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Faculty & Staff
Principal of HFI
  • Grace Chen

    Grace Chen

    Executive Principal

    - High School Senior Teacher

    - Honored the title of Special-class Principal by Chengdu Education Bureau

    - Senior Home Education Instructor

    - Instructor for Seminar in Operation and Management of International School by Peking University

    - Worked as deputy director for Wuhou County Bureau of Education in Chengdu

    - Worked as founder principal for The Affiliated Foreign Language School of SCNU

    - High school principal training program organized by the Ministry of Education in China

    - International Education Leadership Program organized by UCL & Tsinghua University (in progress)

    - BS. in Biology Education in China West Normal University

    - Teaching experience in China since 1993

  • Sheldon Smith

    Sheldon Smith

    Academic Principal

    - Master of Educational Leadership from the University of Leicester

    - Bachelor of Science in Pure Mathematics (Hons) from the University of Birmingham

    - Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults (DELTA)

    - Teaching experience in China since 2002

    - Working at HFI since 2005

AP English
  • Toby Eichas

    Toby Eichas

    Head of AP English dept. English Literature Teacher (Y9), Pre-AP English Teacher (Y10)

    - 29 years' teaching experience in high schools in U.S. and Asia

    - Master of Arts in Communication

    - Bachelor of Arts in Communication, English, and teacher certification from Mercyhurst College

    - Certificates in CELTA and IB programs

  • Matthew Bender

    Matthew Bender

    AP English Literature Teacher

    -MA in Secondary Education from Piedmont College

    -BA in Interdisciplinary Studies, Appalachian State University

    -Taught AP Literature course in Schools of North America (WASC Accredited) in Vietnam

    -Experience as Head of English Department

    -Obtained CELTA-Cambridge English Language Teaching Accreditation

    -Teaching since 2009

  • Michael Cooke

    Michael Cooke

    AP English Language Teacher

    - M.Ed. Globalization in Education, Moreland University

    - Post-Graduate Certification in Education (International), University of Nottingham

    - Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, The University New Brunswick

    - Teaching experience since 2012

    - Experienced AP teacher

AP Science and Mathematics
  • Jenny Ge

    Jenny Ge

    Head of the Math & Science dept. Advanced Calculus & Calculus BC Teacher

    - Master of Accounting from Grand valley state university

    - Bachelor of Science in Math Education from Liaoning Normal University

    - Taught as a Math teacher in Shanghai and Guangzhou for 20 years

  • Bharati Hirani

    Bharati Hirani

    AP Computer Science A Teacher

    - Master of Computer Management in Computer Science, Management and Technology from Institute of Business Administration & Research (IBMR)

    - Bachelor of Commerce in Economics, Marketing & Advertising from Indira College of Commerce & Science

    - Teaching Computer Programming since 2012 and AP Computer Science since 2017

  • Yolanda Guan

    Yolanda Guan

    AP Statistics Teacher

    - Master of Actuarial Statistics from Australian National University

    - Bachelor of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics from Beijing Normal University

    - Teaching Math in Beijing and Guangzhou since 2012

    - Math competition Instructor

  • Roland Forson

    Roland Forson

    AP Calculus AB & BC Teacher

    - PhD in Graph Theory from Zhejiang Gongshang University

    - MSc in Applied Mathematics from Zhejiang Normal University

    - Master in Education in Mathematics Education from Rhodes University

    - BSc in Mathematics from University of Cape coast

    - PGCE in Teaching Methodology in Mathematics from University of South Africa

    - Taught as a Math teacher since 2008

    - Member, South Africa Council of Educators (SACE)

    - Reviewer, Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science & Technology


  • Erin Ma

    Erin Ma

    AP Physics Teacher

    - PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from University of Delaware

    - Bachelor of Science in Polymer Science and Engineering from Zhejiang University

    - Taught as a Physicas teacher since 2015



  • Joel Benavidez

    Joel Benavidez

    AP Biology, AP Environmental Science Teacher

    - Bachelor of Science in Biology for Teachers from Philippine Normal University

    - IBDP Certified Biology Teacher

    - Taught as a Biology Teacher in Manila since 2008

  • Ai Feng

    Ai Feng

    AP Chemistry Teacher

    - Master of Development and Education Psychology from Peking University
    - Bachelor of Polymer Material and Engineering from Zhejiang University
    - Taught as a Chemistry teacher since 2016

AP Social Science
  • Damon Six

    Damon Six

    Head of the Social Science dept. AP Psychology, Sociology, Film studies Teacher

    - Bachelor of Arts in History from Texas Tech University

    - Teacher Certification/Education from University of Texas-Permian Basin

    - Teaching in U.S., Korea and China since 2000

    - Teaching at HFI for 10 years

  • Conor Dunn

    Conor Dunn

    AP World History, AP Art History

    - Master of Arts in English Language Learning, Western Governors University

    - Bachelor of Arts in History Education, University of Delaware

    - Teaching experience since 2012

  • Jerry Redfield

    Jerry Redfield

    AP Economic Teacher

    - Bachelor of Arts, Economics from Wheaton College

    - Teaching experience since 2012

    - Experienced AP teacher

  • John Cullen

    John Cullen

    AP Human Geography & European history Teacher

    - Master of Arts in History from University College Dublin

    - Bachelor of Arts in Humanities (English & History) from St. Patrick's College

    - TEFL Certificate
    - Experienced teacher since 2011


  • Jasper Yang

    Jasper Yang

    Philosophy & US history Teacher, College Counselor

    - Master of Arts in Philosophy from Columbia University
    - Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Colgate University

