NIST Leadership Team (NLT)
The NIST Leadership Team includes the senior administrators: Head of School, School Director, Head of Secondary and Head of Elementary. Together they oversee the daily operations of the school and help guide our community as we pursue our vision and mission. All of the current members of the leadership team are also parents of NIST students.
An accomplished educator and leader, Dr. James Dalziel joined NIST in 2020 after having served as Executive Director of Education, Continental Europe for GEMS World Academy, as well as Head of School at their Switzerland campus. Prior to his tenure with GEMS, he held multiple leadership roles, including founding Head of School at United World Colleges Southeast Asia (UWCSEA) - East Campus, Middle School Principal at UWCSEA - Dover Campus, and Middle School Principal at Canadian International School Singapore. James earned two bachelor degrees: one from York University in history/philosophy and kinesiology, and one from University of Toronto in education. He has a master’s degree in educational management and a doctorate in education, both from the University of Western Australia. James also earned a Master of Business Administration with emphasis on innovation, accounting and managerial finance from the Helsinki School of Economics at Aalto University.
He is joined in Bangkok by his wife Nancy, who holds the role of Director of Teaching & Learning, and their two children, Claire and William.
Ms. Poonam Sachdev is the Thai School Director, though she has worked in several roles in the administration since joining NIST in September 1995. Her key responsibilities include dealing with Thai government agencies such as the Ministry of Education, the Immigration Office and the Labour Department to ensure that the school is in compliance with Thai laws. Khun Poonam earned her bachelor’s degree in commerce from Punjab University in India, a Diploma in Teaching from Suan Sunandha College in Bangkok and a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Assumption University, also in Bangkok. Both her children graduated from NIST and are now attending Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok.
Education
- Doctorate in Education Leadership and Learning - Aspen University
- Master of Science in Educational Leadership - Walden University
- Certificate of International School Leadership - Principals’ Training Centre
- Diploma of Education - University of New South Wales
- Bachelor or Arts - University of New South Wales
Previous School
- The International School of Belgrade, Serbia
With her husband Paul Cooper, the Deputy Head of Secondary (DP), Jane has two children: Hannah, who graduated from NIST in 2016, and Daniel, a member of the Class of 2020.
Our Guiding Principles
We firmly believe that leadership is shared, and that with a common understanding of our roles, we can achieve our shared goals as a community. These guiding principles shape our approach not only as leaders, but also as learners.
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We will start with the belief that people are intelligent, capable, working hard and acting in good faith.
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We will seek to be solution-oriented, and use the school mission and a focus upon student achievement to guide discussions.
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We will advocate and support each other, and work as a team.
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We will value open discussion, aim for consensus in decisions, and constantly strive to follow up decisions and communicate effectively.
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We will strive to be transparent, make moral decisions and be fair in our dealings.
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We will create an environment based on trust and respect, which will enable our colleagues to function at their highest point of contribution.
