Whole-School Vice Principal – Azerbaijan British College (2020–2024)
Our team
CIS LAO CAI TEAM
THE LEADERSHIP
Mr. Matthew Rawcliffe
Principal of CIS Lao Cai
NPQH – National Professional Qualification in Headship
University of Wolverhampton, UK, 2022
PGCE – Postgraduate Certificate in Education
Edge Hill University, UK, 2009
Teaching and Educational Leadership Experience
- Over 9 years of senior leadership experience in multiple educational systems: British, IB, American, and Bilingual
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Enhanced teaching quality, trained educators, and drove educational innovation with AI integration
- Established a new school, led CIS & COBIS accreditation, and implemented the A-Level program.
- Extensive teaching and leadership experience across Vietnam, Azerbaijan, Morocco, UAE, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Malaysia, and the UK.
Executive Principal – Vinschool Hanoi (2023–2024)
Additional Professional Qualifications
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Educational Leadership & Management
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International School Safety & Child Protection
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Mental Health and Well-being for Teachers and Students
Mr. Matthew Rawcliffe
Principal of CIS Lao Cai
Mr. Nguyen The Dung
Vice Principal
Professional Qualifications
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Master of Science in History
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Advanced Certificate in Political Theory
Notable Career History
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1986–2004: High School Teacher, Lao Cai
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2004–2008: Vice Principal, Semi-Public High School No.1 and Provincial Boarding High School for Ethnic Minorities, Lao Cai
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2008–2012: Principal, Provincial Boarding High School for Ethnic Minorities, Lao Cai
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2013–06/2025: Deputy Director, Department of Education and Training, Lao Cai Province
Experience & Contributions
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Over 38 years of service in the education sector, including 12 years in a leadership role as Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Training in Lao Cai Province.
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Profound knowledge and expertise in academic and educational management.
Mr. Nguyen The Dung
Vice Principal
THE
LEADERSHIP
TEACHING STAFF
CIS LAO CAI
An inclusive curriculum requires a team of commensurately qualified teachers to best support student learning.
This has an impact not only on academic achievement but also on the development of core competencies and the personality of students.
Improving self-esteem in the learning environment increases students’ motivation to learn, and character education supports students’ inclusive growth.
Bianca Engelbrecht
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Education. Hons in Education Support 2019.
PGCE Senior Phase & FET (General Science & Life Sciences) 2013.
Bachelor of Technology. Nature Conservation 2010.
National Dip. Nature Conservation 2006.
National Dip. Travel & Tourism 1999.
Teaching Experience:
10 years teaching Science in International Schools Environment Science (General), Math, Social Studies, STEM and Global Perspectives and Learner Support.
André Bolton
Qualifications:
BA Hons English Literature, University of the West of England 2014.
Cambridge English CELTA 2016.
Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music: Dip. 1 Trumpet, Grade 8 Piano, Grade 5 Theory.
Teaching Experience:
6 years ESL Teacher International House, Portugal and Switzerland.
ESL and IELTS Senior Teacher, Trainer and Mentor, Vietnam.
Lecturer of Critical Thinking, Debate, International Study and IELTS, Banking Academy of Vietnam – International School of Banking.
Edwin Villaganas
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Mathematics , Cataingan Municipal College 2018 Licensed Professional Mathematics Teacher in the Philippines.
Teaching experience:
1 year mathematics and English teacher at Yadah Christian School.
1 year mathematics teacher, Victory International School Ho Chi Minh city.
Ron Connors
Qualifications:
Master of International Education Framingham State College 2001
BA Law and Society University of California 1986
Experience as an Educator:
- 2 Years American School of Guadalajara (4th Grade all subjects, 5th grade Science)
- 2 Years Assistant to Professor, University of Sophie Antipolis
- 2 Years Kyungbok Yosang (HS ESL Coordinator)
- 1 Year Academic Coordinator Central Texas College, Yongsan Army Post.
- 10 years Escondido Union High School District. HS SDC Coordinator. Site Chair. Special Educator of the Year Award
- 2 Years UNIS Hanoi. HS Special Needs Coordinator and Humanities Instructor. KOTO Art instructor. (Community Service)
- 2 Years Tohoku International School, Sendai, Japan. HS Social Studies, AP Comparative Governments and Politics, and HS Literature. MUN Coordinator.
- 4 Years Ruamrudee International School, Bangkok, Thailand. HS Social Studies, IB TOK, MUN Coordinator
- 1 Year Colegio Ingles, Torreon, Mexico, MS ESL
- 1 Year Vietnam Australian School, HCMC, ESL
- 5 Years International School of Vietnam, (Reigate) HS Humanities, IGCSE Geography, IB Geography. Chair of Humanities. MUN Coordinator
- 2nd Year at CIS ESL.
