More Than New Faces: Meet the Educators Joining DHSZ
Every teacher brings a story to the classroom. At Dulwich International High School Programme Suzhou, those stories span continents, cultures and some of the world's leading schools and universities. Our students benefit from educators whose experience reaches far beyond a single curriculum or education system.
This year, we are pleased to welcome a new cohort of exceptional teachers. They bring expertise in academic research, subject leadership and international education, enriching a community of educators united by a simple purpose: helping every student achieve more than they thought possible.
Where Global Experience Meets Student Success
At Dulwich International High School Programme Suzhou, our academic staff bring together deep subject expertise, extensive classroom experience and diverse international perspectives. More importantly, they share a commitment to knowing every student as an individual, providing the challenge, encouragement and guidance each learner needs to thrive.
We maintain a student-to-academic staff ratio of 6.1:1, giving teachers the time to provide individual coaching, meaningful feedback and sustained academic support. Around 80%* of our academic staff are international educators, bringing experience from a wide range of education systems, curricula and cultural contexts. This diversity enriches classroom discussions and broadens students' understanding of the world.
The strength of our faculty is reflected in both its academic credentials and professional experience. Around 70% of our academic staff hold postgraduate qualifications, including 63% with master's degrees and 7% with doctoral degrees. In addition, 55% have more than ten years of teaching experience, ensuring students learn from knowledgeable, experienced educators who combine academic excellence with a deep understanding of how young people learn.
International teachers do more than bring experience from different countries. They bring different ways of thinking, teaching and solving problems, creating classrooms where students encounter new perspectives every day. The largest groups of our international teaching staff come from the United Kingdom (39%), the United States (11%), Malaysia (11%), South Africa (8%) and Kenya (5%), while the remaining 26% represent countries including Australia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India, Philippines, Canada, Italy, Cuba, Germany and Mexico.
Such diverse teaching backgrounds contribute to a rich academic environment where students benefit from teachers who understand different curricula, approaches to learning and pathways to higher education. Students gain access to subject specialists who combine academic expertise with international classroom practice.
Meet the New Teachers Joining DHSZ
Anna Tillmann brings a strong foundation in scientific research and international science education. She completed her PhD and postdoctoral research at the University of Aberdeen and University College London, specialising in biochemistry before moving into secondary education.
She brings her experience of teaching IGCSE, A-Level and IB Chemistry, and Biology in the United Kingdom, Portugal and Malaysia. Anna combines scientific research knowledge with a commitment to integrating current pedagogical approaches. She creates lessons that connect scientific concepts with real-world applications and is also eager to start collaborating with colleagues and students at DHSZ.
Outside of the classroom, she enjoys hiking, exploring new cultures and cuisines, yoga, origami, photography and music.
David Evans joins DHSZ with more than 25 years of physics teaching experience in the United States and various international schools.
His career has included teaching IB Physics, IB Chemistry, MYP Science and AP Physics, alongside leadership roles as Head of Science and Science Subject Lead. With experience from the United States, Czech Republic, United Kingdom and Thailand, David brings extensive curriculum knowledge and subject leadership to the Physics department.
He enjoys hiking and being outdoors, cooking and travelling. He says he is looking forward to joining the DHSZ team and exploring the historic and natural beauty of Suzhou.
De Ville Swanevelder is an accomplished pianist and music educator with more than 18 years of experience leading music programmes and departments internationally.
Holding a master's degree in Music from the University of Cape Town, De Ville specialises in music methodology and student development. His experience in guiding young musicians has supported many students in gaining admission to international universities and pursuing future careers in music.
Beyond music, he enjoys travelling, exploring the outdoors and cycling.
Grace Mandindo joins DHSZ as a drama educator, applied theatre practitioner and cultural leader with experience in secondary and tertiary education.
She holds a BA (Hons) in Dramatic Arts, an MA in Applied Drama and a PGCE, and is currently completing a PhD in Drama. She has extensive experience in curriculum development and is committed to creating inclusive, disciplined and creatively rigorous learning environments.
In her free time she enjoys writing, performing poetry, dancing and travelling.
Chris Coetzee brings an interdisciplinary academic background shaped by literature, language, classics, music and education.
Having taught in South Africa, Germany, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong SAR and Taiwan, China. Chris has experience working within a range of international education contexts. His most recent role teaching IB Latin at Taipei American School further strengthens his expertise in language, culture and critical analysis.
In his free time, Chris plays the organ, rereads P.G. Wodehouse, writes for fun and goes for long walks.
Dr Manuel de la Rosa Penilla brings more than 20 years of mathematics teaching experience across secondary, pre-university and university settings.
Holding a PhD in Pure Mathematics, he is a Fellow of Advance HE and holds a Teaching Certificate in Higher Education from Harvard University. His international teaching experience includes University College London's joint foundation programme at Nazarbayev University, institutions in Europe and Mexico, and schools in China.
Manuel has guided students towards competitive university pathways including Oxford, UCL, Stanford and Berkeley. His teaching focuses on developing mathematical understanding, academic discipline and intellectual curiosity.
Outside the classroom, Manuel is an enthusiastic reader. His favourite books include The Order of Time, Sapiens, Steve Jobs, One Hundred Years of Solitude and Too Big for a Single Mind. He is passionate about musical theatre, especially Les Misérables, Cats and Hamilton, and maintains a disciplined commitment to regular exercise.
Teresa He returns to DHSZ with a personal connection to our school as a graduate from its Class of 2021.
After completing her undergraduate degree at UCLA and a master’s degree at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Teresa brings international academic experience and a personal understanding of the DHSZ student journey. In her role as Boarding Academic Mentor, she will support students through academic guidance and pastoral care.
Teresa will also join our Economics department and work towards her teaching qualification this coming year.
In her free time, she enjoys baking, photography, learning Korean and travelling.
Welcome to DHSZ
We are delighted to welcome Anna, David, De Ville, Grace, Chris, Manuel and Teresa to the DHSZ community. We look forward to the knowledge, enthusiasm and diverse perspectives they will bring, and to the lasting impact they will have on our students' learning and growth.