Great teachers get the opportunity to change lives in many ways. I joined AISK in August 2020 as a Biology and Environmental Sciences teacher in the high school. I moved to Jamaica from Hong Kong because I was tired of living a hectic city life and wanted a lifestyle that allowed for more family/personal time in a more natural environment. Ideally, I was also looking forward to traveling within the Caribbean area and hope that I can do that more next year. I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Modern Languages in the USA before moving abroad to complete a double Master’s degree in Marine Biology and Environmental Management, followed by a Master’s degree in Science and Language teaching.

I am passionate about conservation, particularly marine, and look forward to being involved in community projects around Jamaica. I love scuba diving and snorkeling and generally spend my spare time in the ocean or on a beach reading and sketching.

My experience as an educator spans a 32 year period. I joined the AISK family in August of 2021. I am currently employed on a part time basis to facilitate students at the Grade 10 as well as the Grade 11 SL and HL IB in their learning physics. 

Having been an educator at The Mico University College for the past 17 years where my focus was to incite critical thinking and lifelong learning skills in the area of physics to the student teachers, I thought it would be a natural transition to be a part of the AISK learning community as this is also its main thrust. The small class sizes were also a major incentive for me as well. 

Over the years I taught at the Secondary and Tertiary levels. My qualifications include a BSc (Physics), Dip Ed and MEd (Physics Education) all from the University of the West Indies at two of its campuses. I had embarked on reading for a PhD at the same university where I was researching the impact of authentic experiences on high school students’ critical thinking in physics but had to abandon the pursuit because of cost-benefit reasons. 

My inspiration for teaching is intrinsic or more likely ingrained. I hail from a family of educators all of whom were passionate about their craft and had much longevity in the profession. Above all was my maternal grandmother who began teaching at age 14 under the Lancaster School model and never stopped teaching until age 90!

Away from teaching, I am an avid sports fan and still participate in sporting activities. My passion is for basketball for which I am a qualified Level 1 coach, and for which I have been coaching (still teaching) at the local college level for the past seven years. My current physical activity is mainly playing badminton which is much easier on the body than basketball.

I am the husband of one wife, father of one son, and I am a devoted Christian. 

I believe that all students can learn and every student is unique and deserves a caring, inspiring, and engaging atmosphere in which to grow emotionally, intellectually, and socially. This is something I’ve been passionate about as an IB teacher and throughout my IB counseling background. I am currently the IB English Language and Literature and IB English Literature teacher. This year I am also teaching grade 10 English. I have been at AISK since 2008 in the IB program. I received my education in modern languages, linguistics, pedagogy, and education in Germany and the US (MS in Education, MS in Modern Languages and Linguistics).  I am also certified as an IB counselor and IB examiner.

As an educator I want to help students meet their fullest potential by providing a safe, risk-taking, and collaborative environment. Addressing these factors and providing support will help students develop and implement the necessary strategies and tools that will help them in their everyday lives. I believe it is vital to build positive relationships with students, families, and colleagues. When students walk into my classroom, I want them to feel welcome, relaxed, and know that it is a safe place to communicate needs, concerns, or just talk casually. I believe a positive experience in education is essential to creating successful life-long learners.

AISK has always respected  and trusted my educational decisions. Doors are always open to listen to concerns and ideas I may have, I feel supported at all times, and that makes AISK a very special place to work.

I like to spend time with my family, read, and play golf. 

I was encouraged by the diversity of the nationalities within the school population. For me, this was the most dynamic feature of AISK as I recognized that working with both international and local faculty, students and parents would add dynamism to the teaching/learning process. Certainly this has proven true in my classes as students share their experiences from living in different societies all over the world. It is engaging when reading a text and a student shares first hand knowledge of the setting and the culture. Additionally, I was impressed by the 1:1 laptop program at AISK as it coincided with my personal mission of preparing students to succeed in a technologically driven world. I also liked the way students are empowered to contribute to the development of their learning and in the creation of after-school activities. Giving students the opportunity to lead and to have a voice ultimately creates confident adults!

