About Fairmont International School

As a division of Fairmont Education Group, Fairmont International School (FIS) offers a course of study in the US, as well as partners with schools and educational providers around the world, to help students realize their academic goals. They do this through curriculum that emphasizes language acquisition, independent thinking, critical inquiry, and student creativity. FIS offers the following programs: Joint Diploma, Short Term Immersion, Educator Training, eLearning, the Language and Leadership Institute, School Consultation, and Study Abroad at Fairmont Private Schools. FIS also offers customized programs to meet specific school needs. Through its programs, FIS connects schools and students throughout the world with resources from Fairmont Private Schools and opportunities to come to Fairmont Private Schools in the US. FIS programs are individually approved by the Ministry of Education in China. Fairmont International School and our programs are accredited through June 2022 via AdvancED, by the NCA Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement, the Northwest Accreditation Commission and the SACS Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement.

Fairmont International School Leadership Bios

Click on pictures to read bios.

John Barrier

Director of Global Operations

Rebecca Wood, PhD

Director of International Education

Lan Liao

Program Coordinator

Kenny Zhou

Business Development Manager

Brittany Christie

International Education Program Manager

Lucy Yang

International Education Program Manager

Avril Jones

International Education Program Manager

Nicola Jefferson

Head Teacher

Jonathan Dunn

FIS Dean and College Counselor

Jon Matthews

International Education Program Manager

Leshanta Roop

International Education Program Manager

John Barrier

Following a successful career in hotel sales and management, Mr. John Barrier joined Fairmont Private Schools in 2001. He has been instrumental in the growth and development of Fairmont’s International Academy, founded in 2002, and now works to foster partnerships with educational institutions throughout the globe. Prior to Fairmont, Mr. Barrier worked in various management positions for Marriott and Hilton hotels—including spending a year in Warsaw, Poland, conducting a hotel management study. Mr. Barrier holds a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from California State University, Fullerton.

Mr Barrier began his work with Fairmont as Fairmont Preparatory Academy’s Junior High Director. From there, he was promoted to Campus Director of the International Academy (FIA). Under his guidance, FIA has grown to become an internationally-recognized language learning program that has been accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges since 2009.

Mr. Barrier’s position has expanded to include overseeing the many programs offered by Fairmont International School, including: Joint Diploma Programs, Short Term Immersion, and Teacher Training. His strategic leadership of Fairmont International School has led to a number of milestones including the establishment of Fairmont’s first Joint Diploma Program (JDP) in 2010.

Dr. Rebecca Wood

Dr. Wood focuses on building and developing partnerships with Fairmont’s Joint Diploma schools and Language and Leadership Institutes throughout China. She helps schools blend the best of Chinese education with Fairmont’s time-tested methods of preparing students for quality colleges. A proud Fairmont graduate herself, Dr. Wood seeks to provide Fairmont’s international students with the same excellence in education she received from Fairmont Private Schools.

Dr. Wood joined Fairmont Education Group in 2002, following the completion of her studies at Wellesley College and her doctoral studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. After teaching English for several years at UCSB and at Fairmont, Dr. Wood moved from serving as English department chair to Dean of Advanced Studies, leading the school’s Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Medical Magnet and Engineering Magnet programs. Under her leadership, Fairmont was repeatedly recognized by The College Board as having “one of the highest student success rates in the state of California in math, science, and technology.”

Lan Liao

Mr. Liao has over five years of experience working with international students. From working as the Admission Coordinator at Fairmont Preparatory Academy to his current role as Fairmont International School Program Coordinator, he has not only provided support to the international department, but also to Fairmont students, families, and partner schools worldwide.

Kenny Zhou

Mr. Kenny Zhou brings eight years of educational marketing and sales experience to his role with Fairmont International Education. A graduate of Sichuan International Studies University with bachelor’s degrees in English and French, he has worked in the US, UK, and China developing, supporting, and growing international programs. His past sales and marketing experience includes serving as Senior Marketing Manager for the Institute of Online Education, Beijing Foreign Studies University, and Sales and Business Development Manager for EF Education, the world’s largest language training company. He also brings a keen understanding of language education, having designed courses to prepare Chinese students for entrance to university in France.

