Who works in Pre-Kindergarten?

The Ladybug Class

Erika Mendoza - Class teacher
I am an Early Childhood teacher and I come originally from Peru. I have worked
as a Kindergarten and a Pre-K teacher in South America for 7 years. Before
coming to the Netherlands I have worked for 3 years in the US as a Pre-K
teacher. This is my third year working for ISA and I am enjoying it very much.

Carol Saroinsong Class assistant
I started working at ISA in 1991 and worked in Kindergarten, Pre-K and the
Lower School library. I have a degree in English literature. I have worked in
Jakarta International School for 3 years before moving to the Netherlands.

The Busy Bees Class
Glenn Billingham Class teacher
Im originally from the UK, and currently enjoying my second spell in Amsterdam.
Having taught in Italy, Colombia, South Korea, and the UK, I really enjoy the
international element here at ISA. Ive been teaching for 4 years, and have taught
Pre-K, Kindergarten, and Grade One. Along with my teaching degree, I also have
a degree in Sport Science, and a Teaching English as a Second Language
certification.

Patricia Lowery Bianchi Class assistant
I have been working at ISA since 2008 with the 3-6 year old age group. I started
as a substitute teacher assistant while studying for my Certificate in Pre- School
Education. Last August I joined I.S.A. on a full time basis in Pre-school leaving
behind a career of 15 years as an economist in the financial world. I am from
Chile but have lived in the U.K. and The Netherlands for most of my life. I am
married and have a daughter and a son, who both graduated from ISA and are
currently living abroad.

The Butterfly Class
Kati Palsynaho- Class teacher
I am an Early Childhood specialist and have been at ISA for 14 years. I am
originally from Finland where I taught in several schools and in an Adaptation
Centre for disabled children. I have 20 years experience in working with
children. I am married with 3 children; one boy of 5 years old and 3 and 1 year
old girls.
Brittany Vierling - Class teacher
I came to the Netherlands and ISA last year, starting as a substitute teacher for
the lower school. I am originally from the United States and have experience
teaching the 4-5 year old age group in both South Korea and my home country. I
have a teaching degree in K-12 English as an additional language as well as a
masters degree in education.

Emma Berkhemer- Class assistant
I am Dutch and have lived abroad most of my life. I have worked as an assistant
in Venezuela and have worked at I.S.A. for 16 years. I am married and have two
grown up children currently studying at University.





The Dragonfly Class

Michelle Thomas Class teacher
It is with great excitement that I begin my first year teaching
at ISA. This is my seventh year teaching and I specialize in
early childhood and elementary education. I have a
Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education and my
teaching license includes endorsements in elementary
education, culturally and linguistically diverse education
and educational leadership.

Mirella Ho - Class assistant
I am from England. I have lived in Holland for 15 years with
my two sons who are both at university. In previous years
at ISA I was employed as a substitute teacher, I taught
Kindergarten and grade 3. This is my tenth year at the ISA,
I have worked 4 years as an assistant in Pre-School and
looking forward to joining the Pre-Kindergarten team.

Pappu Mukherjee Class assistant
I am from India. I transitioned from a parent to a staff member at ISA seven years
ago. I have been working as a substitute and also a pre-school assistant since
2007. I have an undergraduate degree in Physics and a graduate Diploma in
software management. Despite a very different background as a software person
in an international company I am enjoying every minute here.

Single Subject Teachers

Terry Penalver English (English Additional Language teacher
all classes)
I have been teaching at the I.S.A. for 16 years. I have a special
interest in Early Years education and language development
.I have two bilingual children and have lived in the Netherlands
for a very long time.. Every morning I will be working in one of
the 4 Pre-K classes supporting the Pre-K language programme. I
also work with small groups of children in my own classroom
which is just along the corridor from the Pre-K area. Im looking forward to finding
out how many languages the children can speak!

Aideen Nolan - Music teacher Butterflies and Busy Bees
I have been teaching Early Childhood music at I.S.A since 1993,
having moved here from Ireland. I also teach Violin, as a member
of the ISA Music Academy. I have the pleasure of Singing,
Dancing and Playing (instruments and musical games) with the
children of Pre Kindergarten, nurturing their natural love to move
and engage musically with the world around them.


Judy OCallaghan - Music teacher Dragonflies and
Ladybugs, I have been teaching Early Childhood music at
ISA since 2004. l also teach music in Middle school at ISA. I
moved to the Netherlands in 1990 and have two daughters
studying at Universities in Utrecht and in Leidan.


Frankie Rees- Creative Arts teacher (Atelierista to all classes)
I have been an Early Years teacher and Art teacher at ISA since 1999.
I am from the UK and have 3 children. 13 year old twins and a 4 year
old. This year in the new building we are lucky enough to have an
Atelier ( an art studio ) for our youngest artists. I will be the artist /
teacher ( known as an Atelierista) working in the early childhood
atelier. It will be a creative space for exploration, creation and
discovery.

Margreet PE Teacher for the Dragonflies M,T,W,F
I am Dutch and came to ISA in 2003, after my stay in France. I started
working in the PE department as a teacher after school gymnastics
and as a substitute. Later I added teaching swimming and French to
my activities. This year I will be a full time PE teacher. I have a grown
up son who lives in Amsterdam with his Mexican girlfriend.




Lotte
I have been teaching at ISA as a member of the lower school PE
department since 2009 and I am Dutch. I started working in the PE
department as a substitute teacher, an after school activity teacher
and as a Swim- and Track & Field coach. I taught in two Primary
schools in the Netherlands but will be working as a full time PE teacher
at ISA this year.


Raquel PE Teacher for the Dragonflies TH
I have been teaching at ISA since 2006 as a member of the Upper
School Physical Education Department. This year I will be teaching
Physical Education in the Lower School. Before coming to ISA I taught
in two other International Schools, both in Upper and Lower School. I
have over 16 year teaching experience. I am Spanish, married and I
have two trilingual children; one girl of 7 and one boy of 3.

Maaike - Dutch teacher
I was born and raised in the east of Holland. After my teacher training
I moved to to Amsterdam to work in the British School of Amsterdam
for four years. After these four years I moved to Taipei teaching Dutch
and EAL. I have been in ISA since 2003 teaching Art and Dutch to all
different grade levels. Since two years I am the Coordinator of the
Lower School Additional Language Department. I am looking forward
teaching your child Dutch words, songs and poems!

Eveline Hofland - Dutch Teacher
My name is Eveline Hofland and this is my third year teaching Dutch
at ISA. ISA is the fifth international school I've worked at. I am Dutch
and my family is from the Hague. My husband is American and
Dutch and works in the upper school as the assisted head. My
daughters Sophie and Eva are in grades 8 and 4 at ISA. I love teaching PK
students at ISA and look forward to getting to know your kids. Please feel free to
email me with questions any time.


Annette Graf Dutch Teacher for the Dragonflies











Anne Boone Early Childhood Librarian (All classes)









We are looking forward to a wonderful year in Pre-
Kindergarten.