Marianne Dark
Headteacher, Taman Tun Dr Ismail Centre

Marianne Dark was born in Bristol, in the south west of England and educated at the University of Leeds, where she took a degree in English and History. She later pursued her Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) at Trinity and All Saints College.

Her first teaching post was at a secondary school in Leeds. She taught English for four years before obtaining her Certificate of English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA). In 1998, she was offered a teaching position in Milan, Italy, where she taught English to both children and adults for two years.

During a trip to Malaysia in 1999, she met many Malaysians and was overwhelmingly touched by their kindness and warmth. The sheer excitement and energy of Kuala Lumpur was too hard to resist and she decided to move to Kuala Lumpur the following year.

Marianne joined Lorna Whiston in January 2002 and was appointed Deputy Headteacher in 2006. In addition to teaching children at Lorna Whiston, she has had the wonderful opportunity to meet students and teachers of Malaysian schools through our Outreach programmes. In May 2009, she was a presenter at the International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL) Conference where teachers, trainers and curriculum developers from the Ministry of Education attended. She was also actively involved in training the staff at Stemlife Berhad on Business Writing Skills.

Marianne was honoured to be appointed Headteacher in 2010 as, "Lorna Whiston is special to me because of the enthusiastic staff, committed parents and motivated students." She hopes to share her passion for language, literature and learning with her students and provide them with countless opportunities to grow. Marianne is enthusiastic in continuing to build and develop her relationships with the children and parents of Lorna Whiston.

Janet Teo
Teacher

Janet was born in Southport, UK but grew up in Melbourne, Australia after immigrating there as a child. Her first career was within the health sector as a Dental Therapist, providing a range of dental care and health education to school children. It was during this time that Janet developed a passion for teaching, much preferring the classroom to the dental clinic.

After taking time out to enjoy motherhood and moving to Brisbane, Australia, Janet became involved in education, supporting students with learning difficulties. Consequently, Janet developed a strong desire to follow her passion for teaching and enrolled in a Bachelor of Education (Primary) in 1998. On graduating in 2002, she was honoured to receive the University Award for English and Literacy Studies.

Janet taught in Brisbane for four years. She enjoyed promoting the idea of 'reading for pleasure' to her students and their parents. A major highlight was when a group of her students won the State Finals in an annual competition called 'The Readers' Cup'.

Janet's love for Malaysia started over 25 years ago when she met her husband, who had spent a large part of his childhood years here. In 2007, they decided to spend a year in Malaysia working and enjoying the food, culture and the beauty of the country. After having such a nice time in Malaysia, they decided to stay on, with Janet commencing postgraduate studies in Education at the University of Nottingham (Malaysian Campus) in 2008. In the same year, Janet commenced working at Lorna Whiston.

Pat’s teacher training was for junior and secondary levels. She started her career by teaching History and Geography in a secondary school. She later switched to juniors and has then taught all levels from kindergarten onwards.

She gained her TEFL Certificate in England and has since worked in international schools in Kuwait, Singapore and Malaysia. She worked at Lorna Whiston Study Centres in Singapore for nine years before commencing at the Study Centre in Kuala Lumpur in January 2002.

She is now working part-time at the centre and is enjoying the opportunity to pursue her hobbies.

Jennifer grew up outside of Pittsburgh in the United States. After completing her Bachelor of Arts (Anthropology) and Bachelor of Science (Biology) at the University of Pittsburgh, Jennifer then went on to complete a Master of Arts (Education).

She taught in Minnesota before moving to England to live. After a short stay in the UK, she and her partner took the opportunity to work in Kuala Lumpur. Before joining Lorna Whiston Jennifer taught in Kuala Lumpur at an international school.

Jennifer and her partner love taking trips to the many beautiful beaches around Malaysia whenever they can. But her favourite weekend getaway is to the highlands for the cool air and amazing views.

Gordon is from Melbourne, Australia and is an experienced Infants/Primary Teacher. He studied Infants/Primary education at the University of New England in New South Wales. He later gained a post-graduate qualification in Literacy and Teaching English as a Second Language at Victoria University in Melbourne.

Gordon has enjoyed working in Melbourne, Sydney, Singapore and now for the second time in Kuala Lumpur. His interests include children's literature, travelling, jungle trekking, cooking and the arts.

He first joined Lorna Whiston's in 2003 where he worked with a variety of classes from early childhood to senior primary. Until recently, Gordon was teaching in a tuition centre in Singapore that focused on reading and writing techniques and good children's literature. Gordon decided that he felt more at home in Malaysia and enjoyed the Lorna Whiston teaching philosophy.

David Bremner
Teacher

David grew up near Aberdeen in Scotland. He worked in various jobs around Scotland before being recommended for a position at a private nursery and Out of School Care. He became the Out of School Care Coordinator within a few months and this experience affirmed his decision to work as a teacher. He moved to Glasgow and studied at Strathclyde University for four years to complete his B. Ed. (Hons) in Primary Education where he specialised in Music as well as Philosophy with Children.

This is David's first teaching job after graduating and he is thoroughly enjoying Malaysia, particularly the food. He is very excited to see all the culture of Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia has to offer and will be making the most of his holiday time to do so.

David enjoys keeping active and particularly likes to go mountain biking, surfing, climbing, running and snowboarding. He is very excited about all the new adventure possibilities that working in Malaysia will open for him. In his less active time he enjoys watching films and reading, particularly children's books.

Katy Sullivan
Teacher

Katy is from Manchester in the North West of England. She graduated from the University of Plymouth with an honours degree in Education and History and started her first teaching post in London in 1999.

