Our Faculty - Green School

Transcription

HEADS OF SCHOOLS
Leslie Medema
Head of Academics & High School
Leslie has been heading East (or West depending on your perspective)
ever since leaving her home in South Dakota, USA. A graduate from
the University of South Dakota (B.A in History and Political Science)
and Princeton University 2004 (Master in Public Affairs), she has spent
the previous fifteen years working as a school bus driver (her most
difficult job to date) in rural South Dakota; a programme assistant
with the US Department of Agriculture, a civics teacher in Washington
DC; a career development educator at Can Tho University in Vietnam;
and as the Director of Programs and Asia Operations for Princeton in
Asia (PiA), a century-old not for profit organization that places recent
college graduates in service-oriented fellowships throughout Asia.
Leslie joined Green School in November 2011 to help advance the
High School programmes. She has overseen the implementation
of the High School curriculum and served as the Guidance
Counselor developing and managing the post-graduation preparation
programs and university admissions processes.
[email protected]
Glenn Chickering
Head of Middle School
Pak Glenn brings boundless energy and enthusiasm to his roles as
homeroom teacher for grade 6 and teacher of Global Awareness
for grades 6, 7 and 8. He also coordinates House Teams, the Green
School Dive Club, mentors students as a certified facilitator of Duke
of Edinburgh Awards, and facilitates community relations with a
neighboring Indonesian middle school, as well as facilitating the
Middle School student council. One of the pioneers who helped
open Green School in 2008, Pak Glenn is a native of Michigan, USA,
whose heart still resides partially on the ski slopes of Colorado.
Glenn loves making the most of Green School’s opportunities to
expand his own intellectual and professional horizons. Glenn has
a Master’s Degree in Education with a concentration in Educating
for Sustainability through Antioch University based in Keene, New
Hampshire, USA. “Nowhere else on Earth would we get the chance
to try so many innovative ideas in educating our children for a more
sustainable future,” says Pak Glenn. A devoted husband and father,
Pak Glenn likes to practice photography, yoga and travel in his free
time.
[email protected]
1 | 2015-2016 Faculty Profile
HEADS OF SCHOOLS
Libby McQueen
Head of Primary School
Libby comes to Bali from Australia, living on the sunny Central Coast
of New South Wales, north of Sydney. She enjoys everything the
ocean has to offer, which brought her many times, to the broader
Indonesian archipelago. Her teaching background has been in Learning
Support, where she has worked in a range of school settings.
She supports and nurtures individual abilities and strengths, promoting students to be ‘the best they can be’, building confidence,
awareness and promoting success. Her extensive experience has
provided her with invaluable strategies and interventions dealing
with students experiencing attentional, learning, behavioural, emotional and sensory challenges. She is excited to be joining the Green
School team.
[email protected]
Ratri Suci Wardhani
Head of Early Years
Suci was raised in the City of Rain, Bogor, West Java. She holds a
Bachelor degree in English Literature and Diploma of Early Years
Pedagogy. Her passion in teaching children started when she was
still in High School. She actively involved in Non-Governmental
Organisations for over 10 years. After Suci Graduated from the Christian
University of Indonesia in Jakarta in 2001, She spent most of her
time teaching Early years in several schools in Jakarta, while also
continuing her voluntary work in NGO. Her time spent to became a
volunteer for humanity in Nangroe Aceh Darussalam after Tsunami
hits in 2004, was a precious experience. Suci was a Principal of Early
Years in Mutiara Bangsa School Jakarta before she moved to Bali to
work at Greenschool in 2011. She loves singing and culinary travel
in her spare time.
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COORDINATORS & COUNCELLORS
Aaron Eden
Director of Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Programme
Aaron has spent most of his professional career at the intersection
of learning, technology, and entrepreneurship. During undergraduate
years at university (after which he received a B.A in Anthropology and a
B.S. in Geology), Aaron started a business with friends that involved
creating and marketing multimedia instructional materials.
That started a career in technology and learning that (prior to
Green School and after the corporate world) placed Aaron for
12 years at a prominent U.S. independent school—most recently
as Director of Education Technology—where among other things he
de ve l o pe d and taught i n a pro gramme c e nte red arou n d
communication, information, and media literacy. During that period
Aaron also started what he calls a pop-up studio school in California,
which was a semi-finalist in the Ashoka / Lucille Packard Foundation
“Building Vibrant Communities” competition.
Aaron has been a TEDx organizer and curator, holds a Master’s
Degree in Instructional Science and Technology, and focuses currently
on community-integrated, inquiry-based education, using real problems
in the real world to build critical skills and competencies. He joins
Green School with his wife and three children.
[email protected]
Sara Soulier
Enterprise Programmes
Sara is committed to transforming education and joining those educators
with a similar mission. This California native, earned a B.A in Liberal
Studies with an emphasis in Math as well as a M.A in International and
Multicultural Education with an emphasis in Human Rights Education.
She’s taught in various classrooms in grades K-5, spent 1 year as
a learning support teacher, and taught English in Thailand and Africa.
Sara’s passion for travel and learning from international systems
of education lead her to Bali in 2012, where she eagerly joined the
management team at Green School. During her first year, Sara focused
her time on all international initiatives to grow the school globally.
She then began to work more closely under the development of
Green School Bali through managing various special projects and
events. Highlights of Sara’s time at Green School have been kicking
off the Green Educator Courses, organising the Conservation
Conference with Dr. Jane Goodall as the keynote speaker, and planning
the Sustainable Solutions event, which highlighted the projects of
youth, NGOs, and local organisations around the island. Starting her
4th academic year at GS, Sara has now moved into the Enterprise
department to support project-based learning and focus on sustained
engagement with our partners and projects.
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Sanne Van Oort
Teacher Development and Well-Being Manager
Sanne pursued her Masters of Art at the ‘Erasmus University’ in the
Netherlands and specialised in Education at the Leiden University
where she received her qualification for upper secondary education
in Arts. After, she studied at the Dutch Academy of Performing Arts
to become a Musical Performer and has performed in a variety of
shows and presented a program on Dutch television about guerilla
gardening. Next to her career as a teacher and performer, she also
took a university degree in Music and received a Bachelor of Music
Education at the ‘Royal Conservatoire The Hague’.
Sanne has been an educator in various educational institutions for
more than 10 years. In 2009, she became a senior lecturer at the
University of Applied Sciences in the Dutch and English International
Program of Media and Entertainment Management (BBA), teaching
different courses from Experience Marketing, Creative Business
Innovation, to Artist & Project Management. She assisted students
with internships and thesis-writing and helped set up their own
business. She expanded her career in the university as a Module
Manager where she was responsible for developing subject guides
and curriculum, creating course materials for several courses and
coordinating a team of lecturers. She continued her career as a
Research Fellow at the Amsterdam Creative Industries Centre of
Expertise with a Research project ’No Limits’ on the economic export
value of the Dutch online music, in collaboration with organisations
in the music industry and Amsterdam Creative Industries Centre of
Expertise.
Kim Sikking
Management Advisor (A.S.A, Kul-Kul projects)
Kim is a cultural anthropologist and educator from The Netherlands.
She holds a Master’s Degree in Cultural Anthropology and Development
Sociology. During and after her studies at Leiden University, she
spent time in several West-African countries. After some projects at
schools in different countries and volunteering for children’s
development organization Plan International, she decided to pursue
a degree in Education too.
Kim coordinated extracurricular programmes in an elementary
school, taught several subjects in middle school – where she was
also responsible for developing a Global Studies curriculum, creating
materials for several courses and coordinating a small team of people
– and finally Kim organized student exchange programmes for High
School in which youngsters from Europe and Africa cooperated in
community-integrated projects.
Kim believes that education is all about building bridges and the
moment we start building bridges, we start learning. She enjoys active
outdoor activities such as road biking, running and camping but she
also loves reading books at the beach.
[email protected]
Josh Wise
Counsellor Middle School/High School
Josh is passionate about counselling and fostering the social-emotional
development of our students and community. He believes in an
integral model of counselling that involves care for the body, mind,
spirit, and community. Josh loves to help people cultivate compassion
—for themselves and others—as they navigate life’s complexity and
changes. His career has been in education and counselling. He was
the director of a small alternative high school in Los Altos, California
where he was able to help students and families find unique,
tailored solutions to academic and emotional needs. Having moved
to Bali with his family in 2010, Josh has been counselling on the island
for the past five years. He understands the unique challenges that
families and children face when moving to Bali and to adapting to
life here. Josh has an M.Ed in Alternative Education and an M.A in
Psychology. He’s currently completing his Ph.D, writing his doctoral
dissertation on mindfulness, self-compassion, and relationships.
He loves yoga, mountain biking, playing guitar, and singing. He lives
in Ubud with his wife and two children.
Nicki Lorenzini
Counsellor Primary Years
Hailing from England with a background in Clinical Psychology, Nicki
first came to Bali to be married and now returns with her husband
and their middle school aged son and daughter. Nicki completed her
PhD at Exeter University in the UK, and has since then spent the last
twenty years in international education. She has worked variously as
a counselor, learning support teacher, mentoring coordinator and
parent volunteer coordinator in four international schools on four
continents. A passionate long distance walker, kayaker, diver and
cyclist, Nicki also loves the escapist world of story – especially reading,
creative writing, and theatre.
