Meet the Teachers

Please get to know our teachers a little better. Scroll down and see what their hobbies are and what makes them tick!

Principal

Dave Canavan
davidc@gardenbangkok.com
Mathematics and Science
I’ve always loved animals and completed an MSc in Behavioural Ecology which took me to Africa where I researched the Black Rhinoceros. I then emigrated to Australia where I met my wife and became Head of Science at a high school in Melbourne. I came to teach at GIS in 2007 after travelling through Africa again, chasing snakes and other dangerous animals! I always wanted to be a teacher and love to inspire children into loving maths and science. When not teaching, I enjoy playing football, Muay Thai, playing the guitar and catching snakes.

Mary Sirisom
marys@gardenbangkok.com
Nursery
My name is Mary Sirisom and I have been teaching here in Bangkok for 8 years. I have a 12 year old daughter called Florence and I have just given birth to another beautiful daughter called Scarlett. When not busy with my children, during my spare time I enjoy going to the gym.

Kirsty Hastie Smith
kirstyh@gardenbangkok.com
Reception
I came from Scotland and have been in Bangkok for 6 years, working at GIS for 4 years.  I play the bagpipes and highland dance, as well as being Chieftain of The Bangkok St. Andrews Society this year.

Key Stage 1

Caroline Elliot
carolinee@gardenbangkok.com
Year 1
I studied Science with Management Studies at Napier University in Edinburgh but it took another 10 years to decide that teaching was the career for me. Once I discovered that children were actually a lot of fun and a real challenge to work with I attended Aberdeen University in the North of Scotland, gaining a PGDE in Primary Education, and I never looked back. I am a real book worm and love to pass my love of reading onto the pupils I teach. Having lived in Thailand now for 2 years, travelling is also a bit of a passion, as is Asian food, although just eating it, not cooking it!

Jeremy Stokes
jeremys@gardenbangkok.com
Head of First School. Year 2
I initially came to teach in Thailand as respite from the cold British weather but liked everything so much that it's now 6 years and counting. When not teaching I play the bass, enjoy being with my young family and this year, hope to complete my M.Ed.

Key Stage 2

Basia Filzek
basiaf@gardenbangkok.com
Year 3
I was lucky enough to grow up on a farm in Wales so a love of nature and animals comes naturally. I encourage the gardener to look after the grounds and gardens at GIS. My other passion is teaching art and DT. I find children get a thrill from making something in 3D.

Helen Hodges
helenh@gardenbangkok.com
Year 4
I studied at Goldsmiths College, University of London and taught in England for 3 years. I then decided to change locations and moved to Mexico where I taught in a bilingual/bicultural school. Whilst there I learned to speak Spanish fluently. I stayed there for 3 years before moving here to Thailand and Garden International School. I am very sporty and love nothing more than running around with the kids I teach but also have a great love of food. As anyone who knows me will testify; I will eat anything!

Emma Carter
emmac@gardenbangkok.com
Year 5
Coming from a small town in the East Midlands of England, I studied Social Anthropology at university then traveled all over SE Asia 10 years ago. After working for 4 years with the International Red Cross Society in London, I decided teaching at an international school in Thailand was the path for me. I’ve been here 2 years already and am delighted to be joining Garden International School with their great mix of children. My passions are travel and yoga. I also love to swim, dance, cook, read, eat amazing street food and discover new surprises in this great city. I look forward to sharing some of my knowledge and experiences with my new class (and colleagues!) and finding out more about what makes them tick.

John Callaghan
johnh@gardenbangkok.com
Year 6
I have been at this school for 5 years and really enjoy working here. I am an avid football fan and love Queens Park Rangers. I am also a big music fan and love playing drums and guitar. As well as playing music, I am a star at Tiger Woods on the Wii!

Key Stage 3 & 4

Phillip Robinson
philipr@gardenbangkok.com
Science, Mathematics and ICT
I love anything to do with ships and the sea, especially diving and sailing. I am also a great rugby fan and am pleased to come from the home of England's greatest rugby team, Bath! At university I studied Civil and Structural Engineering and for a number of years I was a civil engineer where I worked on a number of projects, including one of Bangkok’s expressways. Despite teaching maths and science my best subject at school was history, which I still enjoy.

