Copyright 2021 . Hsinchu County American School. All rights reserved
Passionate about education, Jeff is originally from the state of Iowa in the USA. He became a teacher after training as an Army officer and earning his BA in History. After a brief stint in public school, Jeff earned his MA in Secondary Social Studies Education, teaching at the University of Iowa. In 1996, Jeff was fortunate enough to join an international school in Bogota, Colombia, and he has been an international educator ever since. He has worked in both the classroom and leadership roles in top schools in Qatar, Denmark, the Philippines, and Singapore, then back to the Philippines before moving to Taiwan in 2012. Jeff served as a teacher and as senior leadership at another prominent international school in Hsinchu/Zhubei for 10 years, before consulting in Tainan and then joining HCAS.
A classroom teacher for more than 30 years, Jeff has taught various regular, AP, IB, and IGCSE History, Geography, and Political Science courses, and even Musical Production! He had the wonderful opportunity to coach football (soccer) at 4 different schools, including 3 champion teams (2 girls, 1 boys), and he had the privilege of serving on the THIMUN Advisory Board for 13 of his 20 years as an MUN director. His leadership roles have ranged from Department Head to IBDP Coordinator and Academic Dean to Director of Curriculum and Instruction (functionally Assistant Principal.)
At every step along this journey, Jeff has experienced amazing adventures, but the most important weren’t swimming in the Amazon, or going inside the Great Pyramid, or whitewater rafting on the Zambezi. Second only to being a husband to his wife Jackie and father to his teenage children Rhys and Elena, the greatest adventure has been getting to work with incredible students, colleagues, and parents all over the world, establishing lifelong friendships, and helping shape future generations of leaders while always seeking to grow himself as well.
Jeff believes that people are the most important element of any organization or community, highly values interpersonal relationships, and lives by two quotes that drive him to this day: From the US Army — “Take care of your people and they will take care of you,” and from Civil Rights activist and poet Maya Angelou — “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
Elementary Academic
Director
B.A.: University of Colorado
MAT: Seattle University
Michelle Brennan brings 20 years of experience in education, along with a K–12 Principal Certification, a Master’s in Teaching, and a BA in English and Environmental Studies. Originally from Denver, Colorado, she spent the past nine years teaching and leading in Italy and is now excited to join the Hsinchu County American School community.
She believes learning is a creative, collaborative process best nurtured in inclusive, supportive environments where students feel empowered to take risks and explore new ideas. She draws on her experience with the International Baccalaureate (IB), International Primary Curriculum (IPC), Cambridge International Curriculum, and Common Core Standards, and she is deeply committed to fostering compassionate, globally-minded citizens. Trust, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to continuous improvement underpin Michelle’s leadership. She is dedicated to fostering student agency, supporting teacher development, and building a strong, reflective, and innovative school culture.
Beyond her professional life, Michelle enjoys music and dance, cooking, spending time in nature, practicing yoga, and exploring art and photography. Forever curious, Michelle embraces new experiences as opportunities for growth and inspiration.
Head of Department and Social Studies/Social Sciences Teacher
Mark Vickers is a high-school teacher of 3 years, and he hopes to help cultivate our school climate and culture of success as well as have a positive impact on the students. He joined HCAS after teaching 3 years as a business, economics, and PE teacher within a high school in Taiwan. He also has over 9 years of teaching ESL within Taiwan. Before Taiwan, Mark worked as a manager and coach at a university in the UK.
He received his bachelor’s degree in the UK from the University of Sunderland but received his master’s degree within Taiwan at MingHsin University.
Outside of work, Mark loves to play basketball and is an avid computer game player. One of his main passions is to travel, and he really enjoys traveling around the island of Taiwan on 2 wheels.
K-12 Curriculum Coordinator
Med.Ed: Unnversity of North Florida
Ph.D: University of Florida
Dr. Tia Kimball is a passionate educator, curriculum expert, and life-long learner from Jacksonville, Florida, who brings over 20 years of experience to her work in K–12 schools and educator preparation. She’s deeply committed to creating meaningful, engaging, and data-informed learning experiences that go beyond the basics; focusing on depth of knowledge, cross-curricular connections, and global perspectives that prepare students for the world beyond the classroom.
With a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Florida, Dr. Tia has led major initiatives to align instruction with national and state standards, develop vertically integrated curriculum frameworks, and support teachers through hands-on professional learning. Her work always centers students, making sure that classrooms are inclusive, language-rich, and grounded in research-based practices like the Science of Reading (UFLI) and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS).
Whether she’s coaching teachers, selecting high-quality instructional materials, or designing professional development, Tia leads with curiosity, collaboration, and a strong belief in the power of education to build community and opportunity for every learner.
Her passions beyond education include traveling, the arts, and exploring the beautiful places and people of this blue rock.
