Taipei Adventist American SchoolAbout Us
Our Staff
Taipei Adventist American School has 26 staff members including teaching faculty and staff. We are proud of our diversity as we can share insights gained from the perspective of many countries around the world. The staff includes 8 U.S. citizens, eight third-country nationals, and seven host-country nationals. All TAAS faculty members have a Bachelor’s Degree and approximately 50% have a Master’s Degree or Doctoral Degree.
Staff Directory
James Scott Ishkanian
Principal / 8th Grade Teacher
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts - Education
Interests and hobbies:
I like to eat Nice Cream!
Dan Liu
Business Manager
Degree:
Masters of Business Administration
Interests and hobbies:
I like photography, going fishing at the lake, enjoying classical music and concerts.
My Message:
Deepwater runs slowly; an honorable person is cautious in speech.
Sarah Chen
Accountant
Degree:
BBA - Bachelor in Business Administration
Interests and hobbies:
Singing, shopping, hanging out, and having picnics with friends
Tina Wen
Administrative Assistant
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts - English Language and Literature
Interests and hobbies:
I enjoy playing ball games and cycling, listening to music and hanging out with my friends in nature. Basketball is my favorite sport. I love sweating after a good exercise. I’d like to challenge myself to travel abroad alone and learn to cook!
My Message:
“The soul of the lazy person has strong desires but gets nothing, but the soul of the one who does his best gets more than he needs.” (Proverbs 13:4)
I’m glad to be part of TAAS. I’m looking forward to how God will lead and guide us and have another fun year with you all.
Michelle Irai
1st Grade Teacher
Degree:
Bachelors in Science
Interests and hobbies:
In my free time I like reading, arts and crafts.
My Message:
Welcome to my classroom. I am happy and excited to be teaching First Grade at TAAS this year. I love teaching and I am looking forward to meeting all my students and getting to know each one of them.
Rachel Gagarin
3rd Grade Teacher
Degree:
Bachelor of Science - Major in Math, minor in Biology
Interests and Hobbies:
I enjoy walking and climbing mountains. I’m trying to climb all the mountains at Yang Ming Shan. I love reading too, but most of all I enjoy SILENCE. Yes, silence. Somewhere in the silence, I find it easier to listen to God as He speaks to me of His love. There is silence in nature, that’s why I love to walk on a mountain trail, on a rocky coast, in a pine forest, and on a sandy beach. Nature brings healing to the body too.The Creator designed it that way.
My Message:
I’ve been at the school for almost 20 years. Why that long? Because TAAS is a student-centered learning environment that empowers and inspires students to be creative, innovative, nature lovers, and to love God. At school, we find timeless lessons from nature as an effective preparation for eternity. Eternity with Jesus. Since TAAS is not a very big school, we teachers have lots of chances to know each child, their dreams, hopes and fears. We find many ways to listen to our students, to learn about them, and learn from them.I learn a lot from my students. Teaching is learning. And learning has no finish line for teachers and students. We’re all on a journey. JOURNEY TO EXCELLENCE.
Paule Lemay
4th Grade Teacher
Degree:
Master in Education
BA in Theology
TESOL certified
Interests and Hobbies:
My passion is teaching. I have taught for many years to students of all ages and levels at a university, elementary schools, and academies. I love sports, outdoor activities, chess, traveling, camping, canoeing, hiking, and adventure. I have been to over 30 countries and lived in 5 countries (Canada, the USA, South Korea, Guatemala, and Taiwan) I am a social person and I enjoy new cultures and making new friends.
I love animals. I enjoy listening to music and reading.
My Message:
“Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid…for the Lord thy God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).
Laetitia Lemay
5th Grade Teacher
Degree:
Masters in Education
B.A. in Music
TESOL certified
Interests and Hobbies:
My passion is teaching. I have taught many years to students of all ages and levels. I taught at a university, at elementary schools, academies, as well as online to professional people. I love playing the piano and violin and I have done over 90 concerts since I recorded my album. I taught piano, violin and music theory in the past but now my focus is teaching ELL in TAAS.
I am an outgoing person and I love meeting new people. I love adventure, travel, and new cultures. I have traveled to 34 countries and I have lived in 7 countries (Canada, USA, Australia, South Africa, South Korea, Guatemala, Taiwan). I love reading, camping, canoeing and hiking and adventure. My favorite trips include an exciting canoe safari on the Zambezi River in Zimbabwe, and volunteering in Nepal by helping the orphans, and teaching the local people.
I have touched many animals (lions, tigers, elephants, koalas, kangaroos etc).
My Message:
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
Joanne Ward
6th Grade Teacher
Degree:
BA in Business Administration
MBA, Masters of Business Administration
Doctor of Education - Education Policy, Organization & Leadership (in progress)
National Board Certified Teacher in the United States in Mathematics - Adolescence and Young Adulthood
International Baccalaureate (IB) Certificate in Teaching and Learning Middle Years Programme
American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE), Mathematics
Interests & Hobbies:
Music, Reading, Spending time with family and friends
Message to Parents:
I am very blessed to be your child's mathematics teacher. I will do my best to take care of them! Please feel free to contact me at all times.
