教育團隊

Ms. Burden is entering her ninth year at HAS and is excited to continue being part of such a vibrant school community. As Vice Principal, she also teaches Earth Science, Life Science, and Sport, Exercise and Health Science. Additionally, she serves as the WASC Coordinator, Middle School Student Council advisor, and 7th grade academic advisor.

Originally from South Africa, Ms. Burden holds a bachelor’s in Human Movement Science and Recreation from North-West University, a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from the University of South Africa, and a Master’s in Education from The College of New Jersey.

Ms. Burden loves inspiring students to explore and stay curious about the world. Outside the classroom, she enjoys spending time outdoors, relaxing at the beach, and discovering new adventures.

Mr. Bangs is delighted to be at HAS for a second year this year. He will be teaching 6th World History, US History, Journalism, Introduction to Literature, and Introduction to Writing. He also will be advising Model UN, Camping Club, and Homework Club for this 2025-2026 school year.

Mr. Bangs is from Milwaukee, USA and graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a Bachelor's in History and a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction. He has also earned his teaching license from the State of Wisconsin in four subject areas. He previously taught in Taiwan from 2018-2022 and is delighted to be back. When not teaching, he enjoys hiking, photography, and spending time with his rabbits. 

Mr. Bangs is thrilled to be back for another fantastic year with the HAS students and community!

Mrs. Ferris will be entering her fifth year at HAS. Last year, she led the elementary Wolf Pen Club (Journalism Club). This year, she will continue teaching 5th grade and will run both the elementary Debate Club and Story Club. Over the summer, she chaperoned the Global World Scholar’s Cup event in South Korea, which inspired her to launch these new clubs. She is excited for the 2025–2026 school year ahead.

Mrs. Ferris is originally from Seattle, USA, and graduated from Washington State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a minor in Criminal Justice. Her teaching journey began in South Korea in 2011, and she has spent the past 11 years teaching in Taiwan alongside her husband. She earned her teaching certification in Upper Elementary Language Arts through Moreland University. In her free time, she enjoys being a mom, watching crime shows, reading, playing board games, and traveling.

Mr. Ferris is excited to return to HAS for his fifth year. This year, he will be teaching Introduction to Business, AP Physics 1, Business Math, and AP Economics. In addition, he will be serving as Math/Science chair, managing the student store, and coaching the volleyball team. Overall, he has 11 years of experience teaching and traveling in Asia, but has spent the majority of his time overseas in Taiwan.

Mr. Ferris was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio and received a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology and Economics from The Ohio State University. He loves learning new things, playing competitive games and sports, and taking care of his amazing daughter and wife. 

Mr. Boas is elated to be entering his second year as the music teacher at HAS. He will be teaching all Elementary and Middle School music classes, as well as the Music of Video Game, 20th-Century Music, and Band classes for High School. With the belief that music is a multifaceted art, he fosters a diverse choice of repertoire and activities in his classes. In his classes, students are encouraged to listen, analyze, perform, compose, and improvise in a variety of styles and genres, ranging from Classical Music to today’s latest K-pop songs.

Mr. Boas was born in Brazil into a Polish family. He has a Doctorate in Musical Arts from Michigan State University, as well as master’s degrees in music performance, music theory, and musicology. He has more than 10 years of experience teaching music, having taught students in Brazil, the US, and Taiwan.

In his free time, Mr. Boas enjoys learning languages, listening to music, and getting lost in the YouTube algorithm.

Mr. Jaeger is very happy to be back at HAS for a second year as this year’s Computer Science, PE and Physics teacher.
 

With a Master's in Industrial Engineering and a wealth of experience as a software developer in innovative fields such as AI and blockchain, he brings a unique blend of academic and practical perspectives to teaching.

He is excited about sharing his passion for software development, fitness and the natural world with the students and looks forward to a fun and enriching school year.

Mr. Kensinger is excited to enter his third year at HAS and his second year at HAS as Principal.  He also serves as the school’s Athletic Director and basketball coach.  He hails from San Francisco, California, and has worked in K-12 international education as a teacher and administrator for over twenty years.  He fosters a safe, diverse, equitable, inclusive, and just school setting for all stakeholders.  

He received his Bachelor’s degree from Colby College in Philosophy, a Master’s degree from the University of Alabama in Education, and a Master’s degree from the University of San Francisco in Educational/Organizational Leadership. He is over 75 percent finished with his doctorate from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana in International Education Leadership. He holds a teacher and administrator license from Washington State.  

Mr. Kensinger is looking forward to an excellent school year at HAS. Go Wolves!

This is Mr. Kudra’s sixth year as the 2nd-grade homeroom teacher at HAS. He teaches core subjects including Reading, Writing, Science, Mathematics, and Social Studies. This year, he will also be teaching elementary P.E. classes for students in Grades 3–5.

Originally from Dearborn, Michigan, USA, Mr. Kudra has lived in Hsinchu for the past seven years. He has over sixteen years of teaching experience in Asia, primarily in Taiwan and South Korea, working mostly with younger learners in grades K-6. He brings positive energy and enthusiasm to the classroom and is committed to creating a fun, supportive, and productive learning environment.

