Homeroom Teachers

Ms. Lyndi Grebe

Nursery Homeroom Teacher / Early Years 1 Team Leader

Post Graduate Degree in Education: Special Needs Education
~ Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), South Africa

Bachelor of Science: Education
~ Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), South Africa

My teaching philosophy is based on the belief that the student’s happiness is vital to all learning. If students feel happy and safe, they will enjoy learning. The more happiness students find in learning, the greater their curiosity will become and the bigger the risks they will take. As said by Jeff Olson: “Success does not lead to happiness– it’s the other way around. Greater happiness is what leads to greater success.”

More about Ms. Lyndi

Ms. Racha Seddiki

Nursery Homeroom Teacher

Diploma in Teacher
~ St. Roberts University, Thailand

Bachelor of Arts in Teaching English Language
~ University of Algiers, Algeria

I believe that every child is curious and capable of learning new things. Although each child is unique with different interests, backgrounds, and development stages. As an early year teacher, my role is to facilitate that learning by providing a safe and supportive environment as well as endless opportunities for my students to explore, discover, create new ideas, imagine, dream and believe in themselves.

Ms. Chayenne Bronselaer

Kindergarten 1 Homeroom Teacher

Postgraduate Certificate in Education
~ University of Nottingham, United Kingdom

Bachelor’s in Communication Management
~ Erasmus University College, Belgium

I want to provide an environment in which my students can feel comfortable while they learn. They need to understand that it is through mistakes and gentle correction that they learn and grow.

Ms. Morgan Marie Kuhr

Kindergarten 2 Homeroom Teacher / Early Years 2 Team Leader

Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction
~ Ashford University, USA

Bachelor of Education in Elementary Education
~ University of North Carolina, USA

Certifications
~ IB-PYP, Basic School Philosophy

I strive to have a joyful and inclusive classroom that fosters the growth of the whole child. I encourage students to take risks and ask questions to take ownership of their learning. My goal is to engage students in meaningful experiences that instill a love for lifelong learning.

Mr. David (Chip) Pitman Schardt

Kindergarten 2 Homeroom Teacher

Master’s of Education
~ Asian University in Thailand, Thailand

Bachelor of Science, Major in Recreation and Park Management
~ Southeast Missouri State University, USA

I believe that students learn when they are engaged. The key is keeping them engaged. This requires communication and empathy towards your students. When they are engaged, you rarely have discipline problems, and they will learn without realizing it. This can be achieved through a stimulating educational environment where they can grow physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. It is my goal to create this type of atmosphere every day. In this environment, students are invited to share their ideas and take risks. I will incorporate hands-on learning, cooperative learning, projects, themes, and individual work that engage and activate students learning.

Ms. Audrey Jean Lawler

Grade 1 Homeroom Teacher

Master’s Degree in Education, Advanced Teaching K-8 with IB Certification
~ University of the People, USA

Bachelor’s Degree in Education
~ Western Governors University, USA

Certifications
~ US Teaching License English Language Arts 5-12

My educational philosophy is that the learning environment extends itself beyond the conventional ideas of knowledge acquisition and into a fun, creative, and dynamic environment that allows children to learn through personal and shared experiences in and outside the four walls of the classroom. I believe that learning and fun do not need to be separate and that authentic learning involves using inquiry, discovery, and play. Students who associate positively with learning become lifelong learners and gain skills that enable them to succeed in a continually evolving world. The best gift we can give our children is the passion and desire to learn!

Ms. Kimberley Timalsina

Grade 1 Homeroom Teacher

International Montessori Teaching Diploma
~ North American Montessori Centre, USA

Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Sociology
~ University of Toronto, Canada

Children are naturally curious and they want to learn! In my classroom, the students will be given a supportive environment that has been thoughtfully prepared. The individuality of each child is considered and the development of the whole child is important. This includes their physical, social, emotional, and cognitive growth. I believe that learning is better remembered when the child is enjoying themselves.  An important part of my role as a primary teacher is to instill a positive attitude toward lifelong learning, and I will provide plenty of hands-on activities, classroom discussions, and opportunities for creativity to blossom.

Mr. Wayne Goodings

Grade 2 Homeroom Teacher

Master of Arts in Education
~ Oxford Brookes University, United Kingdom

I try to create a fun learning environment where my students are free and greatly encouraged to ask questions, to think for themselves, to collaborate with others, to show their ability and personality. Students are encouraged to take ownership of themselves, their behaviour, their educational work and life wherever possible. I believe learning happens in every aspect of our daily lives, not just in the classroom, and by giving students the required academic tools success will surely follow.

Mr. Robert (Rob) Inman

Grade 2 Homeroom Teacher

Masters of Education
~ Western Governors University, USA

Bachelor of Science
~ University of Massachusetts, USA

I have always enjoyed working with children. My first summer job as a teenager was teaching children to play tennis. Now as a teacher I hope to instill in my students a passion for learning and the confidence to follow their curiosity.

