PEDAGOGICAL LEADERSHIP TEAM
Director of Studies, IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) Coordinator
Krisha Gandhi
Ms Krisha graduated with a first class degree from University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) where she studied Mandarin and History. She is a qualified Primary Teacher (PGCE) with teaching experience in the UK and China. Ms Krisha gained her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy from University of Warwick. She joined BIS in August 2017 as a Primary 1 teacher and her proven skills led to her appointment as PYP Coordinator and Head of Languages from summer 2018 and Director of Studies from summer 2019. Ms Krisha is a dedicated teacher who is passionately believes that education has the power to create a better and more peaceful world.
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 experience tutoring students ranging from elementary to high school level, and of teaching at publicly funded educational centers in South Korea. 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
Jacques Prinsloo
Mr Jacques has a PGCE in Secondary teaching from the University of South Africa, a Diploma in Investment Management from the University of South Africa, a Bachelors in Economics from the University of Pretoria, a Diploma in teaching English as an Additional Language and is currently completing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Illinois. Mr Jacques taught EAL in South Korea for several years before joining BIS in August 2017. Mr Jacques has taken on leadership roles in the school and is IGCSE Coordinator and teacher of Economics and Business Studies in IGCSE.
IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) Coordinator
Tim Johnson
Mr Tim has a first class honours degree in Modern Languages from the University of Oxford, and is a qualified teacher (University of Newcastle) with a Master’s in Education from the University of Leeds. His work experience covers both NGO leadership and teaching in Austria, Portugal and the UK. Tim joined BIS in August 2019 as MYP Coordinator. He also teaches language acquisition and math. His hobbies include learning languages, traveling, cooking and playing the piano.
Head of Preschool
Carmen Prinsloo
Ms Carmen graduated from the North West University of South Africa with a BA in Education in Foundation Phase learning, and is a certified teacher at the South African Council of Educators accredited to teach Foundation Phase. Ms Carmen has worked in international preschools in both South Africa and South Korea for four years prior to joining BIS in summer 2017 as Head of Preschool and has led our Preschool from strength to strength.
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.
Learning Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator
Kathryn Ryder
Ms Katryn graduated in French and German from the University of Exeter in 2001 and taught English abroad until 2004. After a break from teaching to explore other areas, she returned to education in 2010 to start an MA in Special Educational Needs/Dyslexia while supporting children who needed extra help during and after school. Ms Kathryn joined BIS in September 2020. She is passionate about giving every child the chance to succeed at whatever they want to do in life and is happy to have found a position at BIS which will enable her to do this.
Head of School
David Grant
Dr Grant is a Co-Founder of BIS and has been involved in all aspects of school development. From 2011-13 he served as Chair of the Governing Board. From April 2014 to September 2015 he joined the school in a management role and rejoined staff in May 2016 as Development Director before serving as Head of School and Chair of the Management Board. Dr Grant has a PhD from the University of Edinburgh and MBA from Henley Management College. He has managed projects in many different sectors in Central Asia for both international development and major private sector investors. His teaching experience includes leading courses in development and economics at the University of Edinburgh and at the OSCE Academy in Bishkek.