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Ms. Lindsay Stanford, Maryland, USA, has been named Grade 4 teacher beginning October 21, 2024. Her career in education began as an EFL teacher in Vietnam and South Korea. After several years, she returned to the USA to pursue a Master of Arts in TESOL, while also working as an assistant preschool teacher. This experience inspired her to explore student-centered educational approaches, leading her to complete Montessori teacher training after receiving her graduate degree. This newfound perspective fueled her passion for fostering independent learning and holistic development. In 2013, she returned to Asia, where she taught in China before returning to Vietnam in 2015. Since then, she has served as a primary teacher at another WASC accredited school in Ho Chi Minh City. During this time, she has honed her skills in supporting the needs of multicultural students and differentiating instruction for English Language Learners. Ms. Stanford’s strong educational background supports her commitment to fostering student success. Ms. Lindsay holds the following degrees and certifications: M. Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, Buena Vista University, Iowa, USA M. A. in TESOL, Southeast Missouri State University, Missouri, USA Early Childhood Teacher Credential, Northeast Montessori Institute, Maine, USA B. A. in Liberal Arts, Charter Oak State College, Connecticut, USA U.S. Teaching Licenses in Elementary (K-6) and ESL (K-12) Ms. Stanford incorporates her extensive background in student-centered learning into every lesson, striving to create an engaging and inclusive environment that nurtures the whole child. She enjoys spending her free time exploring Ho Chi Minh City with her husband, traveling to new destinations, cooking, and engaging in various outdoor activities. Ms. Stanford is excited for the opportunity to join the TAS team and looks forward to the challenges and rewards that await.

Mr. Christopher Goode, from Williamsburg, Virginia, USA, has been named Middle-High School English Language Arts Teacher and WASC Accreditation Coordinator at TAS. He has been working in education since 2013, during which time he has taught history, geography, math, science, and English language arts in �鶹ֱ�� Curriculum International Schools at the primary and secondary levels. Additionally, his experience includes serving as English Language Arts Department Head, chairing an action plan committee for student personal and academic support, and serving on four WASC Accreditation Visiting Committees. Mr. Goode holds a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Southeastern Oklahoma State University, a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Appalachian State University, Florida Professional Educator Certificates in Secondary English, K–12 Humanities, Secondary Mathematics, and K–6 Elementary Education, as well as a Postgraduate Teaching Certificate from the University of West Florida. Mr. Goode’s pedagogy is grounded in constructivist principles, building on students’ prior knowledge and experiences to develop critical thinking, media literacy, and effective communication. In his classroom, students become independent thinkers who can navigate ambiguity, engage meaningfully with diverse perspectives, and express their ideas with confidence and conviction in a complex and rapidly changing world.

Mr. April Al Ian Tii Jacob was named Middle-High School Drama Teacher beginning September 2021. He was born in Iligan City, Philippines where he started to be in the spotlight as a neophyte stage actor in 2012. He was an honor graduate at Mindanao State University- Iligan Institute of Technology for the degree in English Language with special awards in leadership, journalism and performing arts. As a theater actor, among the lead roles he played were Duke Orsino of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, Professor Henry Higgin’s of George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion, and Bato Lakungan of Dr. Steven Patrick Fernandez’s Ranaw: Isang Alamat—a musical play based on a Philippine Epic by the Integrated Performing Arts Guild. He has participated in an International Theater Workshop by Traditions and Editions Theater Circus (Singapore); Massive Open Online Course on Ambitious Teaching and Learning through MSU-IIT, Edx, and University of Michigan; National Youth Ambassadors Program for Peace, among other conferences and training. With the talented students at TAS, he has spearheaded the Mustangs’ Playhouse adaptation of the following productions: John Cariani’s Almost, Maine Clark Gesner and John Gordon’s ‘You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown’ Musical Moliere’s The Miser Edgar Allan Poe’s Tell Tale Heart (Speech Choir) The Lottery by Shirley Jackson (Chamber Theater) Tran Quang Quy’s The Shadow of Homeland (Speech Choir) Mr. Jacob holds the following degrees and certifications: Master of Management Major in Education Management (MMEM), Philippine Christian University Bachelor of Arts in English, Mindanao State University- Iligan Institute of Technology Professional Teacher License for Secondary English, Professional Regulation Commission (Philippines) Certificate in Teaching Dramatics and Stagecraft, MSU-IIT Center for Culture and Arts Studies 120-hour Advanced TESOL Certification, �鶹ֱ�� TESOL Institute Honor Graduate Eligibility, Civil Service Commission, Republic of the Philippines Being in the teaching profession for more than 8 years now, he is focused on developing the students’ perspective of the world in a holistic approach through the literatures of the world and theater arts.

