Hello, From Our New Teachers and Staff ！

We warmly welcome our new staff members for the 2025-2026 school year, celebrating their diverse cultural backgrounds as we come together to create a new home at CDIS. This week, our new teachers and staff share about where in the world they also call home and a bit about themselves to the CDIS community!

Alicia Barrette | 3rd Grade Teacher | USA
I really wanted to become a teacher after I did a short trip to India and I saw how much education can actually make a difference in the lives of students.

Joyce Hao | Learning Support | Shanghai
I'm so glad to have the opportunity supporting both students and teachers to grow while we're learning. I'm also hoping that I'll be able to crack some jokes and make things fun.

Holly Wilson | Secondary Math Teacher | Louisville, Kentucky & Oklahoma, USA
I am from Louisville, Kentucky. It's where my family is, but I also went to the university in Oklahoma, so I count both as home. But I'm actually coming from Xian China, where I've been teaching for the last four years. So this is my ninth year in China. A couple fun facts about me, I love building Legos and riding motorcycles.

Bruno Ferreira | Athletic Director ｜ Brazil
I have three kids and we are very sporty. So every time after my work hours, we love to do sports outside. So play football, basketball or ride a bike.

David Lingum | Secondary Social Studies ｜ New York & Florida, USA
I decided to become a teacher because mostly I struggled with English in high school and I wanted to help my students overcome that obstacle in order for them to be successful in whatever vocation they choose to accomplish. And if I'm just a part of that journey, planting that seed, that's my main goal for becoming a teacher. And I'm so glad to be a part of CDIS.

Francine Hamp | Secondary English Teacher ｜ Vancouver & Chengdu
I'm a new teacher at CDIS. I'm really excited to get to know my students. I'm from Vancouver Island, Canada, but I call Chengdu home because I've lived here for about 20 years. And something interesting is that my own two sons graduated from CDIS, and now I'm returning to be a teacher here.

Beulah Camain | Principal of Well-being ｜ Philippines
What got me into teaching is the fact that I'm an only child. And I feel like growing up in a very small family made me think that, you know what? If I would be working for a school, that would allow me to see more people, be with people, and maybe help people realize goals and maybe dreams. So that's the reason why I'm here. And I'm here to serve.

LaTonia Bougouneau | Secondary Principal ｜ New York & Georgia, USA
I'm excited because I am the Secondary Principal here at CDIS. One thing that I would love for everyone to know about me is, I love people, but more importantly, I love supporting teachers. When teachers have support, they are able to meet expectations. So I get excited about that. One fun fact about me is I love roller skating, so you may see me on a pair of skates if I can find a pair.

Feifei Lyu | Director of Marketing, Admissions and Communications｜ Wuxi, China
I have worked with Life Plus for over a decade. I'm so excited to join CDIS, get to know you and serve this amazing community. I'm fluent in both English and Chinese. I'm here to serve you. If you have anything need us or want to know more about the school, please feel free and welcome to contact us.

When you see us on campus, please remember to say hello! We are excited about what the 2025-2026 year will bring!