The Banyan School
An international school​ brought to you by the faculty of Columbia University
The Banyan School is run by a multicultural teaching staff, bringing a diverse perspective to our unique learning environment. The school also benefits from the guidance of the highly qualified members of the Burmese Refugee Project's Board of Directors.
Tierney earned her bachelors degree in Cross-Cultural Child Development and Education at Bates College in 2009. After graduation, she was awarded a kindergarten teaching fellowship with a nationally recognized charter school network. As a founding team member of a KIPP school, Tierney gained both classroom experience and insight into the process of starting a new school.
After her fellowship, she returned to school to pursue her masters' degree in International Education Development at Columbia University focusing on policy and human rights. While at Columbia, Tierney worked at world-renowned non-profit organizations including NYC Global Partners, the Asia Society and the Burmese Refugee Project.
With her teaching and professional backgrounds and her passion for education and social justice, Tierney is well-poised to lead the Banyan School and create a positive learning environment as the School Director.
Our Teachers
Tierney Tobin
Portia joins us after her completion of a yearlong Fulbright Teaching Fellowship in Thailand's Isaan province. A graduate of Georgetown College in Kentucky, Portia has extensive teaching and volunteer experience in education and community outreach. As the recipient of our Teacher and Assistant School Director Fellowship, Portia will play an essential support role in both the classroom and administration.
Her interest in the arts will greatly enhance our school. She has worked on two photonarrative projects with refugee and disenfranchised youth, teaching them how to use different mediums as a means for creative expression.
Portia's time in the Thai public school system coupled with her passion for education as a means to forward social justice make her an excellent addition to the Banyan team.
Portia Watson
Noi​
Noi earned a Bachelors degree in Education at the Thepsatri Rjabhat University. Noi has many years of teaching experience in the Thai school system and has received Montessori training from the Khom Loy Foundation in Chiang Rai. Fluent in both Thai and Shan, she brings northern Thai culture into the classroom.

Her hobbies include cooking and family life.

