August 29, 2025
Get to Know the Staff
We are delighted to introduce a new series in our school newsletter titled “Get to Know the Staff.” The purpose of this series is to help you connect with the wonderful educators who guide and support your children each day.
We are delighted to introduce a new series in our school newsletter titled “Get to Know the Staff.” The purpose of this series is to help you connect with the wonderful educators who guide and support your children each day.
Dear Parents,
I am delighted to introduce a new series in our school newsletter titled “Get to Know the Staff.” The purpose of this series is to help you connect with the wonderful educators who guide and support your children each day.
For this first edition, I am pleased to spotlight our four core Heads of Department: English, Mathematics, Science, and Languages. Each plays a vital role in leading their subject area, ensuring high standards of teaching and learning, and supporting both students and colleagues.
Introducing our academic staff to all parents is more than just an introduction – it strengthens the partnership between home and school. When parents are familiar with the teachers and leaders who guide their children, it:
- Builds trust and transparency in our school community.
- Encourages open communication between families and staff.
- Helps parents better understand the school’s vision, curriculum, and teaching approach.
- Creates stronger connections that support each child’s learning journey.
If you have any queries or would like to know more about the work of our Heads of Department, please do not hesitate to reach out to them directly. We look forward to sharing more staff introductions with you in the coming editions.
Warm Regards,
Roger Teng, Head of Programme
Mr. Roberto Barajas
Roles: Year 3 Homeroom Teacher
Maths Lead
My name is Roberto Barajas, and I am the Maths Lead at Invictus International Programme. I have five years of teaching experience across different year groups and am passionate about building a maths curriculum that inspires confidence, curiosity, and problem-solving in every learner.
My teaching journey began in Thailand, where I have had the pleasure of working in three different schools and teaching students from Year 1 to Year 6. Along the way, I have taken on leadership roles, including KS1 Lead and Maths Lead, and have taught using a variety of curricula, including the Common Core and Cambridge Curriculum. I graduated from California State University, Stanislaus, with a BA in Social Sciences with a focus on Child Development, and completed a teaching preparation program through Moreland University, majoring in Early Childhood Education (K3 to Grade 3).
As Head of Maths, my goal is to help students see mathematics as more than numbers and calculations. I want them to experience it as an active, hands-on subject where they explore patterns, solve problems, and understand how maths connects to the world around them. I aim to make the curriculum practical and engaging, using real-life examples, interactive activities, and investigative tasks that allow students to apply concepts creatively. My approach focuses on conceptual understanding, reasoning, and meaningful collaborative learning experiences.
Growing up, I attended a bilingual school and benefited from amazing mentors who guided me through my education journey. These experiences shaped my teaching philosophy and continue to inspire my commitment to helping students succeed. Working with diverse learners and alongside exceptional colleagues has further enriched my approach to education.
Outside of school, I enjoy gardening, which helps me appreciate the small moments in life. I currently care for multiple citrus trees. I also enjoy exploring local culture, travelling, and discovering new perspectives, which I bring into my teaching to make learning relatable and engaging for students.
Mr Paul Clements
Roles : Year 5 Home Room Teacher
Designated Safeguarding Lead, Science Lead
I will always remember what attracted me to teaching and it began remembering my own year 5 and 6 teacher how I was lucky to have her for two years in the UK, I remember struggling with some subjects and how she went out of her way to support me, thus embedding the idea of teaching in my mind, whilst briefly venturing into the world of Horticulture and gaining a Diploma in Horticulture and Plant Biology I decided that I wanted to pursue my initial career choice and become a Primary School teacher.
This has now allowed me to be fortunate to work in education for over 21 years, taking on a wide range of roles along the way — from class teaching and subject leadership to leading whole key stages and Early Years. My journey began as a teaching assistant before completing my BA and QTS (Qualified Teacher Status), and later gaining QTLS (Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills), while lecturing on teacher training programmes. These experiences have allowed me to combine my love of teaching with a real interest in developing and leading teaching teams. I have recently completed my NPQSL (National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership) allowing me to pursue my career ambition and move into Deputy Principal positions and eventually Principal, whilst also currently undertaking my Doctorate in Educational Leadership and administration. My ongoing learning allows me to delve deeper into education and share good practice with colleagues across school.
During my career, I have lived across the globe such as Brazil, Spain, Australia the UK and now my home Thailand for the past three years with also a year in Phuket, I have gained experiences which have enriched my practice and shaped me into a teacher who values hands-on, experiential learning. I believe that children learn best when they are actively engaged in project-based learning with a meaningful end goal in sight. My approach combines a variety of teaching methods, resources, and tools to bring learning to life and to make it both accessible and inspiring. For example, when exploring Ancient Egypt, my class designed and built their own market stalls from the period before inviting parents to step back in time and experience the atmosphere of a traditional marketplace. This immersive experience not only deepened the children’s understanding but also gave them the opportunity to showcase their knowledge in a creative and interactive way. I am committed to fostering curiosity, collaboration, and critical thinking, ensuring that every learning experience connects to the real world and inspires children to take pride in their achievements.