Brittany Christie

Brittany Christie has been teaching the short term immersion programs with Fairmont since 2014. She received her Bachelor's of Arts in Humanities from the University of Colorado, her CELTA, and her Texas teaching credential in English Language Arts and Reading. She has been teaching in schools in South Korea, the United States and China. She serves as the Joint Diploma Manager at 21st Century High School, teaching in the classroom as well as providing professional development for Chinese and expatriate teachers. Whether she is in the classroom as an instructor or as an observer, she is passionate about the learning process and how to get the most for our students.

Lucy Yang

Lucy Yang brings over 20 years of second language teaching and school leadership experience to Fairmont International. Ms. Yang is based at the Affiliated High School to Hangzhou Normal University and also works with Linyi Number 4 High School and Nanjing Allen International School. Her commitment to international education is deep. She has been educated both in China and abroad, and she has taught and served as a supervisor in Beijing and in the United States. Ms. Yang has a wide range of teaching experience from working with IB students in North Carolina to training teachers in both China and the U.S. She has also served as a coordinator for the Confucius Institute Online, and in American schools. Ms. Yang holds her MA in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages from Beijing Language and Culture University and her BA from Capital Normal University in English Education, as well as a certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from the Australian TESOL Training Centre.

Avril Jones

Avril Jones has been an educator for the past eighteen years, the majority of her time teaching in Regina, Saskatchewan, but most recently in China. She received her Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in ESOL from Concordia University-Portland and her Bachelor of Education from the University of Regina. Throughout her career, Avril has taught a variety of subjects, such as Biology, Chemistry, Math, ESL and special education. With her varied teaching experiences and some administrative experience, she currently works as a Joint Diploma Program Manager at Beijing 21st Century International School. Whether teaching her own classes, observing teachers, or providing professional development, Avril strives to bring the best out of everyone.

Nicola Jefferson

Nicola Jefferson is a gifted language educator as well as an experienced school administrator. In over 20 years working in education, Ms Jefferson has taught English as a second language, Spanish, French, as well as history. Having studied abroad at the Sorbonne, Ms Jefferson brings a rich background to teaching international students and guiding international programs. Ms Jefferson has taught in a number of schools, including International Baccalaureate schools, in and around Philadelphia. A passion for serving young people drove Ms Jefferson to found and serve as executive director of The Achievement Project (TAP), a non-profit dedicated to serving the youth of Chester, PA. Ms Jefferson came to education after a successful career as an attorney, lobbyist and researcher in Washington DC and New York City. Ms Jefferson earned her JD from Columbia University, her Master of Science in Education from the University of Pennsylvania, a teaching certification from Swarthmore College and a BA from Smith College.

Jonathan Dunn

Mr. Jonathan Dunn has been instrumental in the building of Fairmont's college counseling program. He has worked with Fairmont’s partner schools in China since 2012. Mr. Dunn has years of experience in counseling and teaching in private schools throughout California. He is a member of both the National and the Overseas Association for College Admission Counseling. He serves as an AP grader with the College Board for AP U.S. History. Mr. Dunn graduated from Oberlin College, earned his teaching credential from University of California, Los Angeles, his Master of Arts in history from University of Southern California, and his certification in guidance counseling from the University of California, San Diego.

Jon Matthew

Coming soon...

Leshanta Roop

Leshanta Roop brings over eight years of sharing knowledge and lending guidance to both students and teachers. With a passion for nurturing excellence and bringing out the best in those she works with, Leshanta has cultivated her unique skills in varied international and ESL environments in several countries, including China. She earned her degree at the University of the West Indies, majoring in Literatures in English with a minor in Theater Arts, and brings with her not only the theory but also a rich world of experiences to Fairmont International School.