SIS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director of Curriculum and Professional Development
David joined SIS in 2022 as the Director of Curriculum and Professional Development. He believes that every learner should feel a sense of belonging in school and that we all have a responsibility to create engaging, authentic, and relevant learning opportunities for ourselves and others. Prior to joining SIS, David has served in teaching and leadership roles in Germany, the United States, Honduras, and Brazil. He is excited to continue learning as part of the SIS community.
Job Titles:
- Founder of School
- Founder of Seoul International School
- School Founder
Mr. Edward Ben Adams is the founder of Seoul International School. He was the principal and headmaster from 1973 to 2002. From 2003 through to the present, he has been overseeing the operations of the school as founder and manager.
Edward B. Adams, educator, author, and authority on Korean history and culture, founded Seoul International School in 1973. He had a dream of founding an international School independent of government and religious sponsorship and affiliation. He served as a teacher and principal for the Department of Defense Dependent Schools for over thirteen years in Taiwan, Japan and Korea after receiving his Master's Degree in School Administration from Eastern Washington University.
His reputation as an author of Korean history, culture and children's books reached the attention of the Presidential Blue House and in 1973 the Ministry of Education granted him a permit to establish an independent international School. This was the first Ministry of Education permit granted to a school not affiliated with government, diplomatic, or religious organizations.
Mr. Adams Continues his contribution to the school developments even today as the Founder of the School. Under his direction the SIS School Board was established in 2019, and he oversees the school's advancements and operations through the Board and the Leadership Team.
Job Titles:
- Head of School
- Member of the Academic Leadership Team
Dr. Gerhard has been with SIS since 2015. He is a committed international educator who has held teaching and leadership positions in Kuwait, the Dominican Republic, Thailand, Burma, Sierra Leone, and now Korea. He was formerly an Economics, History, and Government teacher and has been a principal in Elementary, Middle and High Schools and has served as a Director of Schools. He has worked in both the AP program and with the IB program where he continues to serve as a Diploma Examiner.
On behalf of Seoul International School, it is also with great pleasure that we now welcome our newly appointed Board of Directors. These dedicated individuals are entrusted with the responsibility of charting the course for SIS as we embark on the next fifty years of Excellence in Global Education. We are immensely grateful to them for committing their time, talent, and resources to shaping the future of our school.
We are confident that the new Board will bring their perspectives, ideas, and expertise to the table, ensuring another positive and focused approach towards the future success of SIS. Over the coming months, the Board will work closely with the Head of School and Busines Manager to implement changes that will enhance the overall capacity of the Board and further strengthen the school. We will keep you informed about these developments and share updates with you.
Job Titles:
- Director of Athletics and Activities
Job Titles:
- Head of Information & Technology Team, General Affairs Team
Job Titles:
- High School Assistant Principal
Mr. DelVecchio joined SIS in 2022. His background includes leadership roles at international schools in Shanghai and Hong Kong, as well as ten years of experience teaching middle and high school mathematics. He has also served as a college counselor and an international admissions reader for UCLA.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Academic Leadership Team
- High School Principal
Mr. Macklin has served in a variety of capacities at SIS since 2006. When asked why he has stayed so long, he replies that he loves the challenges posed by the ambitious, demanding students at SIS.
Job Titles:
- Member of the General Affairs Team
Job Titles:
- Member of the Finance & Accounting Team
Job Titles:
- Head of Business Management Team
Job Titles:
- Member of the Information & Technology Team
Job Titles:
- Head of Transportation Team
Job Titles:
- Member of the General Affairs Team
Job Titles:
- Member of the Information & Technology Team
Job Titles:
- Member of the Finance & Accounting Team
Job Titles:
- Physical Education & MS Activities Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Member of the Information & Technology Team
Job Titles:
- Head of Finance & Accounting Team, Facility Team
Job Titles:
- Member of the General Affairs Team
Job Titles:
- Member of the Business Management Team
Job Titles:
- Makerspace Associate Teacher
Job Titles:
- Member of the General Affairs Team
Job Titles:
- Member of the General Affairs Team
Job Titles:
- Member of the Business Management Team
Job Titles:
- Member of the Business Management Team
Job Titles:
- Literacy and EAL Support Specialist
Job Titles:
- Member of the Finance & Accounting Team
Job Titles:
- Member of the General Affairs Team
Job Titles:
- Literacy and EAL Support Specialist
Job Titles:
- Member of the General Affairs Team
Job Titles:
- Head of Academic Services Team
Job Titles:
- Director of Guidance and College Counseling
Kelcey Edwards came to SIS in 2020. She has focused on the high school to college transition for more than 20 years through her work in various K12, higher education, and educational testing organizations.
Job Titles:
- Head of Marketing & Communications Team
- Head of Marketing and Communication
Job Titles:
- Literacy and EAL Support Specialist
Job Titles:
- Elementary & Middle School Assistant Principal
Ms. Hagen joined SIS in 2022 and became the ES/MS Assistant Principal in 2023. She received a B.S. in Elementary Education from Loyola University Chicago and an M.A. in Zoology and Inquiry Education from Miami University Ohio. Before coming to SIS, Ms. Hagen served in several leadership roles, including as an MYP Coordinator in Chicago, an Adjunct Professor at DePaul University and Miami University, and a department and team leader at various schools around the world. Additionally, she taught middle school science for 15 years in various locations, including Chicago, Rome, Beijing, and Seoul. She is passionate about inquiry, sustainability, and environmental education.
Job Titles:
- Elementary School Principal
- ES Principal
Ms. Hay became an educator to help change the world - and this is as true today as it was when she started teaching more than 30 years ago. Trained in Australia, Ms. Hay has worked as a teacher, leader and consultant in elementary, middle and high schools in Australia and internationally. She believes that successful schools provide rigorous and relevant experiences for students that are connected to real life. At the heart of Ms. Hay's thinking is the student experience and student learning.
Job Titles:
- Member of the General Affairs Team
Ms.Jayaram was new to SIS in the 2023-24 school year. A third culture kid and adult, she is most at ease immersed in an international setting. She brings to SIS her more than 20 years' experience in enrollment management. Prior to moving to Korea and Seoul International School, Ms. Jayaram has worked in leading international schools in Oman, India and Myanmar. She is excited to be part of the SIS Tiger community.