Education Team

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 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 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 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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.