GET TO KNOW GESS – AY2024/25 New Teachers

I began my career as a social pedagogical assistant, gaining foundational skills and practical experience in early childhood education. I then pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and Care (Kindheitspädagogik) and worked in various kindergartens to apply my knowledge. Before GESS, I was pursuing a Master’s Degree in Educational Science focusing on Childhood Pedagogy and Diversity, and concurrently working as a vocational school teacher, continually enhancing my skills and contributing to the development of future social pedagogical assistants. 

In my number of years dedicated to the industry, I’ve been building my experience in several appointments, including:
• mixed-age teaching at the Evangelical Elementary School in Potsdam, Germany
• class teacher of Grade 2 in Doha, Qatar
• transition classes at the Hohes Kreuz Elementary School, using a differentiated instruction approach
• individual support and teaching, as well as social and emotional support, at the St. Vincenz Centre, Regensburg, Germany
• other teaching stints at School for Sick Children in Regensburg, SFZ Freising and SFZ Landshut Land, all in Germany

After residing in Berlin, Germany for nine years, I recently relocated to Singapore with my family. I have a strong academic background in physics, specialising in quantum optics and computer science. My journey in education actually began during my studies, when I discovered a passion for teaching while instructing experimental physics courses for undergraduate students. My teaching philosophy is rooted in hands-on learning, encouraging students to understand scientific concepts through practical experiments. At my previous school, I revitalized the astronomy department, guiding students through complex topics like spacetime, black holes, and stellar mechanics. My extracurricular courses included engaging projects such as building telescopes from water pipes and launching rockets, fostering a deep understanding and enthusiasm for science among his students.

I succeeded in making significant contributions through my coordination and supervision of “youth research”, a prestigious competition aimed at cultivating young scientists and innovators. My team won the 2024 state competition by developing an affordable radio telescope for schools – I believe this is a demonstration of my dedication to interdisciplinary learning and solving real-world problems. My move to GESS marks an exciting new chapter in my career – I am definitely looking forward to contributing to the school’s mission of providing excellent education and empowering students to make a positive contribution to the world.

I come from the UK and studied for my Bachelor of Biomedical Science in Nottingham, staying on in the city to later study for my Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) (Science) and Masters (Education). I taught for three years in a secondary school in the UK before beginning my career as an international teacher in Bangkok. I have enjoyed teaching in international schools for the last ten years in Bangkok, Shanghai and here in Singapore, and I am very excited to be part of the GESS community!

Having left Australia when I was 6 years old, I’ve always considered myself to be a global citizen! I completed my formative years studying in international schools in South Korea, Japan and Singapore, before heading to Brazil to undertake my high school education and complete an IB Diploma. I then moved back to Melbourne, where I studied my Bachelor’s Degree before completing my Master’s at the University of Melbourne. Following three years of teaching in Australia in both public and private schools, I began my international teaching journey in Abu Dhabi – where I taught high school History, IBDP History and IBDP Global Politics. Away from work, I love drinking coffee, spending time with my husband and miniature dachshund, and travelling the world – 80 countries and counting! I am incredibly excited to be returning to Singapore after more than 10 years away and am excited to be teaching at GESS!

I trained in both Primary and Secondary education in the UK and have spent the last 17 years leading departments in England and abroad. My passion for design education has enabled me to travel and give keynote speeches at national and international Design & Technology conferences as well advising on the implementation of the subject across the UAE. Back in 2017, I was employed by another international school in Singapore to design and set up D&T workshops and curriculums as they launched the subject. This opportunity enabled me to work with nursery all the way through to year 13, helping develop projects, spaces and resources across all subject areas. My family and I spent the last two years in Qatar at Sherborne Senior School and are excited to now return to Southeast Asia.

With a diverse teaching background spanning across continents, I try to enrich the educational journeys of my students globally. As a certified Cooperative Learning Moment Coach, school leader, and Dutch language specialist, I am committed to fostering collaborative learning environments that empower students and promote continuous growth in education. Skilled in providing targeted support to diverse learners and committed to driving continuous improvement and excellence in education, I am very excited to be part of the GESS family.

The vitality that young people transmit to me and my curiosity to explore the world have led me to live in four different countries. Teaching and sharing my language and culture, and finding a two-way enrichment in each country where I live, I enjoy being a teacher and also feeling like a student. My first country was Ireland, where I taught Spanish in a primary school. From there, I went back to my hometown, where I taught Spanish to international students at the Complutense University of Madrid and to refugees. My thirst for knowledge took me to northern Poland, where I worked as a freelance teacher with more than 70 students of all ages and levels. Singapore called me two years ago and so far I have worked in several international schools, including GESS, a business university and also as a private tutor with both adult and junior students, supporting the latter in their studies in IB or similar educational programmes. Here I am, back in GESS!

My colleagues and students call me Dr Hearty – and I always have a smile on my face – don’t be shy to say hi when you see me on campus. I am an experienced teacher in Physics and Mathematics, having taught various curricula in Singapore, Thailand, Germany and India. I accomplished my PhD in Educational Leadership at Assumption University, Thailand, a Master’s Degree in Biophysics from NTU, Singapore and a Master’s degree in Educational Management at UWA, Australia. I also did a Bachelor’s Degree in Physics and another Bachelor’s Degree in Education (Physical Sciences) in India. Through my career, I have taken up several leadership positions in high schools, including Deputy Coordinator for IBDP, Head of Science Faculty, Coordinator for Gifted-education, Mentor Teacher and Coordinator for Staff Welfare.

Hi, I’m Tom. After a fulfilling eight-year career in engineering, I’m thrilled to be now teaching Mathematics and Technology at GESS. I hold a Master’s Degree in Mechanical and Materials from the University of Birmingham in the UK and became a Chartered Engineer (CEng) in 2020. I moved to Singapore 2.5 years ago from London, and I absolutely love it here. This year, I will commence a Distance Learning Post Graduate Degree in Education (PGCE) and intend to graduate in the summer of 2025. I’m fascinated by technology and look forward to sharing this passion with students through robotics elective classes. In my free time, I enjoy tennis, cycling, rock climbing, hiking mountains, and just about everything else that involves being outside and active. I’m really looking forward to this new chapter in my career and can’t wait to connect with staff and students at GESS!

I have been a passionate educator for almost 30 years. Most of my teaching experiences are in the areas of Industrial Design and Technology, sports training and coaching (both summer and winter sports). It has always been my passion to develop and incorporate digital technologies in my classroom and fusing them into design projects that also require traditional hand and machining skills across a variety of materials and processes. I am dedicated to being active and enjoy sporting activities ranging from martial arts, surfing, mountain biking and also the outdoors with many holidays spent camping and trekking to new adventures, usually with the fly rod in my backpack.

After early years as an industrial clerk before studying business administration in Munich and afterwards business education in Lahr, Germany. I have been teaching since 2004. Right before GESS, I was a senior teacher for ethics, economics and business administration in a business high school in Sigmaringen, Germany. I am looking forward to being a part of GESS.