Employment History
International School of Zug and Luzern
July 2021- present
Elementary Principal Western Academy Beijing
July 2017- 2021
Primary Principal Istanbul International Community School
Aug 2013-2017
Acting Assistant Principal Munich International School
2011-2012
PYP Coordinator Munich International School
2004-2013
ESL & learning support specialist Munich International School
2000-2004
Primary Teacher, Queensland Department of Education, Australia
1984-2000
July 2021- present
- Responsible for 80 staff and 440 students EY1-Grade5
- Senior administrator on building committee for re-envisioning learning spaces, resulting in innovative pedagogical practices
- Introduced the concept of learning Communities.
- Further developed student agency to increase capacity and engagement of students.
- Reworked schedules to maximise team capacity to work flexibly across a grade level
- Supervised Professional Growth framework providing more accountability and teacher quality assurance
- Achieved high parent engagement and appreciation through the development of regular parent workshops and forums
- Oversee development of Outdoor Learning programme EY1-5 including regular forest visits
- Working on improving overall literacy levels by engaging staff in latest brain research around language acquisition
Elementary Principal Western Academy Beijing
July 2017- 2021
- Responsible for 135 staff and 590 students EY3-Grade5
- Senior administrator on building committee for re-envisioning learning spaces, resulting in innovative pedagogical practices
- Steered Elementary for eight months of online learning through the COVID 19 crisis, as well as managed the transition to reopen campus with a hybrid model of learning
- Led the development of a self-directed learning model resulting in high levels of student engagement and exceptional learning outcomes
- Developed new teacher appraisal and professional growth system providing more accountability and teacher quality assurance
- Achieved high parent engagement and appreciation through the development of regular “Parents as Learners” workshops and forums
- Provided evidence of enriched learning through diversity, by selecting a wide range of students with a range of cultures, needs and abilities through the admissions process
Primary Principal Istanbul International Community School
Aug 2013-2017
- Responsible for overseeing two campuses. 350 students Pre-reception to Grade 6
- Supervised and evaluated teachers
- Lead staff in the evaluation and review of the curriculum at IICS
- Fostered cross-school articulation of the curriculum
- Implemented teacher appraisal system
- Organised promoted and conducted professional development for faculty school wide
- Attended recruitment fairs to recruit quality teachers
- Organised school-wide orientation programme
- Established clear pastoral, disciplinary and academic standards
- Promoted open and informative communication between parents, school and the wider community
- Oversaw annual budget for the primary division
- Evaluated applications and the placement of students in the primary school
Acting Assistant Principal Munich International School
2011-2012
- Stepped into assistant principal role 1 day per week
- Conducted walk-throughs to observe and support teachers.
- Responsible for discipline and pastoral issues.
- Contacted parents relating to student concerns.
- Assisted with interviewing prospective teachers and teacher aides.
PYP Coordinator Munich International School
2004-2013
- Responsible for overseeing the implementation, supervision and evaluation of the PYP across 30 classes from early childhood to Grade 5
- Responsible for steering the IBPYP self-study and organizing supporting documentation for PYP and CIS evaluation visits in Oct 2006 and October 2011
- Was a member of the Junior School Leadership Team
- Was a member of the IB Leadership Team, with head of school, principals and three programme coordinators
- Developed curriculum review cycle, involving a new model for transdisciplinary curriculum coordinators
- Analysed MAP and ISA external assessment data to inform teaching practice.
- Member of cross-school IT groups; evaluating and streamlining the use of course management tools; evaluating learning tools
- Mentored grade-level team leaders on middle management leadership strategies including curriculum and team practices
- Coached teachers on best practice and classroom management
- Promoted parent awareness of the PYP through interactive workshops, writing articles for the school magazine and leading curriculum coffee chats relating to aspects of the curriculum.
- Developed a new report card to reflect MIS and PYP philosophy and values
ESL & learning support specialist Munich International School
2000-2004
- Taught beginner and intermediate ESL classes for EC and Grades 2 & 3
- Responsible for learning support for EC and Grade 4; extension mathematics for Grade 4
Primary Teacher, Queensland Department of Education, Australia
1984-2000
- Beaudesert State School, South Queensland: Years 2-7 learning support teacher-1990-2000
- Rathdowney State School, South Queensland: Composite 1,3,7 class - 1989
- Cunnamulla State School, far Western Queensland: Year 3, Librarian - 1988-1989
- Samford State School, Brisbane, Queensland:Year 2, Year 5 - 1984-1987