Welcome to our new staff: Part II
Kaotar Hamdi
My name is Kaotar Hamdi and I am very delighted to be joining the FIS community in August 2024 as a teacher of French and Spanish. I have been fulfilling my passion of teaching for 21 years now; mainly in Wales, England and Türkiye.
Adventure and curiosity have always driven me. When I am not teaching, I enjoy the outdoors and any sporting activities. I exercise regularly and rock climb when I get the chance to. Travel, art and literature, especially hispanic literature are also some of my passions. Gabriel García Márquez, Isabel Allende or Eduardo Mendoza are some of my favourite authors.
I believe that education is about building confidence and promoting independent learning through social emotional learning and multiculturalism, which are at the heart of the FIS strategy. As a multilinguist, I am looking forward to inspiring and helping the learners at FIS expand their linguistic ability whilst promoting tolerance, understanding, and open-mindedness. I am also excited to be part of a diverse and collaborative community that nurtures global awareness and integrates the Sustainable Development Goals into its vision and mission.
I am thrilled to meet you all in August! Have a great summer break 🙂
Julie Lacoste
My name is Julie, and I am excited to join FIS in August 2024 as a French teacher. My career in education began in 2011 as a language assistant in the UK and New Zealand. In 2015, I earned my teaching qualifications in the UK and have since been teaching in Kent.
I am passionate about the arts and have explored various creative pursuits, including photography, pottery, and painting. I also love spending time in nature, whether it’s finding a peaceful spot with a good book or hiking. I am particularly looking forward to discovering the beautiful landscapes around Hong Kong.
I am thrilled to be part of an institution that values international-mindedness, multilingualism, and encourages cultural and social awareness, supporting students’ growth beyond academics. Over the past few years, I have been actively involved in mental health initiatives and am eager to contribute to an environment that prioritizes student well-being.
Sophie Fernandez
My name is Sophie Fernandez and I am thrilled to be joining FIS in August 2024 as a teacher of Biology and Environmental Systems and Societies. I am currently teaching at a leading international school in Central London where I have taught the IB Programme for the past 9 years. Prior to this, I taught at the British School Manila, where I fell in love with the Philippines and with teaching in an international school setting. During this time I was also lucky enough to have lots of amazing travel opportunities, including many trips to Hong Kong!
Outside of school, I love to keep fit and enjoy HIIT training and rebounding classes. I also love dabbling in home improvements and interior design, and I’ve spent the past couple of years renovating my home. Some of the shelving might be a bit wonky in places, but it hasn’t fallen down just yet! I am also passionate about the environment and how we can reduce our impact on the planet for ourselves and future generations.
I am really excited about joining FIS as I have heard lots of great things about the school from friends in the international teaching community. It sounds like a supportive school that nurtures and encourages students to reach their full potential. I particularly appreciate the focus on developing students’ critical thinking skills, which is increasingly vital in today’s world overflowing with information online.
I am very grateful for the support I have received so far from the school in helping me prepare for my move to Hong Kong; an extra big thank you to Archana and Carolina. I look forward to meeting everyone in the FIS community in August!
