Matthew Hong - Our Team

Malahat grew up in Iran and developed a passion for education through over a decade of diverse teaching experience. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Guilan, Iran, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) from the University of East London. Her educational background is further enhanced by TESOL certifications from both the University of Hong Kong School of Professional and Continuing Education (HKUSPACE) and Trinity College London.

In her extensive teaching career, Malahat has specialized in Mathematics and English as a Second Language. She is well versed in various phonics curricula, including those from Cambridge and Trinity. Malahat has made significant contributions to international kindergartens and primary schools, skillfully implementing the British curriculum in subjects like Math, Literacy, Art, Cooking, Music, and even Yoga.

Malahat's expertise extends to supporting students with diverse learning needs. While at ESF - Bradbury Primary School in Hong Kong, she excelled in providing learning diversity support. Her approach focused on tailored academic, emotional, and social needs education, implementing individual education programs, and assisting students in integrating effectively into mainstream classes.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Malahat has a rich palette of interests. She is an avid fan of music and sports, particularly Yoga and Pilates, and is an accomplished culinary expert. Her literary interests are varied, encompassing history, psychology, education, and novels. Central to Malahat's philosophy of education is creating an inclusive and nurturing learning environment, fostering each student's unique strengths and interests, and inspiring a lifelong love for learning.

Shu Chen is an expert in several Chinese dialects. A native Mandarin speaker, she is also proficient in Shanghainese and Cantonese as well as English. Her skills and passion in language learning led her to a career in education where she can share the beauty of Chinese culture with non-Chinese as well as Chinese students.

After her Bachelor of Science degree in business at Benedictine College, Shu obtained her Post Graduate Diploma in Education and Master of Education from the Hong Kong Baptist University. She taught Mandarin for 8 years in local Hong Kong secondary and international schools, as well as Liberal Studies for secondary students. Well-trained in the IB teaching system, Shu was also a grade-level teacher who incorporated interdisciplinary learning across various subjects. She was most recently Year Level Head at the Singapore International School Hong Kong overseeing curriculum planning, designing assessments, and developing immersion programs in cultural studies.

Over her decade-long teaching career, Shu observed how a student’s l environment can impact their mental development. She believes that successful positive learning is best achieved by teaching students to be self-motivated to pursue knowledge and become inquisitive learners through asking questions. Shu’s students practice learning-by-doing to reinforce active recall of their knowledge and language in real-life situations and to acquire critical thinking skills to analyze different situations they might encounter.

Shu is currently working towards her Doctoral Degree in Education with research on the development of Chinese curriculum. She is excited to join Bloom to share her love for Chinese language, history, and rich cultural heritage.

Nathan O'Brien is a passionate and versatile educator from Portland, Oregon, USA. After completing his undergraduate studies in Exercise Science, Nathan embarked on a rewarding career that took him around the world, working in sales, marketing, and business development. During this time, he also earned his MBA, further developing his business acumen. However, Nathan always felt a desire to make a more meaningful impact and give back to his community.

Being married to a teacher, Nathan has always been surrounded by education and has been continuously inspired by the joy and wonder he witnessed in her students. This experience helped Nathan discover a passion for working with children. Motivated by this, Nathan made the decision to pursue a career in elementary education. He obtained his teaching certification and embraced the opportunity to mold young minds and instill a lifelong love of learning.

In the classroom, Nathan brings a warm and nurturing presence, thoughtfully supporting students' instructional needs and fostering a positive learning environment. At his core, Nathan believes that cultivating a sense of wonder and curiosity is essential for helping students develop a love of learning. He encourages his students to approach their education with an open mindset, embracing learning both inside and outside the classroom.

Beyond the classroom, Nathan lives an active lifestyle and spends his free time running and exploring local hiking trails. He and his wife enjoy traveling, experiencing new cultures, and trying different cuisines around the world. Nathan is excited to join the Bloom Community and share his genuine enthusiasm for learning and his passion with students.