Faculty

APIS strives for excellence in teaching:

  • To ensure measurable, standard-based student performances and achievements by implementing a cutting-edge curriculum and research-based instructional strategies.
  • To assemble a superb group of educators, who are not only excellent teachers but also accomplished individuals serving as role models.
  • To provide a Christ-centered, loving, and caring community that promotes students’ creativity and passion for learning.
Searching APIS Faculty
  • Scott Paulin
    Head of Schools
    M.A. Sonoma State University
    B.A. California State University, Chico
    Mr. Paulin has 32 years of experience in education, 12 years as a junior high and high school teacher, and 20 years in school administration. He earned his Master's in Educational Leadership, studying and creating innovative alternative school structures and schedules to meet the needs of small, rural schools in Northern California. He served as the secondary principal and Principal/Superintendent of Potter Valley Schools in Mendocino County, California, before accepting the position of secondary principal at APIS, Seoul, in 2011. During his time at the school in Seoul, he was promoted to Deputy Head and worked with the school’s founder, Dr. Euysung Kim, to locate the property on Oahu and develop and open the Hawaii campus.

    Mr. Paulin returned to California in 2018, where he served as the Director of Alternative Education at Ukiah Unified Schools, leading a variety of alternative schools and programs, developing a comprehensive college and career counseling program for the district, and mentoring new administrators. Scott completed his time with Ukiah Unified as the Assistant Superintendent, overseeing the district’s 11 schools. Mr. Paulin believes in a relational approach to education, focusing on loving God and loving others, and strives to create schools where students are at the heart of every decision and supported in pursuing their highest aspirations. Many of his fondest moments in education have been with APIS, and he is thrilled to be rejoining the APIS family.
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  • Samuel McKinstry
    Music (Orchestra)
    B.M.E. Missouri State University
    Mr. Mckinstry earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Missouri State University with a focus on Orchestra Education. Over the past 15 years, he has taught music in Missouri and Oregon, including in rural and urban communities, serving students of deaf and hard-of-hearing and immersion programs, where he deepened his commitment to inclusive, cross-cultural education. His teaching is rooted in community building and helping students discover the joy of making music together.
    Mr. Mckinstry is highly certified in the Orff Schulwerk approach, which emphasizes creativity, movement, and collaboration. He uses this framework to shape well-rounded musicians with a strong understanding of both the structure and spirit of music. His classrooms are vibrant spaces where students actively explore rhythm, melody, and expression.

    Passionate about working with multilingual learners, Mr. Mckinstry believes music is a universal language that connects us all. He is excited to bring his joyful, community-centered approach to music education to Asia Pacific International School. When not teaching, Mr. Mckinstry enjoys connecting with nature, playing traditional string instruments, and exploring with his partner and two kids, who are both students at APIS this year.
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  • Paul Morris
    High School Science
    M.Sc. University of Canterbury
    B.Sc. University of Canterbury
    Mr. Morris was born and raised in Christchurch, New Zealand. After gaining an MSc in Zoology, with a focus on freshwater ecology, he moved to Korea and spent time teaching ESOL at a women's university in Seoul. He then returned to New Zealand and became a high school biology teacher. He is excited to be back in his second home, teaching the subject he loves in a Christian environment.
    Mr. Morris believes that great teaching starts with building strong learning-focused relationships based on mutual respect. He loves capturing students' interest by sparking curiosity about the incredible complexity of life on our beautiful planet.

    In his spare time, Mr. Morris loves to explore new places both in and outside of Korea with his family. He also enjoys a range of sports, including skiing, running, and mountain biking.
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  • Paul Nakhla
    Chorus
    Coming Soon.
  • Calida Osti
    Middle School English Language Arts (ELA) / Social Studies
    Elementary School Assistant
    M.F.A. Lindenwood University
    B.A. Georgia Southern University
    Ms. Osti originally hails from Georgia and has spent her career in education supporting students across diverse classroom settings. She began her teaching career in the U.S., where she taught high school English Language Arts and served as an ELA content leader. Since moving to Korea in 2020, she has taught a range of courses—such as honors ELA, social studies, research writing, public speaking, debate, and ESL—working with elementary, middle, and high school students. Through these experiences, she has focused on helping learners develop strong communication and critical thinking skills.

    Ms. Osti holds a B.A. in English Literature from Georgia Southern University and an M.F.A. in Writing from Lindenwood University. Her teaching philosophy centers on the belief that no single approach works for every learner, so she strives to build strong relationships with students and adapt instruction to meet individual needs. A passionate writer herself, she aims to foster creativity and confidence in her students’ own writing.

    Outside the classroom, Ms. Osti enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her two cats.
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  • Alex Park
    High School Counselor
    International School Counselor Certification CTC
    Teacher Prep Program Princeton University
    M Div. Princeton Theological Seminary
    M.A. Princeton Theological Seminary
    B.A. Emory University
    Mrs. Park is a Korean-American and a Third Culture Kid, having experienced frequent relocations throughout her life. Before transitioning into her current role as a school counselor, she spent the first fifteen years of her career leading various church ministries in New Jersey and California. She then dedicated the following fifteen years to teaching IB Diploma Programme Psychology, AP Psychology, and introductory psychology courses to high school students in both Korea and the United States.

    Mrs. Park is a strong advocate for Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), believing it to be fundamental to students’ well-being and academic success. She emphasizes the importance of mental health literacy, ensuring that individual counseling sessions are supported by preparatory lessons. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, running, watching K-dramas, and completing puzzles.
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