After taking a year out to travel, including visiting Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand, Katy returned to the UK and worked for The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre as their first Education Manager creating all the school sessions and organising family activities. It was during this time that Katy had her best claim to fame - meeting Johnny Depp!

Although the museum was lots of fun, Katy missed teaching and returned to her home city of Manchester in 2005, where she worked with children aged between 3 to 11 until she decided to combine her love of travel with that of teaching and applied for a post at Lorna Whiston.

Katy is really looking forward to exploring both Malaysia and other Asian countries whilst here.

Claire Inglis
Teacher

Claire graduated in the UK and has a Bachelor of Education with First Class Honours. She began her teaching career as a Primary School Teacher in Scotland.

Claire then ventured to Shanghai, China for 2 years to teach in a private International School. Whilst working in China she taught at both Primary and Kindergarten levels. Claire had the pleasure of teaching children from all around the world as the school had 45 different nationalities within the student body.

After leaving Shanghai she returned briefly to Scotland where she gained the experience of working in a Language and Communication Unit, encouraging students with special educational needs.

During the summer of 2009 Claire visited Kuala Lumpur and fell in love with the Malaysian way of life - especially the food! Shortly after her first trip to Malaysia, she made the move to KL and began teaching in an English tuition centre. Whilst living in Malaysia, Claire discovered Lorna Whiston Study Centres and was instantly excited by the Lorna Whiston teaching philosophy and holistic approach to education.

Claire is a firm believer that children need to be nurtured in a positive environment if they are to grow into life-long learners. She always makes the effort to be aware of individual student's interests and needs.

Sarah Joseph
Teacher

Sarah grew up in Newcastle, in the north east of England and later moved to Liverpool to study for a BA (Hons) History. Following this, she obtained a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (P.G.C.E.), with special interest in primary teaching.

After establishing herself as a teacher, Sarah took a career break and traveled extensively throughout Asia, Australia and South America, before returning to teach in Liverpool again.

In 2008, Sarah's brother accepted a post in Kuala Lumpur and moved to Malaysia with his young family. When a position became available at Lorna Whiston, Sarah jumped at the chance to join them and have the opportunity to return to Asia.

Sarah is now looking forward to spending her spare time exploring more of Malaysia and Asia and getting the opportunity to indulge in her hobbies of photography and scuba diving.

Stewart Burgess
Teacher

Stewart was born in Blackpool, England. After leaving school he worked his way around Europe, including grape picking in France and Switzerland and rebuilding castles in the Czech Republic.

After his experiences in Europe, Stewart moved to Canada. During his time there he travelled to the USA and worked for a major political party in Portland, Maine as a campaigner and motivational speaker.

He went to Arts Ed School of Acting in London and graduated with a Bachelor Degree of Arts in Acting in 2002. Stewart worked in Manchester and London as an actor appearing on stage, TV and in films.

In 2007 Stewart gained a PGCE at Blackpool and the Fylde College. He then taught for four years in schools and colleges in and around London. During this time he also performed as an actor in a children’s theatre tour of Spain, Italy and Slovenia teaching children English using Drama.

Stewart was delighted to be offered a teaching post at Lorna Whiston's and is looking forward to working with such committed, hard working students.

Martin Smith
Teacher

Martin grew up in Cambridge, England and moved to Bath in the south west of the country to study Music, graduating with a BA Honours degree. After gaining his PGCE, he started his teaching career in a Wiltshire primary school, as a class teacher and music coordinator.

Martin's passion for creativity in education then led him to Malaysia where he was appointed Head of Music at an international school in Kuala Lumpur. Following an enjoyable two-year contract there, Martin then took a year off to concentrate on his own musical skills and do some travelling around Asia.

The following year, he returned to England where he was employed as a supply teacher in Norfolk, enjoying the challenge and variety of teaching in various primary schools around the county.

Having a great affection for Malaysia, Martin was keen to return and applied immediately when a position became available at Lorna Whiston. While continuing his musical interests in his spare time, as well as further exploring Asia, Martin is looking forward to his new teaching role and to adding his own creative contribution to the talented team at Lorna Whiston.

Kelly Hayes
Teacher

Kelly is from Perth, Western Australia. She graduated from Edith Cowan University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Education, Primary with a major in Special Needs Education. After graduating Kelly went straight to London to teach in a Behaviour and Special Needs unit before moving across to a Special School to teach children with profound and multiple learning difficulties.

Two years of cold London weather and Kelly was ready to return to her home country and moved to Central Australia to mentor teachers and teach Special Needs children in remote aboriginal communities. This position then led her to working directly for the Department of Education going to local schools in Alice Springs and running self-esteem and behavior programs for students at risk and mentoring teachers on how to best cater for these students within the classroom.

Kelly then decided to expand her skill base and studied for a month at a language centre in Thailand to complete her TEFL qualification. She thoroughly enjoyed this experience and decided this was the next move in her career, which led to her applying for the post at Lorna Whiston.

Julia Wallis
Teacher

Julia gained a B.Ed Honours degree from De Montfort University and then studied for the Cambridge University C.E.L.T.A. Having taught for three years in a school in England, Julia began her overseas teaching career in Caracas, Venezuela.

To date, her teaching experiences include Libya, the Dominican Republic and Malawi. After having been in Malaysia for a few months, Julia says “I am very happy I chose to come and work at Lorna Whiston Study Centres, Kuala Lumpur."

Julia expresses her pleasure in working with the professional, friendly, kind, generous and cooperative people at Lorna Whiston. She has also really enjoyed meeting and starting to know the wonderful and hard-working students. She is certain that they are all going to work hard, learn a lot and have lots of fun doing so. She confesses that her biggest challenge is to learn how to correctly say all of her students’ names and thanks them for their patience so far!