OUR STAFF
All of our teaching staff are fully qualified and experienced professionals. We only hire people committed to lifelong learning and continuous professional development and as such we boast a wealth of expertise. Throughout the school year, teachers are given in house professional development, often involving expert guest facilitators. Our teachers also participate in courses, seminars and other training opportunities around the world and more frequently online, bringing back what they learn to share. Our professional learning community is second to none which thrives from being part of the wider global educational community.
SENIOR LEADERSHIP
Mr. Graham Horton
Principal
Mr. Graham was born in the U.K. and started his teaching career in 1988 having graduated from Reading University with a Bachelor’s Degree with Honours in Early Childhood Education specialising in Music. He was a School Principal in the U.K. for 16 years and has been an International Principal in Qatar, Nigeria, China and Myanmar. In addition, he has worked with premiere school groups including Nord Anglia and Dulwich College International. He graduated with a Master’s Degree in International Education from the University of Leicester in the U.K. in 2021. Mr. Graham who has moved to Geoje with his wife Sally, has two grown up sons, Ben and Sam. He is passionate about education and is looking forward to supporting the further development of Atherton International School.
Principal
Mr. Graham was born in the U.K. and started his teaching career in 1988 having graduated from Reading University with a Bachelor’s Degree with Honours in Early Childhood Education specialising in Music. He was a School Principal in the U.K. for 16 years and has been an International Principal in Qatar, Nigeria, China and Myanmar. In addition, he has worked with premiere school groups including Nord Anglia and Dulwich College International. He graduated with a Master’s Degree in International Education from the University of Leicester in the U.K. in 2021. Mr. Graham who has moved to Geoje with his wife Sally, has two grown up sons, Ben and Sam. He is passionate about education and is looking forward to supporting the further development of Atherton International School.
EARLY YEARS
Ms. Grace Cottone
Snail Class Teacher (Early Years)
IEYC Leader
Ms. Grace was born and raised on Long Island, New York, USA. She graduated from S.U.N.Y. Buffalo State College where she obtained her degree in Art Education, K-12. Along with her degree, she is accredited and certified under the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). She taught at an international school in Thailand for 2.5 years where she found her love for teaching in the Early Years. She taught at AIS for more than 2 years and is so happy to be a part of the AIS team. The creative arts are her passion. Being able to inspire creativity and freedom of expression in young people is at the heart of her teaching. Outside of school, her happy place is being near the seaside and soaking in some sun.
Snail Class Teacher (Early Years)
IEYC Leader
Ms. Grace was born and raised on Long Island, New York, USA. She graduated from S.U.N.Y. Buffalo State College where she obtained her degree in Art Education, K-12. Along with her degree, she is accredited and certified under the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). She taught at an international school in Thailand for 2.5 years where she found her love for teaching in the Early Years. She taught at AIS for more than 2 years and is so happy to be a part of the AIS team. The creative arts are her passion. Being able to inspire creativity and freedom of expression in young people is at the heart of her teaching. Outside of school, her happy place is being near the seaside and soaking in some sun.
Ms. Yeon Ju Lee
Chipmunk Class Teacher (Early Years)
Ms. Yeonju was raised in Geoje from her childhood. She obtained a master’s degree and English teacher license from Pukyong National University. She is very passionate about teaching Early year students and tries her best to teach children with a lot of passion so that her students develop a desire to become happy learners. She is expecting to have a year full of fun, learning and lots of adventures!
Ms. Soon Bok Kim
Early Years Teaching Assistant
Ms. Soon Bok was born and raised in Hadong, where she has fond memories of the rivers and pine forests. When she is finished working, she hopes to return to the country and dreams of spending time in her garden with good friends. But for now, Ms. Soon Bok is eager to continue her career in education. She completed her degree with a major in English literature before moving on to teach at an English academy.
Early Years Teaching Assistant
Ms. Soon Bok was born and raised in Hadong, where she has fond memories of the rivers and pine forests. When she is finished working, she hopes to return to the country and dreams of spending time in her garden with good friends. But for now, Ms. Soon Bok is eager to continue her career in education. She completed her degree with a major in English literature before moving on to teach at an English academy.
