Administration

Portrait of Matthew Brown, Principal at Clifford International School in Guangzhou, Panyu, China

Matthew Brown

Principal

My name is Matthew Brown. I am the associate principal at Clifford International School. This is my tenth year working at Clifford School and my third year as associate principal.

I have a Bachelor of Arts degree from McGill University and a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of British Columbia. I also have a Master’s in Educational Leadership and Management from Royal Roads University in Victoria, BC. I have over ten years of leadership experience in education.

I believe authentic success is more than just academic achievement. At Clifford, we want to develop well-rounded students who are connected to each other, care about their community, and give back as contributing citizens. As a school leader, I care deeply about student success.

Portrait of Samantha Rogers, Associate Principal at Clifford International School in Guangzhou, Panyu, China

Samantha Rogers

Associate Principal

My name is Samantha Rogers, and I am thrilled to join the Clifford International School leadership team as Associate Principal this year. With 20 years of experience as an educator in Ontario, Canada—5 of which have been in senior leadership roles with the Toronto District School Board—I bring a wealth of knowledge to this position. I hold a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education from York University in Toronto, as well as Principal Qualifications from the Ontario Principal Council.

In my role as a school administrator, I am dedicated to fostering an environment where inclusive education and strong relationships are at the heart of our mission. I actively work to create a welcoming space where every student feels seen and valued, and I strive to build meaningful connections with students, families, and staff. My goal is to guide our school community in developing critical thinking and global citizenship skills, ensuring that each student is prepared to navigate and contribute positively to an increasingly interconnected world.

Portrait of Dr. Terry Kurtz, who is an admin and a teacher at Clifford International School in Panyu, Guangzhou, China

Dr. Terrance Kurtz

Dean of Curriculum and Instruction
& Geography

My name is Dr. Terrance Kurtz, and I am the Dean of Students at Clifford International School. This marks my 23rd year in the field of education and my fourth year in the role of Dean.

I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Azusa Pacific University, followed by a Master’s degree in English as a Second Language, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from the American College of Education. These qualifications form the foundation of my dedication to delivering high-quality education.

My educational philosophy revolves around the belief that every student can be taught. To provide the best education, an educator must understand each student individually, as each student possesses a unique learning process.

Portrait of June Vandermeulen, a teacher at Clifford International School in Panyu, Guangzhou, China

June Vandermeulen

Dean of Curriculum

Hello! My name is June Vandermeulen and I am the new Dean of Curriculum at Clifford International School. This is my 7th year working at CIS where I have had the opportunity to teach grades two, three and four so far. In my new position, I will be working to mentor staff and students and to provide curriculum support, resource support and guidance where needed. As well, I will be working in our International Language Center where I will be supporting students who need more focused English language learning opportunities.

I have obtained a Bachelor of Education Degree specializing in Early Years Education from the University of Manitoba and have over fifteen years of experience teaching under the Manitoba curriculum.

I believe that learning should be a lifelong pursuit. We are all constantly learning new things as the world changes around us. As learners, we need to be flexible, take risks, persevere, ask questions and think critically. These skills, coupled with a growth mindset perspective, help us to be lifelong learners.

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