School Leadership

Grzegorz Dopart

M.ED in Inclusive Education, University of Glasgow, UK
BA in Spanish and Teaching English As a Foreign Language, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK
Postgraduate Certificate of Education, University of Southampton, UK

Greg has been teaching various languages, including French, German, and Spanish, for over a decade and served as Head of the Modern Languages Department at TOIS. Driven by his passion for understanding young minds, he decided to combine his language-teaching expertise with psychology. Now, Greg teaches both languages and psychology, using psychological insights to enhance his teaching and create individualized learning strategies that support students’ academic and personal growth.

Outside of work, Greg leads an active lifestyle and is the current Polish champion in racewalking.

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Lorybelle Castillo

Master’s Degree in Education in Advanced Teaching, University of the People, USA

Master’s Degree in Euroculture, University of Groningen, Netherlands & Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
Master’s Degree in Communication, Major in Communication Research, University of the Philippines
Bachelor’s Degree in Humanities, Major in Political Economy, University of Asia and the Pacific, Philippines

Lorybelle joined TOIS in 2016 and started as an EAL Teacher at the Primary School. Currently, she is the EAL Coordinator at Secondary, as well as an English and Individuals & Societies teacher.

She dabbles in photography and enjoys travelling, watching films and TV series, baking, and trying out new recipes.

Christina Appiah-Nimo

PhD in Economics and Management, Tomaš Bata University in Zlin
Master of Commerce (Marketing), University of Cape Coast
Bachelor of Management Studies, University of Cape Coast

Christina’s passion for human and intellectual development inspired her choice of profession after her Bachelor’s degree program. She served as a teaching assistant at the University of Cape Coast (School of Business) and rose through the ranks in academia.

Christina brings her expertise to IB DP Economics and Business Management at TOIS. She loves to sing and enjoys adventures.

Jelena Ščerbova

Education:

– Master’s Degree in Philology and Education, University of Belgrade, Serbia
– Master’s Professorial Degree in Language, Culture and Literature, University of Belgrade, Serbia
– Ongoing PhD in Philology, University of Belgrade, Serbia

Jelena was born in Croatia and has, since early childhood, been fascinated by different cultures and languages. As her own family background is multicultural and multilingual, the study of Philology came naturally to her. Since the age of 7, Jelena has never stopped following her heart, learning about new cultures and languages ever since.

She drew upon her extensive language skills in Croatian, Serbian, French, English and Arabic while teaching children in United Nations refugee camps before moving to Ostrava in 2018 to begin working at The Ostrava International School as a PYP 2 Class Teacher.

Jelena Ščerbova

Master’s Degree in Philology and Education, University of Belgrade, Serbia
Master’s Professorial Degree in Language, Culture and Literature, University of Belgrade, Serbia
Ongoing PhD in Philology, University of Belgrade, Serbia

Jelena was born in Croatia and has, since early childhood, been fascinated by different cultures and languages. As her own family background is multicultural and multilingual, the study of Philology came naturally to her. Since the age of 7, Jelena has never stopped following her heart, learning about new cultures and languages ever since.

She drew upon her extensive language skills in Croatian, Serbian, English and Arabic while teaching children in United Nations refugee camps before moving to Ostrava in 2018 to begin working at The Ostrava International School as a PYP 2 Class Teacher.

Jelena’s background has also given her the skills to lead as Head of the Early Years Centre and Inclusion Coordinator.

Kamila Roberts

Coming soon

Qasim Abbas Shah

Bachelor’s degree in Education, Sargodha University, Pakistan.

Qasim has worked as a teacher at the Pakistani Army Public School, and as a security supervisor and trainer in Dubai. Currently, he enjoys expanding his knowledge about health, safety, and environmental safety. Qasim joined TOIS for its commitment to educational excellence and its supportive learning environment.

Stefanie Novotný

Master’s degree in Arts, University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna, Austria
Bachelor’s degree in Music Education, University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna, Austria

Stefanie grew up in Vienna, Austria, where she completed her degree in Music Education, specializing in flute and piano. After her studies, she gained valuable experience teaching at various music schools, where she instructed students in both instruments. Her work also involved leading music groups in kindergartens, where she discovered her passion for early childhood education.

In 2024, Stefanie moved to Ostrava and is excited to join the team at the International School. The commitment of TOIS to a dynamic and inclusive learning environment, with a focus on international-mindedness and nurturing individual strengths, aligns perfectly with her teaching philosophy. Bringing her love for creative and playful teaching to TOIS, Stefanie enjoys crafting lessons that use music to take children on imaginative journeys, helping them learn in a fun and engaging way. Through these stories and activities, she aims to make learning effortless and enjoyable.

Additionally, she is excited to share her passion for sports with her students, encouraging them to embrace physical activity as a vital part of a balanced life. Outside of her professional life, Stefanie is passionate about the outdoors. She enjoys spending time in the mountains, where she loves to climb, hike, and engage in mountaineering. She also participates in various sports such as running and swimming and is an avid traveler with a deep interest in exploring different countries and cultures.

