Základní škola

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

I am from Brno. I got my Master's at the Pedagogical Faculty of Masaryk University specialising in German and Physical Education. I have been teaching and working as an administrator at schools since 2001 and have been at ISB since 2008. I speak English, German, Spanish, Russian and Czech.

Jennifer Berry
jennifer.berry(zavinac)isob.cz

Greetings ISB community, my name is Jennifer Berry and I am excited to be joining the Senior Leadership Team at ISB. I am a proud Canadian who has completed a Bachelor of Arts in Geography at Lakehead University, as well as, a Masters of Science in Education at Medaille College. This is my tenth year in education 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. I am thrilled to be starting the next chapter of my life with the ISB community!

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 am excited to be joining the international community here at ISB. I grew up in the Middle East but I’m originally from Northern Ireland and Canada. So 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. This is my 9th year in education and I enjoy the diversity of an international classroom. I’m passionate about teaching and love to bring in my other passions into the classroom. These include sports, travel, puzzles and books! I look forward to this new adventure here st ISB.

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.

Jack Haddow
jack.haddow(zavinac)isob.cz

My name is Jack, and I'm originally from Cambridge in the UK. This is my first year teaching at ISB, and I am very excited to be here! I have a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Master of Arts in English. I also have many interests: I love art, literature, travelling and learning about other cultures. In my spare time, I read voraciously, take classes in French and visit many galleries and museums.

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.

Brian Tynan
brian.tynan(zavinac)isob.cz

Hello! I am originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee but I have been in Europe for 8 years. I completed my undergraduate degree at James Madison University before moving to Europe where I pursued a Master's Degree in England, Norway and Germany. I perviously taught at Carlsbad International School, The American International School of Budapest and The International School of Dusseldorf as well as coordinating programs for international schools at an outdoor center in Switzerland. I am interested in experiential education, game based teaching and project based learning. In my free time I enjoy making salsa, playing disc sports, any excuse to spend time outside and corresponding with friends and family.

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.

Hana Havelková
hana.havelkova(zavinac)isob.cz

Hi! I am from Humpolec, but I have been living in Brno for 8 years. I have masters degrees in Education focused on Music and Czech Language/Literature from Masaryk University in Brno and Dance Education from JAMU in Brno. Apart from teaching Music at ISB, I also teach modern dance at JAMU and I am a doctoral student at the Department of Music Education at Masaryk University focusing on multifaceted design in music education. This has led me to deepen my knowledge of the Orff-Schulwerk approach by studying at Orff Institute in Salzburg and then accepting a music teaching internship at the San Francisco School. Besides dancing and music I love theatre, sports esp. badminton, table tennis, volleyball, good food and travelling.

Jan Chlápek
jan.chlapek(zavinac)isob.cz

Ahoj :) My name is Jan and I have graduated at Masaryk University here in Brno as Physical education teacher and condition trainer. As you could guess I am very passionate about all kinds of sports and outdoor activities. My goal is to build a positive sport environment at our school and use sport activities as a tool to build healthy relationships between students, teachers and parents. I want to help our students to adopt positive attitudes towards physical activity while having a lots of fun :) Besides Czech and English i also speak Russian and little German.

Archie Baghernia
arghavan.bany@gmail.com

I am Arghavan, for easier pronounciation people also call me Ari or Archi. I grew up in Iran and moved to Brno one year ago for studying master degree. I have a bachelor in theater(dramatic literature) and am now studying master of cultural sociology in Masaryk university. I started teaching young children three years ago in a primary school in my hometown Tehran, when I had theater and English classes. I joined ISOB last year as an afterschool club teacher. Teaching young kids for me is a side job next to my studies but a very rewarding one. It is something that I really enjoy and learn from. Spending time with children challenges me everyday to keep my mind open and creative in order to bring them more fun and creativity. Also everyday this work gives me many ideas and inspiration for writing, which is my main passion and profession in life. I write stories, plays, journals and academic papers both in English and in my mother tongue Persian, and I sometimes freelancely take part in magazines and art and cultural events.

Gemma Hickman
gemma.hickman(zavinac)isob.cz

My name is Gemma and I'm originally from London. I studied history and politics in Dublin before working in the wine trade for a few years. After becoming a primary school teacher, I lived in Prague teaching at an international school there. I have lived in Brno for a few years and, after maternity leave, am really looking forward to be working in a school again.