Library Catalog
English 
简体中文 
400-032-8000
Email: admissions@bostonis.org
Boston International School
9 Jinghui West Road New District, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
Senior Executive Team
Cindy Qin
Head of HR (HQ)
Dolphin Tao
Admissions & Marketing Director
Rebecca Zhang
Finance Director
Alex Zhang
IT Director
Tony Qian
Project Director
Brian Rotunno is now in his fourth year at Boston International School. He served for one year as Principal of the Primary and Early Years and two years as the Academic Principal over the whole school.
Brian has a Masters Degree in Educational Policy from the University of Illinois and a Masters Degree in Educational Administration from the University of North Texas. Previously, he taught English at the middle school and high school levels. Before coming to Boston, he worked as a District IB coordinator where he oversaw the IB program in Texas, USA. During this time, he grew the program from one school to nine schools over three years. He has worked with parents, community members, principals, coordinators, and teachers around a variety of different educational topics.
His wife, Mary, is a teacher at BIS, and his three children also attend the school. He considers BIS to be like family and has plans to remain in the area for the long term.
Born and educated in the U.K., I have been teaching for 24 years and have a background in foreign languages (German and Russian), English Language and Literature, Applied Linguistics, and Educational Leadership.
I have taught most of my career overseas in British and IB Secondary schools, teaching in England, The Canary Islands, Russia, Bulgaria, Greece, Kazakhstan, and Saudi Arabia. My first post was as a teaching assistant in Austria while completing my undergraduate degree at The University of Aberdeen, Scotland. I have always been fascinated by different languages and cultures and how we acquire language. It gives me great pleasure to teach my native tongue and share my love of literary genres, such as poetry and drama, constantly developing thinking around big ideas. As well as reading, I enjoy singing in choirs, going on long walks, and cooking. My family and I are excited to be moving to China, and I look forward to meeting you!
Carlos Arboleda celebrates 20 years in education! He was born in Carolina, Puerto Rico, USA and when he was young his family moved to the expansive and beautiful Arizona desert in the United States. His wife Kerina is also an educator. They have lived in China with their four children now for more than ten years consider it their new home.
Carlos graduated from the University of Redlands in Southern California with a bachelor’s degree in integrated studies in storytelling and literacy and again with a master’s in education counseling. His inspirations for entering the field of education have been the dedicated teachers in his life, his high school counselor, college professors, and a drive to honor the life changing service they provided. He has a passion for innovative and inclusive education, wellbeing of families, and contributing to vibrant academic communities. His personal hobbies include taijiquan, music production, and of course, working with students to realize their potential as contributors to an advancing global society.
Jerica Claassen, the PYP Coordinator at Boston International School, hails from South Africa. She holds two bachelor degrees; one in Education and one in Law and is currently in the process of attaining a Master degree in both of them as well.
Jerica has vast teaching experiencing across different continents and with a variety of different types of curriculums. She began her teaching career in South Africa, trying her hand in many different grades utilizing the CAPs curriculum. She then moved onto the middle east where she adapted to the British curriculum and then China, where her focus and passion settled onto the IB curriculum.
Once Jerica embraced IB, she knew she had found a home for all of her educational beliefs. IB curriculum, holistic child development, and driving towards high academic standards align with the core of her pedagogical philosophy of education.
Jerica strives for a balanced and fair leadership style that is collaborative and inclusive, yet always holds the students at the core of all her decisions. Assuring that high quality academics and transdisciplinary social development are happening across every spectrum of the PYP from core classes, to specialist classes to school activities, Jerica is a driving force of growth at Boston International. However, behind all of that passion and discipline, focus and drive, Jerica always makes the time for a smile or kind word or an impromptu stop in to visit students, after all, everything she does is for the betterment of the students, the teachers and the entire community at Boston.
Originally from the Midwest USA, Lucas Pfaffenroth obtained his Bachelor degree in English from Concordia University Wisconsin in 2011, and his Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics (TESOL) from the University of Massachusetts Boston in 2018. He has been teaching in China for over ten years and moved to Wuxi with his wife Jennifer in early 2022.
Lucas has taught students of all age groups from two years old to postgraduate adults but has spent the majority of his career working with preschool and kindergarten aged children as both a homeroom teacher and coordinator. He has taught in IB, Reggio and inquiry-based schools since 2017 and is a strong proponent of organic, integrated and student-centered curriculum. He believes that the best curriculum and teaching methods are those that are most well adapted to the individual community, school and student needs.
In addition to teaching, Lucas is a fervent student himself and is always on the hunt for new knowledge and skills. He is fluent in Chinese and is currently learning Korean. In his spare time he enjoys reading, volunteering, running and fitness activities.
Matthew is from Worksop, Nottinghamshire (the land of Robin Hood) in the United Kingdom. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree (with Honors) in Chemistry, from the University of Sheffield, UK. Deciding to embark on a career as a Secondary School Science teacher, Matthew earned a Post Graduate Certificate (with Qualified Teacher Status) in 2001. He also has a Post Graduate Diploma in Educational Leadership, from Manchester Metropolitan University. In line with our ethos of lifelong learning, Matthew is currently pursuing a Master’s degree and is expecting to complete that within the next 12 months.
