Základní škola

Mgr. Jan Švihálek
jan.svihalek(zavinac)isob.cz

I was born in Brno, where I live now together with my family. Both my parents and some of my grandparents are teachers, so my professional path was quite clear. I earned my Master's at the Pedagogical Faculty of Masaryk University specialising in German and Physical Education and I have been teaching PE and German language at various schools since I was a universtity student. I have been working as Head of School at the International School of Brno since it's founding in 2008. I speak English, German, Spanish, Russian and Czech. I am also an active musician, with passion for literature and art.

Jennifer Berry
jennifer.berry(zavinac)isob.cz

Greetings ISB community, my name is Jennifer Berry and I am a proud Canadian who has completed a Bachelor of Arts in Geography, as well as, a Masters of Science in Education. I have been teaching for over ten years and I have enjoyed the challenges and adventures throughout the years. Along with my academic achievements I have discovered my passion for sports. I have had the opportunity to coach, as well as compete as a player in various sports. Teaching is more than just lectures and books, it is about getting involved and participating in different activities. When not at school, I can be found on the rugby pitch, in a canoe or exploring the wonders of the world!

Dylan Vance
dylan.vance(zavinac)isob.cz

I grew up in Thunder Bay Canada on the north shore of Lake Superior. I have a BA in Philosophy and am currently working towards a Master's in Education specialising in Administrative Leadership. I have been teaching for over ten years and am very proud to see how far ISB has come as I've been here since the beginning. Along with spending time with my family, I love cooking, photography and playing music. I can speak English, Czech and French.

Lorrain Lourens
lorrain.lourens(zavinac)isob.cz

My name is Lorraine Lourens. I was born and raised in South Africa. I moved to Czech Republic in 2019 and have been enjoying the city ever since. I completed my studies at the University of the Witwatersrand. I hold a bachelor degree in Education within the Foundation Phase, and specialize in Early Childhood Education. In addition to that, I have qualified through the TEFL academy to teach English as a Foreign language. A few activities that I enjoy, include painting, drawing, and spending time outdoors. I am very excited to join the ISB team, and look forward to helping our children become lifelong learners.

Christina Winzurk
christina.winzurk(zavinac)isob.cz

I grew up in New Hamphire, United States but have lived in Germany, the Seycelles, and in different areas in the US. I studied in Maryland and Bachelor of Science degree in Business with a concentration in Accouting. I have been teaching for 5 years specializing in English, ESL and Middle School Mathematics. I have taught in Vietnam, Colombia and the United States. In addition to my mother tongue, I speak German and can understand a little bit of Spanish. I love to visit museums and explore the great outdoors. I am looking forward to living in Brno and becoming part of the ISoB team.

Jennifer Sawicki
jennifer.sawicki(zavinac)isob.cz

Hello! I'm from Point Pleasant, New Jersey, USA. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Education and also a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts from Stockton University. I completed my TEFL in Prague. I have been a teacher in the United States for 14 years. I've taught internationally in Prague. When I'm not teaching, I enjoy traveling, creating art, and reading!

Jennifer Sawicki
elizabeth.wilson(zavinac)isob.cz

I began my teaching career in 2007 when I gained a placement on a Graduate Teaching Programme in a primary school in Kent, U.K. After qualifying, I continued to work as a class teacher in the same school until 2011. I then moved schools to take part in a school improvement programme in an underachieving school; one of the toughest challenges of my teaching career. In 2012, I moved to Brno to join ISB where I developed my skills in teaching further. After spending the last four years on maternity leave, looking after my young family, I am happy to return to ISB as a part time class teacher. When I’m not with my family, I like to cycle, swim and read.

Kelley Hall
kelley.hall(zavinac)isob.cz

Hello! I'm from Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. I have a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Bellarmine University, where I also minored in International Studies and Spanish. I completed my post-graduate studies in education and am licensed in Elementary Education and TESOL. I've taught internationally in Chile and Vietnam for a combined 5 years, with the majority of my time spent in Hanoi, Vietnam. When I'm not teaching, I enjoy traveling, diving, and going to the cinema!