Ms. Tam Ngo has been an Elementary Vietnamese Studies Teacher at TAS since March 2013. Initially starting as a Vietnamese Studies teacher and ESL Teacher Assistant. In 2017, she assumed the role of Vietnamese Department Head, overseeing the Vietnamese Studies curriculum and leading her team with vision and expertise. Throughout her professional career, prior to her tenure at TAS, she taught Vietnamese Studies and Vietnamese as a Second Language at Horizon International Bilingual School (HIBS) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Mr. Tam holds the following degrees and certifications: BA Elementary Education, Saigon University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) certificate Preschool principal certificate Special education certificate PYP Category 1 Certification 15+ years of teaching experience in Vietnam Ms. Tam Ngo’s approach to teaching is deeply rooted in her love for children and her profound belief in the transformative power of language. As a parent herself, she understands firsthand the importance of language and cultural preservation. She has a boy who holds dual nationality in Vietnam and Britain, currently studying at TAS. This personal experience reinforces her conviction that proficiency in one’s mother tongue is the cornerstone of linguistic and cultural exploration, empowering students to embrace diverse languages and cultures with confidence and curiosity. Her commitment to instilling a love for the Vietnamese language ensures that students carry the richness of their heritage wherever their educational journey takes them, whether studying abroad or residing internationally. As both a teacher and a parent, Ms. Tam Ngo is deeply passionate about inspiring her students at TAS to embrace and cherish their own home language and culture. She believes that fostering a love for one’s heritage language lays the foundation for curiosity and appreciation of other languages and cultures.

Ms. Stephanie Carlisle has been a Middle-High School English teacher at TAS from August 2023. A native of Seattle, WA, USA, Ms. Stephanie has eight years of experience teaching Secondary English in the States, here in Vietnam, and on a tiny island in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). Working with students in a variety of contexts—from a traditional college preparatory school to a special education school for quirky learners, and even to a school where the classrooms didn’t have solid walls—has helped her to develop a sense of curiosity and adaptability that she endeavors to bring into her instruction. Ms. Stephanie holds the following qualifications: Ed. from Boston College in Secondary English Education BA from Seattle University in Humanities for Teaching State of Massachusetts teaching license in Secondary English (8-12)

Ms. Mayra Rodríguez Cervera — Toluca, Mexico, has been named TAS Middle School and High School Spanish Studies Teacher beginning February 2020. In her professional career, Ms. Mayra has worked as a magazine editor, writer, proofreader, translator, copywriter and content creator. She has studied and worked in Mexico, Spain, Cuba, and Vietnam. Ms. Mayra has a passion for cultures and languages. She has been teaching a wide range of subjects in Vietnam for more than 5 years, from English as an Additional Language (EAL) in Grade 1, 2 and 3, IELTS preparation courses, to advanced Spanish for Business and Tourism. Before working at TAS, she used to work for recognized language centers in Ho Chi Minh city, travel agencies, as well as other international schools and universities in the city. Ms. Mayra has also been teaching Latin �鶹ֱ�� Literature and Culture and Society in Latin America at Vietnam’s National University, Ho Chi Minh City (USSH-HCM) since 2016. She deeply enjoys traveling and exploring new places. When she is not teaching, Ms. Mayra enjoys reading, taking photos, baking, making handcrafts and learning new languages. Ms. Mayra holds the following degrees and certifications: Master’s in Education with a focus on Teaching Multilingual Learners, Moreland University (in progress) Bachelor’s Degree in Latin �鶹ֱ�� Literature, Universidad Iberoamericana, Mexico. Postgraduate Studies in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM). Certificate of Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language, International House, Mexico. Washington DC Standard Teaching License in Spanish as a Second Language. AP Spanish Language and Culture certification course (College Board). Diploma of Cultural and Linguistic Mediation in Public Communication, Universidad de La Habana, Cuba.

TaShawndra Govan joined TAS as the Social Emotional Counselor for the 2025–2026 school year. She has been working with students since 2006—first as a middle school English teacher, and since 2013 as a school counselor. A proud Texas native, TaShawndra has spent the past decade living and working internationally in China, Turkey, the Republic of Congo, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. As a licensed mental health therapist, she has operated her own private practice and partnered with a Germany-based company to support students' well-being around the world. She draws on a variety of therapeutic approaches to meet each student’s unique needs. TaShawndra holds a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Georgia State University, a Bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Psychology from the University of Texas at San Antonio, and is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Outside of school, you’ll often find her in the gym, traveling, thrifting, or chasing after her energetic 1-year-old daughter.