Ume Farwa

Master of Philosophy in Botany, Government State University, Faisalabad, Pakistan

Master of Science in Botany, University of Sargodha, Pakistan

Bachelor of Science, University of the Punjab, Pakistan

Farwa was born in Chakwal, Pakistan where she completed her early education before completing her studies in Faisalabad. She has taught at both the highschool and university levels in Pakistan and Oman, and is therefor well-positioned to help TOIS students on their paths to tertiary studies in the sciences.

She moved to the Czech Republic in 2020 for study purposes and joined TOIS in 2023. She has always enjoyed travelling and exploring new places, as well as spending time on arts and crafts.

Mercedes María-Tomé

Master’s degree in Technology-Mediated Language Teaching and Learning, Open University of Catalonia, Spain
Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, Universidad de Sevilla, Spain

When she was nine years old, Mercedes joined a scout group where she learned a lot about nature, friendship, problem-solving and many other things. When she was old enough, she started as a scout leader, which made her realize education was what she was made for. Since then, her motto has been “think global, act local”, because she was taught to leave the world in a better place than she found it.

As a good southern Spaniard, she enjoys a day at the beach and many of her country’s traditions, such as La Feria de Abril, and Spanish gastronomy.

Her biggest hobby is travelling; she really enjoys getting to know other places and cultures.

Lasse Nielsen

Masters in Philosophy, minor in Rhetoric & Communication, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark

PhD in Philosophy, Palacký University, Olomouc, Czech Republic

Lasse is an IB DP graduate from Denmark. Besides teaching Design and Humanities in the MYP and TOK in the DP, Lasse also oversees Academic Honesty at TOIS. Since he started in 2015, Lasse has taught at all levels of the school, including the Early Years, Primary School, Middle Years and the Diploma Programmes. This has made him fully prepared to take on the new role of IB Continuum Coordinator.

He came to the Czech Republic to be with his Czech wife and he has never looked back. In his spare time, Lasse loves playing D&D, drums, and board games, reading books and spending time with family and friends.

Angeliki Dimou

Integrated Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Greece

PhD in Materials Science, University of the Aegean, Greece

Angeliki has always had a passion for science and learning. This will be her first time teaching abroad, and she is excited to bring her expertise and enthusiasm to TOIS. She is committed to creating a dynamic and interactive learning environment that inspires students to explore science and mathematics.

Outside of the classroom, Angeliki enjoys learning new languages, reading books, travelling, and hiking with her dog.

Jitu Leta

Master’s degree in Mathematics, Ostrava University, Czech Republic

Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia

Jitu’s passion for math began during her childhood, influenced both by her father and a passionate teacher at her primary school. This love for math also ignited Jita’s interest in the teaching profession. For her, teaching goes beyond simply completing tasks from textbooks; it involves imparting life lessons and shaping young minds.

To further enhance her qualifications, she has started pursuing MA in Educational Leadership and Management. With four years of experience in teaching mathematics, she has always envisioned making a positive impact on children; their hope for the future inspires Jita a lot.

Andrea Usher

Masters of Education – Curriculum and Instruction, American College of Education, USA
Masters of Elementary Education and Teaching, American College of Education, USA.
Bachelor of Primary Education, International University of the Caribbean, Jamaica.
Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Teaching, Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College, Jamaica.

Andrea was born on the Caribbean island of Jamaica, where English is the official language. She also speaks Jamaican patois. Before arriving in Ostrava, Andrea taught for 19 years in her home country. Then, she began her foray into international teaching in 2014, where she taught at IB International World Schools as a PYP Homeroom teacher at the Swiss International School of Qatar. She held a dual role as IB PYP Coordinator and Homeroom teacher at School Lyceum #6 in Azerbaijan and again as IB PYP Coordinator at Invento, the Uzbek International School in Uzbekistan.

Andrea brings to TOIS her love of being a teacher and greatly appreciates being an international educator who has been able to build on and hone her teaching skills and learn about and embrace the culture of others in diverse and inclusive environments. Her learning philosophy is “Learn all you can today; use what you learn to change your tomorrow”.

As an educator, She finds joy in the process of both learning and teaching. Andrea loves dancing, listening to music, and audiobooks. She also gets excited about fashion jewellery and quirky eyeglasses.

Tuğçe Kurtbeyoğlu

Bachelor’s Degree in English Language Teaching, Istanbul Aydin University, Turkey

Associate Degree in Public Relations and Publicity, Anadolu University, Turkey

Tuğçe was born as a twin sister in Mersin, a Mediterranean city in Turkey. Growing up, she moved frequently within Turkey but spent most of her life in Istanbul. Her hobbies range from literature, to sports like football, tennis, and taekwondo, to music. She learned to play the violin and started writing her own songs in English at the age of 12, sparking her passion for languages, writing, and music. After spending summers as a camp counsellor in international camps and teaching English for five years in various IB schools in Istanbul, she decided to move abroad.