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EARLY YEARS
Russlee Panepinto
International Class Teacher of Geckos (Pre-K Prep)
Russlee moved to Bali in January 2011 to start the Pre-K Geckos class.
She has been teaching preschool and yoga for the Early Years students
at Green School since then. Russlee has been working with children
for over twenty years and is constantly inspired by their innate
creativity and passion for fun. She has taught yoga, swimming,
English, art and preschool. Her international work and volunteer
experience includes time in Nepal, India and Japan. Russlee graduated
from the University of Miami in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science in
Communications. Her interests include swimming, travel, photography,
cooking, reading and playing the piano. She is from a beautiful seaside
town in New Jersey, USA.
Made Darmini (Darmini)
Indonesian Class Teacher of Geckos (Pre-K Prep)
Made Darmini or Kadek started her year at Green School in 2011.
Her passion in teaching and learning with the children in the nature
brought her to joining the Early Years team. After two years working
as a classroom assistant in Kindy, she is now teaching the 3 years
old Pre-K. She received her Bachelor degree from Udayana University
with Major in English Literature. She loves to read and sing with the
children.
[email protected]
Ni Kadek Ria Safitri (Ria)
Classroom Assistant of Geckos (Pre-K Prep)
Ria has been working at Green School since March 2012. She has a
Bachelor’s Degree in English Programme for Teacher Training and
Education from Mahasaraswati University, Bali. She is now supporting
the Early Years as a classroom assistant. For her, seeing children
grow is like planting the seeds. Children are the seeds and Green
School is the beautiful place where the seeds grow best.
Dancing and singing with children is the best job ever.
[email protected]
EARLY YEARS
Ni Putu Ayu Purnama Dewi (Ayu)
Classroom Assistant of Geckos (Pre-K Prep)
Ni Putu Ayu Purnama Dewi was born in Badung in March 1992.
She came from Jembrana, but grew up in the busy town of Denpasar.
She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Teacher Training and Education of
English from Mahasaraswati University, Bali in 2014. While studying
in Mahasaraswati University, She worked as an English teacher in
Harapan Nusantara for 2 years.
In 2014, She pursued her teaching career at to Doremi Preschool as
a Teacher Assistant. During her teaching period, she received many
experiences in handling the children. Ayu moved to Green School in
2015 because she feels that Green School is a unique school where
she can learn to be a teacher that uses the nature as the main learning
support -learning from nature with nature is her teaching philosophy.
She loves working with children. Her passion is in teaching, singing
with the kids and reading.
[email protected]
Janaina Ricci
International Class Teacher of Starlings (Pre-K)
Janaína or Ibu JanJan has been teaching at Green School since July
2013. She was born and raised in Brazil, and has always had a passion
for traveling and learning about different cultures. She lived in Los
Angeles and in The Netherlands, and has also been a member of
an International Hospitality Organization since 2008, what has given
her the chance to host and be hosted by people from all over the world.
After finishing her university studies in Marketing & Communications,
and working in the corporate world, JanJan decided that her passion
for Education, especially Early Years, was a strong reason to change
her life.
She went back to school to get her degree in Education and has been
working in international and bilinguals schools in Brazil since then.
Storytelling, learning languages, playing guitar and drums, singing,
cycling, Dance and Capoeira are some of her favorite activities. JanJan
believes that children are naturally curious and interested in the
world that surrounds them.
She is always willing to help students recognize their role in creating
a better and more peaceful world through the understanding and
respect for different cultures and nature.
[email protected]
EARLY YEARS
Jessyca Dian Purnama Puteri
Indonesian Class Teacher of Starlings (Pre-K)
Jessyca received her Bachelor’s Degree of Education from the English
Department of Satya Wacana Christian University, Java. Working in
a non-education field has taught her that knowledge and attitude
should go hand in hand. This leads her to believe that education is a
strong key to create a better generation. She decided to become an
educator by teaching kids for a couple of years. She also loves learning other
cultures and being close to nature and animals, so these all brings
her to Green School. Swimming, practicing yoga, traveling and driving
jeep are her favourite activities.
[email protected]
Komang Ayu Artini
Classroom Assistant of Starlings (Pre-K)
Artini has been working at Green School since 2012 as a Classroom
Assistant. To her, everything at the school can be a perfect learning
opportunity. Playing with kids is like learning special lessons in life
and being in nature gives her new perspective every single day; nature
is another great teacher.
[email protected]
Kiara Aznam
Lead Teacher of Kindergarten A
Kiara was born in Den Haag, Netherlands in 1991 and moved to
Jakarta a year after. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in English
for Education from Atma Jaya University. Kiara taught science for
children for more than 2 years and taught English to both children and
adults for a year. Her mother has been involved in the world of early
years education for more than 25 years and owns a preschool and
kindergarten at home. Therefore, Kiara has been surrounded
by children most of her life. Her hobbies include ballet and
contemporary dancing, horseback riding, and reading.
[email protected]
EARLY YEARS
Pipit Purnamasari
Indonesian Class Teacher of Kindergarten A
Pipit has been passionate about Green School and its philosophy
ever since its inauguration. She has previous taught at an international
school in Jakarta, in addition to teaching Bahasa Indonesia at Green
School. Pipit has experience outside of teaching, including project
management, both in Indonesia and internationally. She is the mother
of Belle, a Green School student.
[email protected]
Ni Made Parwati
Classroom Assistant of Kindergarten A
Ni Made Parwati was born in a small village called Taman Village
about 20 minutes from Green School. She completed her Bachelor ‘s
Degree 2 years ago at STIBA Saraswati Denpasar for English linguistic
and literature (English Department). She then acquired her teaching
certificate at Mahasaraswati University. She started her carrier in
2009 as a playgroup teacher in Ubud. She joined Green School in
2010 as a Classroom Assistant in Geckos class, and moved to Kindy
as the same position. For this new school year she continues to support
the Kindergarten as a Teacher Assistant.
Ni Kadek Yuliawati
Indonesian Class Teacher of Kindergarten B
Yulia is a Balinese, she was born and raised in Denpasar. She has
been working at Green School since the beginning of the school year
(2008). She received her bachelor degree in English for Education from
Saraswati University in Denpasar. Yulia has been teaching kindergarten
for 5 years and Pre-K for 2 years. Her favourite part of Green School is
working with the children and being close to nature.
EARLY YEARS
Tara Pacheco
International Class Teacher of Kindergarten B
Tara grew up on the east coast of the United States, spending most
of her childhood outdoors running barefoot, taking care of animals,
and gardening. She holds her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary
Education and Gifted and Talented Education with a minor in Fine
Arts. She has spent most of her time teaching Kindergarten, Grade
1 and Grade 4. Tara soon discovered that she had a passion for Early
Years and went on to get her Master’s of Education in Early Years
Curriculum. Tara finds inspiration in “The Hundred Languages of
Children” a poem by Loris Malaguzzi, believing that a child’s knowledge
is brought out through their natural curiosity and the teacher’s role is
to be a learner alongside the child, assisting in the discovery of new
concepts. She has taught in the United States, and internationally in
China and Thailand.
She is enthusiastic to continue her career at Green School working
with the community toward a child centred, holistic learning
environment where children are respected and engaged in
sustainable education. Tara’s other interests include travel, hiking,
gardening, natural medicines, writing, drawing and painting.
[email protected]
Ni Putu Ayu Adi Widiari
Classroom Assistant of Kindergarten B
A Bali native, Yuadigrew upinspired to bean educator. She received
a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Mahasaraswati Denpasar
University. She decided to join Green School because it is the only
one school that f ocuses o n sustainability and that learning is
immersed with the nature. Her hobby is reading both fiction and
non-fiction books.
[email protected]
PRIMARY SCHOOL
Amanda Crosby
International Class Teacher of Grade 1
Amanda was born and raised in a suburb of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
She began to pursue her passion for travel and moved across the
country to complete her Bachelor of Arts degree at Saint Francis
Xavier University in Nova Scotia, Canada. After teaching English,
travelling and living abroad for several years in South Korea and
Bali, she continued her education and completed her Bachelor of
Education at the University of Winnipeg while teaching full time at an
International school in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Amanda has worked with students of all ages but for the last three
years her primary focus has been working with Junior Primary students
in Chiang Mai. Amanda enjoys travelling, spending time at the beach,
attempting to keep in shape and playing as well as coaching sports
for various age levels. Since she first arrived in Bali over eight years
ago, it has been Amanda’s passion to be able to return to Indonesia and
to be a part of the amazing faculty and community here at Green
School.
[email protected]
Perawati (Pera)
Indonesian Class Teacher of Grade 1
Pera graduated from Undiksha University and holds a Bachelor’s
Degree in Biology Education. She is really passionate about
environmental conservation, sustainability and holistic education.
Pera joined Green School in 2010 and to her, it is an inspiring place
to be working in. Being able to meet and work with a lot of wonderful
people from all around the world with different cultures in Green
School has not just enriched her knowledge and experiences but
also made her love and appreciate her own culture even more.
[email protected]
PRIMARY SCHOOL
Meyan Pratiwi
Classroom Assistant of Grade 1
Meyan was born in Karangasem, the east city of Bali. Her hobbies
are dancing, listening music, travelling and watching movies.
Meyan graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree of Chemistry Education in
Ganesha University of Education at Singaraja city. She graduated
on November 2014 and has knowledge about the teaching learning
process. She joined a teacher training at Singaraja High School for 3
months following to that. Meyan also worked as a tutor for children
at Orphanage Dana Punia Banyuning Singaraja.
