Director's Biography

Director: Mrs. Valerie Nathanson
teacher/husband: Mr. Ben Nathanson

The director of QSI International School of Suzhou is Mrs. Valerie Nathanson. She and her husband, Ben, originate from Canada, where they were educators for almost thirty years before deciding to teach internationally.

Mrs. Nathanson earned her Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta ( Canada), and has taught every grade from kindergarten through Grade 12 during her career as a teacher. The last position she held before leaving Canada was as Curriculum Coordinator in Edmonton, Alberta. She coordinated the very first International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme in Western Canada for a partnership of seven elementary, junior and senior high schools. At the American School Foundation of Monterrey (ASFM) in Monterrey, Mexico, she taught full time choral music and was Fine Arts Department Head.

Mr. Nathanson received his Bachelor of Arts from Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, Canada, and his Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta, Edmonton. He has spent his entire career teaching upper elementary or middle school grades.

Mr. and Mrs. Nathanson have spent the last four years of their careers at QSI International School of Shekou. A focus on the development of the whole child is truly at the base of their beliefs in education, which ultimately open the doors of opportunity for each and every child. Because they believe so much in the mastery learning and the Success Orientations offered by Quality Schools International, they look forward to building a school of future leaders of our world at QSI International School of Suzhou!