In her free time, Tuğçe enjoys writing, composing, and singing her own songs. She is currently focused on improving her Spanish, learning Czech, and brushing up on her high school German skills. Despite being a dog person, she has two cats named Rosa and Clara. Tuğçe is also passionate about volunteering at animal shelters and supporting charitable causes for stray dogs and cats.

Helena Vricanová

Coming soon

Elitsa Kosebalaban

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Moscow State Open University, Russia

Elitsa enjoys working with young students and the Early Years Centre team. She believes that a safe and pleasant environment supports their thinking and learning. She loves travelling with her son, exploring diverse cultures, and discovering new coffee flavours from around the world.

Tinsae Wonjelo

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering, Bahirdar University, Ethiopia
Master’s degree in Open Informatics, Mendel University, Czech Republic

Tinsae was born in Hossana, Ethiopia, and from a young age dreamed of becoming an artist, a teacher, and a technology expert. These diverse interests drove her passion for learning and discovery, and lead her to the Czech Republic. The rich cultural and international environment of TOIS has provided her with the perfect opportunity to explore new experiences and meet people from around the world.

Tinsae loves spending time with children, helping and motivating them to achieve their dreams. Sharing her knowledge has always been a defining aspect of her life. She likes drawing and painting and exploring new places and cultures.

Albina Tulaidan

Bachelor’s Degree in Pedagogical Education – English Language and Foreign Literature, Cherson State University, Ukraine
Master’s Degree in Education, Pedagogy and Teaching Methods, English Language and Literature, Cherson State University, Ukraine

In 2022, Albina moved to Ostrava, Czech Republic and decided to walk the path of teaching anew, following her heart and dream to become a devoted teacher. Her decision to become a teacher is driven by a passion for education, a desire to make a positive impact on students’ lives and a commitment to professional growth and development.

In her free time, Albina enjoys cooking, watching movies and TV series, travelling and reading books. She also loves to do pilates.

Veronika Vavříková

Master’s degree in Secondary School Teaching – Mathematics and Physics, University of Ostrava, Czech Republic
Doctor’s degree in the Theory of Education in Physics, University of Ostrava, Czech Republic

Veronika has been part of The Ostrava International School since its very beginning. Her passion is methodology in education, especially in Mathematics and Physics. Besides education, she devoted herself a lot to working with adults and developing management skills. Veronika has a creative soul. She enjoys folklore dancing, oil painting and interior design.

Elina Prochorova

Master’s Degree in Education, University of Ostrava
Master’s Degree in Fine Arts, University of Ostrava
Semester of Arts studies, Academia si Belle Arte di Catania, Italy

Elina came to Ostrava from her native Belarus at the age of 17 and completed her post-secondary studies at the University of Ostrava.
She joined The Ostrava International School, after thinking about both of her degrees, following her heart, and walking the path of teaching. Elina began as a Class Teacher, and moved quickly to the role of PYP Coordinator.

Since childhood, she has spent her free time travelling and sketching what she admires.

Michaela Vrátná

Coming soon

Iva Čížková

Bachelor’s Degree in Czech Literature, Silesian University of Opava, Czech Republic

Iva was born and raised in South Bohemia and joined TOIS in 2015. She loves the smell of books and coffee and tries her best to live life offline.

Šárka Magyaricsová

MA in Accounting and Taxes, VŠB Technical University of Ostrava
Master’s Degree in Marketing and Business, VŠB Technical University of Ostrava
MBA in Economy and Financial Management, Central European Management, Institute Praha

Šárka was born and raised in the Ostrava region and lives in Havířov with her family. After graduation, she worked in the banking sector. Since 2016, she has been working for TOIS as an Accounting Manager.

Šárka loves travelling, exploring new places, and nature. Her hobbies are gardening and sports, and she likes spending her time with family and friends.

Katarina Ćirić

Master’s Degree in Language and Literature, Faculty of Philology University of Belgrade
Master’s Degree in Business, Marketing and Management, Metropolitan University Belgrade
TEFL and IELTs Certification

Katarina was born in Serbia and has extensive experience in teaching EAL in international environments. She has served as a Nursery School Lead, and Primary School teacher.

Katarina has travelled around most of the world and enjoys international environments and cultural exchanges.

Milan Šurkala

Master’s Degree in Informatics, Computer Graphics specialization, VSB-TU Ostrava, Czech Republic
PhD in Informatics, Computer Graphics specialization, VSB-TU Ostrava, Czech Republic

Milan is from the Ostrava region and loves interdisciplinary connections, in his personal life and in his teaching. Milan not only teaches Computer Science, but he is also a programmer, a journalist and an artist – busy as a painter, illustrator, and stock photographer. Milan tries to connect all of these fields into his life and lessons.

