Jeffrey Kane: English Language Arts (Grade 7) and Social Sciences (Grade 9)
Jeff has worked in the Phnom Penh education system since 2006. Originally from the US, with a Bachelors in journalism from Northwestern University and a Masters from Vanderbilt in Independent School Leadership, Jeff has spent his career fulfilling many educational and administrative roles, primarily at East-West International School. This is Jeff’s third year leading Liger’s burgeoning English Language Arts department. He has also taken on the roles of Athletics Director and Senior Boy’s A Basketball Coach.
Spencer McCoy: English Language Arts (Grades 8 and 9)
Spencer is originally from the US, and has a Bachelors from The University of Tulsa in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he studied English Literature with minors in creative writing and psychology. Spencer also earned a Masters from Seoul National University in Applied Linguistics – English Language Education. During his time in Korea, Spencer held various teaching positions, including as a Special English Lecturer, and was an English teacher at Jeju Foreign Language Institute. Spencer joined us at Liger after spending the previous two years living in Kratie province and teaching English.
Sokha Nen: Khmer Literacy (Grades 7 and 9)
Sokha has worked at Liger since 2014. His background is in Khmer Literature, with a Bachelors from RUPP and the highest level teaching certificate (Bachelor+1) in Khmer Literature and History from the National Institute of Education. Sokha has taught Khmer language to Grades 6-12 at various points during his decade at Liger, and has also led several project-based learning modules. Sokha has supported students in organizing and running multiple on-campus events, including two Khmer Literature and Culture Festivals and several Khmer Model United Nations conferences. Notably, Sokha is the author of the Liger Khmer Literacy Curriculum, encompassing Grades 7-12.
Ngorntheng Thol: Khmer Literacy (Grades 8 and 9)
Ngorntheng joined Liger in August 2025. He holds a Masters degree in Educational Science in Literature and a Bachelors degree in Khmer Literature from Khemarak University. Over the years, Theng has held various positions in the education sector, including serving as an administrative officer at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, and teaching at several universities across the country. Ngorntheng is currently in his third year of doctoral studies in Education Science at the National University of Chea Sim Komchaymear, where his research focuses on leadership education.
Michael Billington: Life Science (Grade 7) and Earth Science (Grade 8)
This is Mike’s first year teaching at Liger, but he comes with a wealth of experience in the field of science research and education. Mike holds a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Minnesota, as well as a Bachelors in Environmental Studies and Political Science. His most recent teaching experience was in the Grade 7 and 8 MYP Digital Design classroom at ISPP, and before that, he worked as a STEM Teacher for two years in Thailand. Mike has nearly 15 years of experience as an outdoor environmental educator in the US, having run over 1,000 environmental education programs using live raptors to teach elementary and middle school students about science, wildlife, and the environment.
Alvern Tesorero: Physical Science and Social Science (Grade 9)
This is Alvern’s second year at Liger. He graduated from the University of the Philippines with a Bachelors in Chemistry and has a Masters in Marine Plastics Abatement from the Asian Institute of Technology. Alvern has a diverse career background that includes stints in tech support, software engineering, chemistry, sales, and lab sciences. He has tutored, lectured and taught at the university level, and has worked extensively in the field of research. Alvern is the author of the Liger Life and Earth Science Curriculums, serving Grades 7 and 8.
Sork Oun An: Mathematics (Grades 7 and 8)
Sork Oun began at Liger in 2024 as Jeff B’s LFA in the Math classroom. From day one, she was so capable, driven, and open to absorbing the Liger culture, that she quickly earned our respect. Sork Oun majored in mathematics at Burapha University in Thailand. She completed her Bachelor’s and moved back to Cambodia, where she was quickly hired as the Grade 11 and 12 Math Teacher and Transformer Coach at well-renowned school E2STEM Education, Preah Yunkunthor. While employed at E2STEM, Sork Oun designed and implemented curriculum-aligned lesson plans that encouraged critical thinking and problem solving, adapted teaching methods to accommodate diverse learning styles and levels of comprehension, and prided herself on creating a safe and supportive environment where students felt comfortable learning. With her background in math content and her strengths in teaching, Sork Oun has been invaluable in continuing to develop the Math department, overseen by Jeff B.