She is excited to join Green School as it will open more opportunities
for her to develop her teaching career. At Green School she receives
valuable new experiences, culture, and friends.
[email protected]
Rachel Walmsley
International Class Teacher of Grade 2A
Rachel grew up in rural England enjoying wet and windy camping
holidays and weekend family walks. She studied a B.A in Social
Anthropology and Spanish and during this time spent a year living
and working in Spain teaching English and gaining a CELTA accredited
TEFL qualification. Travel has always been a huge part of Rachel’s
life and all her learning and professional experiences have either
been abroad or have incorporated time abroad. After graduating,
she spent two yeas travelling, working and volunteering in North,
Central and South America. On her return, she took a position as a
Tour Leader for the adventure travel company Imaginative Traveller
and then a further role in Sri Lanka as a Project Manager in a number
of post-tsunami reconstruction programmes.
After a two and half year stint in Dubai working in a large
International School, it became clear to Rachel that it was the
element of experiential learning and hands on outdoor activities
that really fired her up. Rachel loves writing and blogging about
her travel experiences, wants to work on her photography in her
spare time and enjoys a good game of badminton.
PRIMARY SCHOOL
Ni Luh Wayan Neni Diarini (Neni)
Indonesian Class Teacher of Grades 2A
Neni graduated from Ganesha University of Education Bali in 2010
and started her teaching career in 2009 in an English Course for 2
years. She then received an opportunity to teach English at a local
Junior and High School for a year.
She decided to apply to Green School as classroom assistance.
Another worthy opportunity for her she can grow as an Indonesian
Teacher at the same school after 6 months being a classroom assistant.
She is interested to learn more about classroom behavioural
management and teaching Math for primary students. Green School
is the perfect place for her since this place provides many resources
and experienced people who complete her needs. She enjoys cooking and
parenting as well as learning to be an innovative, creative teacher
and sustainable living.
I Gusti Ayu Purnama Sari (Ayu)
Classroom Assistant of Grade 2A
Ayu is currently finishing her study in the University of Mahendradatta.
She has been working as classroom assistant since August 2014.
Her passion is teaching and her hobby is running.
[email protected]
Toni Phillips
International Class Teacher of Grade 2B
Toni grew up in a small town in North Carolina. She attended the
University of North Carolina Wilmington, and after receiving her
Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, she continued her education
with a Master’s in Language and Literacy and concentration in ESL.
Toni’s first teaching job was at an international school in Kuwait
teaching grades 1 and 2. In the Middle East, she had the amazing
opportunity to work in a different culture as well as travel Europe,
Africa and Asia. She loves yoga, spending time at the beach, travel
and music. Now she is thrilled to continue her career as a Grade 1
teacher at Green School.
[email protected]
PRIMARY SCHOOL
Kania Ayunintyas
Indonesian Class Teacher of Grade 2B
Kania was born and raised in Jakarta, Indonesia. She graduated from
the University of Indonesia in 2009 with a Bachelor of Humanities.
She has been teaching in various international schools in Jakarta before
she decided to move to sunny Bali in 2014. Kania enjoys spending
time at the beach, reading and doing sports.
[email protected]
Ni Ketut Susantiani (Susan)
Classroom Assistant of Grade 2B
A native from Klungkung, Susan graduated from The University of
Mahasaraswati Denpasar with a Bachelor‘s Degree in Teacher Training
and English Education. Before joining Green School, she worked in
a local elementary school in Klungkung as an English teacher for
2,5 years. Her hobbies are including swimming, gardening, cooking
and traveling.She is excited to be a part of Green School as she can
contribute to the world of education whilst also learn with so many
inspiring teachers here at the school.
PRIMARY SCHOOL
Cindy Alflatt
Cindy was born in Virginia but spent 5 years living in California prior
to moving to Bali. Her family is originally from Nicaragua. She graduated
from the University of San Diego with a Masters in Education focusing
on Literacy and a multiple subject teaching credential. The past 8
years have seen her living and teaching both ESL and elementary
education in France, Japan, Australia, Indonesia and the States.
Prior to moving back to Bali, she was working for the San Diego Unified
School District in California, teaching grades K-5. She moved to Bali
for the second time to fulfill her dream of working at the Green
School.
As a primary teacher, she has always believed in creating a student
centered, holistic learning environment. She constantly encourages
innovation in the class and puts an emphasis on creativity and
freethinking. She feels a strong alignment with Green School and
their values and mission. While teaching is her main passion, her
second passion is Yoga. She is a 200 hr. E-RYT. She taught yoga in
Southern California for 4 years. When she is not in the classroom
you can find her at a studio either practicing or teaching. She finds
it to be a wonderful compliment to her classroom teaching and
incorporates it into her class. Her other interests include travelling
the world, music, and strolling along the beach with her husband
and two beautiful dogs. She is grateful and excited to be joining the
Green School team and community this year!
[email protected]
Tina Detchon
Tina comes from the United States, where she spent the first 18
years of her life in Connecticut before moving to upstate New York
to pursue a degree in TV/Film and Geography at Syracuse University.
As the youngest child with four older brothers, Tina has always enjoyed
running around, playing games, and doing flips on trampolines.
It was during a year teaching English in Lyon, France that Tina fell in
love with teaching, leading her to obtain her Masters in Education
in Berkeley, California, while teaching full-time at an independent
school. She loves to play ukulele, swim, surf, watercolor, and take
photos. She is excited to teach 3A this Fall, and looks forward to
exploring Bali and getting her open water diving certification.
PRIMARY SCHOOL
Rizka Octavianti
Rizka has a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature with a minor in
Teaching English as a Foreign Language and has professional experience
in teaching languages in Australia and in Indonesia. She is very
passionate about teaching and tries to bring different elements into
the classroom to make the lessons both more effective and more
fun for the students. When working previously in Australia she
incorporated dance, music, cooking and crafts into lessons and was
very happy with how the students responded. Her very ultimate goal
is to work as a lecturer in languages and cultural studies.
[email protected]
Jukka Ahopelto
Jukka was born near the Arctic Circle in Finland and grew up watching
the midnight sun in the summer and Aurora Borealis in the winter
polar nights. He has a Master´s Degree in Primary school teacher
programme and also in early childhood education from Oulu University,
Finland. Jukka has not only worked with wide range of children in
kindergarten, pre-school and primary school in Finland, but also has
an international teaching experience from Cyprus and Barcelona.
He has always been interested about the world around him and
hopes the future generations can still be amazed with the world like
he did as a child. Jukka enjoys teaching, yoga, various sports and
games and is a huge fan of salty liquorice.
[email protected]
Luh Peni Betasari
Indonesian Class Teacher of Grades 3B
Peni was born in South Bali. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education,
and a Master’s Degree in translation and interpreting. She has
primarily worked at Sekolah High Scope as a Kindergarten and First
Grade teacher in 2006. Peni loves Balinese dancing and spending
time at the beach a lot. Her favourite authors are Barbara Park and
Roald Dahl. Peni joined Green School in August 2009 and is keen
to continue to learn more about sustainability and environmental
conservation in education.
[email protected]
PRIMARY SCHOOL
Ni Komang Aryanita (Nita)
Nita has been a classroom assistant at Green School since 2014.
She is from Karangasem,Bali and is still finishing her study. To her,
Green School is an inspiration as it is a place where learning from
nature a
nd the local culture are

essential parts of the community.
Her hobbies includes s inging and reading.
[email protected]
Erin Little
Erin was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario. Idealist that she is,
Erin graduated with a B.A in Political Science from the University of
Toronto hoping to change the world. After a few years in finance,
she decided to travel around S.E. Asia for a winter and then completed
her B. Ed in 2002. She has been teaching in the public school system
in beautiful northern Ontario, with its three metre snowbanks and
frigid -30 C temperatures.
Erin has a passion for educational change which brought her to
Green School. She believes in inquiry based, personalized learning
where students’ work is meaningful to them and in the real world.
Erin wants to bring mindfulness, empathy, compassion and non-violent
communication into the classroom community. She is honoured and
excited to be working at Green School with such a diverse and
progressive team of educators and with students from all around
the world.
Erin’s twin girls will be attending Green School this year. She and
her family enjoy spending time outdoors Nordic and Alpine skiing,
tobogganing, skating, hiking, canoe tripping and camping. Erin and
her family are looking forward to learning about the natural world
and culture of Bali as well as pursuing new outdoor activities such
surfing, snorkeling, mountain biking and diving.
PRIMARY SCHOOL
Desak Putu Ratmini (Dee)
Indonesian Class Teacher of Grade 4A
Desak holds a teaching qualification from STKIPN in English from
Singaraja, North Bali. She is Indonesian and has been teaching in
private and public schools to a range of ages for nearly 12 years.
Not only teaching in Grade 5B, she is currently leading Grade 3-5 as
the Learning Neighbourhood Head.
[email protected]
Putu Frisika Darmayanti (Friska)
Friska was born in Denpasar and comes from Singaraja but moved
to Denpasar from her childhood beginning. She got her degree in
education from the Mathematics Department at Ganesha University of
Education. Green School was her primary affiliation. At Green School
she became skilled in teaching as a professional teacher and at the
same time she learned to love our motherland and preserve it to be
sustainable in our future life. In her opinion, Green School is a school
that can integrate nature, Balinese culture and high quality education
in one curriculum, which loads her to join Green School. She loves
singing, dancing, travelling, and reading.
