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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.
With roots in Sunderland, United Kingdom, John holds a Bachelor of Law degree from Durham University. Driven by a passion for education, he transitioned into teaching and has spent over 15 years as an IB educator. In 2014, he completed a Master’s in Education at Sheffield Hallam University, focusing his research on the challenges students face in becoming self-regulated learners. John is also a certified Concept-Based Curriculum Instructor and Trainer.
Throughout his career, John has worked in IB World Schools across Malaysia. In 2024, he joined Boston International School as Head of Department for Individuals and Societies. He has taught across all stages of the IB Continuum and held several leadership roles. An active contributor to the IB community, John co-presented his ATL Skills Framework at the IB Global Conference in Singapore and received an International Schools Award for Teaching and Learning in 2021, hosted by ISC Research. He also produced an acclaimed eight-episode podcast series on ATL Skills with the IB Matters Podcast. Additionally, John has contributed to curriculum development as a member of the Building Quality Curriculum team and serves as an MYP Examiner for Individuals and Societies.
John is passionate about empowering both students and educators through continuous professional development. He believes that the most meaningful impact a leader can make is by fostering a culture of lifelong learning and reflective practice. In his classroom, John embraces a student-centered approach, aiming to build resilience, perseverance, and a growth mindset in every learner. Outside of his professional role, John is also a proud parent of a son in EY2 who is flourishing in a play-based environment.
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.
Mark Krabousanos, the PYP Coordinator at Boston International School, is originally from Tennessee in the United States. He has spent the past 20 years living and teaching abroad, working exclusively within the International Baccalaureate framework—specifically the Primary Years Programme (PYP). During this time, he has served in a wide range of international schools
—large, small, and medium-sized—each offering unique perspectives that have enriched his professional journey and deepened his commitment to international-mindedness and inquiry-based learning.
Mark believes that students should be active participants in their learning and should be given opportunities to make choices about how they engage with content. Learning in a PYP classroom is designed to be relevant, engaging, significant, and challenging. It should connect to students’ everyday lives through ongoing reflection, and incorporate current events from both local and global
contexts, and provide entry points for all learners through appropriate support and extension scaffolds. The goal is to create an inclusive learning environment where every student can grow, explore, and thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
As a leader, Mark emphasizes balance and support. He encourages colleagues to take risks and views mistakes as valuable opportunities for growth. His leadership philosophy is captured by the acronym TEAM: T stands for trust, the foundation of all effective collaboration; E is for empathy, essential for understanding others in times of challenge; A represents accountability, a reminder that others rely on our contributions; and M stands for movement, the ongoing progress that sustains motivation and momentum. These principles underpin a leadership style that is inclusive, reflective, and forward-thinking.
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.
Jonathan Harris is a passionate, energetic, and dedicated educator with over 17 years of teaching and leadership experience. His dynamic approach and optimistic attitude are key components of his leadership style, which emphasises collaboration, creativity, and open communication. Jonathan believes that effective educators model resilience, determination, and a positive mindset for both their students and colleagues. These values have guided his journey through classrooms and leadership roles around the globe.
Originally from London, UK, Jonathan has worked in various international contexts, including Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and China. He holds a BA (Hons) in Psychology and French, a PGCE with QTS in Primary Education, and a Master’s in Education. He is a certified IB Programme Leader, IB Workshop Leader, WASC School Evaluator, and Positive Discipline Educator.
Jonathan has taught and held leadership roles across various schools in Bristol (UK), Paris, Panama City, Dubai, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Guangzhou. His positions have included Deputy Head of Primary, PYP Coordinator, middle school French teacher, and subject coordination roles in English, maths, and PE. He has played an integral role in school inspections, accreditation and authorisation processes, crafting professional learning communities and creating inclusive, inquiry-based environments that empower both students and educators.
With a strong background in curriculum development, change management, and teacher mentorship, Jonathan has played a pivotal role in strategic planning, curriculum alignment, and fostering a culture of innovation and inquiry. His leadership has been key in implementing student-centred approaches, professional learning initiatives, and data-driven decision-making to enhance student outcomes.
Throughout his career, Jonathan has been inspired by the positive influence of international education and is deeply committed to fostering compassionate, collaborative school cultures. He describes his leadership style as collaborative, transformative, and supportive.
Outside of work, Jonathan enjoys spending time with his family, boxing, hiking, snowboarding, Latin dance, cooking, and travelling. He is excited to explore new opportunities in Wuxi and looks forward to joining the Boston International School community as the new Head of Primary.
- 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.