He also strongly believes that algorithmic thinking can improve the lives of students in many non-IT situations, and he tries to develop this in his students.

Mišo Löwy

Faculty of Animation, Academy of Music and Performing Arts, Bratislava, Slovakia

Born in Slovakia in 1984, Mišo studied movie animation and has always been interested in drawing, comics and cartoons. He worked for over a decade in the field of advertising and graphic design for companies and music television in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, as well as doing freelance illustrations. He joined TOIS in 2016.

Mišo loves to work at TOIS, because of the rich background of international students and colleagues, who make him feel he can belong anywhere in the world. His students call him Mr. Mišo.

In his free time, Mišo illustrates children’s books that he co-creates with his wife and their two cats.

Francis Atiso

Master’s Degree in Applied Mathematics, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana
Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana

Francis grew up in Kumasi, the second-largest city in Ghana. The “Garden City” as it was called by Queen Elizabeth II on her first visit.

Francis first came to the Czech Republic in January 2020 to pursue his Doctoral degree in Economic Policy and Administration at Tomas Bata University.

He finds fulfilment in passing on knowledge to the younger generation because he believes that this is his own way of making the world a better place.

Stephen Sabanbia

Masters Degree in Pure Mathematics(Ongoing), University of Ostrava, Czech Republic

Master of Philosophy in Applied Mathematics, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana

Bachelor of Education, Mathematics, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana

Stephen Sabanbia was born and raised in Kumasi, the second-largest city in Ghana, and came to the Czech Republic in 2021 to pursue a second master’s degree in Pure mathematics.

As a passionate mathematics educationist, Stephen joined TOIS in 2022 to continue what he likes doing best by nurturing the students and imparting his knowledge of mathematics.

Hedwiga Kašlik

BA in German and Music for secondary schools, University of Leipzig
MA in German and Music for secondary schools, Charles University in Prague

Hedwiga was born in Romania to a Romanian father and a German mother. Soon her parents moved to Stuttgart/Germany, where she grew up.

After her wedding to a Czech husband, she has now been living for more than 10 years in the Czech Republic. With this international background, she was always eager to get to know new cultures, languages and people of different nations. At the same time, it gives her joy to rebuild the reputation of the German language in the Czech Republic.

Being part of the development process, and raising children and young adults has filled not only her professional life, but also her free time, as she is engaged in different non-profit organizations. In her spare time, she performs concerts with her husband, with whom she even recorded a CD. She also likes travelling and of course spending time with her beloved family (2 children).

Chandler Cryer

MA in Teaching Languages: Spanish and English, University of Southern Mississippi

BA in Teaching English as a Second Language, and Spanish Literature, Union University

Chandler is originally from the state of Georgia in the US. After teaching in the US, China, and Turkey, she and her husband decided to move to Ostrava and join the international community at TOIS in 2023. Chandler has always enjoyed learning languages, and she loves sharing the joys of exploring new cultures and perspectives through language with her students.

Besides learning new languages, Chandler likes to spend her time writing, biking, rollerblading, and going to museums.

Kateřina Galatenko

Master’s Degree in Teaching Music, Choral conducting and Czech Language, University of Ostrava.
Graduate of the Brno Conservatory, Classical Piano
One Semester at the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst, Graz, Austria.

Kateřina always knew she wanted to become a teacher, and she joined TOIS in 2016 after almost ten years of teaching at various institutions. Her goal is to make her subjects both challenging and enjoyable for her students.

Kateřina loves reading and discussing ideas found in books. She also likes spending time with her twin children, listening to jazz and classical music, playing the piano, practising yoga and cooking.

She is convinced that her life goal is to be happy and to share happiness with others.

Crystal Martasek

Bachelor of Secondary Education, major in English, Negros Oriental State University, Philippines

Jonáš Gray

Bachelor’s Degree in German and Economics, Minor in French, University of Vermont, USA
One Semester Study Program, Universität Augsburg, Germany

Jonáš, a native Czech, lived in the country of Václav Havel for eighteen years before embarking on his college journey in Vermont, USA. He spends his free time translating to and from Czech, developing his knowledge of four other languages. Jonáš loves to listen to and play jazz in his Big Band, has been playing a modest role in helping the Moravian-Silesian Region drum up the interest of tourists from around the globe.

Jonáš teaches English and German at Secondary, and serves as TOIS University and Careers Counsellor.

Pavel Kunčar

Master’s Degree in Education, Biology and Chemistry, the University of Ostrava, Czech Republic.

Pavel has spent his entire life in Ostrava and its surroundings. Since childhood, he has always been fascinated by the world around him and how nature works. Pavel decided early on to study the natural sciences, and his interests have always brought him close to nature. He enjoys outdoor sports in summer and winter, preferably with his family. He has extensive experience in teaching biology and chemistry and in helping to prepare students to pursue their interests in these fields at university.