[email protected]
Kara Dono
Kara was born in New Zealand and spent most of her life in Australia.
She graduated from Edith Cowan University with High Extensions and
as a result was selected for the Faculty Honour Roll. She has travelled
Australia teaching a diverse range of children. She embarked on a
Spiritual journey to Bali and is humbled to be part of the Green School
Team. She embraces the student’s love of learning through a safe,
student centered environment. She has been living in Bali for almost
4 years.
Life in Bali has opened her eyes to conscious living, benefits of living
foods, sustainable living and self-awareness. Linking this self-development
to education, it has embraced her theories of teaching including
advocating life-long learners and self-intrinsic motivation. Kara is a
very caring and passionate teacher. She enjoys capturing the spark
in children and watching them grow and flourish as individuals.
Apart from teaching, her other interests include: snorkeling, running,
ecstatic dance, yoga and listening to music. She also enjoys family time
with her husband and two boys aged 7 and 8 years.
[email protected]
PRIMARY SCHOOL
Dewa Ayu Novita Praja Dewi
Indonesian Class Teacher of Grade 4B
Ayu Novita graduated from Mahasaraswati University in Denpasar in
2013 upon receiving her bachelors degree in Teacher Training and
Education with English as her major subject. She has been at Green
School since 2011 where she started working as a classroom assistant
whilst completing her degree. She is now developing her teaching
career as the Indonesian Teacher in Grade 4B. She loves working
with children and meeting with new people.
She has passion in dancing, music, art design and she loves classic
books also novels. In her spare time, she volunteers to teach local
children in Ubud and tutoring English for High School students in
Denpasar. To her, Green School is like her second house and she
has received lots of experiences and knowledge from the wonderful
community of students, parents and teachers.
Ni Putu Kiki Leoni (Kiki)
Kiki graduated from Mahasaraswati University in 2009 for a Bachelor’s
Degree in Teacher Training and Education of English. While studying,
she worked as an English Teacher in Negri Pembina Kuta Kindergarten for
3 years. She then joined Green School in 2012 and has been working
here ever since. She started her career in the Gecko Pre-K class for
six months then moved to the Primary School.
She loves Green School, nature and kids. She is now expose to learning
new cultures from the kids around the world.
[email protected]
PRIMARY SCHOOL
Olivier Bourdon
Olivier grew up in London for the first seventeen years of his life but
it was the regular summer vacations to the Pyrenees in the south
west of France that triggered his passion for the outdoors (his cousins
and he would spend their days trekking, fishing, surfing, building hide
outs in the forest, visiting farms and just playing in nature). After a
degree in Marine Biology at Swansea University and a CELTA teaching
course at Polyglot Language Centre in London, he set off travelling.
Cutting a long story short he arrived in Bali in 2009 having just
completed a twelve month working holiday visa in Australia (that
year living free in his Mitsubishi Starwagon in West Australia was
one of the best of his life). For the past 5 years he has been living
and teaching in Indonesia (four years in Bali and one in Jakarta) and
currently live in Sanur with his beloved wife who is an aerobics and
body language instructor from Jakarta.
He loves to travel, to surf, to free-dive, to swim, to cycle, to hike, to
meet new people, to play, improvise and create music on the guitar,
to occasionally pour his heart out through harmonica, or try and
get into a meditative state from reciting the only two Balinese
songs he knows on his granting (rindik). He adores being part of and
surrounded by raw nature and thoroughly enjoy sharing knowledge
and understanding to enthusiastic learners.
He strongly agrees with the Balinese philosophy of Tri Hita Karana
and this fits with some of his life goals which include a peaceful
existence with mankind, a compassionate balance with nature,
and a connection to the universal field of consciousness and wisdom
that is within and around us.
[email protected]
Made Candra Parwati
Candra is the second child and the last in the family. She was born
on a full moon day and that’s how she got her name, from Candra,
the goddess of the moon. Candra graduated from the English
department faculty of letters in Udayana University in Bali. She started
her teaching career in 2008, teaching English in Chinese school for
3 years. After that she continued her study in teaching language
and graduated in 2011. The same year I got my Job in Green School.
I learn a lot from this place. How to be a creative and innovative
teacher, be wise in using resources and many other cool things.
PRIMARY SCHOOL
Ni Putu Indrawati (Putu)
Putu graduated from SMK N 1 Singaraja. She has been working at
Taman Bebek Hotel for 9 years as a house keeping and waitress.
She is really excited to build her teaching career at Green School
and is looking forward to learn more from inspiring teachers at the
beautiful bamboo school.
[email protected]
Kaili Hwang
When asked the question, “Where are you from?” Kaili is fortunate
to choose from a plethora of answers including Taipei, Chicago,
Los Angeles and San Francisco. Kaili was born in Taiwan and immigrated
with her family to the United States at the age of three. Growing
up all over the US (East Coast, Midwest and West Coast), Kaili most
identifies with being from California as the weather (and the food!)
most suits her.
After graduating from the University of California, San Diego with a
major in political science, Kaili decided to delve into education as a
substitute teacher in LA public schools and as a Montessori teacher.
During this time, she developed her interest and passion for teaching
and learning. Her affinity for teaching and interest in educational
reform drove Kaili to continue her studies at the University of
California, Berkeley, where she received her teaching credential and
Master’s Degree in Education.
Since receiving her graduate degree, Kaili has worked at schools
with diverse student populations from a variety of socio-economic
backgrounds. Most recently, she taught for three years at an
international school in Hong Kong while also working to build school
culture and social/moral development as the Subject Head of Student
Development.
A desire for challenge and change has led Kaili to Green School as
she hopes to continue to grow herself as an educator. Apart from
teaching and being an avid nature and animal lover, Kaili enjoys boxing,
eating, dancing and having a good time with friends.
PRIMARY SCHOOL
Yulie
Indonesian Class Teacher of Grades 5B
Yulie was born in Sumatra Island and at the age of five, her parents
took her to Java Island. She has been living in Bali for 15 years, finishing
her school and university in this beautiful island. She graduated her
Bachelor’s degree from English Department in Udayana University.
Her first job was as a primary teacher in one of the National Plus
schools in Denpasar. After five years, she decided to join Green
School in January 2010 to continue her journey in education world
and to work with people from all around the world. Her interests
include cooking, traveling, drawing, eating and listening to music.
She loves animals as well.
[email protected]
Luh Putu Hardina Dewantari (Dina)
Armed with the experiences of teaching in Kindergarten for 5 years
and in the elementary school for 2 years, Dina ventured to join the
Green School in 2013. She started her teaching career at a local
school from 2005 to 2012 then joined the Green School team as
a classroom assistant. She loves to be at Green School and learns
many different things here. She wants to be a professional educator
and develop her potential in the field of education. She completed
her education to become a teacher in 2008. Besides teaching she
also has hobbies like Balinese dancing and drawing. Her dream is
to build a Kindergarten in the neighbourhood where she lives.
And one thing she thinks is most significant in her life was becoming
a mother.
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Sal Gordon
Middle School Math & Mentor
Pak Sal teaches Middle School Mathematics, Science and English.
Sal is originally from a large farm near a small town in country Victoria,
Australia. However, he has spent most of his life living and working
in Australasia, the Subcontinent and Europe/UK. Sal’s biography
describes his life’s journey from country-boy to private-school head
prefect, university graduate, health scientist in India, novelist, traveller,
warehouse magician, astronomer, systems analyst, sailor, to teacher.
Sal and his wife, Tania (a Kiwi), and three children – Taj and Lucia,
Green School students, and Nirvana – are super excited about life and
work at Green School. Sal is a motivated educator – a true leader
of the Education Revolution. Sal’s teaching involves blended learning,
experiential activities, flipped classrooms, subject integration,
sustainability and fun.
[email protected]
Jesse Driver
Middle School Global Studies Teacher
Jesse is from Iowa in the Midwestern United States. He graduated
from the University of Northern Iowa in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts
in Education. He has worked in the United States, Egypt, and
Romania before joining the Green School. Jesse learns as much as
he teaches during his travels, and finds great satisfaction with getting
to know people and cultures from all around the world. For years
he taught students that the walls in a school (and in our brains) limit
our thinking. He is very excited to be working in a community that
breaks down walls to connect learning between disciplines, and to
connect academics to real world experience.
[email protected]
“I am learning all the time. The tombstone will be my diploma”. - Eartha Kitt
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Dian Eki Purwanti
Middle School Math and Bahasa Indonesia
Dian graduated from Sampoerna School of Education (University of
Siswa Bangsa International) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics
Education, with a concentration in Secondary Mathematics Education.
Being able to have a positive impact on a child’s life and learning
developed her eagerness to become a teacher. She does not expect
perfection from her students. She encourages them to strive to be
the very best they can be. She has taught in the elementary and high
school settings. She had such incredible experiences working with
children and their families. She could not think of any higher calling
than to be a teacher here at Green School. She is grateful to be a part
of a dynamic, wonderful staff and school. In her free time, Dian likes
to read, run, cook delicious food and watch movie.
