On behalf of Suzhou Singapore International School (SSIS), Search Associates is thrilled to announce the appointment of Ms. Stacy Molnar as the new Elementary Principal, to begin July 2025. This appointment concludes an extensive and collaborative global search. Head of School Mr. Samer Khouri, along with the SSIS community, has expressed his enthusiasm about Ms. Molnar joining the team, confident that her experience and vision will strengthen an already robust leadership team.
Ms. Molnar is deeply committed to nurturing compassionate, principled, and inspired learners. Her expertise includes inquiry-based learning, Primary Years Programme (PYP) implementation, and fostering differentiated and inclusive educational approaches that keep students at the center. Ms. Molnar shares her excitement:
The opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture and vibrant community is truly exhilarating…It's incredibly inspiring to join a school that prioritizes student learning above all else. I'm eager to contribute to SSIS's commitment to ensuring curriculum accessibility through differentiation and scaffolding strategies, [an area that] resonates deeply with my own educational philosophy…I'm confident that the warm, welcoming atmosphere will allow me to thrive both personally and professionally.
With a career spanning over 30 years in international education and more than a decade of successful leadership, Ms. Molnar brings a wealth of experience and a passion for fostering inclusive, innovative, and student-centered learning environments. Currently serving as the Elementary Principal at the Pan American School of Bahia in Salvador, Brazil, she has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership in driving initiatives such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) and NEASC accreditation, literacy program reorganization, and cultivating leadership within the school community.
Earlier in her career, Ms. Molnar spent over 20 years at the American International School of Budapest, Hungary, as a teacher and administrator. Later, as founding Elementary Principal at St. Johnsbury Academy Jeju in South Korea, Stacy successfully established the school’s curriculum, culture, and operational framework, overseeing its growth from inception to a thriving community. She shares a favorite memory:
I was teaching Kindergarten, and we had a show and tell day for the letter G. All the students got up in front of the class to share what they brought to school that starts with the letter G. A little girl waiting for her turn proudly brought up a globe and set it on the table. She shared a little bit about the globe with the class. I asked her, “So what does the globe tell us?” She thought about it, placed her hands on her hips, and said, "Nothing silly, it doesn’t have a mouth." I love the way young students take everything so literally.
Ms. Molnar holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from The College of New Jersey and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Ball State University, in addition to certificates in School Management and Leadership from Harvard University, Cognitive Coaching, and specialized training in the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP). Words she lives by: “The only person you can control is yourself. You can't control how others think or feel, but you can control how you respond to them.”—author unknown
Stacy and her husband Andras are eager to embrace the SSIS community and the dynamic cultural environment of Suzhou, China. They look forward to enjoying the natural beauty, during weekend walks around its lakes and parks. They also look forward to exploring countries they were unable to visit while living in Asia during the pandemic—starting with Vietnam! Stacy adds,
My husband and I are passionate foodies who enjoy exploring diverse flavors, entertaining friends, and sharing great food… I’m so excited to reconnect with my love for cooking, especially Asian-style cuisine, which has always been my favorite… This next chapter is full of opportunities for connection, discovery, and adventure, and I can’t wait to embrace it all!
Search Associates extends our heartfelt gratitude to the candidates who expressed interest in this position, and to everyone who supported the success of this important search process.