As I lead the Science curriculum at Invictus my aim is to ensure that children will be learning at the mastery level, that they can link Science to all areas of the curriculum and daily life, it will teach them to question and gain critical thinking skills that can translate across the globe. I aim to give teachers the confidence to deliver fun engaging Science lessons with the practical knowledge to push the children’s learning. I believe children should become mini scientists actively involved in their own learning where teachers become the coaches for their learning.
Outside of school I enjoy learning about History and its importance for us to learn from the past and what this means for our future. I enjoy hunting down amazing Italian food and I am currently starting the process to learn Thai.
Mr. Shane Terlosky
Roles: Year 6 Home Room Teacher
English Lead
Teaching has always been at the heart of who I am, though my path to the classroom was shaped by many varied experiences. Growing up in the USA, I was fortunate to have teachers who left a profound mark on me, most notably my Year 8 English teacher and my Year 9 Science teacher. Both inspired me with their deep subject knowledge, engaging and thought-provoking lessons, and their consistent encouragement to keep learning even when faced with difficulties. They showed me that learning could be enjoyable as well as life-changing. That caring guidance sparked the desire to one day become a teacher myself.
Initially, my first academic degree was in Business Administration, and I spent time pursuing opportunities in that field. However, I later noticed that much of what I enjoyed most about those pursuits involved teaching others, explaining ideas, mentoring peers, and sharing knowledge about business opportunities. It became increasingly clear that teaching was something that seemed natural. Realizing this, I decided to follow a new calling and earned a degree in Education with a focus on Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. Since then, I have been teaching for over 15 years, with more than 9 of those years spent in Thailand.
During these years in Thailand, I have had the privilege of teaching students from Year 1 to Year 13 across government, private, and international schools. This wide range of experience has been invaluable. Teaching students of such different ages and backgrounds has given me unique insight into Thai learners, Thai culture, and the Thai education system as a whole. This understanding eventually led me to earn a Thai Teaching License, deepening both my professional credibility and my connection to the students and families.
Prior to Thailand, my teaching journey had taken me across the globe. I have taught in the USA, Europe, and now Asia. Every country has added to my perspective as a teacher. Each experience has helped shape my teaching philosophy and has reaffirmed my belief that children everywhere, learn best when curiosity is nurtured through patience, encouragement, and understanding. These international opportunities have enriched my teaching style, giving me the flexibility to adapt to different learning contexts while holding firm to the belief that education must be meaningful, engaging, and empowering.
Currently, as the English Lead at Invictus, my goal is to inspire students to achieve their very best in English. I want each learner to become confident in using the language, developing fluency in all the aspects of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. I see English as a gateway as well as a window of opportunity that enables students to connect with people across the world, to access knowledge, and to form lifelong friendships beyond borders.
Outside the classroom, I enjoy visiting Thailand’s many historic and cultural sites, continually working to improve my Thai language skills, playing chess, and participating in local community activities. These pursuits not only enrich my personal life but also connect me more deeply to the culture and community that I am part of.
I am grateful that I listened to the spark that was first ignited by my own teachers years ago. Teaching has been the most rewarding journey of my life, shaping me both personally and professionally. It continues to inspire me every day to share knowledge, to encourage growth, and to instill in students the same belief in their potential that once transformed my own.
Mr. Tachin Saengsuwan
Roles: Thai Language & Culture Teacher
Language & Culture Lead
What inspired me to become a Thai language teacher was the opportunity I had to learn from one of my Thai teachers, who made every lesson enjoyable and easy to understand. Every time I helped my friends with their homework and saw them understand what I explained, I felt truly happy. These experiences planted the seed of my passion for teaching and guided me toward becoming a teacher today. I have always found joy in teaching, especially when I see students truly understand a lesson and are able to apply the skills in their daily lives and across other subjects, showing a strong understanding of bilingual language and how it integrates with Thai culture and context.
I hold a bachelor’s degree in Thai Language, a master’s degree in Applied Linguistics, and a Professional Teaching Certificate. As the Head of Thai Language and Culture, my goal is to develop students’ language skills in all areas, ensuring they can use the language effectively, appropriately, and with respect. In addition to language learning, I also teach Thai culture from past to present, helping students to connect and integrate it with other cultures in meaningful ways and learn from past history.
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