[email protected]
Baptiste Vargin
Middle School & High School Math Teacher
Born in France, Baptiste started his professional journey at the age
of 17 teaching at an ecological summer camp - coaching students
in ecological science. From this inspiring experience, he decided
in college to change his study from engineering to teaching science
driven by the love of exploring the greatest tool for understanding our
universe. Since then, he has been living in France, Finland, Vietnam
and Bali, teaching mathematics, physic, chemistry as well as the art
of dance.
Green School appealed to him because it offers an authentic
approach to teaching and exploring ecological solutions that can offer
real sustainable answers for the world we live in today.
As a professor of Math and Science, Baptiste wishes to share not
only the knowledge but the belief to creating a better world.
His number one passion in life is to question everything, and stay
curious about the world in effort to understand it more and more.
The core of his passion calls him to serve in educating our children to
live happily, in sustainable ways while also teaching the importance
of playful curiosity.
Baptiste’s other interests and hobbies revolve around bridging the
worlds of Art and science, making music with several instruments,
such as the drums, cello, didgeridoo, making raw chocolate and
dancing.
MIDDLE SCHOOL
I Gusti Ayu Berlyani Pratiwi, S.Pd (Berlyn)
Middle School & High School Bahasa Indonesia
Teacher
Berlyn born in small village called Pancasari on 10th of November
1987. She grew up in Pancasari, the Southern part of Buleleng, Bali.
Her hobbies includes cooking and playing basket ball. She studied
and received her degree in English Education from Ganesha University
of Education in Singaraja in 2010. Her first teaching experience was
at SMK Puriwisata where she taught English for tourism for 2 years.
In 2012, she then moved to Seminyak and started a more exciting
job teaching “Bahasa Indonesia” for foreigner for another 2 years.
During her teaching period there, she gained ample of experiences
in teaching to an international audience. Berlyn joined Green School
in August 2014 to expand her teaching experiences. She believes
that Green School is such amazing place where a student-centered
learning environment take a place. The school empowers and
inspires the students to be creative, innovative, and green leaders.
[email protected]
Nicola Unite
Middle School English & Mentor
Nicola comes to Bali from Avalon, a little seaside town north of
Sydney, Australia. She graduated from UNSW (2003) with a B.A in
English, Sociology and Theatre and a DipEd (2004) in English and
Drama teaching. Nicola is passionate about bringing stories alive in
the classroom. She feels there is so much space for self-discovery
within the world of English literature and draws on her Yoga
teaching background to bring about awareness and self-reflection
within each student. Nicola loves the idea of being at Green School
where there is such an excitement about an revolutionary way of
educating. Nicola moved to Bali with her artist/furniture designer
husband Rory and their two beautiful girls, Isla and Frankie.
In her spare time she loves travelling, yoga, meditation, cooking and
singing.
[email protected]
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Ida Rahayu
Middle School Bahasa Indonesia & Mentor
Ida is originally from Kediri, a small town in East Java. She has an
English language teaching degree and she has taught English as a
foreign language for over 8 years in a private language school in Bali
and Java. She has also been teaching conversational Indonesian
as a foreign language for over a year to private students. Ida loves
learning languages and thus is passionate about teaching them.
Currently she’s learning Spanish and hopes to start learning French
soon.
She feels that languages bring joy and cultural understanding, and
open doors to cross cultural friendship. In teaching Indonesian,
she hopes to impart an appreciation of Indonesian culture to the
students of Green School and help them have a more interesting and
integrated experience as foreigners living here. She loves dancing and
also enjoys hiking and traveling. She is so excited to be part of the
Green School.
[email protected]
Ni Wayan Merliani (Merli)
Classroom Assistant of Middle School
Merli graduated from Undiksha University of Education in September
2013, after graduated she has been teaching in local elementary
school for about 6 months. Merli comes to Green School because
she wants to have experience working in a beautiful sustainability
place, she wants to learn more about teaching and being able to be
a good teacher. Besides that she wants to improve my English.
Merli loves teaching, she spends her spare time for tutoring local
students in Sangeh Village in Bali. She loves listening music and
reading novels.
[email protected]
HIGH SCHOOL
Kyle King
High School Math & Grade 9 Homeroom Teacher
Kyle is rooted in Maine, but has strong connections in California
and has been teaching Economics and Business the American School
in Lisbon, Portugal. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a
Master of Arts in Teaching Mathematics. He is a proud father to his
daughter Paz and husband to his lovely wife Mimi.
Family priorities include travelling, gardening and being outdoors.
Kyle escapes the empirical world and taps into his right brain through
family art projects with Paz and Mimi.
[email protected]
Daniel Marcu
Middle School/High School Math, Physic & Grade 9
Homeroom Teacher
Dan is a Canuck at heart but hails from the beautiful country of
Romania. Growing up in rural, agricultural Canada has given him full
appreciation for the diverse tropical paradise that is Bali! Dan holds
a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Mathematics
from the University of Alberta and a Graduate Diploma of Education
from the University of Wollongong.
Before arriving at Green
School, Dan was teaching Maths and Science at a remote Aboriginal
community in western NSW, followed by schools in central London.
Dan loves all things fitness and can be seen running with the kids or
getting kids to their 100 push up goals. He is beyond thrilled to be
joining the Green School community and excited to grow with the
amazing potential of this school.
Emily Ferguson
High School Media Studies, Social Sciences & Grade
10 Homeroom Teacher
Emily holds a Bachelor of Education (specialization in School,
Community and Global Connections), a Bachelor of Arts (Honours
English/Media Information and Technoculture), and a TEFL
certification. She has spent most of her life in Canada, but decided
to move to Asia to begin her teaching career in 2006. She has over
four years of experience teaching English language learners ranging in
age from early years to adults. Emily joined the community in spring
of 2011 and she is excited to continue working with Green School
students to develop their skills and achieve their full potential.
[email protected]
HIGH SCHOOL
Shawn T. O’Docharty
High School Humanities/Drama & Grade 10
Homeroom Teacher
Alaska born, Shawn’s mother worked with earthquake survivors
while his father was a railroad brakeman. Respect for nature and a
love of the open road run in his blood. He holds a B.A in Theatre and
Writing from Sarah Lawrence in New York, and a graduate degree
from l’École Internationale Jacques Lecoq in France. Shawn taught
Poetry at the Valhalla Women’s Correctional Center, and founded
the Creative Arts programme at Glide Memorial in San Francisco.
Amid Paris’ grey streets he directed Imibala Théâtre & Co. with five
actors from four continents. Imibala toured Europe and eastern Africa,
teaching notably with the UNHCR in Sarajevo, the National Theatre
of Uganda, and the National University of Rwanda. He comes to
Bali three years after founding the Theatre Arts programme at the
American School in Chennai, India. His new position at the Green
School and recent marriage are the realization of a life dream.
Jade McGraw
High School Science Teacher & Grade 11 Homeroom
Teacher
Prior to coming to Bali and joining Green School, Jade taught high
school Science, Math and Physical Education at international schools
in Egypt and China. He has a Degree in Biology from the University
of Waterloo Canada and a Diploma in Education from the University
of Wollongong Australia. He has worked for non-profit at-risk youth
intervention programmes in Toronto and Northern Canadian
communities as well. He is excited to be in the green team and to
continue to learn and grow as an person and educator.
[email protected]
HIGH SCHOOL
Zach Reznichek
High School English & Grade 12 Homeroom Teacher
Zach grew up surfing and boogie boarding at the beach in California
with his two younger sisters in the same house that their parents
still live in. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Design at University
of Oregon indulging in astronomy, poetry, photography, geology,
art history, quantum physics and color theory. In his twenties,
with a passport, journal and camera, he went on a search for the
secrets of the universe. Studying old texts, he visited sites of past
empires and their sacred monuments including Rome, Athens, Crete,
London, Palenque, Coba, Chichen Itza, Tulum, Uxmal, Cairo, Thebes
and Karnak. Eventually, he realized the search was more interior
than exterior and began his daily meditation practice while writing
and working in San Francisco where he got certificates in film and
audio production.
Paying his dues up through the ranks of audio engineers and into a
music executive position directing mastering, packaging and production
of vinyl, CDs, schwag and clothing for 15 hip-hop and electronic record
labels, he began wondering if “socialism” was really the dirty word
capitalists made it out to be… Meeting his wife in Costa Rica and with
a second Bush on deck for the white house, Zach moved to Montreal,
started two indie record labels and learning French. Soon after, the
music market flipped into an online distribution model and it felt
like the right time to start a family. After intentional meditative inquiry and
the word “teacher” bubbling to the surface, 16 hour production days
and traveling the world looking for distribution deals was replaced by
a TESL certificate and a graduate program me in education. With two
boys, ten years of teaching and strategic consulting, a Master’s in
Education, and a thriving business in teacher training, mindfulness
and life-coaching, it felt again like time for something new.
[email protected]
Melinda Ammann Chickering
High School Career/University Coordinator & Grade
12 Homeroom Teacher
Melinda comes to Green School as Career and University
Coordinator having lived in Indonesia since 2008. A member of the
Green School community since the school’s opening, Melinda served
as a Fulbright Fellow in Manado, North Sulawesi before relocating
to Bali. Melinda is passionate about connecting people with
opportunity and supporting our students in their path to the future.
She has taught philosophy at the university level and English in three
countries--Indonesia, Taiwan and Japan. She brings experience in
non-profit programme management, communications, research
and writing. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree at The University
of Iowa, with honours in Philosophy and minor in Political Science,
and Master of Science degree at Tulane University in International
Development. She also loves scuba diving, dance and motherhood.