Karri Thompson
karrit@gardenbangkok.com
Art, Design Technology and ICT
I love travelling to different places and experiencing different sceneries and cultures. I like doing different sporting activities such as cycling, snowboarding and swimming. I also really like visiting art galleries and design centers so I can keep my ideas fresh. I have visited many galleries in London, Paris, New York and of course Bangkok. I gained all my qualifications in the UK. Dolphins are a love of mine and I managed to fulfill my childhood dream by swimming with wild dolphins in Mozambique, as well as cage diving with Great Whites in South Africa.

Liz Simmonds
lizs@gardenbangkok.com
History and Geography
I am an animal lover who volunteers at SCAD, an organisation which helps street animals in Bangkok. At Christmas I was lucky enough to spot wild Orangutans in the jungles of Borneo...a dream come true! I have a foster kitty called Siri who used to live on the streets. It's great having her around the condo. I also love music, dance and film.

Sharon Evangelista
sharone@gardenbangkok.com
English
I was born in Australia of British and Italian ancestry. I have a love of Literature and the Opera. I am also a former competitor in state Athletics in South Australia, so if my 'marathon' knees look a little unsteady at times, you will know I have a reasonable excuse!

Whole School Specialist Teachers

Simon Fowler
simonf@gardenbangkok.com
EAL and Science
After graduating from Cardiff University with a Genetics (Hons) degree, I worked for a year in a Cardiff based international credit insurance company. After finding the work far from stimulating or challenging I decided to move to Taiwan and teach ESL in a kindergarten and language school. Five years later I returned to the UK to enrol into university again to become a qualified teacher. Once qualified I took up a teaching position at GIS Rayong, teaching both ESL and Science in Secondary school and a few classes in Primary. I really enjoyed my time at GIS Rayong, but my girlfriend and I decided to move to the Bangkok so that she could enrol at university to study for a Masters degree. I had heard a lot of good things about Bangkok GIS, so I jumped at the chance to transfer to this school and am really looking forward to working here.

Kevin Hodges
kevinh@gardenbangkok.com
Physical Education
I have always loved working with children in various capacities. In England I worked as a Social Worker dealing with traumatized children. I then moved to Mexico and started to work with Down Syndrome and autistic children. I love playing sport and teaching it too. I like to invest my time in helping the children achieve all they possibly can in sport, regardless of their ability level.

Lonna Laid
lonnal@gardenbangkok.com
Music
Music is an essential part of my life. I sing whenever I am tremendously happy and dance when I get too excited for something. It is my avenue of self-expression.
I also like travel and explore the taste of international cuisine.

Lydia Lee
lydial@gardenbangkok.com
Mandarin
Ni Hao! my name is Lydia and  it is a great pleasure to work in GIS where I always aim to inspire and motivate my students to learn Mandarin and gain a clear understanding of Chinese culture which I hope will be useful for their future chosen careers. I am a passionate teacher and have always enjoyed my work as an educator at International Schools, both here in Thailand and for many years back in my home city of Xi’an, China. I am fascinated by foreign cultures (and food!) and have thoroughly enjoyed being a member of the international team here in Bangkok since 2006. As we say in China, 快乐每一天 - our traditional parting greeting of “Happy every day”

Stephanie Marcerou
stephaniem@gardenbangkok.com
French and Spanish
I love living abroad and learning new languages, even it's just for daily limited use! Learning a language brings me closer to the people and it makes the world a great place to live in. I also tend to love food, definitely a French gene to be thankful for!

Busabong Lakaew
busabongl@gardenbangkok.com
Thai Principal. Expat Thai
My name is Bong and. I like eating and cooking Thai Food. In my free time I love to watch movies and enjoy travel and seeing many different places. My favourite colour is green. I have a pet dog named Mee. It is very fearsome because it is the famous Thai breed; Maa-Bang-Kaew.

Ning Lakaew
patompornl@gardenbangkok.com
Thai
My full name is Pathomporn Lakaew. I am a Thai teacher and love working at Garden International School. In my spare time I like to play sport and listen to music.

Meaw Ananda
wankaewa@gardenbangkok.com
Thai
My name is Wankaew Ananda, but you can call me Maew. I have been teaching Thai for many years and I was lucky enough to get a job here at GIS. My favourite food is Japanese food. I have pet goldfish and a bird and my hobby is reading. Teaching is my life.