PRIMARY
Mr. Braden Owens
Sharks Class Teacher (Year 5/6)
IPC Leader
As an undergraduate at Victoria University of Wellington, Mr. Braden completed a BA in Education and Media Studies. This gave him an excellent understanding of how students learn and has helped him to shape his philosophy that it is vital for the classroom environment to be supportive and positive. He also completed a Graduate Diploma of Teaching at The University of Auckland. He loves getting involved with sports at schools. As a big football fan he always take the opportunity to coach or referee teams. Most recently he has become excited about the role of technology in advancing student engagement and achievement, and have taken steps to learn coding in order to use this skill in the classroom. He is excited to be able to incorporate this into his teaching at AIS.
Sharks Class Teacher (Year 5/6)
IPC Leader
As an undergraduate at Victoria University of Wellington, Mr. Braden completed a BA in Education and Media Studies. This gave him an excellent understanding of how students learn and has helped him to shape his philosophy that it is vital for the classroom environment to be supportive and positive. He also completed a Graduate Diploma of Teaching at The University of Auckland. He loves getting involved with sports at schools. As a big football fan he always take the opportunity to coach or referee teams. Most recently he has become excited about the role of technology in advancing student engagement and achievement, and have taken steps to learn coding in order to use this skill in the classroom. He is excited to be able to incorporate this into his teaching at AIS.
Ms. Viktoriia Lowe
Rabbit Class Teacher (Year 1/2)
Ms. Viktoriia is from Ukraine and graduated from the National Pedagogical University in Kyiv, specialising in teaching English and Primary education. She has over five years of classroom experience and two years of EAL teaching. She has taught in Cairo, Brunei and Tunis. Outside school, she loves spending time with her family.
Rabbit Class Teacher (Year 1/2)
Ms. Viktoriia is from Ukraine and graduated from the National Pedagogical University in Kyiv, specialising in teaching English and Primary education. She has over five years of classroom experience and two years of EAL teaching. She has taught in Cairo, Brunei and Tunis. Outside school, she loves spending time with her family.
Mr. William Lowe
Lion Class Teacher (Year 3/4)
Mr. William is from Muskoka Ontario and attended universities in Toronto and Windsor as well as Wales, in the UK. He has earned his B.Ed. and an M.Ed. He has taught for about 20 years in a diverse range of countries in Europe, North Africa an Asia. He is married with two children and enjoys spending time with his family, reading, chocolate, anything tech related and motorcycles.
Lion Class Teacher (Year 3/4)
Mr. William is from Muskoka Ontario and attended universities in Toronto and Windsor as well as Wales, in the UK. He has earned his B.Ed. and an M.Ed. He has taught for about 20 years in a diverse range of countries in Europe, North Africa an Asia. He is married with two children and enjoys spending time with his family, reading, chocolate, anything tech related and motorcycles.
MIDDLE & HIGHER YEARS
Mr. Lewis Eckersley
Secondary Language Arts Teacher
IMYC Leader
Mr. Lewis is from Manchester in England, and has been teaching GCSE, IGCSE, and A-level Language Arts for almost 20 years. He has worked in a variety of schools in the UK, Korea, China, and Peru. He cherishes his own professional development, and having completed a PGCE in Education at Manchester University, achieved a Master’s Degree in Education and English studies from the University of Exeter. Mr. Lewis has great expectations of his pupils and strives to facilitate vibrant classes of energy, interaction, and academic learning. He also seeks to cultivate independent learners who have a hunger for new knowledge and a desire to broaden their horizons. In his free time, he enjoys watching football, cooking Korean food, and writing poetry
Secondary Language Arts Teacher
IMYC Leader
Mr. Lewis is from Manchester in England, and has been teaching GCSE, IGCSE, and A-level Language Arts for almost 20 years. He has worked in a variety of schools in the UK, Korea, China, and Peru. He cherishes his own professional development, and having completed a PGCE in Education at Manchester University, achieved a Master’s Degree in Education and English studies from the University of Exeter. Mr. Lewis has great expectations of his pupils and strives to facilitate vibrant classes of energy, interaction, and academic learning. He also seeks to cultivate independent learners who have a hunger for new knowledge and a desire to broaden their horizons. In his free time, he enjoys watching football, cooking Korean food, and writing poetry
Mr. Jason Holmes
Anubis Tutor Teacher (Year 12/13)
Secondary Social Studies Teacher
Mr. Jason was born in Atlanta, Georgia in the United States. He graduated university with a BS in secondary history education. He is licensed as a teacher in Georgia and certified to teach geography, world history, and US History. He has taught in America and China previously, but this is his first year in Korea. At the international schools in China he worked at he came certified within the International Bachelorette program as well as the IGCSE curriculum. In his off time he enjoys reading, watching historical documentaries, exercising, cooking, and keeping up with international events. He is looking forward to becoming a part of the AIS family and excited to explore Korea.