Pierre Bowrin
7th Grade Teacher / IT Director / Technology Teacher
Degree:
BBA - Management Information Systems
MSc. Information Systems
Interests and hobbies:
Information Systems, Health, and Well-being
My Message:
Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Kamile Smith
ELL Coordinator
Degree:
M.A.Ed. in Behavior Disorders – Special Education
B.S.Ed. in Middle Grades – Educational Administration
Diploma in Teaching – Primary Education
State-Issued License:
Post Graduate Professional License in:
Emotional Disturbance (K-12)
Intellectual Disabilities (K-12)
Specific Learning Disabilities (K-12)
North American Division (NAD) Professional Certification:
Special Education
Elementary Education
Interests:
Inclusion, data-driven decision-making, equity and diversity, social-emotional learning and well-being, systems thinking, and organizational change.
My Message:
Because you belong to Christ, you have everything you need. He is the ruler over every principality, power and authority. (Colossians 2:10)
Leri Joubert
EAL Teacher
Degree:
B.A. Theology
27 years of experience teaching English to non-native speakers of all ages both in South Africa and in Asia.
Interests and hobbies:
If I could spend all day reading, exploring and enjoying the wide variety of activities the world has to offer or sitting with people swapping stories, I would be in seventh heaven. Some activities I enjoy are baking, reading, seashell collecting, writing, making music, painting, home repair, drawing, arts and crafts, language learning, DIY tips, photography, and traveling to name but a few. I can honestly say that I live to learn and strive to share this with my students and my two teen-aged children, especially during the 13 years I home-schooled them. My motto is Live, Laugh, Learn and repeat.
My Message:
My goal this year as an EAL teacher is to pass on a love for learning to my students, and encourage them to open up and share their unique stories with the world. Remember never to give up, always keep trying, and never be afraid of making mistakes. Mistakes are one of the best ways to learn. A little hard work can make a world of difference if you believe in yourself. Together we can use your mistakes as a way to build a deeper, stronger foundation in life. I believe in you. With my best friend, Jesus, by my side, we will help you learn, and grow into well-rounded individuals here at TAAS. I can't wait to start our adventure together!
Isaac Munguia
Music Teacher
Degree:
B.A. Music Education
M.A. Piano Performance
Interests and hobbies:
I am from the land of the Aztecs, Mexico, and if it weren’t for Spain, I would say I am from the land of gold… I like writing the chronicles of what happened in my life with as much detail as possible. When I feel inspired, I compose rhymes and rhythms for my little daughter. I love lap swimming in huge pools and my favorite dishes are spaghetti all’arrabbiata and quesadillas with guacamole. I am addicted to the news and the best way to read it for me is via Twitter.
My Message:
I am looking forward to having so much fun at the Music Lessons. Feel free to express your ideas always in a good spirit and in a respectful way. Music should always be spontaneous, beautiful, and enjoyable; there should be no reason to miss this blessing. Ideally, students in my class will learn how to play an instrument or improve the skill they already have by playing one. We will get involved in ensembles like Choir, Band or Recorder Club so we can appreciate the value of teamwork. Through games, rounds, songs, and fun activities, students will also learn about composers and how they have impacted great civilizations with their contributions.
Michelle Yeh
Learning Support Teacher
Degree:
B.A. Living Sciences
MA Special Education
ABA Classroom Teacher Training, Floortime Classroom Teacher Training
Interests and hobbies:
Traveling, Reading, Brain-challenging games.
My Message:
During my first year at TAAS, I taught two students who had been diagnosed with autism. I took a course in Applied Behavior Analysis which aided me in helping them in school. I never imagined Special Education would be my career but the more I delved into this field, the more passionate I became!
Intelligence can be developed, embrace challenges, keep going when things get difficult, see effort as the path to mastery.
Shanee Lee
Learning Support
Degree:
M.A. - Public Policy and Management
Applied Behavior Analysis training for special kids
Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst
Interests and hobbies:
I enjoy hiking, traveling, and spending time with family and kids.
My Message:
"Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them." (Mark 10:15-16)
"All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children." (Isaiah 54:13)
Peter Nieh
Chinese Teacher
Degree:
Bachelor of Science in Engineering / Bachelor of Theology
Teaching Chinese as a second language certificate
Interests and hobbies:
I like jogging, swimming, cycling, classical music.
Emily Chen
Chinese Teacher
Degree:
B.A. religious and health education
Interests and Hobbies:
Singing & music!
My Message:
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old , he will not depart from it.(Proverbs 22:6)
Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways , and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler. Provideth her meat int the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. (Proverbs 6:6-8)