Lena Bell
lena.bell(zavinac)isob.cz

Hello! My name is Lena. I grew up in the Middle East but I’m originally from Northern Ireland and Canada. In addition to my native tongue, I also speak Arabic and French. I received my Bachelors of Science from Waterloo University in Canada followed by a Bachelors of Education from Nipissing University. After working for over 10 years in education, I am still inspired by the students and love the diversity in an international classroom. I’m passionate about teaching but love to bring in my other passions into the classroom. These include sports, travel, puzzles and books!

Dylan Vance
dylan.vance(zavinac)isob.cz

I grew up in Thunder Bay Canada on the north shore of Lake Superior. I have a BA in Philosophy and am currently working towards a Master's in Education specialising in Administrative Leadership. I have been teaching for over ten years and am very proud to see how far ISB has come as I've been here since the beginning. Along with spending time with my family, I love cooking, photography and playing music. I can speak English, Czech and French.

Christopher Hatt
christopher.hatt(zavinac)isob.cz

Hi, I'm Christopher. I was born in Toronto, Canada many moons ago. After completing a Bachelors Degree in Education I headed to the east where I spent nearly two decades teaching at international schools across Asia. I have just recently had my first child - a wonderful baby girl named Charlie. I am excited to be a part of the teaching team at ISB and look forward to this new chapter in my life here in Brno!

Ben Rodea
ben.rodea(zavinac)isob.cz

Hi, I'm Ben. I am from Wales, but have spent my adult life aorund the world. I have lived and taught in England, Kuwait and Peru, and I am delighted to now find myself in beautiful Brno as part of the ISB community. I'll watch most sports, but I have a particualr fondness for rugby. I'm really looking forward to a new experince and a great year, here in the Czech Republic.

Ondřej Kala
ondrej.kala(zavinac)isob.cz

I am from Brno and I work at ISB from September 2021. I finished my bachelor’s degree in Czech and History at Masaryk University in the summer 2013. Now I study Master’s degree in Palacky University in Olomouc. Before teaching Czech at ISB, I was employed in big worldwide corporates where I worked in several managerial and coordinating positions. I spend my free time with my family, reading and meeting friends while drinking a good coffee.

Samuel Hirst
samuel.hirst(zavinac)isob.cz

Hello! I’m originally from England, where I completed my degree in politics at Newcastle University before completing my history teaching qualification at UCL’s Institute of Education in London. I’ve been working in schools in both the UK and Czech Republic since 2012 . My main interests outside of work are hiking, enjoying the great outdoors, and travel. Having lived in Prague for four years, I am now very keen to explore Brno city and Moravia.

Vojtěch Bastyan
vojtech.bastyan(zavinac)isob.cz

Hi, my name is Vojta and I am from Kromeriz, Czech Republic. I have a master‘s degree in Education of Biology and Physical Education from Palacky University in Olomouc and doctoral degree in Kinesiology from Masaryk University in Brno. I have lived and worked in Anchorage, Alaska during my studies and worked as a ski instructor in South Lake Tahoe, California after I graduated. I have taught internationally in Tanzania for the past 3 years, before that I had organised and supervised the leisure time activities for children from kindergartens and elementary schools here in Brno. I like sports, outdoor activities and reading travel books. I can speak Czech, English, Swahili and little German.

Iona McGregor
iona.mcgregor(zavinac)isob.cz

Iona comes from a sheep-farm in Northumberland near the English-Scottish border, where she was home-educated by her mother. She studied Classics and Sanskrit at the University of Oxford and completed a Masters in Indian languages and Literature in Germany and India. She has had a varied career so far, almost all of it abroad—spanning academia, interpreting for the International Red Cross in Sri Lankan prisons, documentary-making, travelling, volunteering, and, of course, teaching. Previous teaching experience includes a year in Warsaw teaching English, Literature and History at a high school. She moved to Brno in September 2020, where she taught English as a Foreign Language at various language schools and at Masaryk University. She joined the ISB team in September 2021, where she teaches English Literature and Theory of Knowledge. Her hobbies include yoga, reading and translating poetry, cold-water swimming, learning languages (currently Czech) and travelling the world. She has lived and worked in eight different countries so far, and counting. She is a big fan of the Czech outdoor spirit and chata life.