Matthew has been a teacher for 20 years. He has worked in two state Secondary Schools in the UK and International Schools in Dubai (UAE), Hanoi (Vietnam) and now in Wuxi. During his professional teaching career, Matthew has been a Science teacher, Head of 2 large Science Departments and a UK government recognized Learning Coach (helping to professionally develop newly qualified teachers to meet national standards and practices).
He has vast experience in teaching middle school Science, IGCSE Sciences, A-levels and IB Diploma Sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) as well as Theory of Knowledge. In addition to teaching, Matthew has been the IB Diploma Coordinator at Boston International School since 2018. Matthew is student-centered and enthusiastic in his approach to teaching and learning and is a strong advocate for holistic student development through the IB Approaches to Learning. Matthew has a daughter in Grade 4 who very much enjoys attending Boston International School.
With two master's degrees, one in Law from China and another in Education Administration and Leadership from Canada, Jane Yu, our Chinese Principal brings a wealth of knowledge and a breadth of experience to her role. Ms. Yu firmly believes in holistic education, recognizing that every student possesses unique talents and potential. She champions an inclusive approach that nurtures not only academic excellence but also the development of character, creativity, critical thinking, and social skills.
It is believed that education is a shared responsibility between students, parents, teachers, and the community. Thus, Ms. Yu is committed to fostering strong partnerships with all stakeholders, recognizing that collaboration and open communication are key to creating a supportive and enriching educational ecosystem. By working together, BIS will create a learning environment that nurtures the growth, well-being, and success of every student.
- Experienced IB educator and leader with over 29 years’experience
- IBEN workshop leader and conference presenter in the Asia-Pacific region
- Expertise in curriculum implementation, development, and review
- Extensive leading experience in Whole-School IBAccreditation
Biography
Renee Rehfeldt, an experienced international educator and administrator, is dedicated to supporting students and adults alike. With a passion for learning and a genuine commitment to nurturing learners, Renee finds joy in leading and collaborating with teachers and students as they navigate their educational journey. At the heart of her philosophy lies the belief that "it takes a village (to raise a child)." Recognizing the importance of teamwork, she places great emphasis on providing support to our teams, as it is crucial in building and empowering a strong school community.
Renee holds a Master's Degree in Education and diverse post-graduate coursework. She is a trained IB Educator, Principals Training Center graduate, and has presented workshops in the Asia-Pacific region. In the classroom, Renee teaches a variety of subjects, including Spanish, Social Studies, and English Language Arts, to students of all ages. As a leader, she is dedicated to faculty and staff development, curriculum design and delivery, and fostering a culture of learning for all within the school community.
Her career began in the US and she moved to China to expand her opportunities. Since then, she has found a sense of belonging among a diverse community of international and national educators in the US, China, and Japan. In her spare time, you will find her relaxing with her cats and a good movie or book. Enjoying a tasty dinner with friends or a fun game night are also perfect ways to unwind.
- Seasoned educator with over 14 years of experience and a passion for educational leadership
- Proficient in various administrative roles, taking a holistic approach to school management
- Committed to promoting curriculum implementation and fostering student well-being within the school community
- Significant experience in leading the WASC Accreditation process
Biography
Mr. Lafe Conger, a native of Kennesaw, Georgia, U.S.A., brings a wealth of qualifications and experience to his role. He holds a Master's degree in Educational Leadership, a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, and IB certifications for Head of School and Leading the Learning. Additionally, he possesses certifications in School Management and Leadership, Digital Media/Technology in Education, and College Academic Counseling.
With 14 years of experience in the education field, Mr. Conger has demonstrated his versatility by assuming various roles within the IB system. These roles include ES Assistant Principal, PYP Coordinator, MSHS Dean of Students, EY Campus Head, and other cross-divisional responsibilities. His extensive experience has provided him with a comprehensive understanding of the diverse roles and responsibilities within a school setting.
Accompanying Mr. Conger to Wuxi are his partner, Mrs. Stephanie Keller, and their beloved dog, Griz. Having previously lived in China, they are excited to return and contribute their expertise to the BIS Team. Outside of work, Mr. Conger enjoys activities such as golf, exercise, watching movies, and following sports.
- An experienced early childhood educator with more than 13 years of experience, including 6 years in the role of EY Principal
- Demonstrated expertise in curriculum development, ensuring the delivery of high-quality educational programs
- Experienced trainer and conference presenter, sharing knowledge and best practices with fellow educators
- Proven track record in leading the IB Accreditation process, ensuring adherence to rigorous standards and promoting excellence in education
Biography
JoAnna Marx-Talarczyk is an accomplished early childhood educator with over 13 years of experience in the field, including 6 years in various leadership roles. Her unwavering passion for early childhood education fuels her commitment to creating meaningful and impactful learning experiences for young children.
With a Master's degree in Education, she has developed a strong foundation in educational theories and practices. Her expertise lies in curriculum development, particularly through the IB-PYP framework. She has pride herself on creating engaging and enriching learning experiences that cater to the unique needs of each child.
Throughout her years in the classroom and in leadership, she has become well-versed in inquiry-based learning, as she believes it fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills from an early age. Seeing children explore, question and discover their world is incredibly rewarding to her.
Over the course of her career, she has worked in local, bilingual and international settings, gaining valuable experience. From her leadership roles to collaborating with fellow educators, she has always prioritized creating a nurturing and inclusive environment where children can thrive.