Pavel is The Head of Science, and an IB DP Chemistry and Biology Teacher, as well as the leader of the TOIS Duke of Edinburgh Programme.

Thato Manare

Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, University of Cape Town, South Africa

Postgraduate in Curriculum and Instruction, Concordia University, USA

Thato was born in Leeds, England but spent her formative years in Lesotho in Southern Africa, also known as the “Kingdom in the Sky.”

She is an IB DP graduate, which she believes sparked her passion for learning and love of travel. After spending almost 10 years in the engineering field, she changed careers to pursue her love of teaching. Thato initially joined Brett’s Ostrava International School project in 2014 as an English Language & Literature teacher until 2018. She rejoined TOIS as an English and History teacher in the Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme. Currently, she also holds the position of Head of Humanities.

Thato is an avid reader and still maintains a deep interest in the sciences, as well as observing the rapid technological changes that are changing modern society. She is also a student of how geopolitical imperatives are shaping our world and believes her role as a teacher is to prepare young people for that world and also to make them aware of their power to change it.

Nikola Gray Jirousek

Masters in Law, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
One Year Study International Law, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont Ferrand, France

Nikola comes from an environment where the IB Learner Profile is naturally embedded into her family life values. She is the mother of three sons and believes that the right education is the most important door to their freedom and life fulfilment.

Nikola considers herself as a lifelong learner seeking Truth, Love and Freedom in every circumstance. She believes that as the Head of Secondary, she advocates best for all the values for which she made her decision to become an Advocate.

In her free time, Nikola loves to be with her family, which also involves three dogs and a cat.

Vendula Dobešová

Master’s Degree in Systems Engineering and Informatics, VŠB Technical University of Ostrava
Pedagogical certificate in Lifelong Learning, Pedagogical Faculty of Ostrava University

Vendula was one of the founding team members of Brett’s international school of Ostrava project, eventually serving as School Director of the Czech Gymnasium from 2012-2015. Before leaving for Maternity Leave, she also taught IB DP Mathematics.

In her spare time, she loves playing with her two boys. She enjoys listening to music, singing, and any kind of sport that helps her relax.

Zuzana Rokoszová

Master’s Degree in Education, Czech and German languages, The University of Ostrava.

Zuzana has experience teaching at a variety of Primary and Middle schools across Ostrava. At TOIS, she is teaching Czech at the Primary School and German Language at the Secondary School.

Zuzana is passionate about all kinds of sports. She has two children and loves taking her two dogs for walks.

Jennifer Kim

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, Korea
TESOL Certificate, Canada

Jennifer has lived, worked and studied in Korea, Canada and the Czech Republic. Before moving to Ostrava, she worked for the education division of the company DaeKyo, developing and implementing curriculum for young learners. Jennifer has also taught adults and completed her TESOL certificate in Canada.

She likes to try new things, to travel, and watch movies. She says: “I believe that teaching is a difficult, important and rewarding calling, because I can see that they are growing”.

Adán Sanchez

Bachelor’s Degree in Primary and Music Education, University of Cadiz, Spain.
Bachelor’s Degree in Flamenco Guitar, Conservatory of Sevilla, Spain.
One year study in the School of Modern Music and Jazz, University of Cadiz, Spain.
Host of Czech Television’s nationally broadcast “Hola niňos“ Spanish lessons for children

Adán was born in Arcos de la Frontera, Cadiz, Spain. At the age of 7, he started learning flamenco guitar in his hometown, in the long-standing tradition of his family. Music has always been a very important part of his life, and the reason why he decided to study music education and to share his passion with young learners.

Adán joined TOIS in 2015 as a Music and Spanish teacher in both the PYP and MYP programmes.

He loves to spend his free time with his wife and children, and to perform with his band around the Czech Republic.

Lenka Vann

Bachelor’s Degree in Art and Design, Amesham and Wycombe College, UK
Master’s Degree in Teaching English and Art, The University of Ostrava
Semester of English studies at Hogskolan Kristianstad, Sweden

Lenka was born in Rožnov, Czech Republic and has a rich background in studying art under well-known local artists, such as J. F. Kovář, L. Kovářová, M. Kotrba, V. Ženožička. She is currently cooperating with the E. Thiemlová Art studio in Hlučín.

Lenka joined TOIS Primary in 2010 as a Class Teacher, and later fulfilled the role of librarian, and now Art Teacher.

She is the mother of three children scattered throughout the school at Early Years, Primary and Middle Years, and the wife of an enthusiastic rugby coach from Scotland.

Nikola Stamenković

Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Training, Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, Sports Academy, Belgrade.
Basketball Coach at O.k.k Jagodina, Serbia

Nikola has experience teaching PE at both the Primary and Secondary school level in his native Serbia. In addition to having been an active basketball player himself for over 10 years, Nikola also has experience coaching at a high level.