Marianna Suarez
marianna.suarez(zavinac)isob.cz

My name is Marianna Suárez, and I was born and raised in Maracaibo - Venezuela, coming from an Italian family, I´ve always carried that multicultural layer that makes ISB the perfect place to develop professionally. I hold a BA in Business Administration but luckily learning and teaching have always been a part of my life. Apart from my professional side, I enjoy discovering the world by traveling and honoring its culture by recreating their typical dishes.

Petra Hložánková
petra.hlozankova(zavinac)isob.cz

Hello, my name is Petra. I am from Ostrava but now I study in Brno at the pedagogical faculty at Masaryk University. One day I want to be an inspiring teacher. My personal interests include singing, playing the guitar, and playing floorball. I like to spend my free time in the mountains and to be with my friends. I am happy to be a part of ISB.

Eva Klárová
eva.klarova(zavinac)isob.cz

Hello, my name is Eva and come from the Czech Republic. I´ve been interested in art and crafts since I was very little. I studied to become an Art and English language teacher at Masaryk University in Brno. After that I went on learning different crafts and art techniques, studied a three-year seminar for Waldorf teachers and taught at secondary grammar school in Brno and then in Waldorf school in Kuřim. This is my first year in ISB and I really appreciate to have the opportunity to meet students and teachers from different cultural backgrounds in our school. I love making pottery, textile art, playing music in an amateur band and hiking.

Kurt Bonser
kurt.bonser(zavinac)isob.cz

Hi! I am from Livonia, Michigan, U.S.A. I have a bachelor’s degree in Zoology with a minor in Spanish from Northern Michigan University. After that I obtained a teaching certificate in Integrated Science from Madonna University and am qualified to teach all sciences at the secondary level (grade 6 to 12). I am currently working towards my masters in Education Leadership through Madonna University (online of course). I have taught internationally in China for the past 4 years, before that I had taught in American for 2 years. In my spare time I like doing anything outdoors in nature, hiking, running, biking, swimming, and camping.

Adéla Othová
adela.othova(zavinac)isob.cz

I am from Brno and I am lucky to have been working at ISB since February 2017.  I finished my master's degree in English teaching at Masaryk University in the summer of 2018. Since 2011, I have worked in the USA as a camp counselor, in Ireland as an au pair and in India, Sweden, and Iceland as an English teacher/assistant. I spend most of my free time in the woods or mountains volunteering as a leader of a tourist club and summer camp for children.

Kateřina Vance
katerina.vance(zavinac)isob.cz

I am from Brno and studied at Masaryk University where I specialized in Primary Education and English as a Second Language. Before teaching Czech at ISB, I taught primary classes for six years. I love my work at the school and in addition to my teaching, I'm in charge of the primary library and teach the Art Club after school. I love spending time with my family, reading, yoga and travelling.

Martina Hrdá
martina.hrda(zavinac)isob.cz

I am from the South Moravia region in the Czech Republic. My whole life is related to Brno, where I achieved 3 stages of teacher education training: High school of Education, Master´s degree in Upper Secondary School Teacher training with specialization in Czech and Music, and Higher Education in doctoral degree programme in Education at Masaryk University. I have been interested in teaching Czech as a second / foreign language over 10 years. My teaching practise involves the wide range of nationalities and social environments. I worked in asylum centers, Kindergartens, High school, Music school and in many Language schools and was a member of the committee for state examinations in the Czech language. I love to teach Czech in Czech and help people to feel nice in the Czech Republic. The most important things in my life are my daughter, classical music, singing, dancing and playing the piano.

Sonia Bueno García
sonia.garcia(zavinac)isob.cz

I am from Barcelona, Spain. I teach Spanish as a foreign language since 1998. I have taught in the UK, in Greece and, since 2014, in the Czech Republic. Although I have a BA in History of Art, I was soon attracted to teaching my mother tongue. I enjoy very much teaching students from all around the world. In my free time, among lots of things, I love hiking, travelling and swimming in the sea.

