Who We Are

Samakee Teachers

Monica Sudhirak

Headteacher

I am very proud to have been the headteacher at St Andrews International School Samakee since our opening in 2000 and delighted that Samakee is recognised for the wonderful standard of inclusive education we provide.  

Samakee has been awarded gold accreditation status during four consecutive inspections, 2012,  2015, 2018 and the last in May 2023. OUTSTANDING in all areas awarded by EDT and BSO is a fantastic achievement and could not have been accomplished without our school community’s strong support and commitment.  

In my 40 plus years in teaching, I have worked as a headteacher at four different schools and was head of Bangkok Patana’s Early Years Unit for many years and the founding head of the first St Andrews School in Thailand. After graduating from Brighton University in the U.K., I have specialised in early years education and, in particular, recognise the importance of play as a context for young children’s learning. I have also been a speaker and workshop presenter for the Thai Schools of Excellence Programme and involved in curriculum development and teacher training in Thai Schools. 
You can contact me at: msudhirak@standrews-samakee.com

– Monica Sudhirak

Our Teachers

First School Teachers

Ms Tabietha

Ms Tabietha

EYFS Phase Leader and Nursery / Kindergarten Class Teacher

I was born in America and moved to Thailand when I was young. I have always wanted to be a teacher, helping my Mother in her class, preparing resources and playing with the children every holiday. When the time was right, I decided to pursue my dream and completed my teaching degree in the UK. I came back to Thailand and worked in the St Andrews Group of schools for a few years before returning to the UK to complete my Master’s Degree in Special Educational Needs. I worked as a special educational needs teacher, supporting children individually both in class and in one-to-one sessions for a couple of years before moving to St Andrews Samakee. 

I believe that children have a desire to learn with a natural curiosity and that as practitioners, we need to provide opportunities for our children to discover the wonders around them; the opportunity to explore, experiment, solve problems and find out more about themselves, other people and the world around them. I am so lucky to have a great team of people working with me to make Samakee the best it can be.

Ms Fran

Ms Fran

Reception Class Teacher

I graduated with a PGCE from the University of Hull, with a specialism in Early Years education. I have been teaching in Early years for 10 years, firstly for 5 years in London, UK and then for 5 years at St Andrews Samakee. I am very happy to be a part of the strong Early Years Team. At Samakee I am always challenged to look at new research, books and articles which constantly change how I approach my teaching practice. I am looking forward to another exciting year of teaching and learning at Samakee!

Ms Alice

Ms Alice

Year 1 Class Teacher

I graduated from Cambridge University with a Postgraduate Certificate of Education in 2009 and Completed my Master of Education also at Cambridge in 2012. I have over 9 years’ experience teaching in three London schools and recently moved to Thailand with my husband and three young children in September 2020. I am proud to be a part of the inspirational EYFS team at St Andrews Samakee where each child is nurtured as individuals and where learning is a meaningful and exciting experience. 

Ms Josey

Ms Josey

Year 2 Class Teacher

I grew up in England, in rural Lincolnshire, and moved to London after completing my degree in Textile Design at Nottingham Trent University. After freelancing and teaching embroidery classes, I found my passion for teaching. I am now in my sixth year as an educator and I have worked in London for three years, Mexico for two years, and I am now in my first year of teaching at Samakee. I am excited to be part of the middle school team and I am currently teaching Year 2. I have enjoyed every moment of teaching here and I am overjoyed to be working at a caring school that has an amazing natural environment, where children feel safe and happy. In my spare time, I love to explore new places, try new food, visit galleries, and stay active.

Middle School Teachers

Ms Michelle

Ms Michelle

Year 3 Class Teacher

I grew up in Vietnam until I moved to a city in the UK called Bath to study. Since then, I have worked in Tokyo, Hong Kong and most recently, London, where I have just completed my teacher training year. I absolutely love exploring new cities, making new friends and learning about new cultures. Coupled with my passion for teaching and working with children, I cannot wait to start living in Thailand and teaching at St. Andrews Samakee! 

In my spare time I enjoy going to amusement parks where my favourite part is going on scary rides. When I lived in Hong Kong, I often went hiking, kayaking and swimming to stay active. I also find learning new languages a fun challenge. I can speak Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Japanese and French (though all at different fluencies!)

Ms Hannah

Ms Hannah

Middle School Phase Leader and Year 4 Class Teacher

Hi, I’m Hannah Ridd, the Middle School Phase Leader and Y4/5 Class Teacher. In 2014, I graduated from the University of Cumbria with a degree in Primary and Physical Education. I started my teaching career in Manchester, where I taught for four years, and then for one year at a school in the USA. I have been teaching in Thailand since August 2019 and love working at Samakee. We are a caring community where children flourish. In my classroom, I enjoy bringing the curriculum to life in a safe, creative and purposeful environment so that children feel valued and inspired.

in my spare time, I enjoy playing sports – I currently play for a netball team in Bangkok. I love travelling and taking photos along the way.

