Our leadership team

The leadership of UDIS is comprised of a group of very talented and experienced school administrators and teachers who are guiding the development of the school and its operations.

Siriphat Pukpo - UDIS Licensee

Siriphat has been involved in all levels of education for over 20 years in Thailand. She is also currently the licensee of Kornprapaphat Bilingual School (KPBS) in Khon Kaen which was one of the first English programmes to be launched in Khon Kaen in 2004. She has also been involved in the administration of universities, polytechnics and has been a prominent member of the Khon Kaen Private School’s Committee for many years. Siriphat has education in her blood, and lives and breathes for the development of student learning in Isaan.

Dr. Lindsay Stuart - Head of School

Lindsay is an experienced school administrator with over 20 years experience working in education in Thailand. Lindsay hails from New Zealand, where he graduated from the University of Canterbury with Bachelor degrees in Arts and Science before completing a PhD in Information Systems. He also holds a Masters degree from Mahidol University in Thailand and a Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Administration from Massey University in New Zealand. Lindsay has an excellent understanding of educational administration, learning and technology and has used that knowledge to guide and shape exciting learning programmes for the learners of UDIS.

Charles Cejka - Senior School Principal

Charles is an experienced pedagogical leader and teacher with Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from the University of Waterloo in Canada. He also holds a Bachelor of Education from Trent University in Canada. He has over 15 years of international teaching experience from schools in Saudi Arabia, Germany and the United Arab Emirates, and has served as a Head of Department, DP Coordinator  and school leader in IB continuum schools for over 12 years. 

Charles is a passionate advocate of the IB philosophy and has been an examiner in Biology for the IB since 2015 as well as a content developer of resources to be used by IB teachers.  As a global citizen, he enjoys working in the international school setting and embraces innovative teaching approaches to develop inquiry skills in learners.

Kevin MacDonald - Junior School Principal

Kevin is an experienced senior educational leader with 20 years of experience in primary and early years education. A proud Canadian national, Kevin holds a Master of Education and the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH), among other professional credentials. Throughout a distinguished career spanning two decades, Kevin has spent the majority of that time working within the international school sector in China, Uzbekistan, and Indonesia. This global perspective has provided a deep understanding of diverse curricula and a firm commitment to fostering inclusive, high-achieving learning environments.

With a strong background in strategic school improvement, Kevin is dedicated to developing robust institutional cultures and optimising teaching and learning systems. This extensive experience will be used to guide the Junior School at UDIS, ensuring that every learner is supported to reach their full potential through engaging and rigorous educational programmes within the International Baccalaureate and the National Curriculum of England.

Alfie Cucuzella - Junior School Principal & Head of Student Services

Alfie Cucuzella hails from Pennsylvania, USA. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in History with a minor in International Studies from Millersville University, driven by a lifelong passion for travel and cultural exploration. This passion led him to go overseas, where he discovered his true calling in teaching while working as an EAL instructor in Seoul. There, he inspired students of all ages, from preschoolers to adults, to foster a love for learning beyond the classroom.

In recognition of his dedication, Alfie was honoured as Teacher of the Year in the Nambu District of Seoul in 2010. Committed to furthering his education, he returned to school to obtain his professional qualifications in Elementary Education and received his elementary teaching license in Florida. Currently, he is pursuing his Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction to further enhance his teaching skills.

With 18 years of experience, Alfie has worked globally in Mexico, South Korea, China, and Thailand, contributing to the International Baccalaureate framework and achieving PYP certification. For the past decade, he has served as both an EAL teacher and the Director of an international school in China, where he has cultivated a dynamic and inclusive learning environment. 

Juris Kalnins - PYP Coordinator

Juris is a passionate primary school educator who holds a Bachelor of Education with Honours from Denmark. During his studies, he gained international experience through internships in Copenhagen, the Netherlands, and Greenland, where he developed a strong interest in inquiry-based learning and international education. After graduating, Juris began his international teaching career in Latvia, where he spent six years developing his practice as both a PYP homeroom teacher and a humanities specialist. His journey has since taken him to Ethiopia and Bali, where he further developed his leadership skills and deepened his focus on inquiry-based and project-based learning.

As he enters his 10th year in education, Juris is excited to continue growing, collaborating, and inspiring others through PYP coordination and curriculum development. Outside the classroom, Juris enjoys family life as a father of two young children. He is a passionate cyclist who loves spending time outdoors and exploring nature, and he also enjoys playing and following basketball.

Diana Clemencia Afanador Vargas - MYP Coordinator

Diana is an educator with a Bachelor of Arts from the National University of Colombia, a Masters of Fine Arts from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne in the U.K. and a Masters in Special Education and Inclusion from Montrer University in Mexico. She has more than 16 years of experience as an educator, with 10 of those in international schools in Colombia and has served as the Positive Behaviour Coordinator and Wellbeing Coordinator in middle and highschool levels. Diana is passionate about fostering and sponsoring student leadership initiatives such as Student Prefects, Peer to Peer mentors, and student competitions. Diana is a passionate IB educator, who believes that the aim of education should be to help guide young people in order to build a “better and more peaceful world”.  

Diana is joined by her husband Andrés, who is a Sound Engineer and daughter Isabella. Outside of the classroom she loves the outdoors, camping, exploring nature and was a scout leader for over 20 years. She also loves to learn about new cultures, their artistic representations, museums and heritage sites.

John-Charles Trowt - DP Coordinator

J.C. is a qualified educator from the United States, specialising in English and history with extensive experience in the International Baccalaureate  (IB).  He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and English Literature with a Concentration in Writing from the University of Michigan and a graduate degree in Secondary Education with endorsements in English and History.  Additionally, he completed the Teaching English as a Foreign Language certificate through Columbia University and earned a Master’s in International Education from King’s College London.

Passionate about fostering inclusive learning environments and committed to inquiry-based teaching, J.C. integrates innovative strategies to enhance student engagement and critical thinking. He is eager to contribute to the school community and engage with the richness of Thai culture. Outside of school, J.C. enjoys family life with his wife, Molly, and their ten-year-old daughter, Ivy. He loves travelling, hiking, and exploring the outdoors.

Phibzia Siddiqui – Early Years Coordinator

Phibzia holds a Master’s Degree in Education (TEFL) from the National University of Laos. She has completed a Bachelor of Arts (B.A) and an Advanced diploma in “Early Childhood Development” from ECD-Affiliated Edith Cowan University (Australia). She has over 16 years of teaching experience around Asia and has training and experience in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP). She has over 16 years in education and 7 of those in the IB settings. She has taught in Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos and Thailand. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Administration.

Phibzia has spent the last 10 years at UDIS, where she is a cherished member of our community. Her contagious enthusiasm for English language learning and teaching shines through as she fosters dynamic and engaging environments, especially for early learners. Phibzia truly embodies the school’s spirit of excellence in education.

Sineenard Chamat – Director

Sineenard (Nard) comes from Khon Kaen and holds a Bachelors Degree in Computer Education from Rajabhat Institute of Suan Dusit in Bangkok. She also holds a Masters of Education from Khon Kaen University. She has over 18 years of experience teaching a range of subjects in Thai schools including Thai language, social studies, Thai history and computing. Nard is a patient, hard working teacher who is always willing to learn new things and pass those onto her students.

Siri Setthakomoot – Operations Manager

Siri (Moo) has a Bachelors Degree in Mass Communication from Chiang Mai university where she was originally from. Moo has had a lot of experience working in roles from consultant to manager for companies including Central Plaza. Moo works with our office staff to support the operations of the school and to facilitate communications between school and parents.