For GESS to be the education partner of choice for families, our academic team plays a pivotal role, bringing with them rich experience, professional expertise and plenty of passion. We are proud to have as part of the GESS family our new Preschool and Primary teachers in the Academic Year 2023/24.
Preschool Teacher
I have a Bachelor of Arts degree with First Class Honours in Childhood and Early Years Education. I hold a TEFL qualification as well as a certificate for teaching students with special educational needs. Over the past 20 years, I have had teaching positions in Hong Kong, Bahrain, Japan, and Singapore. In addition to this, I have spent time supporting NGOs in Cambodia and Indonesia. My philosophy is that each child is unique, and it is my job to foster children’s natural curiosities and a passion for learning, allowing them to become lifelong learners.
Primary School Teacher, European Section
My name is Heike Haller and I am a Primary School Teacher of 23 years. I am married and we have two daughters at the age of 19 and 15. I grew up in the South of Germany and studied at the PH Weingarten. I started working as a Primary School teacher in Baden Württemberg in 2000. In 2001 I moved to Berlin and I taught at a Primary School in Berlin Reinickendorf until 2004, when our older daughter Sophia was born. The first time I came to GESS was in 2005, when my husband Uwe, our 10 months old daughter Sophia and I moved to Singapore. I worked for GESS for two years. In 2008 our daughter Kathalina was born and we lived in Singapore for another two years. During this time I gave private tuitions for young students with German as a Second and Foreign Language. In 2010 we moved back to Berlin and I started teaching at the Nelson Mandela Primary School. Our stay in Berlin didn’t last long. We came back to Singapore in 2012 and I worked at GESS as a Primary School teacher until 2019. And now, after four years teaching at a Primary School in Berlin, I am back and really looking forward to teaching at GESS again.
Primary School Teacher, German Section
Subjects: German, Maths, General Studies, Arts and Ethics
I am a PYP Coordinator and curriculum developer holding a Bachelor of Education (Hons) from the University of Wollongong (Australia) and have been a teacher in Primary Education since 1993. In addition, I am a practicing artist and painter having conducted many successful solo exhibitions both in Australia and Asia. I am well versed in the IBO Primary Years Program and base my inquiry-approach teaching pedagogy on its philosophy. My experience and understanding of the IBO frameworks led to my appointment, in 2008, as a workshop leader. From that time, I have led both in-school and regional workshops within the International Baccalaureate. I specialise in the development and practices of Transdisciplinary Learning frameworks and also serve as a team lead for school verification and authorisation visits of PYP schools within the Asia Pacific region.
PYP Coordinator, European Section
I completed my Bachelor and Master of Education at University Koblenz-Landau, Germany, specialising in special educational needs for children with emotional and social difficulties as well as speech, language and communication difficulties. I have spent the past 1.5 years in Stuttgart, Germany working for specialist educational schools whilst finalising my 2nd State Examination.
Primary School Teacher, German Section
Subject: Learning Support
After graduating from university, I decided to teach abroad and started my international teaching experience. I have been teaching for nearly 20 years, the last six being in Singapore as a Year 1 and Year 3 teacher.
Primary School Teacher, European Section
My name is Dario Villalobos and I am a theatre educator, musician, actor, and director, originally from Monteverde, Costa Rica. I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre from St. Olaf College (Northfield, MN, USA), a Master of Education degree from Moreland University (Washington, D.C, USA) and a K-12 Drama Teaching License from the State of Hawaii. I am also a member of the American Educational Theatre Association (EdTA), the International Schools Theatre Association (ISTA), and the Singapore Drama Educators Association (SDEA). Throughout my career, I have been privileged to teach Theatre & Music in diverse settings across the USA, Costa Rica, and China. As the Managing Director of Far Corners Community Musical Theatre, a non-profit organization empowering youth in under-served communities worldwide, I cherish the opportunity to make a positive impact through performing arts education. My artistic endeavours as a music director, lighting & sound designer, composer and theatre practitioner have seen me involved in various productions and performances in cities around the globe including Madison, Minneapolis, Chicago, New York, London, Shanghai, and San José. As an international drama teacher, I have also taught the MYP, IBDP, American Common Core, and IGCSE curriculums. Through my teaching approach, I strive to empower students to explore different human perspectives through compassionate understanding and commitment to team work. Inspired by the timeless wisdom of playwright and theorist Bertolt Brecht, I humbly endeavour to have my students embody Brecht’s words: “Art is not a mirror held up to reality, but a hammer with which to shape it.”
Primary & Secondary School Teacher, European Section
Subject: Drama
I completed both my undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Psychology in Australia and after graduating, I then worked as a Psychologist in a Private Practice in Sydney. I have a special interest in working with young people and their parents and this passion led me to becoming a School Counsellor, which I have been enjoying for over 10 years now. I am a strong advocate for holistic and inclusive education, supporting students with diverse social, emotional and developmental needs to ensure that every young person has the opportunity to thrive. I’m so excited to be joining the GESS community and I look forward to meeting everyone!
Lead School Counsellor, Whole School
I am Maria Mertens and I come from Germany. I completed my Master’s degree in Social Work and worked in youth welfare in Germany. Most recently I worked at the Youth Welfare Office in child protection in Germany and have successfully completed my further training as a specialist in child protection and as a systemic counsellor. I am looking forward to working at GESS.
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead,
Whole School
I’m Jennifer Alessi and have joined GESS as a relief teacher for the European Section in both primary and secondary school. I completed my degree and credentialing program in the United States where I taught before moving to Singapore almost four years ago. I have two children that attend GESS in the European section in grade 4 and grade 6. After years as a GESS parent, I am happy to continue supporting the school as a member of the staff.
Relief Teaching in Primary and Secondary School, European Section
We extend a warm welcome to these new staff members and are excited for our wider community to meet all of them.