Specialist Teachers

Ms Nicky

Ms Nicky

Upper School Phase Leader and PE, Swimming and History

Hi, I’m Nicky Page, the Upper School Phase leader. I graduated from Cheltenham & Gloucester College of Higher Education and taught for 10 years in the UK before moving to Thailand. I have been at Samakee for 7 years and teach PE and Swimming across the full age range as well as History to KS3. It has been exciting to be a part of the school’s journey, now well into its 21st year and accredited as outstanding. I love the reflective and forward-thinking nature of this small school that never stands still in trying to give the children the best start in their educational journey.

Mr Simon

Mr Simon

Physical Education Teacher

I have been very fortunate to live and work in various countries and cultures around the globe.

Having graduated from Exeter University with a PE KS2/3 PGCE I taught in the UK, Leeds. From there, I went to teach in Athens who was holding the Olympic games at the time, then to Kuala Lumpur. As well as PE, I have also taught Geography and primary school classes from ages 3-11 and Secondary school including GCSE. After Malaysia I went to teach in Cairo, Egypt during interesting times then in Shenzhen, China before here!

From different schools, I have had the experience and qualifications of different curriculums from the UK National Curriculum, IPC, PYP, MYP, IB, CAS.

I have enjoyed teaching whole school PE at St Andrews Samakee and look forward to developing students sports, physical education and healthy lifestyles.

Mr Kieran

Mr Kieran

Upper School English and Form Tutor

After completing my Bachelor Degree, PGCE and Masters degree at The University of the West of England, I taught in UK schools for 8 years. It was at this point that I was lucky enough to move to Thailand and start my career at St. Andrews-Samakee. Our Upper School students are fantastic, and I am very lucky to be teaching them English on a daily basis. I love sharing my passion for language and literature. I am also thoroughly enjoying my role as Shakespeare House tutor. It has been great to see the Samakee community and the school develop. I am very excited to be a part of the school’s future.
Ms Alice R

Ms Alice R

Spanish Teacher and Form Tutor

I graduated from the University of Wales, Swansea with a German and Spanish degree in 2009. I have been teaching in Thailand for six years, previously I taught in Germany and Vietnam. I am fortunate enough to work with the majority of the students across the school aged 5-13. It has been exciting to see the World Languages programme develop over the past 6 years and I am particularly thrilled to have been part of the introduction of Spanish to the school.
Mr Martyn

Mr Martyn

Upper School Science Teacher

I am the science specialist at St Andrews Samakee, teaching the three core sciences to our upper school students. I am originally from Liverpool in the United Kingdom and have been teaching for about nine years. I I hold a Bachelor’s degree in the Biological Sciences (from the University of Wales at Bangor) a Masters Degree in Education, and completed Qualified Teacher Status with the University of Buckingham.

I was originally recruited from teaching in the UK, but also have international teaching experience, including several successful years teaching IBDP Biology at an international school in Bangkok. My mission is to create young scientists, who appreciate how the scientific method is used to evaluate objective truth, and understand why evidence-based science is important in our daily lives.

Mr Simon

Mr Simon

Computer Science Teacher

With close to two decades under my belt as an educator, I’m thrilled to continue my journey at the Outstanding St Andrew’s Samakee. Earning my PGCE from Leeds University and working as a middle and senior leader in three secondary schools across the UK has given me a front-row seat to the amazing things that happen when we connect with our students and spark their passion for learning.

Throughout my teaching career, I’ve made it my mission to create a classroom culture that’s both warm and enthusiastic, where students feel comfortable exploring their intellectual curiosity and pushing themselves to reach their full potential. I believe that fostering a supportive and inclusive environment is key to nurturing self-motivated computer scientists who have the skills and confidence to thrive in our increasingly interconnected world.

I’m proud to be part of the vibrant and supportive community at St Andrews Samakee, where diversity is celebrated and every student feels valued and respected. I’m excited to continue my commitment to creating a succinct digital learning journey that empowers students to become self-motivated and responsible digital citizens, ready to make a positive impact on the world around them.

Ms Sally

Ms Sally

Art & Design Technology Teacher

In 2002, I completed my undergraduate studies at Derby University, earning a First-Class BA Hons degree in Textiles Design. Subsequently, I pursued my PGCE at Leeds University and have been dedicated to the field of teaching ever since. Over the past two decades, I have taken on leadership roles in Design & Technology within a UK school, concurrently instructing Art up to GCSE level. This experience has equipped me with extensive knowledge in delivering top-notch lessons that captivate students’ interest.

