhancing the learning and teaching environment with his experience and skills.

Stephanie Ringler, Grade 2 Teacher

Stephanie is a teacher who strives to connect with her students and build strong relationships to guide them in their learning. Originally from the Philippines, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from De La Salle University.

In her sixth year of teaching, Stephanie is committed to fostering children’s growth in all aspects, aiming to help them become positive influences in their own lives and the lives of others. She believes that every child is capable of achieving greatness, both big and small.

When she is not teaching, Stephanie enjoys walking, spending time with friends, reading books,
and catching up on TV series and movies.

Nicole Anoh, Grade 4 Teacher

Nicole is originally from Côte d’Ivoire and moved to the east coast of The United States at the age of 10. Nicole briefly taught in The U.S. for 2 years, before launching in teaching career in China. She holds a teaching license for Grades 1-6 with a focus in mathematics, science, language arts and social studies.

She had a passion for education since she was young, due to both her parents being in Educators. She believes in the power of education and understands how influential educators can be in a child’s life. She adores not only teaching but learning from other educators as well so that she can become a better teacher for her students.

In her spare time, Nicole is spending time with her dog, traveling, trying out a new recipe to cook, or spending time with her friends.

Sooji Chung, Grade 1 — 8 Learning Support Teacher

Sooji, originally from Korea, earned her bachelor’s degree in Urban Learning with a focus on Special Education (Mild to Moderate) and obtained her teaching credential from California State University, Los Angeles. She then pursued a master’s degree in Special Education for K-12 from Moreland University.

Sooji began her educational journey as a dedicated volunteer at Milal Mission in California, where she spent 11 years teaching social skills to students with severe disabilities. This experience deeply shaped her teaching philosophy that every student can learn, just not on the same day or in the same way.

After completing her studies, Sooji’s passion for education led her to work in various international settings. She is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive classroom environment that provides equal learning opportunities for all students, regardless of their background or learning needs.

Outside of her professional life, Sooji enjoys maintaining a balanced lifestyle through activities like yoga, pilates, soccer, and running marathons. She also has a passion for creative arts and crafts. Sooji believes in fostering both physical and mental growth in her students and encourages them to explore their own interests and passions.

A fun fact about Sooji is that she has traveled extensively and enjoys immersing herself in different cultures, which she brings into her teaching to connect with students from diverse backgrounds.

Christy Klump, Kindergarten — Grade 8 Drama and Dance Teacher

Christy brings over 20 years of teaching experience across elementary homerooms, elementary dance and drama, and high school theatre. She has directed, choreographed, and assisted in numerous plays, musicals, and dance productions. Her passion for the arts was ignited at a young age through dance lessons and continues to thrive today, as she eagerly attends live performances.

Christy is a firm believer in the transformative power of drama and dance. She sees these disciplines as not only fostering creativity, collaboration, and cooperation but also as essential in equipping students with skills that extend far beyond the classroom. The confidence and teamwork cultivated in her performing arts classes are invaluable life skills that her students carry with them into the world.

Originally from Michigan, Christy has lived in Shanghai, China, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. She has a passion for traveling the world with her family during school breaks and eagerly anticipates many more adventures to come. When not in the classroom, Christy enjoys exploring the city with her family and spending quality time at home, often playing games together. She also loves to bake, read, and unwind by any nearby body of water, be it a pool, lake, or ocean.

Simon Wernick, Pioneer Town Teacher

Simon is a passionate teacher who was born and raised in England. With 10 years of teaching experience, ranging from Grade 1 to high school, Simon brings joy and engagement to his lessons, helping children appreciate the value of a great education and enabling them to know, remember, and apply more knowledge. While in England, Simon developed curricula for schools in Math and Science and mentored new teachers entering the profession.

At Pioneer Town, Simon aims to help children explore various life paths while imparting
essential life skills such as research, teamwork, perseverance, and risk-taking.

Outside the classroom, Simon enjoys soccer (although he will always call it football), skiing, and cooking. He is also a proponent of lifelong learning and has taken classes in Mandarin, scriptwriting, and fencing, to name a few.

Anna Flannery, Grade 3 Teacher

Anna is a passionate educator who was born and raised in Ireland. She attended the University of Limerick where she graduated as a primary school teacher and with seven years of experience ranging from kindergarten to Grade 8, she has dedicated her career to special education within the mainstream classroom. Anna is currently awaiting graduation with a Master of Science in Psychology, which further enhances her ability to support her students. She has a keen interest in fostering a growth mindset in all students, believing that every child has the potential to succeed with the right encouragement and support.

