HOW WE TEACH

Mrs. Connor graduated with a LLB (Hons) in Law in 2004 and graduated with a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in Primary Education (3–11) from Bradford University, UK. She has 15 years working in education both in the UK and internationally, having taught in the UK, Egypt, and China. 

Mrs. Connor works very closely with her teaching team to ensure that Léman students are inspired to act and to embed the Global Goals for Sustainable Development within the curriculum. She believes that teachers have a responsibility to create challenging and engaging learning environments, where children can thrive by becoming leaders of their own learning.

Sarah Donnelly is the Assistant Head of Secondary – DP, Whole School Teaching & Learning Lead, and English Language and Literature teacher at Léman International School Chengdu. With 22 years of teaching experience, including 13 years within the Nord Anglia Education network, Sarah brings extensive expertise in curriculum leadership, academic excellence, and student development.

She holds a Master’s degree in Philosophy and Education from Columbia University, a PGCE in Secondary English from the University of Hull, and a Bachelor’s degree in American Studies and English. An experienced IB educator, Sarah has completed advanced professional training in Extended Essay (EE), Theory of Knowledge (TOK), CAS, English Language and Literature, and Programme Coordination. She is also an IBDP English A Examiner, a Nord Anglia Regional Conference Workshop Leader, and has a proven track record of driving outstanding IBDP results. Passionate about learning, literature, and global education, Sarah is dedicated to helping students become confident, reflective, and successful lifelong learners.

Thomas has been a teacher of English Literature and Language, English Language Acquisition, and History for over a decade. His international experience includes working with the IB curriculum, the English National curriculum, Advanced Placement, ACT, IELTS, and TOEFL. He has held leadership positions such as IB Diploma Coordinator, EAL Coordinator, and Head of Modern Languages, and has taken on many other administrative duties supporting the senior leadership team. His pedagogical belief is that students should take ownership of their work wherever possible and make their studies relevant to their lives.

An adopted son of Chengdu, Thomas first visited the city in 2008 with the intention of staying for a single year teaching English, before returning to his native Yorkshire. Presently, Thomas finds himself still in Chengdu, married to a local woman, raising a small son, and paying off a mortgage. Having worked as a teacher in other cities in China and back in Europe, Thomas has no regrets about settling down in Sichuan; it’s the place he wants to be most, with its relaxed culture and spicy food.

Thomas’s passions are film, music, and food, and he occasionally finds time to go cycling and hiking in the mountains around Chengdu and beyond. He’s also a creative writer and harbours some vague notion that one of his short stories could eventually blossom into a commercially successful novel. Apart from that, he enjoys hanging out with family and friends.

Robert Dolan has a Bachelor of Arts in Drama from the University of Lincoln, UK, and a postgraduate certificate in Education from Bangor University, UK. Since gaining QTS and becoming a teacher, he has evolved continuously as he’s adapted to new children, schools, and challenges. 

Robert started his teaching career in Bolton, in Greater Manchester in the UK. Every class of children he worked with left a lasting impact on him, and he has learnt extensively from all his students. Robert has always sought to create a nurturing learning environment, where his students feel confident to explore new topics and are inspired to develop their knowledge. 

Most recently, Robert has been leading school projects and has developed his role as a senior leader. He has spent the last four years as the Assistant Head of Primary at the British School of Nanjing, where he has guided the school and staff through challenges and has provided the stability and reliability needed.

Tina joined LIS as the Human Resource Manager since 2009, overseeing HR, including recruiting, compensation, benefits, training, performance management, employee relations, and the coordination of government affairs. She’s passionate about education and believes good education will make a difference to children’s lives. She has been focusing on admissions, marketing, and governmental liaison since 2017, and she continues to contribute to the development of the school.