The Teaching and Administrative Team 2011 -12

The International School St Lucia values both local and international teaching expertise.  Having a global representation among the staff enables ISSL students to experience a culturally rich and diverse learning environment.  Because the curriculum comes from Canada, Canadian teachers are naturally drawn to the school but the administration is committed to hiring the best educators from around the globe. All teachers must hold a university degree as well as a degree in teacher training and having some previous teaching experience is desirable.

Principal: Mrs. Charmaine Graves assumes the principal position this year having previously taught grades 7, 8 and 9 at the school. Mrs. Graves has an extensive background in literacy instruction and teacher training having presented to teachers and administrators at the board, provincial and international levels. Her involvement with the development and implementation of curriculum resources for the Ministry of Education of Ontario has provided her with a breadth of curriculum knowledge from Kindergarten to grade 10.  A former teacher, principal and curriculum supervisor for the Thames Valley Board of Education in Ontario, Canada, she brings a wide range of experience and expertise to the school.

Primary: Mrs. Vernitia Bruce returns to teach our early primary students. Her Montessori training at the Montessori College in Blackheath UK coupled with her Bachelor Degree in Childhood Studies from Greenwich University makes her well qualified to implement the primary program.  The caring, learning environment she creates nurtures the creative and academic minds of her students.

Primary/Junior: Mrs. Marifel Miranda Michel returns to ISSL in the primary/junior division. She received her degree and teacher training in California and her background in special education enables her to effectively present and assess a hands-on curriculum in a multi-aged classroom. Her considerable teaching experience at ISSL is an asset to her elementary colleagues.

French: Mrs. Mondesir returns to ISSL teaching French to the elementary panel this semester and adding the grade 9 and 10 students to her teaching complement in semester two. Born in France, she moved to Martinique at the age of 13.  In 2008, she moved to St. Lucia with her husband who is Lucian. Prior to teaching at ISSL, she taught at Bonne Terre here in St. Lucia. In addition to speaking French, Mrs. Mondesir speaks German and Spanish and is currently studying Chinese.

Grade 9 - 10: Jamie Stiede holds a Masters Degree in Science Education from the University of Kansas. She comes to ISSL via Kansas and Texas where she taught mathematics in middle school and in college. As a curriculum specialist she wrote math curriculum and assessments for a K -12 tutoring service. Jamie is also well versed in strategies to help students who require additional support and assistance as she was a director of Education for Sylvan Learning Center.  In addition to her other duties, she also trained teachers and conducted parent conferences.  These experiences certainly assist her as she is teaching Grade 9 and 10 mathematics.  On a personal note, she is living in St. Lucia with her husband and three children.

Grade 8: Matt Handsor is a recent graduate from the University of Windsor where he received both his Undergraduate Degree as well as his Bachelor of Education. While at Windsor he played university basketball which is where he honed his leadership skills. During his summers he organized and taught a number of basketball camps. While Matt has not had a classroom of his own, he came highly recommended. Matt also comes from teacher stock as both his father and his grandmother are teachers. We look forward to Matt sharing his considerable expertise with our Grade 8 students.

Grade 6-7: Stephanie Mann comes to us by way of Ontario where she received her Undergraduate Degree from Kings College at the University of Western Ontario. She then completed her Masters of Teaching at Griffith University in Australia.  While Stephanie has not had a classroom of her own before coming to St. Lucia she came highly recommended.  She has a great interest in physical fitness as she played competitive football for several years. Stephanie also has teaching in her background as her mother was a teacher with the Thames Valley District School Board in Ontario.

English, Music and Theatre Arts: Mrs. Leasure returns to ISSL for a second year. Her English and Music degree from the University of Western Ontario enables her to work in a cross-panel capacity teaching music and theatre arts at the elementary level along with English at the secondary level. In her first year, she established an excellent vocal music program and is once again offering students the opportunity to participate in a school choir. 

Mathematics and Science: Dr. Kevin McKay comes to ISSL with a PH.D.in Chemistry and will be teaching senior math and science. During his extensive studies, he developed training manuals for the CAD industry and was a consultant for mechanical engineers. While he has taught adult learners in university settings for several years this is his first time teaching secondary students.

Visual Arts: Mr. Keith Bloodworth returns to ISSL to continue his art instruction at the intermediate and senior levels. His degree was obtained in Manitoba, Canada where he successfully taught before pursuing international teaching opportunities. He has lived in St. Lucia for several years which enables him to connect his art students with the many cultural opportunities on the island. As well, he has been instrumental in organizing school-wide initiatives such as the peace quilt completed last year.

Social Sciences and Media: Ms. Allana Schwartz is a Canadian trained teacher earning a M.Sc. in Geography/Environmental Sciences from the University of Toronto. She has had an international teaching career having taught in Abu Dhabi, Thailand, England and Trinidad.  She has authored planning guides and coordinated environmental projects and speaks several languages including Spanish, French, Hindi, Thai and Arabic.

Sciences: Ms. Suzanne Pike returns to ISSL for her second year. She is a Canadian trained teacher earning her university and teaching degrees from the University of New Brunswick. Prior to teaching in St. Lucia, she spent two year as an ESL teacher in South Korea. In addition to her teaching duties, Ms. Pike is also the New Brunswick liaison for the senior on-line courses.

English, Creative Writing, and Media: Mr. Burns returns to ISSL this year teaching only senior level courses. An Ontario trained teacher, he holds a Masters Degree in Administration from the College of New Jersey and certification in Special Education and ESL. During his teaching career he held many positions both inside and outside of Canada. His international teaching experiences in Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and St. Lucia have certainly provided him a global perspective that he readily shares with students.

English and Theatre Arts: Ms. Katherine Atkinson is a St Lucian teacher and writer. She is a graduate of the University of New Brunswick and Simon Fraser University in Canada, and has taught in Canada, Mexico, Kuwait, Thailand and St Lucia. She co-authored ‘Living My Dreams' with cricket commentator Joseph ‘Reds' Perreira and her fiction, poetry and articles have been published internationally.  She teaches English 9 and 10, Theatre Arts, IT and World Issues at ISSL.

 Accounting: Vibart Duncan is a Guyanese National who lives in St. Lucia with his wife and family. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Guyana and his General Certificate in Education from the University of London. We will be sharing Vibart's services as he will be teaching one line of Grade 11/12 accounting at ISSL for both semester one and two before leaving to teach at St. Lucia SDA Academy.

Office Manager: Ms. Lewis has been with the school for five years, providing support to the principal, guidance councilor, teachers, students and parents. She is currently studying Business Administration at Sir Arthur Lewis Community College.  In her role she oversees the maintenance of all student records, welcomes visitors and parents to the school, schedules appointments, handles school communications and assists the administration in the preparation of report cards and transcripts.  Her smiling face and calm demeanor greets everyone who enters the school.  

Business Manager: Mrs. St. Mark holds a Bachelor Degree in Business Management Studies with University of the West Indies. She oversees all financial aspects of the school's accounts including payroll information, taxes, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and audits. She assists the Board of Directors by constantly reorganizing the budget based on cash flow projections. Dian has provided ISSL with a wide range of financial assistance and continues to assist parents with fee schedules and plans.