Ozlem Kucukoruc was born in Istanbul, Turkey, where her family still reside. After completing her university education in literature, she focused her studies on innovation management, linguistics, and creative writing. She has worked with gifted and talented teenagers, held leadership roles, and taught IB language, literature, and TOK courses at international schools since 2006.

A certified teacher trainer, Ozlem organized and conducted training programs on skills development and creativity for several schools and educators. Her areas of interest also include extracurricular activities that help increase young people’s wellbeing and empowerment. As an educator, she believes that schools have the responsibility to teach critical thinking skills to students in all disciplines and encourage them to develop the awareness and practice to apply these skills on to their lives outside the classroom as well. 

Having been an avid reader all her life, she is also an aspiring writer.

In the past she’s met or taught several students who became UWC alumni all around the world, and she herself has been a proud member of UWC CSC since 2020.

Jacky Zhen Peng graduated with a Master’s degree of Arts from East China Normal University. During 2006-2016, Jacky Peng taught different courses in Shanghai High School International Division and Wuxi No.1 High School International Division, including IBDP Chinese A Literature, Chinese A Language & Literature. He is highly experienced in teaching IBDP Chinese and high school Chinese. Jacky Peng attended several IBO workshops for Chinese subject teachers. He has also been accredited as an IB examiner in the subject of Chinese A Literature.

Dennis has been teaching Mathematics at international schools for 16 years in Kenya, Nigeria, Myanmar and Indonesia. His experience encompasses teaching various international curriculums such as IBDP, Advanced Placement, IGCSE and A-Level.

Dennis is very passionate about meaningful mathematics that enables transfer and application of concepts to real life situations. He is an examiner of Cambridge Additional Mathematics and certified with college board as AP Statistics teacher. He is certified in using (UBD) understanding by design approach of teaching Math that emphasizes scaffolding and back ward lesson design.

Dennis graduated from Moi University in Eldoret Kenya with a Bachelor of Education Degree in Mathematics and Geography.  He was born in Kenya and is joined in China by his two daughters one of whom is joining DP1 at UWC CSC. He enjoys playing football during his free time and is a trained youth soccer coach.

Feiran is an experienced economics teacher and IB examiner. He joined UWC Changshu China in 2019. Since then, he has taught FP and DP Economics, along with FP Peace and Sustainable Future and Critical Thinking. Prior to joining CSC, he served as an instructor and taught Intermediate Macroeconomics at Columbia University. Feiran received his Master of Arts and Master of Philosophy in Economics from Columbia University, with a research focus on trade and inequality.

Feiran is dedicated to bring quality education to students from diverse backgrounds and with different needs and aptitudes. He is committed to an inquiry-based and concept-based approach and explores ways of using research to inform teaching and learning practices. Outside of work, Feiran enjoys the company of his family, friends, and two cats.

Kelvin has been working as an educator for nearly 20 years. Kelvin comes to UWC Changshu as a High school physics teacher and Head of Science. Kelvin graduated with a BSc Honors in Physics and computing and PGCE in teaching at Roehampton University in London. With a wealth of experience teaching GCSE, BTEC, A- Level, iGCSE and being an IB educator for over 12 years Kelvin also has a diverse background in teaching. Kelvin served as a teaching mentor, the gifted and talented coordinator, and Head of Science whilst starting his career in the UK, where he and his family then moved to Africa where he taught in Ghana and Egypt. Before arriving at UWC Changshu Kelvin worked in Qatar as Head of Science, Head of Year and High school science coach.

Kelvin is known for his dynamic teaching style and ability to connect with students on a personal level. His classes are challenging, but also engaging and fun. Kelvin also loves to incorporate technology into his lessons and is constantly seeking new and innovative ways to engage his students. He is known for his patience and his ability to inspire students to achieve their academic and personal goals.

Kelvin, along with his wife, and kids are extremely excited by this new adventure and experience in China and look forward to being a part of the UWC family and vision.

Ōtautahiborn and bred, Nik brings a wealth of experience and passion to UWC Changshu China.With a background spanning two decades in education, she is committed to fostering collaboration, connecting curriculums, and inspiring young minds. She is passionate about creating spaces where students, teachers, and the wider community can come together to learn, share, and grow. Nik endeavors to inspire and uplift others with her indefatigable optimism and zest for life.

Nik holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and History, a postgraduate Diploma in Teaching, and a postgraduate Diploma in Māori Language and Pedagogies. This commitment to language and culture has not only enriched her personal development but has also enabled meaningful connections with learners from diverse backgrounds.

As the Specialist Classroom Teacher and Head of Languages at Te Puna Wai o Waipapa Hagley College, New Zealand, Nik mentored both beginning and experienced teachers to explore innovative teaching, and champions approaches that prepare students for our dynamic world, including systems and futures thinking skills.

A keen gardener, hiker and music lover, Nik is joined at UWC Changshu by her husband and two teenage sons.