Jeffrey Boucher: Mathematics (Grades 8 and 9)
Jeff has worked at Liger since its first day back in 2012. Originally from the US, Jeff graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and received his Masters degree in Education from Lesley University in Boston. During his tenure at Liger, Jeff has taught all levels of math, from pre-algebra to Advanced Placement Statistics. Jeff has also facilitated dozens of project-based learning modules, from environment science projects on native bees, the water cycle, and ecotourism, to overseeing the writing of the first volume of the Cambodian Economy book, and running our 2023-2024 robotics program. Finally, Jeff is the author of the Liger Mathematics Curriculum, encompassing Grades 7-12.
Dapong Mut: Khmer Literacy (Grades 7 and 8)
Dapong is a recent graduate of Khmer Literature, Pali, and Sanskrit from Preah Sihanouk Raja Buddhist University. He graduated with his bachelor’s degree in 2024. Dapong has teaching experience with early university level students, and has held other roles outside the classroom as well. It was clear from the first interview that Dapong is incredibly passionate about teaching Khmer to young Cambodians. He was really struck by the Liger methodology and culture, and he has since given his all to the position. In addition to building relationships inside the classroom, Dapong coaches the boy’s football and girl’s volleyball teams.
Echhinh Chao: Science (Grades 7 and 8)
Chhinh has a bachelor’s degree in Agro-Industry from the Royal University of Agriculture in Phnom Penh, where she is also currently completing her Masters. Prior to working at Liger, she worked as an ESL teaching assistant in a private school, and also as a part-time English teacher in a primary school. Chhinh has experience in sales and digital marketing, and previously volunteered in a microbiology lab. Chhinh is a master of the growth mindset, pushing herself to set and achieve goals both personally and professionally. Chhinh is incredibly open to feedback, and has developed great relationships with her science students, especially those who require a bit more support when it comes to their English language development.
Vannary Kim: English Language Arts (Grades 7 and 8)
Vannary is a graduate of Build Bright University, holding a bachelor’s degree in Teaching English as a Foreign Language. Complementing her skill set from uni is Vannary’s extensive teaching background. Before coming to Liger, Vannary had worked at East-West International School (EWIS) since 2008. She worked mostly within the primary grades, moving around between classes and gaining knowledge about how to teach the foundations of English to ESL learners. Vannary has been a wonderful addition to the ELA classroom, spending most of her time with our Grade 7 students who are at a beginner level of English acquisition.
Bunthan Un: Explorations (Grade 8), Introduction to Project-Based Learning (Grade 7) and Head of Personal Organisation and Wellness (POW)
Bunthan has worked at Liger since 2014. Prior to working at Liger, Bunthan worked at PSE, a French NGO, as an English teacher for three years and then as the English Team Leader/Supervisor for three years. Bunthan has a Bachelor’s in Teaching English as a Foreign Language from Cambodian Mekong University. Additionally, Bunthan earned a Master’s in Education from the Royal University of Phnom Penh. Since beginning his tenure at Liger, Bunthan has steadily risen to expert level in our project-based learning curriculum, leading more day trips, overnight trips, and Explorations than any other staff member. Bunthan has facilitated massively successful, cornerstone Liger projects, including a two-year initiative planting 10,000+ trees, with funding and support from the Ministry of Environment. He has ideated and implemented successful Explorations and impact projects with individuals, small, and large groups, and has played a huge role in building our network with various ministries. Bunthan was instrumental in the recruitment of our second cohort, and rose to Head of Recruitment for our third cohort of scholarship students.