Ms. Melanie (MJ) Gavan

Grade 3 Homeroom Teacher

Post-Graduate Certificate Education
~ California State University, USA

Master of Education, Autism and Applied Behavioral Analysis
~ Endicott College, USA

Master of Education, Moderate Disabilities (Pre-K – Grade 8) & Elementary Education (Grades 1-6)
~ Lesley University, USA

Bachelor of Science in Sociology, Minor in Educational Studies
~ Salem State College, USA

I believe that all children are unique and require a stimulating and conducive educational environment where they are able to thrive academically as well as physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially.  Our classroom will be a safe oasis where all students feel valued and respected.   Students’ individual needs will be met in order for them to feel comfortable taking risks to reach their true potential.

Mr. Richard Espinosa Jr.

Grade 3 Homeroom Teacher

Ph.D. in Education (Currently studying)
~ Regent University, USA

Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction
~ Concordia University, USA

Bachelor of Arts in English
~ Humboldt State University, USA

Certifications
~ Teacher Preparation Certification
~ Middle School Teaching License
~ Primary School Teaching License

My philosophy is that all children are different and must have a stimulating educational environment. This will allow students to grow both physically and spiritually. I aim to create a safe environment where students can share ideas, take risks, and meet their full potential.w

Ms. Diana Nutridinova

Grade 4 Homeroom Teacher

Teaching Qualification Preparation Course (in progress)
~ Moreland University, Washington DC

Teaching Russian as a Second Language
~ Moscow State University

English Language and Literature
~ University of Foreign Languages

My philosophy of education is that all children are unique and must have a stimulating educational environment where they can grow physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. It is my desire to create this type of atmosphere where students can meet their full potential. I will provide a safe environment where students are invited to share their ideas and take risks.

I believe that there are five essential elements that are conducive to learning. (1) The teacher’s role is to act as a guide. (2) Students must have access to hands-on activities. (3) Students should be able to have choices and let their curiosity direct their learning. (4) Students need the opportunity to practice skills in a safe environment. (5) Technology must be incorporated into the school day.”

Mr. Cameron James Phillip Devall

Grade 5 Homeroom Teacher / Primary School Team Leader

Master in Education
~ Framingham University, USA

Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy
~ University of London, United Kingdom

Certifications
~ Google Certified Educator – Level 1 and Level 2
~ Challenge of 21st Century Education – University of Exeter
~ The Science of Learning – The National STEM Learning Centre
~ Teaching Entrepreneurial Thinking – Queensland University of Technology

Every child is a natural-born learner. My role is to be a more experienced learner, to guide them in achieving the goals of their own curiosity.

Mr. David (Dave) Barraclough

Middle School Social Science Teacher

Post Graduate Certificate in Education (International: Merit)
~ University of Nottingham, United Kingdom

Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Planning Studies
~ Sheffield Hallam University, United Kingdom

Other
~ CELTA (Pass B), University of Cambridge, UK
~ Diploma in Town Planning, Sheffield Hallam University, UK

I strive to provide an excellent learning space within my classroom, utilising student-centred, collaborative and cooperative techniques in which relevant queries, questions and answers are always welcome and lead to meaningful learning outcomes. My classrooms are always focused on the specific needs of my students. I work hard to differentiate learning so that each student’s unique skills are emphasised. To me, students should learn through experience. I aim to create experiences in the classroom that are as authentic as possible, to mimic real-life application of knowledge.

Mr. Ramon Toralba

Middle School Science Teacher

Bachelor of Education
~ University of Winnipeg, Canada

Bachelor of Arts (Geography and History)
~ University of Winnipeg, Canada

As a mentor, I relate to students in a more personal, relational way, one that enables empathy, cooperative learning, and reciprocity. I encourage the idea of always creating because creative energy leads to action, to exploration, to taking risks, and providing value to the world.

Mr. Robert (Robbie) Goullee

Middle School English Teacher

Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), English and Life Orientation
~ University of South Africa, South Africa

Bachelor of Arts in English and Religious Studies
~ University of South Africa, South Africa

Dr. Shakira Suwan

Middle School Mathematics Teacher

Ph.D. Statistics
~ University of Canterbury, New Zealand

Bachelor of Science (First Class Honours), Mathematics and Statistics
~ University of Canterbury, New Zealand

My aim as a teacher is to communicate the beauty and the simplicity of Mathematics to my students, at their individual pace and learning speed and through field trips, hands-on activities, and other interactive and digital means.

Math helps to foster fundamental critical thinking skills, the heart of what we do in education. And I am committed to giving students the tools they need to see their own value, analyze information and situations, and effectively solve problems.

This can’t be done without creating a class community where each student’s contributions are valued, and mistakes are celebrated as learning opportunities.