Anna places a strong emphasis on the social and emotional well-being of her students, understanding that these aspects are crucial for academic success. Her approach is holistic, ensuring that each child feels valued and understood. While in Ireland, Anna worked as the Special Educational Needs Coordinator for specialist autism classes for three years, where she developed tailored strategies to meet the unique needs for all students and encourage all students to reach their full potential.

Outside of her professional life, Anna loves to travel, run, read, and spend quality time with her
family and friends. These activities not only provide her with relaxation and joy but also enrich
her teaching by bringing diverse experiences and perspectives into the classroom.

Irene Navarro Molina, Spanish Language Teacher

¡Hola from la Señorita de Español at XAA!

Irene is a cheerful and approachable native Spanish teacher from the sunny city of Alicante, Spain. Fluent in four languages, and with six years of teaching in both secondary and primary schools. Irene has experience in middle leadership roles, and she is also a Bilingual Education Specialist with a bachelor’s degree with honors in Primary Education from the Universidad de Alicante (Spain).

Irene was part of the Erasmus+ program at Università degli Studi di Perugia (Italy) where she also cohosted a radio program and various conferences about studying abroad! Irene has taught in Switzerland, Spain, England, and Italy and values creating engaging and inclusive learning environments where every student can thrive and develop a love for languages and a curious mindset for different cultures.

Outside of school, Irene enjoys travelling, dancing, painting, and practicing all types of sports with a special fondness for horse riding, skiing, and surfing!

Johan Geustyn, Middle School Science Teacher

Johan is originally from South Africa. Before teaching, he served in the South African Navy as a Weapons Engineer, an opportunity that allowed him to explore the world. Johan decided to venture into teaching after working in a children’s hospital and realizing that he has a passion for working with children and young persons.

Johan holds a bachelor’s degree in Sports and Exercise Science from Edinburgh Napier
University, and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education from the University of Sunderland. He
enjoys teaching Science as it explains everyday phenomena and allows him to share a love for
the natural world with his students.

In his spare time, Johan enjoys participating in sports like Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and he is avid
baker.

Daniel Gonzalez, Grade 5 Teacher

Daniel is a dedicated teacher who was born and raised in Texas. He completed his teaching licensure program at Moreland University and holds a teaching license from Washington, D.C. This is his fourth year teaching fifth grade, and he previously spent three years working at an American school in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Daniel also holds a degree in Business Management from Western Governors University.

His goal is to maximize every student’s potential and help them become not only better students but also better people. He believes in fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment where each child can thrive.

Outside of teaching, he loves spending time with his family, especially playing with his 1-year-
old daughter. He enjoys cooking new recipes, exercising, and going camping to enjoy the great
outdoors.

Mohamed Marecar, EAL Teacher

Mohamed is from London, UK, and he is delighted to be XAA’s English as an Additional Language (EAL) teacher. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English Language and International Relations from the University of Westminster (UK), a PGCE in secondary English from the University of East London (UK) and a Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA). With a rich EAL background that spans both UK and Singapore, Mohamed is equipped with a wide range of strategies that suit diverse and disparate learners in supporting their growth and enabling them to realize and exceed their potential.

Even thought he was raised in London; he can be considered a local of Singapore since his
family is Singaporean. During his free time, Mohamed enjoys spending time with his family by
either going for long walks or eating out with them. He is also an ardent fan of Manchester
United and tries his best to stay awake to watch them play over the weekends.

Mohamed is incredibly thrilled about being back in Singapore after spending some time away
teaching in UK and he is looking forward to working with you all.

Mandy Gintaut, Library Teacher

Mandy is from Saskatchewan, Canada. She holds a Bachelor of Elementary Education from the University of Alberta, a Master of Science in Multidisciplinary Studies from Buffalo State, SUNY, and a Master of Education in Teacher-Librarianship from the University of Alberta. This will be her 19 th year as an international educator. She has had the privilege of being a homeroom teacher as well as a teacher-librarian in Mexico, Colombia, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

She is excited to bring her experience to the American Academy where she will be engaging
students in weekly library lessons as well as fostering a love for the library and reading.

Outside of the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her two daughters and husband.

Richard Baldwin, Middle School Social Studies Teacher

Richard holds a Master of Arts in History from San Jose State University, USA.