CURRICULUM COORDINATORS 2022/23
IB Diploma Programme (DP) Coordinator
Makiko Inaba
Ms Makiko has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Waseda University in Japan. Foreign languages and cultures have always been her passion and she has lived in the United States, South Korea, France, China and the Kyrgyz Republic in pursuit of that passion. She has the UK Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and has experience teaching students ranging from elementary to high school level. Ms Makiko joined BIS in summer 2014 and is a much-loved teacher with exceptional skills in education. Ms Makiko has been IB Diploma Programme Coordinator since 2017.
Cambridge IGCSE Coordinator
Tom Clifton
Mr Tom has a Bachelor of Arts in English from Queen Mary University in London, as well as a Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge. He has worked in language schools and universities in countries such as Spain and Iraq, as well as 2 years working in the Kyrgyz Republic. Outside of the classroom, Mr Tom enjoys travelling around the region and documenting Kyrgyzstan through photography. He joined BIS in August 2020.
IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) Coordinator
Rabia Newton
Ms Rabia graduated from Portland State University with a degree in Russian language and literature and liberal studies. After spending a year as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Vladivostok, Russia, she then went on to earn her Masters in English Education from Teachers College at Columbia University. Prior to joining the BIS team, Ms. Rabia spent most of her career teaching in New York City public schools where she focused on project and inquiry-based learning. In her spare time, Ms. Rabia enjoys traveling, studying yoga, playing with her cat, Begemot, and, of course, reading. Ms Rabia joined BIS in summer 2021.
IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) Coordinator
Alicia Grinsteinner
Ms Alicia is entering her eighth year of teaching with a range of experiences. She worked as both a preschool and ELA instructor in South Korea prior to coming to Bishkek. She holds an elementary teaching license from Washington D.C. as well as a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus in Early Childhood Education from Arizona State University. Ms Alicia joined BIS as a Primary Homeroom Teacher in August 2019 and became the PYP Coordinator in summer 2021.
National Curriculum Coordinator
Chynara Abdyraeva
Ms Chynara has a Doctorate in Education from Arabaev Kyrgyz
State University. She worked for many years in the University sector, including
work with the Ministry of Education and Science for curriculum accreditation.
Ms Chynara is responsible for BIS accreditation with the Ministry in order for
the school to hold national examinations at BIS for Grade 9 and Grade 11
students, enabling local students to graduate with a local High School
certificate in addition to our internationally accredited programs.