Keith Simpson: Explorations (Grade 8), Public Speaking and Debate (Grade 8) and Entrepreneurship (Grade 9)
Keith has worked at Liger since 2016. His background is in finance and economics, with a degree in Economics from New York University. After an extensive career in big banking, including at JP Morgan, Keith expatriated to Cambodia in 2008. In his time at Liger, Keith has spearheaded the development and implementation of our Entrepreneurship program, leading first and second cohort students in Explorations on topics including lean start-ups, waste management, and economics and infrastructure. Additionally, Keith was instrumental in the writing and publishing of the Cambodian Economy Book: Volume Two. Keith has supported students in preparing for external competitions such as RISE and the annual national Business Model Competition (BMC), hosted by NUM. Under Keith’s guidance, we have had multiple teams place in the top three of the BMC across several years. Finally, Keith is the author of the Liger Entrepreneurship Curriculum, encompassing Grades 7-12.
Amatullah Lonandwala: Explorations (Grade 8), Computer Programming (Grade 8) and Technology (Grade 7)
Amatullah, who came to Liger as part of the Princeton in Asia program, is originally from the US, and graduated from the University of Virginia with a Bachelors in Computer Science and English. From there, she entered the Johns Hopkins University School of Education, where she pursued her teaching licensure certification. Just this past July, Amatullah graduated from St. Andrew’s University’s Graduate School for Interdisciplinary Studies with a Masters in Health Data Science, having focused on biomedical imaging. Besides her impressive educational background, Amatullah has held many short-term teaching and education-adjacent positions, including the completion of a year with Teach for America.
Sovannary Rith: Explorations (Grade 8) and Financial Literacy (Grade 7)
Sovannary graduated from Liger in 2020, and went on to major in philosophy, political science and economics at the Asian University for Women (AUW) in Bangladesh. Sovannary completed her degree from AUW in July of 2024 and promptly moved back to Cambodia. While at university, Sovannary was a research assistant for the women’s resource center, and also worked remotely as a content creator and sales manager for a Cambodian business. Sovannary spent her first year at Liger as Bunthan’s Project-based Learning LFA, during which she quickly proved herself in the classroom and on trips. By round two of last year, Sovannary was leading her own Explorations, and was capably and calmly covering Grade 7 classes. This year is her first as a PBL Facilitator, and Sovannary has transitioned well, working alongside new staff and role modeling for them the Liger culture.
Phanna Hun: Explorations, Financial Literacy, Public Speaking and Debate (Grades 7 and 8)
Phanna has a degree in Business Enterprise, and prior to working at Liger, worked in Community Development at Serve Cambodia for four years. He has also worked in education supervision, overseeing the development of a program that met students using a holistic approach similar to the one used at Liger: understanding that emotional well-being, physical health, and academic success go hand in hand. Phanna has been an excellent complement to Keith in the Grade 7 classroom, able to support the understanding of several students who struggle with their English comprehension, and leading lessons under Keith’s supervision.
Clara Akhlaghi: Explorations (Grade 8) and Creative Technology (Grade 9)
Clara is Liger’s third Princeton in Asia Fellow this academic year, and comes to us fresh from her graduation from New York University Shanghai, where she majored in Computer Science. While completing her Bachelor’s, Clara held a research assistant position for NYU Abu Dhabi, and was an instructor for Stanford University’s iDtech Camps. Clara taught foundational Python concepts to 10-12 year olds, and mentored students who were designing an arcade game using the creative and technical applications of Python.
Malika Victor: Explorations (Grade 8), Digital Design (Grade 8) and Creative Arts (Grade 7)
Malika, a first-year Princeton in Asia Fellow, is originally from the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. Malika moved to New York to study graphic design and photography at CUNY Lehman College, where she graduated with a Bachelors in Studio Art. Since finishing her degree, Malika has completed continuing education courses in typography and identity, graphic design, and illustration. Additionally, Malika was part of an Americorps program called ArtistYear, which placed her in a K-8 New York City public school as a Teaching Artist, where she spearheaded curriculum integration, fostering curiosity and innovation in her students.