I joined the AISK family in 2009 and am currently the CAS Coordinator. I also teach Theory  of Knowledge and HS English. I did my undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus. There, I was taught by the “giants” of Caribbean literature and they have ensured that I am well trained in literary analysis, a skill I seek to develop in my students. While doing my Masters in English, I was awarded the Trilateral Reconnection Project Fellowship which allowed me to do my research at Brown University. It was a rewarding and exciting experience being there and the knowledge gleaned from their faculty ensured the production of a successful thesis. 

I am inspired by my students’ curiosity. This drives me to include more diverse content in my lessons and also to develop my knowledge of new programs in technology so that I can utilize them in my teaching. I aim to create very exciting classes. 

What does an English teacher enjoy doing you might ask? Reading of course! Reading on the beach is even better!

I believe that learning and speaking foreign languages are essential to being successful in the world today. I joined AISK in 2016 as a MSHS teacher of World Languages (Spanish and French). I was impressed by the fact that as an international school, AISK embraced all nations and focused on inclusiveness, a focus they maintain today. I have a BA in French and Spanish from the University of the West Indies, Jamaica and am in the process of completing my MA in Translation.

I’ve taught in France and Ethiopia and have travelled extensively to Spanish speaking countries, including Spain, Mexico and Cuba on various field trips. Throughout my 20 years experience teaching foreign languages at both local and international schools, I’ve completed IB Spanish training at IB workshops in Atlanta, Georgia and recently an IB French B workshop in Santa Fe, New Mexico. 

I enjoy reading, doing yoga, hiking, knitting (when I have time) and reasoning with my three sons.

I am absolutely passionate about the teaching and learning of foreign languages. I joined the AISK family as a French teacher in 2017 and I currently teach Middle School, High School and IB French. My main objective as an educator is to inspire students to expand their horizons by showing them the benefits and opportunities associated with learning a foreign language.  

The international nature and cultural diversity of AISK initially sparked my interest as this is a good catalyst for foreign language education. However, being here for four years, I love the environment created by our team to foster a holistic, supportive and positive learning environment for our students. 

I am a proud graduate of Shortwood Teachers’ College, where I received a teaching diploma (Hons.) in French and Spanish as foreign languages and a Bachelor’s degree (Hons.) from the University of the West Indies in French education. After completing my Bachelor’s, I followed my passion for French to its origin, France, where I taught English as a second language at the high school and middle school level in the region of Orléans-Tours. While there, I also completed my Masters (Hons.) in the teaching and training course design of English and French as foreign languages from the University of Montpellier in France. 

During my spare time, I love reading, playing video games and catching up with my favorite T.V series. I consider myself a lifelong learner and I am always searching for new activities and strategies to improve the quality of learning for my students.

Teaching is profound and is a noble calling. I joined the AISK family in 2020 as a part-time Middle School Spanish teacher, a role which has expanded to my being blessed to serve in the High School in the past few months. As an I.B. trained Spanish teacher with E.S.L. (Celta Qualifications), multilingual voice actor, actor, (James Bond- No Time To Die), producer, musician and interpreter in both Spanish and Japanese. AISK offers an environment where a few of my international experiences garnered through having lived in Japan or having studied and taught in Thailand, translates to the potential for a synergistic exchange of knowledge. Teaching can be tough sometimes but when that spark hits and the success of succession occurs before your eyes, it is humbling and most rewarding.  

I have represented Jamaica in swimming and was invited to the U17 national football squad in my teenage years. I play many sports well and have been enjoying learning how to surf in the past year.

The diversity of the school as well as the culture of inclusion and the attitude that ANYTHING is possible is what drew me to AISK. I joined the school in August 2021 as the dance teacher and have been given the privilege of using my training and professional experience to teach high school students SOS.  Since being here I have met a faculty of teachers who truly care about students and their learning, and teachers who simply embody and exude positivity, even in a difficult time. 