Nikola’s international experience includes six years working for Royal Caribbean International as a member of their sports staff, where he met the challenge of teaching and coaching enthusiasts of all ages from all kinds of backgrounds.

Jacob Butler

First and Second State Examination in Primary Education with an emphasis on English as a Second Language. Universität Leipzig, Germany

After moving from his native Cornwall, UK to Berlin, Germany in 2010, Jacob quickly discovered a passion for education and languages. In Berlin, he gained experience working in an after-school daycare, as a teacher‘s assistant and as an assistant to children with special needs. This motivated his choice to study Primary Education at the University of Leipzig. In Leipzig, Jake continued working with a range of diverse and awesome kids from preschool up to secondary in both international and state schools.

Since moving to the Czech Republic in 2021, Jake has quickly set about exploring the mountainous surroundings by foot and by bike. He loves sport, art, cooking and pretty much anything outdoorsy.

Jael Noomen

Bachelor’s Degree (B.Ed) in International Teacher Education for Primary Schools, NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands
Bachelor’s Degree (B.Ed) in Teacher Education for Dutch Primary Schools, NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands

Ever since the age of 6 Jael knew he wanted to be a teacher. Over the last years, Jael has studied to become a primary teacher in international schools specifically, gaining experience by teaching in a variety of international schools. As a teacher, Jael likes to create opportunities for classroom discussions, philosophical conversations and moments in which students can develop their own interests.

In his free time, Jael spends time on his own range of interests, including reading, playing (and listening to) music, riding his bike, exploring the Czech Republic, watching series, playing video games and listening to podcasts. Many of these interests have some common factors, however, namely history, citizenship and geeky fantasy worlds.

Cecilia O'Neill

Bachelor’s Degree in Physical and Health Education, Queen’s University, Canada
Bachelor’s Degree in Geography, Queen’s University, Canada
Diploma in K – 12 Education, Bishop’s University, Canada

Cecilia is from Lindsay, Ontario, Canada, where she taught for 25 years. She then took a two-year break to open up her own personal fitness business. She returned to education as a school health facilitator to implement a healthy eating and active living program at two schools in northern Alberta, Canada. In 2018, she moved to Prague with her husband, along with their youngest son and their labrador retriever, where she spent 4 years teaching at international schools.

Cecilia has two adult boys, one who is a track and field coach at a university in the US and the other a teacher in Prague. She enjoys watching all sports and loves to run as well as cycle, hike and travel with her husband.

Irma Walach

Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, Grigg’s University, Michigan, USA

Irma was born and spent her early childhood in the beautiful country of Georgia. She later lived in Lithuania, and after graduating from high school and spending one year in a local college, she went to the USA to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher.

Growing up in a multicultural and multilingual family, Irma was naturally drawn to experience different cultures and languages. While in the USA, Irma worked with children from different parts of the world, helping them to learn English and adjust to their new world. During her studies at the university, Irma met her future husband… and this is how life led her to the Czech Republic.

Irma and her husband have two children. She has been a teacher at The Ostrava International School since 2016.

Evangeline Tio

Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, Philippine Normal University
Undergraduate Certificate in Special Education, Philippine Normal University
Ongoing MA in Education, major in Educational Management at Saint Jude College in Manila

Evangeline was born in the Philippines. She grew up bilingual, Filipino and English. After she graduated cum laude from university, she lived and work in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2011. Since then, she has worked in multi-cultural environments and helped children to reach their full potential.

She took on a new adventure and relocated from Asia to Europe in 2017 to begin working at an international school in Warsaw, Poland where she expanded her experience in teaching.

Evangeline had always dreamt of being a teacher and she agrees with the song The Greatest Love of All. She strongly believes that the children are indeed our future. And as an educator, it is her duty to teach them well and let them lead the way. It is important to hone the skills they possess and, while they learn and gain a sense of pride in their discoveries and achievements, let them laugh and make learning experiences fun.

Petra Müllerová

Bachelor’s Degree in Preschool Teaching, University of Ostrava

Petra was born in Ostrava, Czech Republic and has always had a strong connection to preschool environments. Although she focused largely on Chemistry in secondary school, she always knew that working with children was her passion and that that would be where her career would lie.

Petra has been working with children of different ages since high school, at summer camps and various sports events. During her studies at the university, she continued to acquire new skills in the Czech kindergarten. Still, she knew that the international environment is what she wants to be part of.

Apart from working with children, Petra loves science, music and sports.

Lasse Nielsen

Masters in Philosophy, minor in Rhetoric & Communication, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
Ongoing PhD in Philosophy, Palacký University, Olomouc, Czech Republic

Lasse is an IB DP graduate from Denmark. Besides teaching Design and Humanities in the MYP and TOK in the DP, Lasse also oversees Academic Honesty at TOIS. Since he started in 2015, Lasse has taught at all levels of the school, including the Early Years, Primary, Middle Years and Diploma programmes. This has made him fully prepared to take on the new role of IB Continuum Coordinator.