Mr. Kudra earned a Bachelor of Science from Michigan State University and a Master’s degree in Education from Moreland University. He also holds an elementary education teaching license from Washington, D.C.

He loves being part of the HAS team and is excited for another fantastic year with his students!

Mrs. Lai returns to Hsinchu American School for her fifth year, teaching Elementary and Middle School Art, AP Studio Art, and High School Painting and Drawing. She emphasizes process art, prioritizing creativity, expression, and experimentation over the final product. To enrich her students' learning, she collaborates with local art museums and artists to offer an experiential approach to art education.

Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Mrs. Lai attended inner-city public schools, forming meaningful relationships with diverse individuals. She holds a B.A. in Art History from Oberlin College, an MBA from National Chiao Tung University, and a teacher certification from The College of New Jersey. 

In her free time, she enjoys nature walks, good food, meditating, and the art of doing nothing.

Mr. Cam is returning for his fifth year at HAS. He is teaching 7th & 8th grade Social Studies, Modern World History, and AP Modern World History. He will be serving as the director of the Model United Nations.

Born and raised in Southern California, Mr. Cam earned a Bachelor’s in Liberal Studies Learning & Teaching, and a Social Studies/History Teaching Credential. He has been teaching in the US and abroad for the last eight years. 

Mr. Cam enjoys traveling, hiking, playing guitar, and reading.

Ms. Muñoz is very excited to return to HAS for her second year in the Humanities program! This year she’ll be teaching 7th and 8th grade Literature and Writing courses, as well as History of Film.

She has been teaching English Literature, Media Analysis, and Global Issues courses at the secondary and tertiary levels for over a decade in various countries such as Turkey, Chile, and Nepal. She’s a PhD candidate, holds an M.Sc. degree from Trinity College Dublin, Ireland; and a B.A. in English from Purdue University. She has worked on education and research programs at New York University and United Nations agencies such as UNDP. 

When not teaching she loves scooter riding, night markets, and hot springs.

Mr. Merck is excited to be returning to HAS for his second year. He is teaching middle school math, computer science, and PE.

Mr. Merck grew up near Atlanta, GA in the United States, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Biology. After graduating he taught in China for several years before moving to Tainan where he worked as a teacher as well. During his time in Tainan, Mr. Merck also conducted research on effects of urbanization on local wildlife at NCKU where he received his master’s degree.

In his spare time Mr. Merck enjoys playing banjo, training Brazilian Jiujitsu, and spending time in nature.

Mr. Pérez is excited to continue being part of the HAS family as the Spanish teacher for eight consecutive years. Mr. Pérez received his Bachelor degree in Engineering of Opto-Mechatronics and Materials at the University of Chung Hua located in Hsinchu, Taiwan. He also studied a master’s degree in Technology Management and Business Administration at the same University.

Mr. Pérez is from Mexico and has been living, studying, and teaching in Taiwan for over 10 years. Before arriving in Taiwan, he also lived in Montreal, Canada for three years. His thrilling experience of learning languages such as Spanish, English, French, and Chinese awakened a passion for teaching and sharing the Hispanic Language and Culture.

Mr. Rakesh  will commence his Third year of teaching high school Biology, Chemistry, AP Biology, AP Chemistry and Physical Sciences at Hsinchu American School. Mr. Rakesh has a Ph.D in Biological Sciences from National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, and a teaching credential from Moreland University, Washington, D.C. Mr. Rakesh Ph.D  studies expanded his knowledge of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, which still influences his curriculum development and instructions.

For more than a decade, Mr. Rakesh has taught middle and high school students across Taiwan and China, gaining a deep understanding of diverse learning styles and educational needs. He has guided students through both local and international academic programs, supporting them in achieving success in competitive exams, university preparation, and science competitions.

Mr. Rakesh believes that strong, dependable relationships between teachers and students form the foundation for effective learning. In his classroom, students are encouraged to collaborate, think critically, and explore beyond the textbook. He is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and nurturing learning environment where every student feels valued, respected, and confident in expressing their ideas.

Ms. Rodriguez is excited to enter her third year with the HAS community. She will be teaching 6th Grade Literature and Writing, High School World Literature and ESL courses. Aside from teaching, Ms. Rodriguez will be serving as one of the middle and high school Guidance Counselors for students needing personal, academic, and social emotional support. She will also be advising our Middle School Student Council for the third year in a row with Ms. Burden. In addition she will be the academic advisor for 6th grade. 

Ms. Rodriguez is from Southern California and has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Master of Arts degree in Education specializing in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from California State University, San Bernardino. Additionally, she has a teaching license for K-12 education in ESL and secondary ELA through Washington D.C. Before moving to Taiwan, she taught in South Korea for 10 years in the public education system ranging from primary school to university. 

Ms. Rodriguez has a passion for education, food, traveling, cycling, and anything related to penguins and cats. She is looking forward to creating a positive and friendly learning environment for all her students as well as continuing to explore Taiwan.