    - Teaching Certification from USA


  • Michael Ludwick

    Michael Ludwick

    Drama Teacher

    - American educator, entertainer, singer, songwriter actor and entrepreneur

    - Bachelor of English and History from University of Virginia

    - Taught as a Drama teacher since 1998

    - Founder and President of Near West Group

Local teachers
  • Harky Li

    Harky Li

    Dean of Students / PE Teacher

    - Bachelor of Physical Education from Guangzhou Sport University
    - Licensed Referee for football, basketball, volleyball, Ping-pong, and athletics
    - Teaching experience since 2008
    - Working in HFI since 2012

  • Delia Yi

    Delia Yi

    General English Teacher (Y11)

    - Master’s Degree in English Language Studies, Sichuan International Studies University

    - Been teaching TOEFL & SAT test-preparation courses since 2008

    - Working in HFI since 2011

  • Wendy He

    Wendy He

    English Teacher Y11

    - Master’s Degree in Applied Linguistics, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, University of Bristol

    - Bachelor’s Degree in English Teaching, Southwest China University

    - TESOL Certificate

    - Working in HFI since 2014

  • Yoee Yang

    Yoee Yang

    English teacher (Y10 ECC), Head of Language Centre

    - Master’s Degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, University of Bath

    - Bachelor’s Degree in English Language and Literature, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications

    - TESOL Certificate

    - Working in HFI since 2015

  • Eva Chen

    Eva Chen

    English Teacher (Y9 EAP)

    - Master of Education from University College London
    - Bachelor of English from Central China Normal University
    - Taught as an English teacher since 2011



  • Cloe Zhao

    Cloe Zhao

    General English Teacher (Y9 & Y10)

    - Master of Arts in English Interpretation & Translation from Hongkong Polytechnic University

    - Bachelor of Arts in English from Beijing Institute of Technology

    - Teaching experience since 2011
    - Experienced IELTS & TOEFL & ACT & SAT teacher


  • Joe Zhou

    Joe Zhou

    General English Teacher (Y9 & Y10)

    - Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language from University of Central Oklahoma

    - Master of Arts in Marketing in Texas A&M University

    - Certificate of Cambridge Teaching Knowledge Test

    - Teaching experience since 2013

    - Experienced English teacher

  • Alex Li

    Alex Li

    English Teacher (Y12)

    - Ph.D. in Second Language Acquisition and Instructional Technology from the University of South Florida

    - M. Ed. in TESOL from University of South Florida

    - Worked as the ESOL instructor and academic writing consultant at the University of South Florida

  • Rachel Li

    Rachel Li

    Chemistry Teacher in Chinese Teacher (Y9 & 10)

    - Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry Education, Hunan Jishou University

    - Certificate of Senior High School Teacher

    - 12 years of Chemistry teaching experience

    - Researches in AP Chemistry teaching, experienced AP Chemistry teacher and SATII trainer

    - Working in HFI since 2010



  • Elicia Yu

    Elicia Yu

    Physics in Chinese Teacher (Y9 & 10)

    - Master’s Degree in Theoretical Physics in Sichuan University

    - 12 years of Physics teaching experience

    - Guided students to attend international Physics competition including Physics Bowl, ASOP(Australia), BPHO(UK)

    - Teaching experience since 2009

  • Susan Chen

    Susan Chen

    Math Teacher in Chinese Teacher (Y9 & 10)

    - Master’s Degree in Mathematics Competition, South China Normal University

    - Member of The National Elementary Mathematical Society

    - Teaching experience since 2006

    - Working in HFI since 2015

  • Lillian Li

    Lillian Li

    Biology Teacher in Chinese Teacher (Y9 & 10)

    - Master’s Degree in Life Science,Beijing Normal University Member of Guangzhou Teaching and Research Office Biology Center

    - Awarded Distinguished Contribution to Gaokao, Excellent Teacher title, etc.

    - Involved in writing and editing Senior High School Biology course book

    - Teaching experience since 2005

    - Working in HFI since 2015

  • Reece Guo

    Reece Guo

    Chinese Literature Teacher (Y11 & 12), Dance Teacher

    - Master of Arts in Writing in Jinan University
    - Master of Arts in Writing in Jinan University
    - Taught as a Chinese teacher in Anchorsholme Academy and Lancaster University Confucius Institute in UK since 2019
    - Worked as a Senior Secretary to CEO in The Beijing Genomics Institute

    - Senior coach of China Thinks Big

    - Urban Dancer of London Pineapple Dance Studio(UK)

    - AP Chinese certified teacher


  • Vicky Zhou

    Vicky Zhou

    Chinese Literature Teacher (Y9 & 10)

    - Mater of Arts in Chinese Education (International) in Shanghai International Studies University

    - Bachelor’s Degree in Chinese Education (International) in Guangzhou University

  • Grace He

    Grace He

    Psychological Counselor and Teacher

    - Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology from Guangzhou Medical University

    - Worked as a Psychological Therapist in Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University since 2016

    - Licensed Psychological Therapist (Junior), Psychological counselor (Grade 3th), Sandplay Therapist

    - Member of Sino-American Continual Training Program For Senior Psychotherapists of Psychoanalytic Orientation(4th)

  • Shuwen Zheng

    Shuwen Zheng

    Pottery and Seal Cutting Teacher

    - Advanced Master of Arts and Crafts certified by People's Government of Guangdong Province
    - High School Expert of Fine Arts New Curriculum certified by Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China
    - Member of China Arts and Crafts Association