I have been dancing since age 4; taking after-school dance at the Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts as well as the then-called Tony Wilson School of Modern Dance (now The CDT School). At age 13, I became the youngest dancer to become a member of The Company Dance Theatre with whom I danced for the next 12 years. While dancing in Jamaica I was pursuing a Medical degree at the University of the West Indies, but upon completion moved to New York City to pursue a career in my true passion; dance. I continued to study dance at the Ailey School before being invited to perform with the world-renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Afterwards I went on to become principal dancer at Garth Fagan Dance, where I spent 6 years touring, performing and teaching with the company and its affiliated school. I’ve taught dance residencies throughout the boroughs of New York City, as well as master-classes and workshops across the US, in parts of Europe and throughout the Caribbean. I am excited to bring my passion for dance and love for teaching to the AISK community. 

The joy I see in children's faces when they get a step or perform a dance for others, as well as the shifts I see in a child’s confidence and self-esteem as they become more proficient in dance truly inspires me to teach.

I am also the new artistic director of the dance company CDT and it’s affiliated dance school - The CDT School.

The small size of the school, the transition in the math curriculum from American traditional courses to integrated mathematics, and the warm weather of Jamaica are the things that inspired me to want to teach at AISK. I was teaching in Rome, Italy during the 2020-2021 school year, but I was looking for a subsequent teaching opportunity. I began my AISK adventure. at AISK in August 2021 to start my AISK adventure.

I am primarily the middle school math teacher at AISK, as I teach all math sections in grades 6 through 8.  But I also teach one section of Strategies of Success for 9th grade.  Once we are allowed to start up our after school activities program, I do hope to be involved with sports and coaching. 

I have a BS in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a MA in Secondary Mathematics Education from the University of Connecticut.  I was a three-year Peace Corps volunteer in Gabon in central Africa, and I have both my MYP Category I and Category II certifications.  But most importantly, since 1984, I have continuously taught mathematics for students in grades 6 - 10 in international schools all over the world.  I have worked with all cultures of students and with all types of learners, having taught in American and International schools in the USA, Gabon, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Chile, Senegal, Italy, and now Jamaica.

The engagement of young learners when they believe they can get better in math and then apply their knowledge as true young mathematicians.  The pride, happiness, or sometimes just relief that I see in students as they build their math skills and understand how these skills apply to their lives.

I ride my bicycle 4 km each way to school every day, but I do not count that as my exercise for that day.  I still have to go for a run or have a workout later in the day!

Seeing the use of the words AISK family is the exact reason why I was sold on working here. I joined AISK as the High School Counselor in August 2021. The warm, nurturing environment that you feel as soon as you walk through the gates, in addition to the emphasis on social and emotional learning as well as the support are what made me feel that joining the team would be a mutually beneficial experience. 

I hold a Masters in Clinical Psychology and have been working in private practice for over 3 years. My inspiration comes from my passion for understanding and helping others to understand human behaviour. Observing young people learn about themselves and others, helping them to navigate their lives and watching them grow into better versions of themselves are extremely rewarding for me. 

Something interesting about me is that I am an avid tennis fan. I’ve been to the US Open and I used to play competitively, but now I only play for fun. 

What stood out most about AISK for me was the incredible warmth and friendliness of the staff and students. I am originally from Australia and joined the AISK community in August 2021 with my husband Paul, who is teaching in the elementary school, and my two daughters, Elodie (aged 12) and Lexie (aged 9). I currently teach Economics and also have the role of IB Diploma coordinator. Although I was born in Australia my family’s origin is Greek. We have lived and worked in the UAE, Germany, Malaysia, and now look forward to living and working in Jamaica - a place we have never been to before! We have travelled extensively as a family and have a very soft spot for the summer beaches of Greece where we have spent our summers over the last 5 years. My qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Politics and German and a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Marketing, Management and Economics. I also have a Graduate Diploma in Education (Secondary) and a Graduate Certificate in Arts with a counter terrorism specialisation. 

My experience so far has been great! Everyone is so open, so kind and embracing of us all. I am inspired by teaching because I love engaging with young people and communicating ideas with them. They inspire me to explore ideas I’ve long forgotten and I hope I can also play a guiding role in their learning and development. 