“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” – William Butler Yeats
Director of Student Affairs
M.S.: Bristol University
B.S.: National Changhua University of Education
Alicia Chuang is the Director of Student Affairs at HCAS. She was born in Taiwan but raised in Paraguay (South America), graduating from an American school. She then returned to Taiwan to pursue her dream as a teacher and entered into National Changhua University of Education. Alicia started her job as a teacher then she took some time off to do her master’s degree in TESOL from Bristol University (England). She has 15 years of teaching experiences plus administrative experiences in bilingual and private education systems.
Head of Department and English Teacher
B.A. Wilfred Laurier University
Dave Vaughan is a Canadian with experience teaching in Beijing, Taichung, and Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. He discovered the joy and value of teaching growing up in a largely connected extended family in small-town Ontario. Dave has shown great interest in developing his institution’s approach to international education, both through the organization of extracurricular activities (MUN conferences and Young Diplomats training) and curriculum flexibility (project-based learning courses and international learning projects). He enjoys hiking for the sake of feeding his need for adventure and exploration, while also contributing to a coalition of writers and activists online.
Information Services Director
Data Manager
Computer Science Department Chair
AP CS Teacher
Tech Coach
B.S.c.: University of Melbourne
David has been with HCAS since 2019 and has taught all levels of Computer Science. Originally from Melbourne, Australia where he studied Computer Science at The University of Melbourne, David has taught English in Korea and China, worked as an Analyst/Programmer, and as an FX trader. After visiting Taiwan in 2016 and falling in love with Isla Formosa, he made the move to Hsinchu and back to teaching.
Since joining HCAS, he has enjoyed sharing his knowledge of computers with all the inquisitive young minds here. In addition to teaching and solving technical issues, David has also been involved with the school tennis team, ran the first HCAS Hedge Fund, been Green Dragons House Leader, and, along with the MADD Department, started the HCAS Film Festival. He even wrote and directed two teachers movies (can be viewed on our school’s YouTube page). In his free time, he travels, trades, and explores more of Taiwan.
General Affairs Director
HDE: National Taichung College of Business
Nunu Sun serves as the Director of General Affairs at HCAS, a role integral to the seamless operation and administration of our school. With meticulous attention to detail and an unwavering commitment to excellence, she oversees the procurement of essential school supplies, ensuring that both educators and students have the resources they need to thrive.
Her responsibilities extend to managing school bus operations, coordinating schedules, and ensuring the safe and efficient transportation of our students. Additionally, she is responsible for overseeing monthly transaction costs, maintaining a keen eye on the financial aspects that contribute to the smooth running of the institution.
Nunu’s multifaceted role encompasses a variety of duties that are vital to the daily functionality and long-term success of HCAS. Her dedication and expertise help create an environment where education can flourish, allowing our school to operate with the utmost efficiency and effectiveness.
Student Support Team (SST) Coordinator
& Football Coach
B.S.: MacMurray College
M..Ed.: Westfield State College
M.A.: University of San Francisco
Advanced Grad. Cert.: Washington State University
Dave is originally from Philadelphia but has lived in western Massachusetts with his wife, Pam, while raising their 3 children, Devon, Kyle, and Cory, who are all married. His bachelor’s degree is in Physical Education, and he has a masters degrees in Special Education and Organization and Leadership. He also holds a graduate certificate in International School Leadership.
Teaching is only one of a number of professions he has had. He taught in the U.S., Morocco, Mongolia, Sudan, Zambia, and Vietnam. He enjoys adventures, being outdoors, a nice bottle of wine, and learning about different cultures and their languages.
Dave believes that all students have the ability to learn, that each one has special talents, and that collaboration with staff is critical for to optimize student learning.
EAL Teacher
PhD Language Education (English), Benguet State University
MA TESOL, Benguet State University
BA Secondary Education (English) Saint Louis University
Grace is thrilled to join HCAS as an EAL Teacher, bringing over a decade of international teaching experience. Her passion is to make a positive impact on her students and colleagues through the delivery of top-tier instruction and fostering a collaborative learning environment.
At the core of Grace’s teaching philosophy is the belief in continuous learning. She is dedicated to staying current with the latest educational practices to provide the best guidance to her students.
Beyond the classroom, Grace has a strong commitment to education. In her previous role as an Accreditation Coordinator and Professional Development Coordinator, she played a pivotal role in leading the school’s accreditation process and designing engaging professional development programs for faculty and staff.
English Teacher
MA: New York University
Gustavo is originally from New York City and has been teaching for over 14 years and is very excited to join the HCAS family. He has earned a degree in Classics, with a concentration on the Ancient Greek Novel and Pre-Socratic Philosophy, a Certificate of Music Performance, and most recently a Masters in Education from NYU.
In his years as an educator he has taught Latin, Ancient Greek, Spanish, and a variety of English courses, and has prepared all of his students to successfully sit for the NYS Regents Exam, Florida Statewide Assessment and AP Exams. His approach to education is to create a classroom environment that is student-centered, student-driven, and where everyone’s voice and opinions are heard and respected.