He came to the Czech Republic to be with his Czech wife and he has never looked back. In his spare time, Lasse loves playing D&D, drums, and board games, reading books and spending time with family and friends.

Renáta Paličková

Masters in Education, Czech, and English Language and Literature, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic

Renáta has worked in different areas of our school since we first opened. For 7 years, she held the role of Deputy Head of Secondary School, and since the beginning of 2021 has been serving as the Head of Primary.

Renáta believes that learners can reach their full potential when the people they trust trust them, and that we are all much more than the sum of our mistakes.

Renáta loves going on trips with her family, and playing Lego and board games with her son and two step-daughters. She re-charges her batteries by playing badminton, jogging, and cooking.

Brett Gray

BA in Journalism and French, University of Southern California, USA
One Year Study Program at the Sorbonne, Paris, France
One Year Study Program at Sciences Po, Paris, France

Born and raised in Canada, Brett came to Czechoslovakia in January 1991 as a fresh university graduate, shortly after the fall of Communism. Over the course of the last 30 years, he has tried to be an active part of helping the Moravian-Silesian Region transform itself into a more globally integrated city of the 21st Century. He founded The Ostrava International School with this in mind.

Today, Brett serves not only as the Director of TOIS, but also as Board Chair of the Association of Central European IB Schools, a group of 43 like-minded organisations working to deliver the best of the International Baccalaureate Programmes to students in 13 countries.

In his free time, Brett loves to spend time with his sons and extended family, and to sing with a local Big Band.

Tomáš Vrátný

Masters in Economics, Technical University of Ostrava, Faculty of Economics, Czech Republic
Masters in Business Administration, Liverpool John Moores University, Great Britain

Tomáš was born and raised in Ostrava, where he still currently lives. He serves as the Chairman of the Board of the OSTRA GROUP, and is a co-owner of TOIS. Tomáš has over 20 years of professional experience in leading business roles.

Tomáš founded the OSTRA GROUP, which today consists of a diversified portfolio of 39 companies in the areas of transport, real estate and R&D.

He is convinced of the uniqueness of the TOIS project and is committed to supporting the school to maintain its leading role in international education in the Ostrava region and beyond.

With his wife, Michaela, they have 2 children. Tomáš is a keen sportsman, mainly in basketball, tennis and ski-touring. He has completed the Dakar Rally in the trucks category many times.

Mario Valdez

Master of Social Work, Arizona State University

Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Arizona State University

Mario is originally from the heart of the Sonoran desert in the USA. Having completed his Bachelor’s education, he signed up for the Peace Corps where he served in a small village community in Ukraine from 2015 to 2017.

He has dedicated his life to supporting the development and growth of youth, striving to be a source of empowerment and helping to remove barriers to success in life.

Sasha Vala Song

Lenka Primasz

Coming soon

Elena Schmitz

Bachelor’s Degree in International Teachers Education for Primary Schools (B.Ed.), NHL Stenden, Meppel, the Netherlands

Elena was born and raised in Germany. After collecting experiences in speech and language therapy, different schools and working with refugees, Elena discovered her passion for teaching, which led to her decision to pursue a career in international education. For four years, she lived in the Netherlands to study a teaching course in international education, where she completed courses on intercultural understanding and media education for children, as well as collected experiences in different international schools in Germany, Slovenia and Denmark.

In her free time, she loves going for a run, hiking or any other activity that allows her to be outside in nature. She also likes to do yoga and read books.

Louis O'Neill

Bachelor’s Degree in Science and Education, University of Sherbrooke, Canada

Louis has been an educator for more than 30 years, and more importantly, is still passionate about teaching. He and his wife Cecilia have lived in the Czech Republic since 2018 and have thoroughly enjoyed being part of a larger global community as both teachers and avid travellers. The move to TOIS has expanded this connection to further reaches of our planet.

In his spare time, Louis can often be seen on his mountain bike or hiking anywhere and everywhere that piques his curiosity. Louis, his wife and their two adult children are connected by their years of competing and coaching in track and field.

Susan Harrington Tucker

Education:

University Degree Medicine, Manchester University
PGCE in Secondary Science, Nottingham Trent University.

Susan has been teaching for over 12 years, after having worked in Medical and Social care for a number of years before that. She has also volunteered and worked for a counselling service for children and young people.

Susan enjoys walking her dog in the countryside in her spare time.

Tom Healy

Bachelor’s Degree in English Language and Literature, Humboldt State University, USA.

Mr. Healy has been an English teacher in the Czech Republic since 2004. He has been teaching English Language Acquisition and English Language & Literature at the secondary level since 2010. Mr. Healy currently teaches both MYP and DP English Language and Literature, is the DP Extended Essay Coordinator, and helps oversee the teaching and curriculum development of the TOIS Languages Department. He is a strong advocate of concept-based curriculum and instruction as well as brain-friendly assessment.