[email protected]
SPECIALIST & STUDENT SUPPORT
Sarita Pockell
Performing Arts teacher and Specialist Integration
Coordinator
Sarita Pockell has been teaching Performing Arts at Green School for
four years and teaching Drama and Music in schools and with her
own company for over 15 years. She has taught Early Years through
High School at Green School and focuses, not only on the production
of large-scale theater performances, but specializes on deep
integration with classroom thematics and relevant lines of inquiry.
She moved to Bali from the San Francisco Bay Area where she ran
her own theater troupe based on student-centered cabaret shows
and performed regularly with several bands for young children
(www.saritasong.com) Sarita often composes original music for
her productions and she also composed the popular “Green School
Song”. Some of the shows she has directed at Green School include
Mary Zimmerman’s “Arabian Nights”, a musical adaptation of
“The Princess Bride”, Noble Material, a Plastic Musical, As You Like
It, Mulan, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and many more.
Sarita is currently working towards a Masters in Education at
Goddard University and attends residencies in Vermont twice a year.
Karen Ashbury
Primary Art Teacher
Karen initially completed a B.A in History before deciding that her
future lay in teaching. She trained as a primary teacher in the UK,
specialising in Visual Arts, and has taught predominantly in New
Zealand and Australia, in both state and private school systems.
The last 6 years have been spent doing what she loves most - working
as a dedicated arts educator.
Karen’s ongoing interest and curiosity in diverse cultures has kept
her plodding away at a Master’s Degree in Applied Anthropology,
and she completed the first module of a Yogic Studies diploma this
year. Environmental art has been a longstanding passion of Karen’s
and she is hugely excited about exploring the creative possibilities
and processes in the Green School environment.
Ni Wayan Prenny Arsyanti (Prenny)
Teaching Assistant to Drama Teacher
Prenny grew up in a small village in Bali with her family of five.
Since her young age, her parents taught her that life is all about
persistence. She carried that with her everywhere she goes. At university,
she studied and worked at the same time. She started her professional
career as an Art Teacher at Bali Art in Denpasar where she gained
experiences in teaching crafts and ceramic making.
She then found Green School and was captivated with the the natural
environment. She was very lucky because her friend offered her to
volunteer in at the GreenCamp Bali for three months. She found her
way and joined the Green School community in August 2011 as a
Classroom Assistant whilst also finishing her university degree.
In 2013, She graduated with a degree in Teaching.
She is very excited to joining the Drama team and gaining new
experiences from such inspiring mentors at Green School.
Jen Buchanan
Middle School/High School Art Teacher
Jen joins Green School after three years of living in the hot desert
climate of Saudi Arabia where she has been working as an Assistant
Head at the British International School Riyadh. Originally from
Perth, Western Australia, Jen has spent much of her adult life
travelling the globe. Highlights from Jen’s travels include time studying
at Institute Seni Indonesia (ISI in Yogyakarta), working as a volunteer
with the United Nations in East Timor, coordinating health education
programmes in India, and in more recent years a fulfilling career as
an arts educator in her home country and abroad. Jen is a strong
advocate for the promotion of the arts as central to student learning
and within the wider school community.
Over the years, Jen has organised several large group exhibitions
and held several exhibitions of her own work. She is a published
children’s book illustrator and the director of two internationally
featured short animated films. In her spare time, Jen is happiest
when engaged in a range of outdoor pursuits including diving, road
biking, and camping. She is excited to be joining Green School and
to have the opportunity to work in such a beautiful and engaging
environment.
[email protected]
Putu Pratiwi Surya Rahayu (Tiwi)
Assistant to Primary Art Teacher
Tiwi was born in Singaraja, asmallest cityin north Bali. She received
her Bachelor‘sDegree inChemistry from Universitas Pendidikan
Ganesha (UNDIKSHA). Tiwi started her career at Green School in
2014 and is now continuing as the assistant in the Primary Art Class.
She is really enjoying her time here as she feels that she is exposed
to other cultures, new experiences and knowledge. She loves to be
working so close to nature too.
[email protected]
I Gede Ira Purnawan (Ira)
Teaching Assistant to Middle School/High School Art Teacher
Ira was born and raised in village of Sibangkaja, where Green School
is located. This is his fifth year working at the School supporting the
High School Art Department. Ira is the Kul-Kul Art Coordinator, he is
the person who connects with artist from the Balinese community to
visit our school and share their skills with our student.
Ira can be found in the High School Art studio helping out with all
the fun classes. He has become an expert in art printing and if you
see people wearing the “I Love Sibangkaja” t-shirts around campus,
those are one of his designs. He is excited to take on the new role as
the High School Art Teacher and to help coordinate the Practical Arts
Programmes. In his spare time he loves to go mountain biking,
play music, and spend time with my two children.
Noan Fesnoux
Middle School & High School Green Studies
Coordinator
As a child, Noan found himself learning more in the hours exploring
the forest after school than during the school day. This early exposure
to the natural world fostered a life long love of the environment, and
led him to study Marine Biology at the University of Guelph. Following
a period working in labs, Noan tested his chops at teaching by
moving to Indonesia in 2003. There, he acquired a deep appreciation
of the sustainable lifestyles many ruralites live, as well as the incredible
biodiversity found of these islands. Following 5 years of building a
learning centre in Vancouver, Canada, Noan started as Green Studies
teacher in 2012.
[email protected]
Brett Hendricks
Primary Green Studies Teacher
Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, USA, Brett received his first
introduction to Environmental Science as a high school student.
As a musician, Brett played bass guitar in his high school jazz band
and later became a regular gigging musician while attending
university. After finishing a degree in Psychology from the University
of Kansas, his interest in Permaculture and new models of education
inspired him to pursue his Master’s Degree through Portland State
University’s Leadership, Ecology, Culture and Learning Programmes.
While studying at PSU, he worked with Portland Public Schools
helping to start school gardens and farm to cafeteria programmes
around the metro area.
After receiving his Permaculture certification, he moved to a small
farm outside the city where he lived for 2 years teaching kindergarten
and pre-kindergarten, helping to organize events for an NGO and
finished his MA in Leadership through the California Institute of
Integral Studies’ Transformative Leadership Programme. In March
of 2011, Brett picked up from the US and came to Japan where he
began formal classroom teaching. From 2012 to 2014, Brett focused
on creating Environmental Leadership Curriculum in Myanmar for
rural youth seeking higher education in addition to teaching and
volunteering around the country. His other interests include hiking,
cycling, playing basketball, tennis and music.
[email protected]
Jaclyn George
Middle School Green Studies & ELL Teacher
Originally from Windsor, Ontario, Jaclyn George began her journey
in education five years ago, teaching English to second language
learners in Cairo, Egypt. Her passion to explore unique cultures then
brought her to Northern China, where she continued teaching
English to learners of all ages and levels. Her experiences in China
were inspirational, and led her to deepening her teaching practice at
the University of Wollongong, Eastern Australia.
She completed her Graduate Diploma in Education, specializing in
Earth and Environmental Science. She holds a Bachelors Degree
in Environmental Resource Management, and TESOL certification.
Jaclyn’s desire to be part of an environmentally conscious community
has led her to Green School, energized to be part of an ESL programme
that creatively encourages students to be resourceful, independent
learners working towards a sustainable future. Jaclyn is thrilled to be
in Bali, where she enjoys yoga, surfing and the natural environment.
[email protected]
Colin Kuit
Physical Education Specialist
Colin is from South Africa, holds a Sports Science Degree and Teaching
Degree in Physical Education. He is currently the High School PE
teacher and co-ordinates the after school sports programme.
He created Green School’s unique outdoor education programme
and also runs the surfing programme. He married to Lorraine who
manages ISSC (International Schools Surf Camp) where she also
works closely with GreenCamp. He has competed at swimming at
national level and at international level in surfing and surf life-saving.
[email protected]
Paul Eperjesi
Primary & Middle School PE Teacher
Yeshi has been teaching at Green School since 2012. As an educator,
Yeshi brings with him many talents, experiences, and skills. He is
an excellent classroom teacher, also a fantastic presenter and
facilitator, as well as a skilled mentor. Yeshi has taken on many
roles at Green School including heading up the introduction of a new
mindfulness programme, creating outdoor education programmes
for our Middle School students, helping to choreograph one of our
musical productions (Mulan), and teaching yoga. All this is in addition
to his regular responsibilities as the Physical Education teacher for
Primary and Middle School.
Audrey Mann
PE Teacher
Audrey Mann was born and raised in Manila, Philippines and
attended the British School Manila. Audrey went on to university in
the UK to study Sport and Exercise Science, and upon graduation in
2012 volunteered at the Green School as a PE Intern for one academic year.
After returning to the UK Audrey worked in several schools for City
Year UK, a national charity seeking to create a fairer society through
equal education. With City Year, Audrey developed her passion for
supporting personal development in young people, beyond that
provided by the UK education system.
Audrey is an accomplished sportswoman and has represented the
Philippines at international level in football; trained alongside the GB
national American Football team; and competed at semi-professional
level in wakeboarding. Audrey believes in the ability of physical
activity and sport to help young people develop key 21st century
skills, and hopes to bring this to her lessons at the Green School.
Audrey has moved to Bali from London with her partner and is truly
thankful to be back in a place that is really close to her heart.