Throughout my career, I have been committed to motivating students to achieve their utmost potential by establishing high expectations and fostering a conducive learning environment, resulting in the success of every child. My teaching approach revolves around cultivating a creative, safe, and welcoming atmosphere in the classroom, leading to a positive and enjoyable learning experience for students.

Being part of the Samakee family is a privilege I deeply appreciate. St Andrews, with its unique focus on students and inclusive ethos, excites me. I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to engage students in the Arts within this vibrant educational community.

Ms Sophie

Ms Sophie

Maths Teacher

I graduated from The University of Nottingham with both my undergraduate and Masters degrees in Pharmacy. I then worked as a clinical pharmacist for 9 years in UK hospitals and studied at post-graduate level in hospital pharmacy. It was when I began lecturing at Nottingham University, teaching prescribing to medical and pharmacy students, that I found my passion for teaching.
Upon moving to Cambodia with my husband and kids, I decided to retrain as a teacher and undertook my PGCE via the University of Derby. I worked for 3 years in an international school in Cambodia teaching maths before moving to Samakee. I am so glad to be part of this nurturing, happy and inspiring community. I have a drive to unlock the mathematician within every child and am focused on using the latest research findings in maths education to transform the way that students see and learn mathematics – which is actually a beautiful and creative subject!

Ms Alyssa

Ms Alyssa

Inclusion Leader

I graduated from the University of Plymouth in 2014 after completing a 4 year Bachelor of Education degree. After teaching for 3 years in the city of Bristol, my passion for travel brought me to Thailand where I was offered the exciting opportunity to join Samakee! I have so far loved every minute and I feel very lucky to be part of providing the children in our care with a child centred, unique curriculum. I currently teach Year 2 but throughout my career, I have taught across both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.  

Outside of school, I enjoy horse riding and photography, alongside travelling to new places and learning about new cultures.

Ms Najwa

Ms Najwa

Inclusion Teacher

With a Master of Arts in Teaching – Special Education, I serve as an Inclusion Specialist committed to creating a classroom environment that honours each student’s unique learning journey. I work closely with learning support specialists, educators, and families to develop inclusive strategies that empower every student. My practice is rooted in a blend of evidence-based methods and a deep commitment to educational equity. Together, we strive to build a supportive and dynamic learning community where all students can flourish academically and personally.

Ms Zukhra

Ms Zukhra

Music Teacher

I graduated from the Dagestan State University of Pedagogical study in  Russia, with a Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood and as a Music specialist. I have been living in Thailand since 2002 and have been teaching at St. Andrews Samakee from 2008. Throughout my teaching journey, I have been fortunate enough to share my passion for music with children of all ages. I love being part of the teaching team at Samakee, where children are happy and free to artistically express themselves in a safe and caring environment.

Ms Dontra

Ms Dontra

Music Teacher

My name is Dontra Kunkhetpai and I am the new Music teacher, teaching Year 5 all the way up to Year 9. I love everything about music; listening, practicing, playing or teaching- I love it all. I play Saxophone. The Baritone Saxophone is my favorite. Its low voice soothes me somehow. I also play Piano, and I love singing too!

As well as enjoying playing these instruments as a musician, I have enjoyed working with young musicians of all ages. I really love to see my students help each other and make music together. I’m thrilled to meet and work with students at St. Andrews Samakee. I’m sure that I will have a good time here.

Khun Gig

Khun Gig

Middle School Thai Teacher

I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education majoring Thai Language and Social Studies with 1st class honours from Chulalongkorn University. I was a student teacher at Chulalongkorn University Demonstration School and Kasetsart University Laboratory School. I am currently a Thai teacher at St.Andrews Samakee and have been teaching here more than ten years. I truly believe that children can learn best when their brain is ready to learn; therefore in my Thai class, students will learn through many activities and enjoy the lessons so they are able to learn many new things about Thai language and culture. I am waiting to see you and have fun in Thai class!

Khun Jip

Khun Jip

Upper School Thai Teacher

I graduated from Chulalongkorn University with 1st Class Honors and Bachelor Degree in Education and a Master of Business Administration Degree from the University of Asian Institute of Technology (AIT).  I have been teaching Thai language and Thai culture for over 20 years, working with students of different age groups and teaching a wide range of curriculum. I am happy to play a part in allowing students to explore and embrace the country they are living in. My main mission is to build a strong foundation for the students in every aspect of the Thai language, including reading, writing, listening and speaking. Moreover, to make learning Thai more enjoyable and interesting.

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