Sandip Jagdev qualified as a teacher and worked in England for a number of years before she began her international adventure. She has worked in many different schools at various stages of existence in her 23 years of teaching, from helping to set up a small new school in Turkey to working at a large well established school in the Netherlands. She has had experience in teaching using different curriculum models and has held positions as a Curriculum Coordinator and Special Needs Coordinator. Currently Sandip is working as the Deputy Head and Learning Support Coordinator at the International School Delft after spending the previous year as the Interim Head of School. Sandip has watched the school blossom since she joined the school in its infancy in 2014 and is excited to see the school continue to develop and grow.

Marianne Mink is a Dutch National who has spent over twenty years living and working overseas in The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Oman, Malaysia and The UAE. She returned to The Netherlands in 2012, because her now adult children expressed the desire to live and learn in their home country. In her free time, she likes to be out in nature, ride her horse, create art, and most of all, spend time with her family. Marianne is a teacher with close to 25 years of experience in class teaching, counselling and teaching students with differing developmental needs, and leading Learning Support teams. She holds a Bachelor of Education in Teaching and Learning, A Master of Education, a Master of Special Education, as well as a Diploma in counselling children. Being a life-long learner, she is currently undertaking a Master of Science in Education Management. As an educator, Marianne believes that education serves to support students in becoming happy, well-balanced, caring and productive members of their society, who are able to contribute to moving their respective communities towards being a better place to be.

Mark Shillitoe is an experienced inquiry learning practitioner. He is passionate about creating opportunities and building communities for curious learners to explore and uncover their creative potential. Originally from Yorkshire, England - Mark has worked in the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland. He recently returned to the Netherlands to begin a practice based research Masters in Art Education at the Piet Zwart Institute in Rotterdam. Mark has been combining this research with his work as an independent maker educator and workshop leader. Mark lives with his family in Delft and enjoys road trips is his camper van, adventuring in the outdoors with his dog and surfing the Dutch surf breaks. Mark featured his work at the Mozilla Festival for the open web in London and more recently co-led ‘The Glassroom Experience’ in Luxembourg. He has led workshops & professional learning sessions as Maker Educator in residence, to develop maker literacies, creating MakerSpaces with the MakEY project – University of Sheffield, Learning2 Europe and within international schools. Talk to Mark about inquiry, invention literacy, MakerSpaces, tinkering and digital/analog DIY subcultures.

Ms. Miros Silva teaches part-time group 7-8. She has a Ph.D. in Educational Technology and has over 20 years of experience working in Education as a teacher, consultant, and trainer. She is certified as Google for Education Innovator, she leads the Google Earth Education Experts in Latin America and The Netherlands. The sectors where she gained most experience include K-12 education, Online, and Blended Learning. She truly enjoys working with children as they are natural explorers and she fosters to create learning environments as a fun and authentic experience!

Lucy Fawcett is a enthusiastic educator, who is always thinking of ways to enhance children's learning. Originally from Devon, England, Lucy has now embraced the Netherlands as her home country, and loves the Dutch way of life. With a Bachelor degree in Classical Music, Lucy now plays viola in the Orkest Vereniging Dordrecht. Originally, Lucy was on course to complete a Master degree in Musicology. However, Lucy was inspired by her mother, who is also a teacher, to pursue a more fulfilling career and promptly applied for a Post Graduate Certificate in Education. Lucy has taught in a small village school of 49 pupils, as well as a four-form-entry school. Before moving to the Netherlands, Lucy taught in a Sikh-ethos school in West London. Lifeguard, singing teacher and harpsichord-jack maker are other professions at which Lucy has tried her hand. Educating young minds remains Lucy's passion, but she likes to spend plenty of her free time with her beautiful golden retriever, Cara.

I am Ms. Kayleigh and I will be teaching Group 4 A this year. I moved to the Netherlands in July 2017 and this is my second year of teaching at the International School of Delft. I completed my BA Hons degree in Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status in 2008 and have been teaching since. I started my career as a primary school teacher in England. I worked in a small primary school as a lower school teacher, Language Leader and Phase Leader of year 1 to 3. I moved to Dubai in the UAE and became a Grade 1 and 2 teacher and Grade Leader. I now live in the Netherlands with my husband and we are expecting our first baby in October.

Brittany Mohr is teaching Group with Ms. Kayleigh. She is originally from New York and graduated with a degree and a teaching certificate in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Grove City College in Pennsylvania. Brittany originally came to Europe to study for her Master of Educational Studies at the KU Leuven in Belgium, where she and her Dutch husband lived for over five years. While living in Belgium Brittany also taught at a small international school near Brussels in both lower and upper primary classes for over three years. Brittany moved to Gouda nearly two years ago to be closer to family. She has two adorable, active little boys – nearly 3.5 years and 1 year. They enjoy hiking, cycling, going to the beach, going to the forest and traveling as much as they can! Brittany has recently spent a lovely time at home with her boys, and she is very excited to now teach at IS Delft!

