Charlotte Downing Charlotte returned to ISA in the fall of 2014 to cover for an Upper School counsellor on leave. Charlotte works with students in grades 9-10. She previously worked at ISA as the Upper School counsellor for grades 9-12 from 2007 to 2009. Charlotte has a BA in History and English and a Secondary Teaching Credential from the University of California and a master’s degree in Education and Pupil Personnel Services from Fresno Pacific University. She taught English, US history, world history, geography, journalism and EAL in the US, Pakistan and Bolivia for 18 years and has served as an Upper School counsellor for 22 years. David Downing David also returned to ISA in the fall of 2014 as an aide in grade 1. He previously worked at ISA as a roving substitute for Nursery School through grade 5. David has a BA in Social Sciences from California State University, Long Beach and a Teaching Credential from Fresno Pacific University. David has taught grades 5 and 6 self-contained and grade 8 math, history and English for 32 years in the US, Pakistan and Bolivia. He has also coached basketball and softball. David enjoys backpacking, travelling and reading. Melissa Doyle Melissa Doyle joined ISA in August 2014 as the new grade 5 teacher. Prior to ISA, she worked for Buncombe Schools in North Carolina in the USA. Melissa holds a BA in Early Childhood Education and Mass Communications from the University of North Carolina at Asheville. She earned her master’s degree from Montreat College in 2011. She enjoys spending time outside, cooking and gardening. Peter Durning Pete joined ISA in 2014 as a science teacher. Prior to ISA, Pete worked as an MYP and DP chemistry teacher at the Dwight School in New York City. While at Dwight, he also served as the Dean of the twelfth grade and the boys and girls cross-country running and track-and-field coach. Prior to his time at Dwight, Pete taught math and chemistry at The Newman School in Boston. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Classics and Archaeology with a minor in Chemistry from Bowdoin College, as well as a master’s degree in Science Education from Columbia University Teachers College. He enjoys running, travelling and playing music, both in and outside of the classroom. Pete is joined in Amsterdam by his partner and new son, and he is very excited about his first job outside of the United States. Angelica Gaete Angelica joined ISA in 2011 as substitute, and since August 2014 she has been a teaching assistant in the Nursery School. Prior to coming to ISA, she worked as a teacher at the Spanish School of Amsterdam and at various schools in Chile and as a project manager for educational and adventure outdoor activities for various schools and companies. Angelica holds a bachelor’s degree in Education from the Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación. She loves mountains and nature, was a member of the Universidad de Chile’s mountain club and has summited, among other peaks, Aconcagua. As there are no mountains in the Netherlands, she runs the Dam tot Damloop and the half marathon of Amsterdam. She has always loved to work with children, and she is very happy to be working at ISA.
Elizabeth Gaglio Elizabeth is an award-winning teacher, joining ISA from Richmond, Virginia. She currently teaches grade 1. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Ohio University and has completed graduate work in Environmental Education at Miami University. With science as a personal and professional passion, she partnered with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and local parks to successfully bring meaningful environmental science opportunities to students in underprivileged public schools. Catherine Geevers Catherine works as a classroom assistant in preschool after previously working as a playground assistant at ISA since 2008. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from University College, Galway as well as an MSc and PhD in Chemistry from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. At university she taught graduate students alongside conducting her own academic research. Catherine has also worked in the pharmaceutical industry. Damian Gielty Damian joined ISA’s physical and health education department in August 2014. Prior to arriving in Amsterdam, he taught in both his native Scotland and at the International School of Luxembourg. He holds a BEd (Honours) in Physical Education from the University of Edinburgh. While at ISA, Damian will coordinate the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award programme. Damian is, in addition, a UEFA A-licensed football coach, and he played professional football in the Scottish League before moving to the Netherlands. Laura Gielty Laura joined the ISA Lower School in August 2014 as a classroom assistant in kindergarten. Prior to joining ISA, Laura worked for six years at the Royal Blind School in Edinburgh, supporting children with multiple disabilities and visual impairments. Denise Granai Denise joined ISA in August 2014 as the new early childhood counsellor. Prior to coming to ISA, she worked as a school psychologist in Egypt, Serbia and the USA. Denise holds a master’s degree in Educational Psychology and is currently working on a second master’s degree in Dance/ Movement Therapy. Outside of ISA, she can be found taking dance and acrobatic classes and teaching dance to teens and adults. Erika Harriford-McLaren Erika joined ISA in April 2014 as the new Communications Manager. She has prior work experience in a variety of fields, including marketing and market research, brand management, human rights and education. Erika holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Communications from the University of Kansas and a Juris Doctor from the University of San Francisco. She serves on the board of the Dutch chapter of Worldreader, a non-profit organisation bringing e-readers and mobile literacy to children in underserved countries. Erika lives in Amsterdam with her partner and two children, both of whom attend ISA.
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