The Open Classroom Hong Kong

Agnes Kong

Agnes completed her primary and secondary education at Diocesan Girls' School. She achieved high distinctions at the HKCEE and HKAL exams (scoring 9As and 4As respectively) and was awarded the Hong Kong Sir Edward Youde Memorial Scholarship to study abroad. She attended Yale University and graduated summa cum laude and phi beta kappa in three years. She received her Master’s of Business Administration from Harvard Business School. Agnes has worked for prominent investment banks and private equity firms, including Goldman Sachs (New York), J.P. Morgan (Hong Kong), IFC World Bank (Washington, DC), and the Carlyle Group (Hong Kong).

Although Agnes’ professional experience has been focused on finance, she has always been passionate about education. With her local and Western educational background, she designed a curriculum combining the strengths of both systems. Her professional experience further enabled her to incorporate in her curriculum elements that will help students develop skill sets that are essential for a successful career. Her aspiration is to inspire and develop children and teenagers into global-minded, socially responsible, and happy individuals who are well equipped to succeed in whatever career they pursue when they grow up.

Natalie Kwan

Born and raised in Canada, Natalie moved to Hong Kong after middle school where she completed her secondary education at South Island School. She graduated from Hong Kong University with a double major degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice. Afterwards, she continued to complete a Masters Degree in Psychological Medicine at HKU.

Following graduation, she studied in New York for a professional diploma and worked as a merchandiser. A year later, she decided to pursue a career she is passionate about, which can also bring her great satisfaction. She spent a few years teaching phonics to toddlers and foundational literacy skills to young children. As she wanted to further challenge herself, she joined The Open Classroom in 2015 to teach older children through an engaging and comprehensive English curriculum. A dedicated and compassionate teacher, Natalie works hard to build her students' interest in writing and is motivated by their progress.

Shameera Lin

Shameera is an educator, researcher, and writer specialising in academic writing and postcolonial literatures. They graduated with first-class honours in English from the University of Cambridge (BA, Hons.) and an MPhil research degree in English Literature from the University of Hong Kong, where they also served as a Teaching Assistant and Peer Writing Consultant.

With several years’ experience as an instructor in literary studies, academic writing and critical thinking, Shameera is passionate about making education accessible and enjoyable, while obtaining tangible outcomes. In addition to literary education and research, Shameera has worked on a number of projects in the performing arts and creative writing. Prior to pursuing a career in education, Shameera was a full-time communications executive and a freelance culture and arts writer. As an educator with The Open Classroom, Shameera fosters the enjoyment of writing across various age groups, encouraging students to think critically and stay curious.

Michael Armitage

Born and raised in the UK, Michael is a Native English teacher with 15 years of teaching experience. He has taught at learning centers including NTK, Imperial Academic Solutions and MLC Language Centre, focusing on academic and creative writing, exam preparation (IGCSE, A level and IB) and interview preparation for primary, middle and high school students. He has also taught at various schools and kindergartens like Cannan Kindergarten, focusing on phonics, grammar, creative writing, speech, Cambridge YLE, Trinity exams and interview.

Moreover, Michael holds the Certificate of Quality Teaching from Oxford University Press and British Council. Being a major in psychology, he is trained in speech and language therapy and communication, as well as occupational therapy in attention. He brings in an additional aspect of students’ psychological and social development to provide a more holistic education. At The Open Classroom, Michael is dedicated to sharing his insights in education with students, enriching their knowledge.

Megan Dooley

Megan is an experienced and dedicated Native English Teacher who has worked with young learners across Hong Kong. Her personal academic background includes formative years spent in schools in both the United States and Canada, giving her an authentic, firsthand understanding of Western educational environments. This unique perspective, combined with her extensive professional experience in prestigious local and international schools such as Wah Yan College, Munsang College, American International School, and Canadian International School, allows her to bridge different learning cultures.

Megan's deep cross-cultural insight, further enhanced by her full fluency in Cantonese, English, and Mandarin, allows her to effectively identify and meet the individual needs of every student. She skillfully adapts her teaching strategies to ensure each child receives tailored support for optimal learning and confidence. Furthermore, her bachelor's degree in business brings a unique and practical perspective to her teaching methodology. Deeply committed to student success, Megan takes great pride in helping her students achieve their academic goals. She currently tutors students studying a range of English curriculums: IB English Language and Literature, IGCSE English Language and Literature, DSE English, and DBSPD English.

Joie Milaor

Joie began her teaching journey in China when an opportunity arose to enhance communication within a multinational company. She led weekly English classes for colleagues and managers, and she taught English to her colleagues’ children, fueling her desire to help students. She then went on to earn her TEFL certification, and she now specializes in phonics for young children and creative writing for older students.

In her phonics classes, she is dedicated to creating an engaging learning atmosphere, understanding the importance of patience and encouragement in the learning process. In her creative writing classes, she collaborates closely with her students, guiding their ideas while cultivating an environment of open communication and brainstorming. Her motivation lies in building a strong foundational understanding, emphasizing structure, exploring literary analysis, and integrating speech to provide a comprehensive learning experience. Results-oriented yet patient, Joie places student-centered learning at the core of her teaching.

Annabel Lau

From a young age, pursuing a career in education has been Annabel’s long-term goal. Born and raised in the UK, she has spent the majority of her life in England and graduated from Newcastle University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, with a focus on child development and the psychology of teaching and learning. During her final year, she worked as a teaching assistant in a local primary school. Annabel has work experience in university events for potential students, including campus tours and presentations regarding higher education in the UK. Since then, her dream has been to teach in Hong Kong and reconnect with her roots as an adult, joining The Open Classroom in 2017. She is now a holder of the Trinity College London CertTESOL, acquired in Hong Kong and an equivalent of the CELTA.