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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  • Kenneth Purser
    School Principal
    M.S. UC Berkeley
    M.S. New York University
    B.S. Auburn University
    Mr. Purser earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Auburn University, which marked the beginning of his career in education. He started by leading adjudicated youth on month-long Outward Bound expeditions, where he developed his foundational leadership and educational philosophies. This experience propelled him into a teaching role at an Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound middle school in New York City, where he taught science and earned a Master's degree in Math, Science, and Technology Education from New York University.
    After a brief time in Boston, Mr. Purser moved to California, where he launched his school leadership career and earned a Master's in School Leadership from the University of California, Berkeley. Over the next 19 years, he led a diverse range of small and large high schools and nonprofit organizations, consistently focusing on creating rigorous, project-based learning experiences for students, teachers, and families.
    In 2019, Mr. Purser and his wife relocated to Shenzhen, China, where they led a small American International School focused on Project-Based Learning (PBL) before returning to the Bay Area.
    Outside of his professional life, Mr. Purser is passionate about anything related to water, outdoors, farming, and running makerspaces.
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  • Ethan Magee
    Technology Coordinator / Operations Assistant
    The United States Marine Corps
    Ethan Magee is an IT Specialist and Operations Assistant at APIS Hawaii, where he combines a strong background in technology with a passion for student development. Prior to joining the APIS community, Ethan served as an IT Systems Administrator supporting a multi-facility jail system. In that role, he provided technical support to inmates, families, correctional staff, and federal agencies including the FBI and DEA—gaining valuable experience in maintaining secure and dependable systems for a wide range of users.
    Before transitioning into the tech world, Ethan served four years in the United States Marine Corps as an infantryman, an experience that instilled in him the flexibility, resilience, and teamwork he brings to every role. He has also worked in a variety of hands-on jobs, from summer camps to customer service, which contribute to his well-rounded and adaptable approach to problem-solving. Ethan lives on campus with his wife, Rani—APIS’s Health Coordinator—and their daughter, Emmy. In his free time, he enjoys reading fiction, following sports, and staying engaged with the evolving world of video games and esports.
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  • Lydia Medina
    Swim Coach and Learning Support
    Lydia was born and raised in the San Bernardino Mountains of California. She has always had a passion for working with youth and creating meaningful connections with the people around her.

    Before joining APIS, Lydia spent three years working at a Christian camp, where she deepened her love of mentoring, encouraging, and supporting young people. Today, she serves as the APIS Swim Coach and a Residential Life Lead, supporting our boarding students in their daily lives and helping create a welcoming, caring, and positive residential community.
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  • Norma Napier
    Elementary Homeroom and Music
    B.A. University of Nevada
    M.A. Dominican University
    Norma Napier holds a Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics and a Master’s in Education. Originally from Louisiana, she has spent the past 24 years teaching in various international settings, including the USA, the UAE, Angola, Nigeria, and most recently, Tunisia. She is pleased to join the APIS faculty in Hawaii, where she will be serving the community in grades three and four as well as working with the music students.
    Throughout her career, Norma has found great joy in working with diverse learners and looks forward to using her global experience to enrich her practice. She is eager to collaborate with the faculty and establish positive professional relationships with her new colleagues.
    On a personal note, Norma is joined in Hawaii by her husband, Roy, and their two rescue cats, Lucky and Tigger. She is also the proud mother of three daughters and a grandmother of three. She looks forward to a successful and productive school year at APIS.
    Outside of her professional life, Mrs. Napier is passionate about languages, music, travel, reading, and fitness.

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  • Roy Napier
    Learning Support and Residential Life
    C.Eng, M.EI
    Roy comes to APIS as the spouse of Norma Napier with four decades of experience in international start-up and energy industry management. Having specialized in the African region since 1985, he has contributed to most of the continent's major hydrocarbon development projects. Certified as a Chartered Engineer by the Energy Institute of Great Britain, Roy has studied at the Suffolk College of Education, Northampton University and Mays Business School at Texas A&M University.

    Specializing in the registration and set up of new business operations, Roy possesses a broad range of legal, commercial, business, technical, operational, sales and training skills which he has brought to the educational field over the past ten years.

    Within the international school community, Roy has supported students and faculty in a diverse range of roles including student support, substitute teaching, library supervision, transportation and facilities management as well as operations direction. He is passionate about coaching the running teams and encouraging younger students to develop a love of sport, having run competitively himself for over 50 years.
    An active volunteer in both business, school and church groups, Roy contributes to the local communities in his home community and beyond.
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  • Timothy Nicholson
    Residential Life Staff
    B.S. Georgia Southern University
    Timothy, originally from Georgia, has spent much of his adult life living, working, and studying internationally. His experiences in China, the United Kingdom, Italy, and the United States have shaped his interest in language, education, and cross-cultural communication.

    After teaching, Timothy moved into digital media and content creation, eventually building a career in social media and community management. He also currently works with an international collectibles and trading card company, where he focuses on community engagement and connecting fans from diverse backgrounds.

    Timothy is especially interested in contributing to campus life through extracurricular activities that encourage students to explore new interests, think creatively, and discover passions outside of the classroom. He hopes to create opportunities for students to develop problem-solving, communication, strategy, and collaboration skills while having fun and connecting with one another.

    In his free time, Timothy enjoys sushi, gaming, travel, and learning about different cultures.

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