Jessica was born in Germany but spent her formative years in Alaska, enjoying her days reading books on boats in Kachemak Bay with her family, jumping into snow piles from rooftops and getting lost in the woods with friends. She loves to sing, read and be in nature. She came to love school and education because of her parents and great teachers including Ms. McNally who, during the first snowfall of the year, had all the students run outside to experience the beautiful little snowflakes. Jessica seeks to inspire her students to notice, question and create and above all to care for others and be kind. Jessica went to University of California, Berkeley in 2005 to study history and after she graduated, worked for several years as an AmeriCorps Volunteer in after-school programs before getting her teaching credential and a Master of Education at Mills College in California. She worked for four years as a teacher in California before moving with her husband Robert to Delft in August 2018. She is happy to be at International School Delft and is excited to be working with her Group 5 students.

Alanna Johnson was born in Grays, England. She moved over to the Netherlands with family and has lived here for over 20 years. She has attended an International School so has experience of being a fellow internationally minded student. Alanna completed her studies in BTEC Early Years Diploma (Level 3) in 2008, went on to complete her BA (Hons) Education Degree in 2011. She is an enthusiastic Early Years teacher, whereby she has gained an in depth knowledge of how children develop and learn and understands the foundations on which to continue building each child’s individuals steps for future learning. Alanna has worked within different fields of Education, ranging from Day Cares, Nurseries and Schools. It was during her time here at the ISD, that she carried out the PGCE at Sunderland University and graduated in 2016. She enjoys travelling and loves finding out about new cities and broadening her knowledge whilst meeting new people of different cultures. Alanna has been working at ISD since the school opened its doors in September 2014 and continues to look forward too seeing the school grow and be part of an International Community.

Femke Danse is a passionate, well-rounded educator. Born in Sri Lanka, raised in the Netherlands. From an early age she enjoyed playing tennis, painting and making music. Interests that would later go on to help her be a more creative and versatile teacher. After receiving a BA in education at the University of Rotterdam she began her career in Dutch education. After four years she moved on to International and bilingual education, she then consciously chose to remain in International teaching. Being part of an international community has taught her the value of diversity, equality and mutual respect. With this in mind and inspired by a multilingual environment she went on to study Bilingualism in Education at the University of Birmingham. This Masters program has allowed her to create a stimulating and language rich environment for all her current students and hopefully many more to come in the future. Femke thoroughly enjoys work at the ISD and strives to contribute meaningful academic experiences to the International School Delft. Her motto is: be kind to one another.

Dieuwke is one of the Dutch teachers at ISD and has been working for the school since 2014. Dieuwke was born in Amsterdam and moved to a small village close to the seaside when she was eight years old. At that age her answer to the question ‘What do you wish to become when you grow up?’ always was: ‘A teacher, a mother, a farmer.’ When she discovered her love for music at the age of sixteen, she added ‘musician’ to that list. For her studies at the conservatory she moved to Rotterdam where she studied Music in Education with singing and piano as her main musical instruments. During those study years Dieuwke started working for several primary schools in Rotterdam. While studying music and working with young children she discovered that teaching music to young children was what she enjoyed the most. A few months after graduating at Codarts she started working as a music teacher at the Haagsche Schoolvereeniging (HSV) in The Hague. Dieuwke enjoyed the time at the HSV a lot. During those years Dieuwke also became the mother of two daughters, Jona and Ide. After a few years Dieuwke gave up her job at the HSV to start working as a freelancer. During the years as a freelancer Dieuwke worked for many primary schools in Rotterdam, worked with a baroque orchestra, wrote lots of songs and started working at the ISD. Last summer Dieuwke, her partner and their two daughters moved from Rotterdam to a tiny village near Schoonhoven. A teacher, mother, musician she has become but one is still missing. A farmer...but who knows...

Mr Ryan grew up in Leeds, England before moving to The Netherlands 10 year ago. He studied performing arts at B-Tec level during which time he co founded a drama school for 4-16 year olds,with the intention to help them gain self confidence and social skills. Mr Ryan has worked and lived in America with children from all backgrounds. He has also worked at the British School in Den Haag. After completing his teaching assistant certification he is now busy gaining his higher level teaching assistant qualification. He is looking forward to being a part of the future of ISD and is enjoying bringing his ideas into the way we learn through play, using the PYP curriculum. Mr Ryan has a wonderful partner and 3 beautiful children.

From coastal Massachusetts, USA, Kerryanne graduated from Bradford College and Massachusetts College of Art Boston with degrees in Art and Early Childhood Art Education, specializing in developmental challenges. Kerryanne has worked as an Art educator in public schools and community centers, as a case manager and advocate for children with developmental challenges and with families new to the United States as undocumented or granted Asylum status. She worked with the British School Leidschenveen SEN department as a Learning Support Assistant and in 2018, joined ISD. She is a believer in the importance of art as a way to connect; particularly with children experiencing communication difficulties. Kerryanne lives with her family in Delft and enjoys yoga, hiking, art and traveling.

