Faculty Farewells

​As we begin to wind down the school year, we are bracing ourselves to say farewell to departing students, parents, and faculty. This year, fourteen of our teaching faculty are moving on to new adventures. AISL is a better place thanks to each one's hard work and numerous contributions. Please join us in saying a fond farewell and a hearty thank you to these excellent teachers:

​Andrew Muyamwa for his 13 years at AISL as a Secondary mathematics teacher and CAS coordinator.  Known as the voice of AISL, Andrew was involved in a great deal of projects during his time at the school such as his narrative work for the school’s promotional video, as well as announcing at WorldFest!.  Andrew played an instrumental role in the creation of the the Zambian student scholarship program and has continued to be influential in the selection process and support of its students. Perhaps the greatest thing that we will miss about Andrew is his ever-present laugh.  We wish Andrew all the best as he will no doubt continue to spread sunshine to students at the American School of Johannesburg where he will be teaching mathematics next year.

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Becky Oliver for her three years of service as a Secondary Language & Literature teacher, Diploma Programme coordinator, and Theory of Knowledge teacher.  Becky also coached athletics and could be found at most high school sporting events cheering with great Leopard pride. We wish Becky great future successes.  ​

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David Lauchmen for his two years of service as the Student Support Services coordinator.  During his time here, he helped to implement Tier 1 and Tier 2 of our Response to Intervention (RTI) program and launch our high school internship program. Dave also coached varsity and middle school football. We wish Dave all the best as he enjoys the regal role of grandpa next year.  ​

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Fatima Lemus-Gupta  for her two years of dedication in our Early Learning Center. She was instrumental in making the shift from a grade-level structure to a successful multi-age program in our ELC. We will miss her patience, close connection with our youngest learners, and collaborative nature. We wish her and her family the best as they return to Malawi, a place that has long been familiar to them where she will be teaching Grade 2.

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Gregg Cottrell for his five years of dedication as a Secondary physics and MYP science teacher.  Gregg had the unique ability to make physics both exciting and understandable to students. He is best known by his students for staying after school or coming in to set up labs on weekends to help students with their IB internal assessments or extended essays.  We wish Gregg all the best as he will be embarking on a new phase of his life. After 39 years teaching, Gregg will be hanging up his lab coat to try his hand at retirement.  ​

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Jeff Redman for his four years of dedication. Jeff has worked with every grade level in the Secondary school as the Theatre Arts teacher. His versatility was demonstrated by the ease at which he could get students to engage in the daunting task of speaking and acting in front of their peers no matter if they were in grade 6, new to the Secondary school, or in grade 12, managing the rigors of the Diploma Programme.  Jeff also directed two drama productions a year, a daunting time and energy commitment. Moreover, he led International Schools Theatre Association trips to London and Bangkok. We wish Jeff all the best in his new adventure as DP theatre arts teacher at the International School of Beijing.  ​

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Jenn Caldwell for her five years of dedication at AISL as our Primary School Counselor. In addition to growing and refining our Primary Guidance program, small group and individual student and family time were integral to her role. We will miss her passion for student advocacy and providing opportunities for students to share their strengths and talents. Thank you, Jenn, for being integral in facilitating our Primary Talent Show, The Great Kindness Challenge, and the Primary Student Council. We wish her and her family the very best as they begin their new adventure in the United States.

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Jenni Redman for her four years of dedication in multiple roles, both as a Grade 4 and Grade 5 teacher. We will miss her reflective personality, professional flexibility, and consistent collaboration - all done with a thorough attention to detail. Jenni has worked quietly behind the scenes to support our drama program, WorldFest! days, and Teachers Teaching Teachers ISAZ Conferences for a number of years. We wish her and her family the very best as they begin their new adventure next year in Beijing, China where she will be a Grade 5 teacher.

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Joy Hoffman for her seven years of dedication at AISL. Joy has taught Grade 4 and Grade 5 as well as facilitated the PYP Exhibition for four years, the culminating experience for the Primary Years Programme. Her contributions to bridging the school with the local community have been integral to our students’ learning beyond the classroom. We wish her well next year as she dedicates time to be with her family.

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Kathleen Bowin for her four years of service as MYP coordinator and Secondary assistant principal.  Kathleen’s undying support of her students and passion for empowerment will be a few of the things that will be greatly missed.  Kathleen spent a great deal of time working with Middle School students and parents to create a warm welcoming environment. Moreover, she was charged with the creation and fostering of the school’s Advisory program.  She even found time to sponsor the AISL chapter of the Girl Scouts. We wish Kathleen all the best as she embarks on a great adventure in Oman as the Middle School principal at the American British International School.

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Mandy Ray for her three years of dedication in multiple roles. Her knowledge and passion for literacy moved her from the Grade 2 classroom in her first year to the role as the Teaching and Learning Coach in literacy these past two years. We will miss her connection with students, intentional listening, and community-building spirit as she heads back to the United States to begin next year as a Grade 1 teacher. ​

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Mateo Osorio for his three years of dedication as a MYP and DP French and Spanish teacher.  Mr. Osorio is known for his cheery disposition and friendliness. He has contributed to the community by leading the Spanish Immersion trip to Madrid as well as serving as the Secondary Chair of the WorldFest! committee. Good luck to Mateo as he moves on to his new role teaching Spanish in Hanoi, Vietnam.

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Matt Tenerowicz for his two years of dedication as one of our Grade 1 teachers. He was an instrumental member of the science review, focusing the team’s vision on new curriculum and student focused standards. We will miss his calm demeanor, reflective nature, collaborative spirit, and his passion for flag (American) football. We wish him and his family the very best as they return to the United States next year in anticipation of their future post.

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Melanie Cottrell for her five years of dedication as a Grade 3 teacher at AISL. We will miss Melanie’s sense of humor, advocacy for students, and love for literacy. Melanie has been instrumental in connecting with the community through key projects such as constructing the annual box maze and organizing paper donations for Apters. We wish her and her family the very best as they return to their home state of California in the United States where she will be teaching Grade 5. ​

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Pete Lawton for his three years of service as a Secondary mathematics teacher.  Pete was known for his willingness to spend time during his lunch or after school with students in need of extra support.  When he wasn’t working overtime in the classroom, Pete could be located on the rugby pitch where he coached the Secondary’s first rugby team in many, many years.  He also coached the youngsters and spent many of his weekends in the sun at tournaments. We wish Pete all the best in Oman where he will continue to have a positive influence on students’ lives at the American British International School.

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