Bambang Prayitno
Indonesian PE Teacher
Bambang comes from Yogyakarta. He attended Physical Education
at FIK State University of Yogyakarta and graduated in 2004. He then
continued his postgraduate programme and received his Master of
Sport Science Degree with a concentration in sport for early year’s
childhood. His teaching experience started in 2004 as a PE teacher
at vocational high school in Yogyakarta. He is also a swimming and
tennis coach. In 2007, he taught the Middle Year and Primary Year
Programme at Global Jaya International School Tangerang.
[email protected]
Putu Witsen
Mepantigan & Mud Wrestling Teacher
Putu Witsen is a distinguished Martial Arts athlete who has been
involved in the International Taekwondo scene for many years.
His love of Indonesia and its culture has led him back to the archipelago
where he invented the Mepantigan, a combination of Martial Arts
and Balinese dance and performance.
He joined the Green School team since the first year of school as the
Mepantigan teacher and he continues to inspire our children to embrace and appreciate the local culture and tradition until today.
He is one of our local scholars parent, a proud father of two and a
lover of everything natural.
Alex Brindell
Music Teacher
Alex Brindell is a multi-instrumentalist musician and educator hailing
from Australia. Growing up in a travelling family, Alex has had the
opportunity to perform and collaborate with people from diverse
cultures and musical genres. This experience has greatly influenced
his approach in both performance and educative environments.
Alex began his musical journey as a three-year-old attending pre-school
classes at The Newcastle Conservatorium of Music where he was
able to fulfil his incessant hunger to bang things. Since then Alex
now holds a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance from the Jazz
Music Institute and a Post Graduate Diploma in Education from the
University of Queensland. During this time, Alex has performed with
over 150 artists both nationally and internationally.
As an educator, Alex aims to inspire and motivate students through
sharing his love and knowledge of music whilst creating a stimulating,
positive and safe learning environment that caters for a diverse
range of student needs and learning styles.
Adam Felton
Middle School Music Specialist
Adam E. Felton is a passionate, energetic and creative teacher who
has gained broad professional experiences in diverse educational
settings in three different countries. Having delivered and developed
a number of curricula throughout Southeast Asia, he has acquired
the strong ability to adapt his teaching style to foster understanding,
enthusiasm and learning in children from a broad spectrum of
cultures and backgrounds.
Since 2010, Adam has been integral in developing the school’s music
curriculum with a strong emphasis on individual creativity,
composition, multi-instrumentalism and ensemble-based performance.
Stepping into a new and diverse role at Green School in early 2015,
Pak Adam now teaches Middle School Thematics, Literacy, Music, the
New Mentor Programme, Jalan Jalan, and heads the Green School
High Performance Surf Programme. He is also an accomplished
professional drummer, having performed with numerous world
class musical acts, both here in Bali and abroad. Currently, Adam is
recording, touring and performing with Australian East-meets-West
ethno electro visionaries, Tijuana Cartel, Folk/Roots artist Black
Rabbit George, as well as Bali’s own A Conscious Coup.
[email protected]
John Schroeder (Johnny)
Music Consultant
Pak Johnny is from the Western United States and joined the high
school team in 2013 to develop the music programme. Working as
a professional saxophonist, and composer, he has performed over
2000 times around the world. His inquiries into the nature of sound
and culture have led him to study Gnawa music in Morocco, produce
several albums, compose film scores and teach in Croatia.
Johnny has led bands of young people and taught private music lessons
on a variety of instruments including ukulele, keyboard, guitar, bass,
flute, saxophone, and clarinet for over 20 years. “I am always seeking to
balance improvisation with craftsmanship, inspiration with perseverance,
expressiveness with discipline- studying music provides us with so
many life lessons!”
As a film-maker, He has directed short films, educational videos
for the Academy of Art in San Francisco, and written feature-length
screenplays. Pak Johnny directs the high school band and offers
classes in digital audio production, instrument building, video
production, and the exciting new discipline of Big History.
Duncan McKee
Music Consultant
Duncan McKee is a jazz pianist, composer and educator from the UK.
Throughout his 20 year career, he’s played over 2000 performances with
some of the worlds best musicians such as Dale Barlow, Michael
Bolton and Bali’s very own Balawan. He composes music for HBO,
Discovery Channel and other major networks and leads his own
groups Tembusu and The Duncan McKee Trio. He was an instrumental
teacher on the Jazz Degree Programme at LaSalle College of the Arts
(Singapore) as well as UK artist Jamie Cullum’s piano teacher,
who went on to be the UK’s highest paid Jazz musician.
Duncan is a speaker on Music, Creativity & Leadership and works
with many of the worlds leading organisations (70% of Fortune
100’s) helping to improve the way they work together by modelling
the effective leadership skills of musicians. For the past two years
he has been developing a new bamboo musical instrument for
classroom education. His belief is that music extends much further
than the arts. Instead it’s our collaborative language and is the most
authentic demonstration of how people work effectively together.
[email protected]
LEARNING SUPPORT
Francis Mollet
Primary & Middle School ELL
Francis has been teaching since university. He has taught foreign
languages, ESL, EAL, primary and secondary students as well as
corporate English. He believes everybody has something to contribute.
He loves to learn with and from students, “The children bring smiles
to my lips, light to my mind and hope to my heart, everyday”, he said.
His favourite things are not things, they are people. He adores his
family, playing ukulele, surfing, singing, and dancing.
[email protected]
Lisa Wagland
Learning Support Teacher for Primary School Grades K-2
Lisa has been teaching in Australia for 24 years now, mostly as a
learning support teacher. Lisa taught in a disadvantaged school with
an indigenous population for 9 years then, at an independent school
for the past 15 years. Lisa has also worked part time with a local
psychologist running social skills groups for students with Autism.
Lisa is passionate about providing a supportive classroom where
students feel safe to have a go. A classroom where all students feel
successful and are learning. Lisa is very passionate about helping
students develop good learning behaviors that allow them to be engaged
in all learning experiences around them. Lisa enjoys relaxing, reading,
yoga and paddle boarding.
[email protected]
LEARNING SUPPORT
Jennipher Spector
Learning Support Teacher for Primary School Grades 3-5
Jennipher first visited Green School in 2010 as a graduate student
and was inspired to write her thesis on the ‘Green School Effect’ on
students with specific learning differences. Her research experience
had a strong impact on her professionally and personally, and it has
been her hope and intention to return to Green School as a Learning
Support teacher.
She is a strong believer in building upon students’ strengths to
address areas of challenge and helping students develop the skills
they need to be successful academically, socially, and emotionally.
She has certification in the Orton-Gillingham approach to multisensory
teaching methods in literacy and mathematics, as well as training
in supporting students on the autism spectrum and students with
attentional, behavioural, sensory, and executive function needs.
Jennipher has taught students in preschool through college at public
and private schools in the US and Singapore and has focused her
career on supporting students with learning differences in the
primary grades. Most recently, she was a learning support teacher
at an Expeditionary Learning School with an environmental focus in
Asheville, North Carolina.
Paul Davidson
Middle School Learning Support & Technician
Paul came to Bali from the Mid North Coast of New South Wales,
Australia. Describing himself as passionate surfer, musician and
vagabond. He was first inspired by the surf film “Morning of the
Earth” to visit Bali over 30 years ago.That first adventure he instantly
fell in love with the people, culture and food of Indonesia, and many
trips later he met his wife Putu who currently works in the Green
shop at school and along with his 2 children Gede, Grade 4 and Jessi
in Geckos makes Green School a daily family affair.
Prior to moving to Bali 6 years ago Paul’s background has been
extensive in Learning Support including Vision impaired students,
Hearing impaired, Disabilities Support and Indigenous youth
programs since the early eighties. Working in High Schools for D.E.T
Dept. of Education in Australia, for North Coast T.A.F.E Tertiary and
Further Education and Vision Australia. Including implementing
Indigenous youth music programs, building recording studios, computer
training, surf programs, youth mentor, braille translator and work
place training and placements for students with disabilities.
He has been at Green School for 4 years and currently is the Learning
Support person for Middle school. He is also the Sound Production
Technician for Green School events and currently runs after school
guitar classes for Indonesian staff and students.
LEARNING SUPPORT
Maria Prior
High School Learning Support & Grade 11 Homeroom
Teacher
After teaching English in Turkey, Maria supported refugees in East
London before formally beginning her teacher training in the
Humanities and Learning Support. She since went on to doing
Post-Graduate Studies in Learning Support and working in Kuala
Lumpur and Penang, establishing a Psychology Department in the
former.
She has strong sense of and interest in social justice, and believes
that the integration of social and emotional learning in the curriculum
lays the foundation for a more just world. It was Green School’s
same commitment that drew her here, and she excited to be part
of Green School’s role in cross-sustainability issues. Maria has
a passion for travel and culture, and also enjoys running, racquet
sports and the great outdoors.
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT
Novi
School Secretary
Novi grew up in a very quite & peaceful village in Bali. After 11 years
of varied working experiences, she finally found Green School where
the environment reminds her of Bali in the past; bamboo houses,
mud walls, and large gardens which is so similar to her village and it
gives her tranquillity of mind.
Novi is committed to Green School because she loves children very
much. She is the mother of 2 daughters and twin boys and particularly loves the way the school teaches children to become independent. Novi is the School Secretary, as well as assisting all teachers
and the Head of Schools. Novi graduated from the Politechnique
Udayana University in Bali with a degree in the tourism industry.