A fun fact about me is that I am slightly obsessed by music and will listen to it anywhere I can! My family often mentions me being plugged in listening to music, watching music, and always following social media accounts to see the latest releases. I love Kpop, but also indie pop, europop, alternative rock and classical. My girls and I are Kpop fans and I love K dramas the most! They help me escape into a comfortable place. I also really enjoy the esoteric so you will find me regularly reading astrology and learning about ancient Hermetic teachings and the teachings of Manley P Hall.

I believe that learning and speaking foreign languages are essential to being successful in the world today. I joined AISK in 2016 as a MSHS teacher of World Languages (Spanish and French). I was impressed by the fact that as an international school, AISK embraced all nations and focused on inclusiveness, a focus they maintain today. I have a BA in French and Spanish from the University of the West Indies, Jamaica and am in the process of completing my MA in Translation.

I’ve taught in France and Ethiopia and have travelled extensively to Spanish speaking countries, including Spain, Mexico and Cuba on various field trips. Throughout my 20 years experience teaching foreign languages at both local and international schools, I’ve completed IB Spanish training at IB workshops in Atlanta, Georgia and recently an IB French B workshop in Santa Fe, New Mexico. 

I enjoy reading, doing yoga, hiking, knitting (when I have time) and reasoning with my three sons.

I am absolutely passionate about the teaching and learning of foreign languages. I joined the AISK family as a French teacher in 2017 and I currently teach Middle School, High School and IB French. My main objective as an educator is to inspire students to expand their horizons by showing them the benefits and opportunities associated with learning a foreign language.  

The international nature and cultural diversity of AISK initially sparked my interest as this is a good catalyst for forieng language education. However, being here for four years, I love the environment created by our team to foster a holistic, supportive and positive learning environment for our students. 

I am a proud graduate of Shortwood Teachers’ College, where I received a teaching diploma (Hons.) in French and Spanish as foreign languages and a Bachelor’s degree (Hons.) from the University of the West Indies in French education. After completing my Bachelor’s, I followed my passion for French to its origin, France, where I taught English as a second language at the high school and middle school level in the region of Orléans-Tours. While there, I also completed my Masters (Hons.) in the teaching and training course design of English and French as foreign languages from the University of Montpellier in France. 

During my spare time, I love reading, playing video games and catching up with my favourite T.V series. I consider myself a lifelong learner and I am always searching for new activities and strategies to improve the quality of learning for my students.

I was encouraged by the diversity of the nationalities within the school population. For me, this was the most dynamic feature of AISK as I recognized that working with both international and local faculty, students and parents would add dynamism to the teaching/learning process. Certainly this has proven true in my classes as students share their experiences from living in different societies all over the world. It is engaging when reading a text and a student shares first hand knowledge of the setting and the culture. Additionally, I was impressed by the 1:1 laptop program at AISK as it coincided with my personal mission of preparing students to succeed in a technologically driven world. I also liked the way students are empowered to contribute to the development of their learning and in the creation of after-school activities. Giving students the opportunity to lead and to have a voice ultimately creates confident adults!

I joined the AISK family in 2009 and am currently the CAS Coordinator. I also teach Theory  of Knowledge and HS English. I did my undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus. There, I was taught by the “giants” of Caribbean literature and they have ensured that I am well trained in literary analysis, a skill I seek to develop in my students. While doing my Masters in English, I was awarded the Trilateral Reconnection Project Fellowship which allowed me to do my research at Brown University. It was a rewarding and exciting experience being there and the knowledge gleaned from their faculty ensured the production of a successful thesis. 

I am inspired by my students’ curiosity. This drives me to include more diverse content in my lessons and also to develop my knowledge of new programs in technology so that I can utilize them in my teaching. I aim to create very exciting classes. 

What does an English teacher enjoy doing you might ask? Reading of course! Reading on the beach is even better!

