Teachers’ Day｜Gentle as Spring Rain: Honouring Harrow Beijing’s Most Inspiring Teachers!

At Harrow Beijing, 

teachers are not only transmitters of knowledge, 

but also shapers of values. 

With professionalism and passion, 

they ignite students’ curiosity 

and model the Harrow Values of 

Courage, Fellowship, Honour, Humility 

and  in every aspect of school life.

Whether in the classroom or beyond, teachers are constant guides for our students – clearing the path ahead, offering direction and strength, and journeying alongside them with care and understanding.

They witness how curiosity blossoms into passion, and how challenges become stepping stones to excellence. With patience, wisdom, and trust, our teachers help students become not only accomplished learners, but also future leaders with global vision and a strong sense of responsibility.

At Harrow Beijing, we believe a teacher’s experience and background profoundly shape the student learning journey. Every teacher brings their educational philosophy and personal story into the classroom, becoming not only a guide for the mind, but a listener for the heart. Through sincerity and insight, they build strong bridges of communication and empower students to thrive.

Ms. Leisl Guttridge
Lower School Year Group Leader

Lower School Class Teacher

From a young age I wanted to be a teacher, and looking back, it feels like the path was always there for me. As a child, I loved playing “pretend school” with my friends, and I was always the teacher! I follow a long line of teachers in my family. My mother was a teacher, and I believe that is where my journey truly began. I saw first-hand the difference she made in the lives of her students, and I learned so much from her dedication, passion, and kindness. 

I chose to become a teacher because I enjoy working with children and helping them develop and grow—not only academically, but also emotionally and socially. It is an incredible privilege to watch young people build confidence, discover their strengths, and learn to support one another.

I studied at university in Cape Town, South Africa, and began my career teaching there in South Africa. The majority of my teaching career, over 20 years, was spent in the UK, where I was fortunate to teach and learn in diverse and inspiring schools. Now, I am delighted to join the Harrow Beijing community. China is a remarkable country, and my family and I have been made to feel so welcome. I am grateful to continue this journey in education here, always remembering “To teach is to touch a life forever.”

Ms. Estelle de Kock

Early Years Phase Leader

Early Years Class Teacher

My name is Estelle de Kock, though most people call me Stella or Miss Stella. I am the Early Years Phase Leader and the teacher of the Nursery Jungle Cats class. 

Coming from a family of educators, teaching has always been a natural part of my life – even before I began my university studies. I have a deep passion for music and drama, and I regularly integrate the arts into my lessons to create engaging and enriching learning experiences. What I love most about being a teacher is the opportunity to connect with my students each day and explore new things together. Witnessing their growth, happiness, and confidence in the classroom is the highlight of my day. 

I have been teaching at Harrow for four years and truly value the culture we’ve cultivated within the Early Years team. The collaboration and camaraderie among colleagues reflect the very principles we strive to instill in our students. We share a strong sense of fellowship, mutual respect, and support for one another. This positive dynamic naturally extends to the children and is clearly reflected in the way they interact with both their teachers and peers.

Above all, the most important value I aim to instill is love – love for others, for oneself, for the planet and its creatures, and for learning itself. With love comes other qualities too like respect, empathy, tolerance, and a sense of responsibility. I strive to model these qualities in my own behavior, serving as a role model my students can look up to and feel proud to learn from. Happy teacher’s day and thank you to all teachers for their hard work and inspiration!

Mr. Kong
Upper School Head of Economics and Business Studies

As a father of two boys, I have fond memories of how cute and innocent they were when they were small, which reminds me that they’re kids (even though they’re now bigger and taller than me) and they have the right to be cherished and to be supported in their growth. 

As a teacher, I do somehow see all the students as my children. Sometimes their behaviour may be less than satisfactory, but I do see them as work in progress, teachable and full of potential. For example, in my first year in Harrow, there was a Year 9 student whose grade was at the bottom of the three classes I taught. But then we teachers did not give up on him, and he was making steady progress in the following years. Eventually, he did very well in the A Level exam and went on to study in UCL. This year he finished his undergraduate degree and is starting his Masters in Cambridge on to do biomedical research. 

I find teaching a very fulfilling job as our small acts of kindness, brief words of encouragement, and an unwavering faith in the potential of these young people can make a big difference in their lives. I’m happy as a teacher every day.

At Harrow Beijing, we are proud to have an exceptional team of educators from around the world. With 73% of our teachers being international, our faculty brings unmatched strength in global education. All our teachers hold degrees in their subject areas, many from leading institutions such as Cambridge and Harvard. On average, they have 12.5 years of teaching experience, and 5-6 years of average tenure at Harrow Beijing, reflecting both stability and commitment.

Grounded in a deep understanding of international education, our teachers focus not only on academic achievement, but also on nurturing each student’s individual interests and potential. To ensure continued excellence, Harrow Beijing provides a comprehensive programme of professional development. In addition to in-house training, the AISL Harrow group offers thousands of hours of professional learning annually to both local and international staff. Our teachers also have the opportunity to visit Harrow School in the UK, drawing inspiration from centuries of educational excellence to enrich our students’ learning experience.

FOH

Teacher’s Day

Appreciation Initiative

The journey of a child’s growth is supported by both school and family. At Harrow Beijing, it is this shared trust and cooperation that allow education to flourish – not only in the classroom but also through daily care and connection.

This Teacher’s Day, the Friends of Harrow parent committee thoughtfully organised a heartfelt initiative to celebrate our faculty and staff. Warm coffee, elegant treats, and fresh flowers brought joy to the campus—and even more importantly, conveyed sincere appreciation from our parents to the entire teaching team. In the laughter and gratitude shared that day, we saw the strength of the Harrow community.

Education is never a one-way effort. It is a shared journey of dedication and belief. We thank the Friends of Harrow for their unwavering support, and we thank every teacher for walking alongside our students with love and purpose.