I Nyoman Widiantara
IT Supervisor
Widi has been working at Green School even before the school first
opened in 2008. Widi is the school’s IT Supervisor and the person to
go to for any technical support needed by the faculty staff. He graduated
top of the class from Udayana University in Electrical Engineering.
He brings the hospitality experience to Green School from his past
job as an internet technical support in Westin Resort and Bali International
Convention Center.
Widi, a father of cute little girl, likes to take photos of his child and
has a great interest in automotive. He is also an avid photographer
of the school.
[email protected]
Cahya
IT Officer
Cahya is originally from Sibangkaja. He has been working for five
years in the Green School. He is an IT support for staff and faculty.
He graduated from STIKI Indonesia University in IT management
programme. He joined the Green School in 2010 as IT assistant.
[email protected]
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT
Ni Putu Ayu Rosita Rasmi
Librarian
Ni Putu Ayu Rosita Rasmi, S.Pd is the librarian at Green School.
She was born in Denpasar 26 years ago. She graduated from Universitas
Pendidikan Ganesha (Ganesha University of Education) majoring in
Educational Technology in 2011. Ayu Rosita has been joining the
Green School since 2012. Before becoming librarian, Ayu Rosita was
a teachers’ assistant in Grade 1 and 2 for two years. Surrounded by
Eco-minded teachers and green environment makes her interested in
joining the Green School’s family. She loves working with children
in sustainable environment. In her spare time, she teaches private class
for local students. She has passion in dancing, reading, music and art.
[email protected]
Puri Wahyuni
Lab Technician
Puri is from Tabanan Bali. She has been working at Green School for
five years, and is still excited to start her 6th year. She started her
career as prekindergarten assistant and became a lab technician in her
second year. She holds her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology for Education
and Master’s Degree in Education of Science at UNDIKSHA Singaraja.
Managing Balinese dance performance is one of her passions and
giving opportunity for kids to learn about Balinese culture is one
way to introduce local culture. A smile on the kids when they do
the performance or create a fun experiment is the most priceless
thing in the world according to her.
INTERNS
Lara Hough
Lara grew up in Cambridge, England and through her attendance
at various schools, she discovered her interests for Physical
Geography, Maths and Science. This, alongside her passion for the
outdoors led her to choose to study a B.Sc in Environmental Science
at the University of Leeds. Lara is very excited to be interning in Middle
School for the whole school year, as part of her four year degree.
She was drawn to Green School by their positivity and dedication to
improve the environment through education and attitude of actions
that speak louder than words. After teaching English in Vietnam and
completing a Teaching English as a Foreign Language course, she
was keen to get involved with life at Green School. In her free time
and in the holidays Lara loves to ski, surf, trek in the mountains,
horse ride and play in her university hockey team.
[email protected]
Marcel Vermaak
In 1989 Marcel Vermaak was born in a small town in Germany,
raised by his Dutch father and German mother, he moved several
times due to the military profession of his father. Marcel grew
up in an international environment from a Dutch Army School in
Neustadt and der Weinstrasse to the European School Karlsruhe.
After to many consecutive years in school, surrounded by teachers
and mandatory theoretical books he took a gap year to travel South
East Asia to explore this part of the world, but also himself. Having left
The Netherlands for nine years, his roots were calling and moved
to the North of Netherlands, Groningen. There he would start a Bachelor
in International Relations and International Organization, but figured
out that education with a more practical approach was more suitable.
A switch from the University of Groningen to Hanze University of
Applied Sciences was a logical step and started the bachelor
programme International Facility Management.
Finally, Marcel will contribute to the Green School community by
providing insights and advice, by writing his Bachelor’s thesis for the
first semester concerning Real Estate and Sustainable Development.
Clementine Brasher
Clementine is completing an internship at the Green school in the
Early Years. Clem was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia and
completed her Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology and Sociology)
in 2015. Clem enjoys travelling and has lived in a few other countries
including Japan, Canada and England. Clem enjoys skiing, skating,
surfing, yoga, reading and meeting new people. She is excited to be
completing an internship at the Green school and being a part of a
great community.
[email protected]
INTERNS
Chrissy Giles (student village)
Chrissy comes to Bali from the Pacific Northwest region of the United
States, where she lived in a yurt and worked as a painting instructor
for ceramic arts. Chrissy works at Student Village as an intern and
is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in Sustainability Studies
at the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. She is
passionate about healthy food, permaculture, building community,
and sustainable living. You can find her doing yoga, making art,
taking photographs, and people-watching.
Lea Choukroun
Originally from Hong Kong, Lea is currently finishing a B.S. in Behavioural Neuroscience at Northeastern University in Boston,
USA. To fulfill her experiential learning requirement, she joins the Green School community as an enterprise intern hoping to
solidify her interests in pursuing secondary education after the completion of her first degree. She enjoys being active, having
a good laugh, and cooking Moroccan food. Lea’s past experience as a service-learner and a service-learning teacher’s assistant
has taught her to appreciate the strength of learning that extends beyond the walls of a classroom.
[email protected]
VOLUNTEERS
Camilo Velasquez
Camilo is originally from Colombia. His background is in
Communication (Marketing and Advertising). For the last two years
Camilo was in Australia doing his Master’s Degree in Sustainable
Development. Camilo is passionate about innovative sustainable
ideas that enhance the world’s capacity to achieve a more equitable
society. He is excited about inspiring others, on environmental and
social projects related to current global issues. Camilo visualizes
education as a comprehensive learning process and is determined to
constantly learn within the field of education for sustainable development.
He believes in the power of facilitation and in experience-based
development of knowledge as a learning process. Shaping human
values based on nature as a learning environment.
Fery Irawan
Fery graduated from the University of Palangkaraya in 2013. As he
finished studying, he got involved in Ransel Buku Project as an
assistant teacher. A year later, he was hired by the project to be a full
time teacher until now. Fery teaches Environmental Education and he
is also the librarian at Green School library. As a librarian, he manages
the books collection they have and he assists children when reading.
Fery wants to learn how the greenest school on earth operates and
wants to bring this knowledge back to his village. He was so happy
when he found out that he was invited to come and learn at this
school for 6 months.
Teaching the children in the village is one of the biggest passions Fery has.
He dreams of being the facilitator to help the kids improve their lives
in the future. He is interested in learning new knowledge that will help
him improve his skills in teaching. He wants to learn about agriculture
and about health too as these two subjects are important to the people
in his village. Besides those he also enjoys playing music. Fery plays the
Kecapi, traditional Dayak guitar, in his spare time.
Nikisha Weiser
Nikisha “Nikki” Weiser has come to the Green School as a volunteer and is excited to see what programmes she can get
involved in regarding intentional community. She is the parent of Alize Weiser, a second grader at the Green School. Nikisha is
finishing her Degree this August (2015) in social services and Global Affairs.
Most recently Nikki was Program Director of the Children’s Programme with an organization serving ‘at risk’ families and also
worked one-on-one with individuals with developmental disabilities. She lived and worked for years in an intentional
community that provided residence and schooling for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Nikki is passionate
about helping others, getting to know her local community, and living a lifestyle of sustainability and simplicity.
VOLUNTEERS
Natale Pellegati (Student Village)
Natale, also known as Polentale, is a clown and social and environmental
activist. After studying Law at university he was inspired by the
example of Gandhi and embarked on a journey with his partner
Marielli, carrying no money and depending totally on the kindness
and hospitality of strangers. They have been intentionally living and
traveling without money for over 2 years. During the journey he’s
been studying permaculture, traditional forms of agriculture and
sustainable living. He believes that love is the most powerful way to
bring change and example is the best form of education.
Marielli Pahim (Student Village)
Marielli grew up in Sao Paulo, a big (and chaotic) city from the
Southeast of Brazil. She and her partner, Natale, have been
intentionally living and travelling without money for over two years.
They have been learning how to live simply and sustainably by making
conscious decisions in all aspects of their lives. She studied nutrition
at the university and was disappointed with the concept of nutrition
that they learned in the academy. During her journey, she found
out what real nutrition means by investigating the sacred connection
that traditional societies have with food, environment and community.
Her goal is to restore nutrient-dense foods to the world diet through
education, research and activism.
VOLUNTEERS
Cazmir Leenheer
Cazmir is of Dutch and Indian descent, was born in England and
travelled across land and sea ever since. She arrived in Bali a year
ago where she attended Green School as a student afore becoming
a class of 2015 graduate. Currently she has one sister studying at
Green School as well and both are waiting for their other sister to
join in the near future too. Before returning to Asia, she was admitted
as a young talent at the Royal Conservatoire & Academy of Fine Art
in Europe, where she lived and studied for three years. Prior to that
she was an IB student at the German School in Singapore, where her
family was based for seven years.
Cazmir’s life has been a journey of exploring the self and surroundings
in different places and different cultures at different times. The one
trend that remained constant has therefore been change. She finds
constant change important, which she thinks is developed by endless
curiosity and leads to continuous authenticity. Cazmir finds herself
thrive where subjects dearest to her heart coalesce - art, philosophy,
sustainability and entrepreneurship.
For these reasons she has decided to educate herself this gap year
with the resources and support offered by Green School’s environment
and community. She will be completing a feasibility study and working
towards event curation and organization focused on the spreading of
ideas and making them happen. Genuinely, Cazmir hopes to make
this experience an opportunity to connect and collaborate!