I’m always inspired through helping students to get to know themselves, build their own confidence and maximize their potential - inside and outside of the classroom. I joined the AISK family in 2015 when AIM was contracted to provide college counseling for the high school students. I am the founder of AIM, and the college counseling coordinator at AISK. Our team includes Stephanie Barrett, Head Counselor and Tiana Chung, Essay consultant. What stood out to me about AISK as a school was the level of commitment to student success and the resources and support available to the community as a whole.  I’ve been a college admissions consultant for over 11 years. Just before that I spent 7 years studying in the US and UK; at Phillips Academy Andover, then at Princeton University and finally at the School of Advanced Study, Institute of Commonwealth Studies. I planned to work within the Government or perhaps the UN or Worldbank. Before starting AIM, I was a Senior Policy Analyst at the Ministry of Education and a tutor in the Department of Government at UWI. I discovered my passion for helping students in the college application process as an interviewer and alumni liaison to Princeton’s admission office.  

I LOOOOOOVE those moments when I have nothing at all to do, but I do want to learn how to make floral arrangements.

Helping students perfect the art of expressing their personalities and passions through writing, specifically for the college applications, is one of my specialties. Something I have been doing since 2018. I am a graduate of Vassar College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mathematics, and minors in Biology and Africana Studies. I am more than familiar with the demands of college admissions based on my own experience and was recruited and trained by Nicole McLaren Campbell while still a student at Vassar. A semi-professional dancer turned "Math Brain" turned word wielder, I also utilize my writing skills as a freelance Copywriter and Digital Marketing Associate, also helping to manage AISK's social media presence!

I love food and spend much of my free time curating content for her Caribbean food-based blog and podcast, WongaGyal.

I believe that all children deserve a stimulating and nurturing learning environment where they can develop into confident, critical thinkers that contribute and thrive in a diverse world. I joined the AISK team in August of 1997. AISK was only three years old at that time, and it was really exciting to be a part of a small school with such big ambitions. I have worn many hats in the past 24 years and this is part of what has kept it exciting and helped me to grow as an educator. Looking back, I am sure our founders would be really proud of the school we have become. Our vision, mission and core values speak to why our school exists and why I am here. 

I am currently the Director of Teaching and Learning and the Theory of Knowledge teacher, both roles which I am very passionate about. 

Students are naturally curious and inquiry based learning helps to feed that curiosity. Leading questions, facilitating student explorations and discussions are some ways that we, as educators, can help students draw conclusions on their own. This approach instills a sense of pride and personal responsibility in students for their own learning. The best way to help students love learning is to always be a student yourself.
Teachers are lifelong learners, always looking for ways to keep their lessons new and exciting. 

It is immensely rewarding to see your students happy and successful well into adulthood. It speaks to the immense impact teachers  have on communities and society and why it is the best profession in the world. 

Seeing the use of the words AISK family is the exact reason why I was sold on working here. I joined AISK as the High School Counselor in August 2021. The warm, nurturing environment that you feel as soon as you walk through the gates, in addition to the emphasis on social and emotional learning as well as the support are what made me feel that joining the team would be a mutually beneficial experience. 

I hold a Masters in Clinical Psychology and have been working in private practice for over 3 years. My inspiration comes from my passion for understanding and helping others to understand human behaviour. Observing young people learn about themselves and others, helping them to navigate their lives and watching them grow into better versions of themselves are extremely rewarding for me. 

Something interesting about me is that I am an avid tennis fan. I’ve been to the US Open and I used to play competitively, but now I only play for fun. 

Research into the school and initial interviews with the administration left me excited about the school’s vision and mission. I joined AISK in August 2021. After a few weeks here, it is clear that the school lives up to both and certainly embraces the definition of “One Love” as a celebration of unity and inclusion. As a Middle School and High School Theatre Teacher, along with celebrating life through exploring, making and presenting theatre, I believe my subject offers students five of the most important life skills. Developing Creativity, Collaboration, Communication, Confidence and/or  Leadership Skills is the goal of every activity we do in class and in school wide drama productions. I have been teaching since 1978 and have taught internationally since 1990. I did my undergrad studies at the University of North Carolina and my Masters at Oxford. I am an examiner for the IBO and a workshop leader and consultant for the The International Schools Theatre Association. Outside of the classroom or working in theatre, I love playing golf, being a partner to an amazing wife, being Dad to two wonderful daughters, and Pop to my eleven grandkids.