He spends his free time with his family.

Paul Ahuja

Bachelor’s Degree (HONS) in Biology, Middlesex University, England
Postgraduate Certificate In Education (PGCE), Goldsmith’s College, University of London, England
QTS, United Kingdom

Paul is originally from London, England and after having lived there for most of his life he decided to move to the Czech Republic with his wife and two children. Paul lives in a small village that is very close to both the Slovak and Polish borders. He has a lot of experience in both the UK and international education, and was part of a successful school improvement leadership team in England. Paul has been at TOIS since 2015.

In his spare time, Paul enjoys playing soccer and spending time with his family and friends.

Dan Červeňanský

Secondary School Diploma, Electrician, Czech Republic

Dan is a very skilled young handyman ready to assist wherever needed. His calm personality and willingness to come up with solutions to the school’s endless “fix it now” problems, means that Dan is one of the most sought after staff members at TOIS.

In his spare time, Dan likes music and travelling.

Jiří Svoboda

Magister’s Degree in Education (Geography and Social Sciences), University of Ostrava, Czech Republic.
International Communications course, Kristianstad University, Sweden.

Born, raised and educated in Ostrava, Jiří always wanted to experience working abroad. Working at TOIS has allowed him to experience an international working environment while taking advantage of staying in his hometown, close to his family and friends.

Jiří has been with the school from its very beginning and has witnessed the growth of IB programmes in the TOIS curricula. Currently, he is coordinating the Middle Years Programme at TOIS, drawing upon his years of experience as a teacher of MYP Technology, and Individuals and Societies.

Jiří is an enthusiastic traveller, using any opportunity to explore the cultures of other countries to enrich his intercultural understanding.

Jiří Svoboda

Magister’s Degree in Education (Geography and Social Sciences), University of Ostrava, Czech Republic.
International Communications course, Kristianstad University, Sweden.

Born, raised and educated in Ostrava, Jiří always wanted to experience working abroad. Working at TOIS has allowed him to experience an international working environment while taking advantage of staying in his hometown, close to his family and friends.

Jiří has been with the school from its very beginning and has witnessed the growth of IB programmes in the TOIS curricula. Currently, he is coordinating the Middle Years Programme at TOIS, drawing upon his years of experience as a teacher of MYP Technology, and Individuals and Societies.

Jiří is an enthusiastic traveller, using any opportunity to explore the cultures of other countries to enrich his intercultural understanding.

Martin Berka

Masters in Finance and Economics, University of Southampton, United Kingdom

Martin was born in Southern Moravia. Over the years, he has lived in New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Belgium, but he has now found his home in Ostrava.

Martin is the Business Development Director of the OSTRA GROUP. Before entering the private sector, he worked in the European Parliament. He has 10 years of professional experience in analytical, project management, and business leadership roles.

Martin is passionate about international education, thanks to his IB Diploma from the International School of Prague. He is strongly motivated to further strengthen the position of TOIS as the leading international school in the Moravian-Silesian Region.

Martin is married to his wife Tereza, and their son Pavel attends TOIS.

Lucie Gajerová

Education:
– Secondary Certificate in Administration and Management.

Lucie Joined TOIS 6 years ago and since then she has been hapilly supporting all staff members, students and parents as an indispensible problem-solver in the day-to-day running of the school

In her free time, Lucie likes to be with her family and friends. She loves hiking, painting and exploring new places around the country.

Adam Sanchez

Education:

– Bachelor’s Degree in Primary and Music Education, University of Cadiz, Spain.
– Bachelor’s Degree in Flamenco Guitar, Conservatory of Sevilla, Spain.
– One year study in the School of Modern Music and Jazz, University of Cadiz, Spain.
– Host of Czech Television’s nationally broadcast “Hola niňos” spanish lessons for children

Adan was born in Arcos de la Frontera, Cadiz, Spain. At the age of 7, he started learning flamenco guitar in his hometown,
in the long-standing tradition of his family. Music has been always a very important part of his life, and the reason why he decided to study music education, and to share his passion with young learners.

Adan joined TOIS in 2015 as a Music and Spanish teacher in both PYP and MYP. Currently, he teaches primary Music and Spanish.

He loves to spend his free time with his wife and his son, and top perform with his band around the Czech Republic.

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School Directors

Brett Gray

Nikola Gray Jirousek

Operational Leadership

Jelena Ščerbova

Renáta Paličková

Jonáš Gray

Vendula Dobešová

IB Continuum Leadership

Lasse Nielsen

Elina Prochorova

Jiří Svoboda

Paul Ahuja

Secondary School Department Heads

Thato Manare

Pavel Kunčar

Tom Healy

Veronika Vavříková