He believes in a restorative approach to education where positive relationships are built between all members of the classroom to ensure that everyone is working towards building a community of learners.
Mathematics Teacher
B.S.: National Tsing Hua University
M.A.: Penn State University
This is the 5th year since Lin joined HCAS in 2020. She has seven years of experience teaching middle and high school mathematics in international schools. She received her undergraduate degree from National Tsing Hua University, and her MS degree in Industrial Engineering from Pennsylvania State University.
She used to work as a software programmer in the United States for ten years before her career change. She finds the most fulfilling part of being a teacher is fostering curiosity and love of learning mathematics in her students.
Dr. Kashif Majeed is a dedicated and highly accomplished Pakistani-British Chemistry educator and researcher, holding a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry and possessing a robust foundation in both academic instruction and laboratory research. With over a decade of experience teaching at secondary and tertiary levels across China, Pakistan, and the UK, he has consistently delivered high-quality education in subjects including AP and A-Level Chemistry, Biology, and Biochemistry.
Dr. Majeed is widely published in reputable scientific journals and is recognized for his contributions to heterocyclic synthesis and green chemistry. A passionate advocate of curiosity-driven learning, he fosters meaningful student-teacher collaboration to cultivate dynamic, inquiry-based classrooms. His approach empowers students to express themselves, think critically, and take ownership of their learning journey.
His strengths lie in crafting inclusive, student-centered lessons that integrate diverse pedagogical strategies and in leveraging data-driven feedback to promote continuous academic growth. Through his professional demeanor, international teaching experience, and deep-rooted passion for science education, Dr. Majeed is committed to nurturing scientific literacy and inspiring a lasting love for both biology and chemistry in every learner he mentors.
Spanish Teacher
B.A.: Higher College University of Cundinamarca
M.A.: University of Wales
Trinity Saint David
Liliana Torres joined our school in 2021, and she is eager and enthusiastic to provide a creative environment for students to learn Spanish as a foreign language. She believes in motivating our students who will eventually make a positive change in the society
She holds a master’s degree in Marketing (University of Wales Trinity Saint David) and a Spanish teaching certificate (Nebrija University). She is currently pursuing her teaching licensing with Moreland University.
Liliana is devotedly loved by her two adorable Taiwanese dogs named Charles and Pickles.
EAL Teacher
B.A. Psy: St. Louis University
M.A. Edu: Cal State, San Bernardino
Mr. D is a certified teacher with a Master’s in Education from California State University, San Bernardino, and a BA in Psychology from St. Louis University. He also has CELTA and TESOL certificates. After 20 years of teaching, Mr. D still believes that the most important thing to inculcate in students is the value of life-long learning. His goal is to teach students to adopt a growth mindset, take risks, and always stay curious.
In his free time Mr. D likes to do all the nerdy stuff like read and write fiction, study film, D&D, board games, and play video games. He is also passionate about MTB and loves anything in the water – new goal: get into sea kayaking. Oh, and for about 20 weeks starting in August Mr. D becomes obsessed with Fantasy Football.
Go Cowboys!
Head of Department and Music Teacher
M.: University of Auckland
M.M.: Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover
D.M.A.: Hochschule für Musik Carl Maria von Weber Dresden
Dr. Afra Su grew up in Auckland, New Zealand, and has been passionate about music for as long as she can remember. She started to learn piano when she was 6 years old and, during her school years, she also learned violin, guitar, and voice across a variety of genres. She attended the University of Auckland for her Bachelor of Music with honors and went onto Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover for her Master and D.M.A in Hochschule für Musik Carl Maria von Weber Dresden. As a teacher at HCAS, her goal is to encourage students to appreciate music, master their own talents, and be creative! She tries to explore her students’ favorite genres and styles of music, helping them to create a passion for music, just as she has. She also enjoys traveling, hiking, and reading outside school.
Hermann Hesse is one of her favorite writers and once said, “Oh, music! A melody occurs to you; you sing it silently, inwardly only; you steep your being in it; it takes possession of all your strength and emotions, and during the time it lives in you, it effaces all that is fortuitous, evil, coarse, and sad in you; it brings the world into harmony with you, it makes burdens light and gives wings to depressed spirits.
主管特別助理
English PhD, Miami University, Ohio
English MA, Northwestern University
English BA, National Chengchi University
Diana在邁阿密大學獲得博士學位,專 攻美國文學、小 說、新聞和跨文化傳 播。她是持證英語教師,在大學作文 和文學、ESL/EML課程、TESOL 、 TEOIC 、TOEFL等方面擁有超過10 年 的教學經驗。她還在課程設計、項目 管理、語言諮詢、商業和英語方面擁 有豐富的專業知識。具備時事通訊寫 作、文件翻譯和分析等專業職場技能 。此外,她還擅長表達、演講和待人 接物的技巧。並且很容易與他人合作 ,作為領導團隊的核心成員。