Natasha Ocktora
Qualifications:
Master of Arts in Urban Education – ESL Specialization, New Jersey City University, 2018
English Language Program, University of Pennsylvania, 2016
Bachelor of Arts in English Applied Linguistics, State University of Medan, 2011
Fulbright Scholar 2016.
Alpha Delta Kappa – International Teacher Education 2016
Teaching experience:
6 years teaching experience at international schools in Indonesia, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam
6 years teaching experience in formal English language education
Gemarie Bisual
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education, Major in English, The University of Mindanao, 2012. Master of Arts in Basic Education Major in Teaching English, Davao del Norte State College, 2020.
Licensed Professional Teacher, Professional Regulation Commission (Philippines).
Teaching Experience:
9 years in the Philippine Public School System. 2 years of teaching experience in Vietnam.
Bianca Engelbrecht
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Education. Hons in Education Support 2019.
PGCE Senior Phase & FET (General Science & Life Sciences) 2013.
Bachelor of Technology. Nature Conservation 2010.
National Dip. Nature Conservation 2006.
National Dip. Travel & Tourism 1999.
Teaching Experience:
10 years teaching Science in International Schools Environment Science (General), Math, Social Studies, STEM and Global Perspectives and Learner Support.
teacher
André Bolton
Qualifications:
BA Hons English Literature, University of the West of England 2014.
Cambridge English CELTA 2016.
Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music: Dip. 1 Trumpet, Grade 8 Piano, Grade 5 Theory.
Teaching Experience:
6 years ESL Teacher International House, Portugal and Switzerland.
ESL and IELTS Senior Teacher, Trainer and Mentor, Vietnam.
Lecturer of Critical Thinking, Debate, International Study and IELTS, Banking Academy of Vietnam – International School of Banking.
teacher
Edwin Villaganas
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Mathematics , Cataingan Municipal College 2018 Licensed Professional Mathematics Teacher in the Philippines.
Teaching experience:
1 year mathematics and English teacher at Yadah Christian School.
1 year mathematics teacher, Victory International School Ho Chi Minh city.
teacher
Ron Connors
Qualifications:
Master of International Education Framingham State College 2001
BA Law and Society University of California 1986
Experience as an Educator:
- 2 Years American School of Guadalajara (4th Grade all subjects, 5th grade Science)
- 2 Years Assistant to Professor, University of Sophie Antipolis
- 2 Years Kyungbok Yosang (HS ESL Coordinator)
- 1 Year Academic Coordinator Central Texas College, Yongsan Army Post.
- 10 years Escondido Union High School District. HS SDC Coordinator. Site Chair. Special Educator of the Year Award
- 2 Years UNIS Hanoi. HS Special Needs Coordinator and Humanities Instructor. KOTO Art instructor. (Community Service)
- 2 Years Tohoku International School, Sendai, Japan. HS Social Studies, AP Comparative Governments and Politics, and HS Literature. MUN Coordinator.
- 4 Years Ruamrudee International School, Bangkok, Thailand. HS Social Studies, IB TOK, MUN Coordinator
- 1 Year Colegio Ingles, Torreon, Mexico, MS ESL
- 1 Year Vietnam Australian School, HCMC, ESL
- 5 Years International School of Vietnam, (Reigate) HS Humanities, IGCSE Geography, IB Geography. Chair of Humanities. MUN Coordinator
- 2nd Year at CIS ESL.
teacher
Abdelkader Zerdani
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Arts in Anglo-American Studies 2013.
Post-graduate studies in Anglo-American Studies 2015.
Teaching Experience:
7 years Teaching experience.
1 year School Executive experience.
teacher
Nazmy Nagdy
Qualifications:
Bachelor of English Tanta University.
Education Diploma – Cairo University.
Teaching experience:
17 years of experience as an ESL teacher in Egypt and overseas, 7 years in Vietnam.
teacher
Natasha Ocktora
Qualifications:
Master of Arts in Urban Education – ESL Specialization, New Jersey City University, 2018
English Language Program, University of Pennsylvania, 2016
Bachelor of Arts in English Applied Linguistics, State University of Medan, 2011
Fulbright Scholar 2016.
Alpha Delta Kappa – International Teacher Education 2016
Teaching experience:
6 years teaching experience at international schools in Indonesia, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam
6 years teaching experience in formal English language education
teacher
Gemarie Bisual
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education, Major in English, The University of Mindanao, 2012. Master of Arts in Basic Education Major in Teaching English, Davao del Norte State College, 2020.
Licensed Professional Teacher, Professional Regulation Commission (Philippines).
Teaching Experience:
9 years in the Philippine Public School System. 2 years of teaching experience in Vietnam.
teacher
EDUCATION
PROGRAM
Strong early learning programs, a well-developed curriculum, highly qualified and trained teachers, and high standards contribute to students reaching their full potential.
teacher
QUALITY TEACHERS
TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS
Best trained Teachers
Flexible problem - solving approach
Support the critical thinking of students
Are respected and welcomed
