Elementary

Ms. Elaine Yiu Grade 1 Teacher

Ms. Elaine Yiu is happy to be teaching 1st grade at AST for a fourth year. She has wanted to be a teacher since she was in first grade herself; her teacher, Mrs. Corbett, made her feel so welcomed and important to the class and that has inspired her to do the same for her students. Originally from Toronto, Canada, after graduating with an Honours B.A. (English and History) from the University of Toronto and a B.Ed. (Primary and Junior Divisions) from the University of Ottawa, Elaine spent a year in Korea teaching pre-K before deciding to teach in Taiwan for a year or two. Eight years later, she is still here and enjoying the cultural experience. She has also earned additional qualifications in ESL (Part 1) and Special Education (Part 1 and 2) as accredited by the Ontario College of Teachers. Elaine is excited to be working alongside a team of dedicated educators, but is most excited to be teaching the youngest learners at AST. She aims to provide the learners with an inclusive and culturally responsive learning environment for social and emotional development, as well as academic growth. She also looks forward to connecting with her students’ parents in order to better support the growth and meet the needs of their children. When Elaine is not in the classroom, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband and two young sons, including a baby in palliative care since birth; her unique family situation has made her even more appreciative of the little things in life.

Mr. Derrek Gerughty Grade 2 Teacher

Mr. Derrek Gerughty is thrilled to teach his 3rd year with the grade 2 students at AST! This will be his 6th year in Asia, and he previously taught kindergarten in Vietnam. Even before taking a teaching role in the classroom, Derrek worked for the city of Daly City parks and recreation as a director, program planner, and dance teacher working with students from 3 to 18 years of age in a variety of settings. He earned a BA in recreation and leisure studies and an AA in social and behavioral sciences. Later, Mr. Gerughty earned his California multiple subjects teaching credential. He is an avid traveler, scuba diver, photographer, dancer, and is currently learning the art of video and editing. Mr. Gerughty enjoys incorporating his adventures and passions with his students in authentic ways that inspire student learning!

Mrs. Laura Brown Grade 3 Teacher

Mrs. Laura Brown has served as an elementary teacher for the last 15 years in international schools in China, Vietnam, Guatemala, Dominican Republic and is excited to be joining AST for the 2020-2021 school year. She holds a Masters of International Education (M.Ed) from the College of New Jersey, a Bachelor of Communications with a major in Journalism from Monash University, Australia and a certificate of ESL in the Mainstream. Over the course of her teaching career, Laura Brown has held many workshops for parents and colleagues that include the support and inclusion of technology in the classroom, reading assessments, report card writing and curriculum documentation. She presented at the Educators Tri-Association Conference in Monterrey, Mexico on helping schools’ transition to Standards Based Grading and Reporting and served as a Cognia school accreditation team member to Colombia. She moved to Taiwan with her husband and two daughters who are all happy to return and continue exploring this part of the world. Laura is a dedicated teacher and a life-long learner who feels fortunate to be part of the AST team!

Mr. Kristo Pienaar Grade 4 Teacher

Kristo has been teaching for ten years and this will be his second year at AST. He holds a B.A. degree from UNISA (University of South Africa) and a PGCEi certificate from Nottingham University, United Kingdom. His teaching career started in Taiwan in 2010, and in 2013 he accepted a teaching position in Qatar as a primary homeroom teacher and stayed there for four years. From Qatar, he moved to Indonesia where he taught for two years until coming back to Taiwan last year. He is excited for the 2020-2021 academic year as he will be looping with the learners he taught last year.

Ms. Mary Ann Capule Grade 5 Teacher

Mary Ann has had the pleasure and honor of being AST’s fifth grade teacher since August, 2017. She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Santa Clara University in California, worked in computer sales and marketing, then moved on to earn an MBA from the University of California, Berkeley. After seven years in banking, Mary Ann had the privilege of being a stay-at-home mom with sons Adrian and Ian. In 2008, she earned her teaching certificate from The College of New Jersey and has since taught elementary grade levels in China, the Philippines, Armenia and now Taiwan. Her younger son will be a high school senior at AST this year. Mary Ann has traveled extensively and lived in many different cities, including Oregon, Maryland, Perth (Australia), Manila, Beijing, Yerevan, and Tokyo. Mary Ann continues to enjoy both the pleasures and the challenges of living overseas as an international school teacher. In addition to traveling, she enjoys reading, hiking, and making patchwork quilts. Taiwan is by far the most welcoming country she has ever lived in. She and her family are very happy to be part of the AST family!

Mr. Taylor Sharp Elementary Science Grades 1-5

Mr. Taylor Sharp is pleased to be returning to teach at AST for the 2020-2021 school year, and is excited to take on the new role of Elementary Science teacher! This will be Taylor’s fifth year at AST. He earned his BA at Christopher Newport University, and his teaching certification through Moreland University. Mr. Sharp and his wife, Emma, were married in 2019. He is looking forward to sparking curiosity in young minds and showing his students just how fascinating the world can be. Mr. Sharp also enjoys teaching improv comedy in the improv club.

Ms. Joyce Huang ES Chinese Teacher

Ms. Joyce is excited to be teaching ES Chinese at AST for the third year in a row! Prior to working at AST, she had 6 years of teaching experience as a Chinese teacher in public elementary schools in Taipei. She majored in primary education and received her B.A. from the University of Taipei. Ms. Joyce also has a certificate for teaching Chinese in elementary schools. She was born and raised in Taichung, and currently has one child studying at AST. Ms. Joyce believes that the most important part of learning a language is developing a reading habit. She is working on promoting a classroom library and picture book programs for the early grades. While learning Chinese, children can be immersed in the world of books, feel the culture and cultivate humanistic accomplishments.

Ms. Amber Chin ES Teaching Assistant

Ms. Amber Chin is excited to be the teacher’s assistant for the Elementary school in 2020. She has 3 years experience as the grade one teacher’s assistant, 2 years as summer camp assistant director, 2 years as ES after school activity coordinator and 3 years as the ES cooking teacher. Ms. Chin has earned a Teacher Assistant Certificate from ICI. She is eager to help young students learn and grow. Ms. Chin is looking forward to continuing to be part of the AST family.