Maïwenn Heijbers is Dutch, lives in Delft and got her Facility Management diploma at the Hague University. When she was ready for something new, she got her teachers degree and started as a teacher at a Dutch Jenaplan school and worked with all age groups. During those years she finalized her Jenaplan degree. Before starting a new job in a Dutch school, Ms Maïwenn traveled through the United States for a few months with her partner. When she was ready for a new challenge, she started a combined job as an administrator and a teacher at the International School in Delft for three days a week. During her other days she is taking care of her baby girl, who was born in March 2018. Her daughter also started traveling the world, when she was eleven weeks old, to visit family in the United States and to see Norway. The most important thing for Maïwenn is to see her daughter growing up in a happy, safe, joyful environment with lot of laughter, fun and love to share.

Irene Alkemade is a Dutch teacher with great passion for the English Language. Other passions of hers are playing tennis, reading books, walks in the outdoors, traveling, listening to music, hand lettering, painting and learning. She lives in Noordwijk with her husband and two sons, who are in secondary school. Since she became a Bachelor of Education she has worked with all age groups in Dutch schools. She has successfully studied Cambridge English Language Teaching for Primary school at the British school. As the ELL teacher at ISD she provides extra English lessons for learners to improve their English when needed. These lessons are in class, in small groups or individually and cover the beginner survival language as well as help with inquiry-based language. Irene’s lessons are diverse and stimulate all areas of language. Being a teacher at ISD is a fulfilling and inspiring experience. Her motto is: “Every day is a good day for learning”.

Anne is from Lancashire. She studied Psychology and Philosophy at Nottingham University specialising in Child Psychology and then qualified as a teacher. Anne has lived in the Netherlands for thirty years. While her children were young, Anne worked as a volunteer in their schools. She joined a team organising courses for parents to reflect more deeply on parenting and their own spirituality. In 2002 Anne started working in International education. She studied for two years to acquire a Masters in SEN (Special Educational Needs) and since 2005 has worked as a Special Needs teacher. This fits well with her deeply felt purpose in life of helping as many children as possible to feel fully confident and happy in their learning. Anne’s interests include her grandchildren, writing guided meditations, ballet, yoga and reading.

Sytse van der Zwan is a Dutchman, born and raised in The Hague. He moved to Ridderkerk to live with his wife in 2014. While studying Physical Education at The Hague University Sytse started working in and around International Schools. After working as a cover teacher for various schools in the area, he started working as a PE teacher at the Haagsche Schoolvereeniging. In 2015 Sytse joined the team at ISD and he has been teaching PE to all classes since. Besides working in an international environment Sytse loves to share his enthusiasm for sports with all the children at ISD.

Originally from India, I have had the opportunity to live in the UK and US for sometime and experience different cultures. My husband and I moved to the Netherlands around 5 years ago and we’ve now settled in The Hague for the long-term. I am a mum of two girls (aged 6 and 11). I enjoy the outdoors, along with food and shopping. I completed my degree in Commerce (First Class) in Mumbai. Having successfully completed a phonics course in November 2016, it feels great to now embark on a Diploma in Teaching Assistantship.

Claire grew up in Dublin, Ireland. She studied Applied Languages (French/German) at Dublin City University. Upon graduation, she followed her love for languages and moved to Heidelberg, Germany where she lived for five years. During that period, she worked as a translator and documentation writer for a large software company, and as a publications assistant in the editorial office for a European organisation. In 2006, she moved to the Netherlands, settling down in Maastricht where she worked in the multilingual department of a medical device company. All of these roles have enabled her to develop her passion for working in multicultural environments and teams. She is a social, people person who enjoys helping and caring for others. She lives in The Hague area with her family and in her free time, she enjoys reading, going to the cinema and cooking. She is very excited to have joined the ISD team and looks forward to meeting you all in person over the coming months!

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Heidi is a highly experienced teacher with a particular passion for enquiry based learning. Heidi was born, raised and educated in the Netherlands and has over 30 years’ experience teaching and working with children, both in the Netherlands and abroad, including in France and Australia. Starting as an early years teacher, Heidi has since specialised as a Dutch teacher for all levels of primary school education. Heidi is quick to embrace new technologies, recognising the way that technology can be used to transform and enhance the learning experience. Heidi has been instrumental in raising the awareness of and use of technology in the education system, most notably in her role as a smart board coach for the Laurentius Foundation. Heidi is a caring and compassionate person, having acted as an emergency foster parent for children in need for over 15 years. Heidi believes that every child deserves to be heard and live in a safe and loving environment. Heidi is also an active volunteer for the Coeliac society, helping people diagnosed with coeliac disease to accept their condition and develop the skills to regain control and enjoy a glutenfree lifestyle.