Every new school year brings with it fresh faces, new ideas and inspiring stories from the new students and faculty that join our school community. This year, the Taipei American School (TAS) Upper School welcomes teachers who not only carry diverse experiences from around the world but also bring personal passions that extend beyond the classroom. 

Ms. Lien Martens –

New to the Upper School Physical Education (PE) Department, Ms. Lien Martens brings with her a lifelong love of teaching and sports. Teaching mainly ninth-grade students, she developed a passion for teaching from an early age. She recalled that she was inspired to pursue a career in education because of her younger sister, whom she would often look after, bringing her to various activities such as gymnastics and volleyball. Moreover, she was “always taking care of younger kids in school.”

Before coming to Taiwan, she studied in Belgium and taught for 20 years at the International School of Bangkok (ISB). She later taught at schools in Europe, including England, Italy and Spain. One of the factors that influenced her decision to come to TAS was its participation in the Interscholastic Association of Southeast Asian Schools (IASAS) sports. She shares that “[She’s] always loved that competition,” and that her children, who have now graduated, participated in the program for volleyball, soccer, and softball. 

Outside the classroom, Ms. Martens loves to play padel, a racket sport typically played in an enclosed court. “It’s my mission to find or start padel in Taiwan,” she shared, noting that the sport, while very widespread in Europe, is hard to find here. Ultimately, her goal is to leave her students with a joy for being active, playing sports and moving, beyond just the rigor of physical activity. 

Mr. Yoonsoo Kang –

This year, TAS welcomes a new ninth-grade history teacher, Mr. Yoonsoo Kang, to the Upper School Department. Originally from the United States, he first taught at high schools in Maryland, then at The American School in London. He explained that he chose a career in education because he knew he did not want to be confined to an office environment. “I always wanted to help my community, be a role model, and help younger students to achieve their dreams,” he added. 

Although he is new to Taiwan, Mr. Kang has already found a multitude of hobbies and interests outside of teaching. He shared that he recently joined a dragon boat team, and that he enjoys cooking and experimenting with new recipes, as well as reading. He described his first impression of the TAS community as kind and encouraging, remarking that his students have positive work habits and are eager to learn. 

Through his classes this year, he hopes to help his students develop into more critical and questioning thinkers, and most importantly, to help them find a connection with themselves in the past they are studying. 

Mr. Sean Patella-Buckley

New to the Upper School English Department this year, Mr. Sean Patella-Buckley teaches mostly ninth-grade English as well as one section of American Literature. Though he didn’t begin his career in education, he described reaching a crossroad in his late 20s that ultimately brought him to teaching. “I sat down and made a list of all the things I loved to do, and I realized that the one thing they all had in common was education,” he explained. That realization inspired him to pursue a master’s degree in teaching, and he hasn’t looked back since.

Before moving to Taiwan, he taught at University Prep in Seattle, Washington, for six years. With ten years of teaching experience overall, he noted that TAS reminded him of his previous school, with a similar student body and academic energy, though on a much larger scale. His first impression of the TAS community was overwhelmingly positive: “Kindness. Everyone is very kind. I love that students say hello, I love that students say thank you, and that they’re engaged and invested in their education.”

Outside the classroom, Mr. Patella-Buckley has a wide range of hobbies and creative outlets. He previously practiced blacksmithing, heating metal until it was white-hot and shaping it with a hammer. He also enjoys improvised comedy, participating in a multilingual troupe that meets weekly in Taipei. He also enjoys arts and crafts and other hands-on projects.

In his classes this year, Mr. Patella-Buckley hopes students will embrace curiosity and enthusiasm in their learning. “I want them to give themselves permission to be inquisitive,” he said. “It’s a wonderful gift to be invested and excited about what you’re learning.”

Mrs. Mikayla Patella-Buckley

Joining the Upper School Science Department this year, Mrs. Mikayla Patella-Buckley teaches tenth-grade Honors Chemistry along with Advanced Placement (AP) Chemistry. Unlike many teachers who find their subject first and then fall into education, Mrs. Patella-Buckley explained that she had always known she wanted to be a teacher. After completing her master’s degree, she became certified to teach both chemistry and theater. “The chemistry jobs were hiring more than the theater jobs,” she recalled, “so that’s how I landed on teaching chemistry.”

Before coming to Taiwan, she taught in Seattle, Washington, at a smaller independent school. She noted that her first impression of TAS was shaped by both the size of the campus and the warmth of the community. “It is so much bigger here than my old school,” she said with a laugh, “but everyone has been very welcoming. The students are kind, busy, and involved in so many different things.”

Outside of teaching, Mrs. Patella-Buckley leads a busy life filled with hobbies and passions. For 25 years, she has taught group exercise classes on the side. She also enjoys working with yarn and fabric: sewing, crocheting, knitting, needle-felting, and quilting. “Anything to do with wool, yarn, and sewing,” she said enthusiastically.

In her chemistry classroom, she hopes her students leave with more than just subject knowledge. “I want them to know that they can do hard things,” she emphasized, “and that being a flexible, normal thinker is more important than always having the right answer.”