Lenka Caine
lenka.caine(zavinac)isob.cz

Hi, my name is Lenka Caine. I’m originally from Náměšt nad Oslavou. I have studied Social Work at Vocational School of Social Matters in Brno. After finishing my studies as a social worker I moved to Uk, where I lived till last year. In Uk I completed Diploma for the Young People’s Workforce and attended many other courses to further progress my knowledge in this field.

Šárka Kovaříková
sarka.kovarikova(zavinac)isob.cz

I was born in Vyskov, but moved to Brno whne I was young. I did my last year of high school in the United States, where I graduated and then returned to graduate from the Czech system here in Brno. In university I spent time at the Hogeschool van Utrecht in the Netherlands, where I studied and did teacher training. I have a Master's Degree in Secondary Education from Masaryk University specialising in Special Education and English Language. I also have a bachelor's degree in Foreign Languages specialising in French. When I am not at work, I am with my family. I am a big ice-hockey fan, but I enjoy other sports: volleyball, cycling, inline skating, skiing and snowboarding.

Sophie Lefevre
sophie.lefevre(zavinac)isob.cz

My name is Sophie Lefèvre and I am originally from France. I have lived abroad for nearly 25 years. In high school I specialised in art and then made a master´s degree in philosophy from Sorbonne in Paris. I also hold a Waldorf/Steiner teaching certificate. I have been teaching art, languages and literature in various institutions (primary, secondary, high schools and universities) in the Czech Republic, England and America since 1991. I have been painting and drawing since the day I could hold a pencil in my hand and next to my teaching I dedicate my time to my wall and fresco painting company and illustrating books.

Omar Rojas Ruiz
omar.rojas(zavinac)isob.cz

I am from Tamaulipas, but I grew up in Mexico City, where I studied the Bachelor's degree in Music Composition at the Centro de Investigación y Estudios de la Música, where later I worked as a teacher of Piano, Aural Training, Counterpoint and Harmony. Even when I am currently based in Ludgerovice, I lived for a long time in Brno while studying my Masters and Doctoral degrees in Music Composition and Theory of Composition at JAMU, where I also worked as a teacher of Composition and Instrumentation for international students and History of Latin American Music. Besides being an active Composer, Teacher and Guitarist, I love to make paper sculptures and oil painting. Apart from speaking Spanish my mother tongue, I am able to fluently communicate in English and Czech, so in Slovak, Italian and Portuguese at an intermediate level. I truly look forward to becoming a part of the ISoB community!

Lucie Rajfová
lucie.rajfova(zavinac)isob.cz

My name is Lucie Rajfová. I was born in Brno, where I also live and work. I graduated from Masaryk University with 2 bachelor's courses (Regeneration and Nutrition in Sport, Coaching-Figure Skating) and Master's Degree (Physical Education and Sport Teacher Training) . Since I was a child, I have been actively doing a lot of sports (snowboarding, swimming, athletics, gymnastics, skiing, horse riding and more ...). My two main sports were: synchronized figure skating and sport climbing where I was in the national team of the Czech Republic for several years and won the European Cups in sport climbing and I was several times champion of the Czech Republic. I also like to travel and I have managed to travel a lot of countries with sports. For 10 years now, I have been coaching mainly at Ho Sokol Brno 1 and the Czech national team. In the last 3 years I have also started working as a physical education teacher and I also try to make sure that the children enjoy sports at school and that after school they do not sit at home at the computer and go out to run.

Šárka Bociánová
sarka.bocianova(zavinac)isob.cz

Hello my name is Ms. Sarka Bocianova and I will provide Speech Therapy sessions for the Early Years students at ISB. I am a Czech native, from Brno. I studied in Olomouc as a Speech Therapist and after university I completed my attestation as a Medical Speech Therapist and opened my private office for children and adults. I love my job, because speech is the highest human ability. Thanks to it we can communicate together and develop our society and the whole human world. I would be really grateful if I could assist in building and developing the communication between a child and a caring adult (parent/teacher/family member). I look forward to working with all of the Early Years families at ISB.