Anubis Tutor Teacher (Year 12/13)
Secondary Social Studies Teacher
Mr. Jason was born in Atlanta, Georgia in the United States. He graduated university with a BS in secondary history education. He is licensed as a teacher in Georgia and certified to teach geography, world history, and US History. He has taught in America and China previously, but this is his first year in Korea. At the international schools in China he worked at he came certified within the International Bachelorette program as well as the IGCSE curriculum. In his off time he enjoys reading, watching historical documentaries, exercising, cooking, and keeping up with international events. He is looking forward to becoming a part of the AIS family and excited to explore Korea.
Ms. Brindha Sethulingam
Tutor Teacher (Year 7, 8 and 9)
Secondary Mathematics and ICT Teacher
Ms. Brindha is from India and a long-term resident of South Korea living with her family in Geoje for over 12 years. She has a postgraduate degree awarded with distinction in Engineering from Anna University, India. She worked as a Software Engineer in an MNC before moving to Korea. By virtue of being with many generations of teachers in her family, she always had a passion for teaching. She pursued her teacher training from Moreland University, USA and is now an internationally qualified teacher with a license from OSSE Washington DC and a teaching license from Hawaii Teachers Standard Board. In her spare time, you'll mostly find her with her family and friends, pursuing small adventures, listening to music, and cooking different varieties of food.
Tutor Teacher (Year 7, 8 and 9)
Secondary Mathematics and ICT Teacher
Ms. Brindha is from India and a long-term resident of South Korea living with her family in Geoje for over 12 years. She has a postgraduate degree awarded with distinction in Engineering from Anna University, India. She worked as a Software Engineer in an MNC before moving to Korea. By virtue of being with many generations of teachers in her family, she always had a passion for teaching. She pursued her teacher training from Moreland University, USA and is now an internationally qualified teacher with a license from OSSE Washington DC and a teaching license from Hawaii Teachers Standard Board. In her spare time, you'll mostly find her with her family and friends, pursuing small adventures, listening to music, and cooking different varieties of food.
Dr Irina Kosteva
Secondary Science Teacher
Secondary Science Teacher
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Mr. Daniel Swan
Hydra Tutor Teacher (Year 10/11) Secondary Science Teacher To be posted soon |
SPECIALIST TEACHERS
Mr. Joel Camino
EAL & Learning Support Teacher
Mr. Joel is from Chester in the United Kingdom. Having graduated from Hull, and training to be a teacher in Bath. He has worked around the World, including Europe, South America, Africa and Asia. With 25 years of teaching experience, he is really looking forward to working with everyone at AIS. He is passionate about inclusion and supporting students in finding their strengths. He likes motorcycles, music, cooking and camping and very keen to get involved in any outdoor activities in or out of school!
EAL & Learning Support Teacher
Mr. Joel is from Chester in the United Kingdom. Having graduated from Hull, and training to be a teacher in Bath. He has worked around the World, including Europe, South America, Africa and Asia. With 25 years of teaching experience, he is really looking forward to working with everyone at AIS. He is passionate about inclusion and supporting students in finding their strengths. He likes motorcycles, music, cooking and camping and very keen to get involved in any outdoor activities in or out of school!
