Our teaching staff comes from both China and overseas, bringing experience and diverse cultural backgrounds, which helps us provide a dynamic learning atmosphere. International teachers come from the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.

Teachers are supported by full time teaching assistants and professional psychological counselors, who assist them in teaching, teaching preparation and student supervision. In addition, we are setting up a Curriculum Development Department to study the latest teaching models and research the curriculum.


Director of Curriculum, English Coordinator Ashley Penny

Mr Penny received his bachelor degree from Deakin University, Australia and he has more than eighteen years' experience in teaching and school management. Mr Penny has worked in Australia, Nauru Island, United Kingdom, Indonesia and China. Holding the positions of Class Teacher, Maths Coordinator, Prep to Year 2 Coordinator, Reading Recovery Teacher, PYP Coordinator, and Deputy Principal, Mr Penny believes that all children deserve an education that caters for their individual learning needs and learning styles. Mr Penny joined YK Pao School in 2008.

Curriculum Coordinator, Chinese Coordinator Xiaobing Wang

Ms Wang Xiao Bing graduated from Shanghai International Studies University and she has 11 years' experience as a language teacher. Ms Wang has held positions as English teacher in a local Primary School and as a Chinese teacher in the Primary and Secondary sections of an international school. When that school applied for accreditation from the International Baccalaureate Organisation, Ms Wang was closely involved in the application process. Ms Wang served as a language teacher, coordinator of the MYP (International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program) and coordinator of the Creativity, Action, Service programme, helping prepare Junior Middle School students for the challenges of the Senior Middle School. Ms Wang was the first teacher appointed to YK Pao School. She has held positions here as class teacher and Chinese teacher, and she has also held administrative duties. She has actively participated in professional development concerning class management and streamed learning.

Maths Coordinator Fang Qi

Fang Qi is a recipient of the ‘Advanced Primary Teacher’ award and a graduate of East China Normal University, where she also completed classes from the Masters course in Educational Management. Fang Qi has 20 years of classroom experience teaching Primary mathematics. She is adept at developing students’ interest in Maths and Maths potential and has an excellent way with students. In the course of her work she has worked extensively in curriculum development and school management, allowing her to give her classroom teaching a wide perspective and fresh approach.  

Exploration Unit Coordinator Jennifer Wong Baines

Ms Wong Baines has over ten years of teaching experience in Science and Social Studies. She graduated from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Diploma in Education. She taught in Singapore and at the Shanghai Singapore International School before joining YK Pao School. She has experience in developing integrated programmes and is a firm believer in inquiry-based learning and teaching. Ms Wong Baines joined YK Pao School in 2007.

Exploration Unit Coordinator Yan Wang

Ms Wang received her bachelor degree from Biology Education, Mu Dan Jiang Normal University. As well as offering fifteen years of teaching experience, Ms Wang constantly works to develop her knowledge of pedagogical research. With experience of teaching in local and international schools and strong research skills, Ms Wang has won numerous national awards for her teaching. Ms Wang joined YK Pao School in 2007.

Art Coordinator Earl Tai, Ph.D.

Before joining YK Pao School, Dr Tai served as Acting Chair of the Department of Art and Design Studies at Parsons School for Design, New York. He holds a Masters in Architecture from Tulane University, a Masters from Harvard University, a graduate certificate from Cambridge University and a Ph.D. from Columbia University. He has received numerous academic and design awards including thesis awards from Harvard University and Tulane University and grants from the Fulbright Foundation, Harvard University, Columbia University, the New School, and the U.S. Department of Education. His scholarly specializations include cross-cultural design, education, and social ethics in design and art. Dr Tai joined YK Pao School in 2008.

Physical Education Coordinator Mr Michael Young

Mr Young graduated from Birmingham University and is a PE Teacher over twenty years’ experience.  He has taught in the UK, South America and Africa. He is qualified in Life Saving, First Aid, and holds coaching certificates in football, basketball, badminton, volleyball, hockey, skiing, rugby, outdoor pursuits and many minor sports. Mr Young has led expeditions to the Andes and to Mount Kenya and has organized school camps in many parts of the world for students of all ages. Mr Young joined YK Pao School in 2008.

Graham Topp: Director of Planning and Learning Technology

Graham Topp received a Bachelor’s Degree from St. Thomas University. He is Director of Planning and teacher (Secondary) in our school. He has worked as an administrator and teacher at the Chinese International School and Canadian Overseas Secondary School in Hong Kong. He has more than 20 years’ teaching experience. Graham joined YK Pao School in 2010.Graham will be teaching on the Changning Campus and the Songjiang Campus.

Steven Sweeting: Music Teacher, Head of Department

Steve is a jazz pianist and composer from New York who has taught music in Shanghai for the past five years. After graduating from Harvard College, Steve traveled the world performing as a solo pianist and studying percussion in Africa, South America and Asia. A veteran accompanist and coach of the New York cabaret and musical theater scenes, he currently runs a monthly concert series in Shanghai at twocities gallery which features singers. He collaborated on CDs with many local singers arranging and recording Chinese folk tunes and original songs. He also plays trumpet and trombone. His extensive teaching experience includes Harvard, the Shanghai Conservatory, the JZ Jazz School and also from Jan 2011, YK Pao School (where one of his sons is in Year 2). Steven will be teaching on the Changning Campus and the Songjiang Campus.

Music coordinator Jessica Chou

Ms Chou graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston, USA. She worked as a music teacher in Oundle School, UK, and Concordian International School, Thailand. As part of our extra-curricular programme, Ms Chou gives cello and piano lessons, is the director of our string orchestra and also runs the school English choir. Ms Chou joined YK Pao School in 2008.

Music coordinator Carol Zhang

In 2003, Ms Zhang received her bachelor degree as top of her class from the West China Normal University Academy of Music. She has received Orff and Montessori teaching training, which she applies in classroom teaching. Ms Zhang is committed to the study of primary school music. Many of her dissertations have won first or second prizes at municipal level. She has extensive experience in vocal teaching and piano and choir. She has also coached students to first prizes in municipal choral competitions and solo competitions. She enjoys playing a number of instruments including violin, Hulusi, guitar, Bau and other musical instruments. Ms Zhang runs the school Chinese choir and Piano Club Ms. Zhang joined YK Pao in 2007.