Our Team & Teachers
Leadership
Dr. Rachael Stevens
Founding Principal
Rachael brings over a decade of experience teaching and leading in international schools in Thailand and the UK. She trained in the United Kingdom and has worked across Early Years and primary education, with a focus on play-based and experiential approaches to learning, bilingual education, and curriculum development.
She joins Jataka from Panyaden International School in Chiang Mai, where she served as Vice Principal for Early Years and Year 1, with responsibility for curriculum delivery and pastoral oversight. Alongside supporting parent and Buddhism education across the school.
Rachael holds a doctorate from the University of Oxford, where her research focused on Buddhist Studies. She is the author of Red Tara: The Female Buddha of Power and Magnetism (Shambhala Publications).
At Jataka, she leads the school’s educational experience, with responsibility for teaching and learning, curriculum implementation, and student wellbeing across Early Years and Primary.
Pema Abrahams
Co-Founder—Strategic Development
Pema Abrahams has over 15 years of experience leading educational and cultural initiatives across Asia. Born in New York and of British and Himalayan heritage, she is a nonprofit leader shaped by both Western and Asian contexts. She was educated at Wycombe Abbey School in the United Kingdom and holds a BA from New York University and an MSc from the London School of Economics.
She has held senior leadership roles within international nonprofit organisations and has founded and led initiatives at the intersection of education, research, and cultural heritage, collaborating with institutions including the British Library’s Endangered Archives Programme.
Pema has lived in Bangkok for the past eight years with her husband and co-founder, Bo, and their two young children. She has had a long-standing personal engagement with Buddhist practice through early exposure to living traditions and nearly lifelong study with its teachers. She also serves on the board of Middle Way Education (USA), contributing to curriculum frameworks that integrate contemplative approaches with contemporary educational practice.
At Jataka, Pema is responsible for shaping the school’s long-term vision and strategic development, ensuring a rooted, innovative, and creative approach to academic excellence, self-awareness, and cultural understanding.
Kuhn Sucharitakul
Co-Founder—Institutional Development
Kuhn (Bo) Sucharitakul is Founder of the Paccaya Foundation, the official license holder of The Jataka School. He is responsible for the school’s establishment, governance, and long-term institutional development.
Originally from Bangkok, he was educated at Naropa University in the United States, where he studied contemplative education. He later spent time in Thailand’s monastic forest tradition, an experience that continues to inform his approach to education, leadership, and service.
His professional experience spans healthcare management, wellbeing, and cultural programming, with a consistent focus on the integration of contemplative practice into educational and social contexts.
Bo also serves on the board of Middle Way Education (USA), contributing to a curriculum framework that informs the school’s approach to contemporary Buddhist understandings.
At Jataka, he oversees governance, institutional development, and relationships with key external stakeholders, including Thai educational authorities, ensuring the school develops in alignment with both national requirements and its founding values.
Duantem Nitikornsakul
Thai Director
Tem is a bilingual educational leader with over 10 years’ experience in international schools. She holds a Master’s in Education and brings expertise in curriculum design, compliance, and bilingual learning environments across both Thai and international contexts.
She oversees Thai curriculum compliance and development at Jataka and leads the Thai Language & Culture programme, ensuring it is meaningfully integrated into the wider learning experience while fully meeting Ministry of Education requirements.
“I am committed to fostering a warm and playful learning environment where our caring community nurtures each child’s sense of self and inspires them to explore their world with confidence, curiosity, and wonder.”
Dr. Rachael Stevens, Founding Principal
Teachers
Zhang Mingfeng
Early Years Co-Teacher—Mandarin
Originally from China, Mingfeng is an experienced and caring teacher with over 13 years experience teaching students across Early Years and Primary. She joins us from CIS (Canadian International School, Singapore) where she spent 6 years as a homeroom teacher in their highly renowned Chinese-English bilingual programme.
Mingfeng believes deeply in play-based learning and creates joyful, meaningful experiences where children learn Chinese naturally through play, exploration, and everyday interactions.
Mingfeng is an educator trusted by students, parents, colleagues, and school leaders. She is passionate about creating a warm, safe, and supportive classroom where every child feels seen, valued, and encouraged to grow.
Birgitta Car
Early Years Co-Teacher—English
Birgitta Car is an Australian educator with over 17 years teaching experience. She has lived in Thailand for 13 years, teaching most recently at KIS, after time at Regents, the Australian International School, and St Marks. Birg has also taught in both Melbourne, Australia and the UK.
Birg’s background in English and History enhances her work with students from Early Years to Year 13. She believes in the power of inquiry and play-based learning, weaving these philosophies through her approach.
Alongside her work in the classroom, Birg coaches teachers and school leaders, and is currently researching and writing a book exploring Indigenous approaches to education.
Outside of school, Birg loves reading, writing and painting, enjoys sport and being outdoors and is always curious about new places and the people who live there.
Dorji Pelzom
Contemplation & VIEW Facilitator
Originally from Bhutan, Dorji brings a distinctive path from public health into education, shaped by her experience as a parent and a deep commitment to nurturing each child within a safe, inclusive, and purposeful learning environment.
She is the founder of a pioneering children’s Dharma programme in Vancouver, recognised for its innovative, interdisciplinary approach—integrating storytelling, visual arts, movement, contemplative practices, and nature-based learning to make Buddhist wisdom both accessible and deeply relevant.
At Jataka, she leads the integration of Dharma across the school—guiding curriculum design, teacher development, and parent engagement, while curating a rich ecosystem of practitioners and traditions to support the learning community.
Governance
Paccaya Foundation
The Jataka School is being incubated by Paccaya Foundation—a Thai registered, not-for-profit organisation that also acts as the School Licensee—so we do not have shareholders.
Paccaya Foundation, together with the School’s Board members, its leadership team, and its management, ensure the School remains true to its vision, that its high standards are upheld and maintained, that it is sustainable in its operations, and that it is protected now, and into the future.
In addition, they oversee the school’s operations and continued development in line with the school’s Guiding Statements.
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