Mr. Rafael Prieto- Wolfe
Spanish Teacher and PE Teacher
Mr. Rafael was born and raised in Alicante, Spain. Studied at a multi-cultural, multilingual school where he developed a passion for learning languages. Native speaker of Spanish and English, fluent in French and has a knowledge of German, Portuguese and Italian. He obtained his BSc in Sport and Exercise Science from the University of Exeter, UK. He has worked in education in Spain, UK, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates and now Korea. As well as his passion for languages, his main passion has always been sport. Outside of school you will find him doing sport or at the beach.
Spanish Teacher and PE Teacher
Mr. Rafael was born and raised in Alicante, Spain. Studied at a multi-cultural, multilingual school where he developed a passion for learning languages. Native speaker of Spanish and English, fluent in French and has a knowledge of German, Portuguese and Italian. He obtained his BSc in Sport and Exercise Science from the University of Exeter, UK. He has worked in education in Spain, UK, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates and now Korea. As well as his passion for languages, his main passion has always been sport. Outside of school you will find him doing sport or at the beach.
Ms. Jiyeon Seo
Art Teacher and Korean Teacher
Ms. Jiyeon is from Daegu, Korea. She has been working in the international school of Koje since 2009. She taught in a Korean middle school for three years before coming to AIS. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts and Master's degree in Fine Arts. Her artwork has awarded many prizes, including 1st place in the 23rd Sinra Art Exhibition. While at university, she obtained her teaching qualification as an art teacher. She also gained her TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certificate through California State University, Long Beach, in 2011 and a certificate in MBPA Nanta and Performance Nanta Drum 2013. Her interests include painting, photography, music (piano and violin), traveling and involved in cultural activities.
Art Teacher and Korean Teacher
Ms. Jiyeon is from Daegu, Korea. She has been working in the international school of Koje since 2009. She taught in a Korean middle school for three years before coming to AIS. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts and Master's degree in Fine Arts. Her artwork has awarded many prizes, including 1st place in the 23rd Sinra Art Exhibition. While at university, she obtained her teaching qualification as an art teacher. She also gained her TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certificate through California State University, Long Beach, in 2011 and a certificate in MBPA Nanta and Performance Nanta Drum 2013. Her interests include painting, photography, music (piano and violin), traveling and involved in cultural activities.
Ms. Eunbyeol Ma
Music Teacher and Korean Teacher
Ms. Eunbyoul graduated at the top of her class from Daegu Catholic University of Music having majored in Violin. While at university, she obtained her teaching qualification as a music teacher. She also gained her TESOL certificate through California State University, Long Beach, in 2011. She took an Orff teaching course and attends Orff workshops and music educators’ conferences regularly since 2012. She obtained a Korea Ukulele teaching certificate as well as a certificate in MBPA Fusion Nanta and Performance Nanta Drum. she has been teaching music to children of various ages from age two to fourteen and enjoys teaching all levels.
Outside of school, she is a member of Geoje Chamber Society and performs as a violinist. She also loves art; her hobbies include painting, craft, calligraphy and DIY. She enjoys going on walks around Geoje with her dog.
Music Teacher and Korean Teacher
Ms. Eunbyoul graduated at the top of her class from Daegu Catholic University of Music having majored in Violin. While at university, she obtained her teaching qualification as a music teacher. She also gained her TESOL certificate through California State University, Long Beach, in 2011. She took an Orff teaching course and attends Orff workshops and music educators’ conferences regularly since 2012. She obtained a Korea Ukulele teaching certificate as well as a certificate in MBPA Fusion Nanta and Performance Nanta Drum. she has been teaching music to children of various ages from age two to fourteen and enjoys teaching all levels.
Outside of school, she is a member of Geoje Chamber Society and performs as a violinist. She also loves art; her hobbies include painting, craft, calligraphy and DIY. She enjoys going on walks around Geoje with her dog.