Mrs. Román is entering her sixth year at HAS. This year, she is looking forward to teaching at the high school level for American Literature, AP English Literature & Composition, Creative Writing, and College Essay. In addition, she will be the academic advisor and college counselor for our senior class.

Mrs. Román graduated with a Masters degree in 2010 from Long Island, New York with a dual certification in Special Education and English for grades 7-12. She taught in New York public schools for middle and high school before moving to Asia in 2012. Since living in Asia, Mrs. Román has taught in all levels ranging from Kindergarten to university. Although she has been an educator for over ten years, she has taken extensive professional development courses throughout the years to continuously grow as an educator.

Mrs. Román is an avid reader of nonfiction and mystery novels. She also enjoys music, dancing, biking, and traveling to new places. Over the past two summers, she has gone on backpacking adventures with her husband and has visited 14 different countries where she learned about their historical culture while enjoying delicious cuisines. In addition, Mrs. Román has cycled both the East and West coast of Taiwan. She hopes to continue her cycling journey in different parts of the world.

Mr. Shantz is excited to begin his sixth year at HAS, where he serves as a teacher, counselor, and basketball coach. He holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master’s degree in Sociology from the University of Toronto, where he also completed doctoral work focused on the sociology of knowledge. At HAS, he teaches AP Psychology and Drama, and is introducing two new courses this year: Moral Philosophy and Dystopian and Satirical Literature. 

Outside the classroom, Mr. Shantz enjoys playing guitar, running, doing yoga, and spending time on the basketball court. Mr. Shantz recently got married and is a proud father; his son Bryan graduated from HAS and remains a big part of his life. He loves being part of the HAS community and is looking forward to another meaningful and memorable school year.

Ms. Sliger is excited to begin her fourth year at HAS and is thrilled to be teaching 1st Grade. Originally from Nashville, Tennessee, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a minor in Exercise Health Science from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She obtained her teaching certificate from the University of West Florida, specializing in ESOL (English Speakers of Other Languages), and recently completed her M.A. in Education with a focus on Educational Technology from Louisiana State University.

Ms. Sliger has been teaching abroad since 2009, with most of that time spent in Taiwan. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, cycling, and baking.

This will be Mr. Thompson’s seventh year at HAS. He will be the homeroom teacher for grade 4 and will be teaching them Math, Science, Social Studies, Writing, and Reading. Mr. Thompson will also be running after school clubs and very active in sports activities at school all year long.

Mr. Thompson earned his Bachelor of Arts with a History major and English minor in 2006. He earned his Bachelor of Education in 2017. Mr. Thompson is from eastern Canada, but has been living in Taiwan for 15 years. He has also taught in an immersion program for six years teaching English full-time to Taiwanese students. Mr. Thompson is a father of two and loves being a dad!  Mr. Thompson is very active and loves hiking, sports, and playing board games whenever possible with friends and students alike. He focuses on creating a fun and entertaining learning environment for his students.

Ms. Tsai is entering her eighth year at HAS, where she brings her enthusiasm for mathematics to a wide range of high school courses, including Algebra 2, Geometry, Precalculus, AP Statistics, and AP Calculus AB/BC. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she leads the Math Team, guiding students to build confidence and skill in tackling complex mathematical problems.

Ms. Tsai also serves as a 10th-grade advisor alongside Mr. Jaeger, offering guidance and mentorship to support students both academically and personally.

Her academic path began at the University of Sydney, where she earned a Bachelor of Science with a double major in Pure Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics. Before transitioning to education, she built a strong professional background working in multinational corporations, where she collaborated with colleagues from around the world.

With every lesson, Ms. Tsai strives to empower her students, equipping them not only with mathematical knowledge but also with the confidence and critical thinking skills needed to navigate life’s complexities.

Mr. Dennis will be teaching his third year of grade 3 homeroom at HAS. He teaches the core subjects of Reading, Writing, Science, Mathematics, and Social Studies. He is originally from Canada, but has lived in Taiwan for 17 years. Altogether, he has 21 years of teaching experience in Canada, Taiwan, Mexico, and Bahrain. 

Mr. Dennis holds a Bachelor of Arts as well as a Bachelor of Education degree from Queen’s University in Kingston, Canada. He also holds a Master's degree and wrote his thesis on Cooperative Learning in the Elementary Classroom. 

Along with many years of homeroom teacher experience, Mr. Dennis also has experience as a Curriculum Coordinator and an Elementary School Department Head. He has high expectations for all of his students and looks forward to helping them succeed by creating a cooperative, fun, and safe learning community in his classroom. His hobbies include traveling, hiking, swimming, cycling, river tracing, and scuba diving.

Mr. Chaperon is the French teacher for the tenth consecutive year at HAS.He is from Nantes (a city in western France) and has been living in Taiwan for thirteen years.He studied Secondary Education in Nantes and graduated in 2000. He also obtained an academic degree in BTS Force de Vente (specialization in Professional sales qualification).He simultaneously did Writing Classical Music studies in the conservatory of Nantes. He has played pipe organ since he was 15 years old