This year, 10 new secondary school teachers have joined AISB from every corner of the globe. As we welcome them into our community, here is a little information about each one of them.
Russell Croft
Q: Where did you move here from?
A: Hello AISB community. I moved to AISB from the UK this year. Prior to this I lived and worked in Sofia for 5 years and before that Cairo and Muscat for almost 15 years.
Q: What subject do you teach?
A: I am the High School Vice Principal and teach TOK to grades 11/12
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: I used to be an avid sportsman who now appreciates watching it! I enjoy music, horology, walking my dog and visiting places off the beaten track
Q: What’s something you’d like your students to know about you?
A: Although I am one of the 10% of the population who is left handed, when playing sport I will play either left or right handed dependent upon the game
Abigail Cohan
Q: Where did you move here from?
A: Ankara, Turkey
Q: What subject do you teach?
A: MYP Humanities
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: I have many interests. I love spending time in nature with my dog. I also enjoy adventure activities and have been paragliding, paramotoring, and canyoneering in some beautiful spots. I really enjoy learning about new cultures through food. I feel that people take a lot of pride when preparing traditional cuisine. I am a music lover and have been to over 100 concerts! I had a bizarre schedule last year that didn’t allow me to be very active. I am hoping to find a yoga studio, start practicing Zumba again, and hiking in the beautiful Romanian countryside soon. When I am not outdoors, I enjoy curling up with a good book on the couch.
Q: What’s something you’d like your students to know about you?
A: I’d like my students to know that I am here to help support them in being the best version of themselves they can be. Building a positive, caring, learning environment is important to me. This way students can take risks, and think creatively about the world we live in and the ways they can help to make it a better place.
Scott Langston
Q: Where did you move here from?
A: I spent the last four years in Luanda, Angola, with an 18 month stint in France during the height of COVID.
Q: What subject do you teach?
A: So, I’m now Counselling in Gr 6 and 7, but have previously been a Whole School Counsellor and a University Counsellor. I’ve also taught MYP Humanities, DP Geography and TOK.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: I enjoy making bread, vegan cooking, cycling, listening to music (especially old-school on vinyl) and I practice and teach mindfulness. Not all at the same time, obviously. I also read a fair bit, from popular science and psychology/philosophy to general fiction and sci-fi and biographies of folk I find interesting. I’m looking forward to visiting Romania, camping and cycling where possible, and learning some of the language.
Q: What’s something you’d like your students to know about you?
A: I might not always LOOK approachable, but that’s just my default face. Feel free to stop me anytime and anywhere to chat. I’m not great with names so don’t take it personally if I don’t remember yours… I’ll try! I’m genuinely excited to get to know this community, which so far feels inclusive and welcoming.
Ana Maria Boiangiu
Q: Where did you move here from?
A: I started my career teaching Romanian in Secondary and High School in the public school system. However, the vast majority of my experience took place at the International British School of Bucharest, where I taught for 15 years. That community was like a family for me which is why my decision to move on, looking for new challenges, was one of the hardest in my life.
Q: What subject do you teach?
A: I teach Romanian language and literature from year 6 up to year 10 and I already feel very connected with my new students and colleagues. I find the AISB community very welcoming, positive and supportive and I am very grateful for that.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: I love reading, traveling, dancing and watching tennis matches.
Q: What’s something you’d like your students to know about you?
A: I really enjoy our class discussions and I would like my students to feel free to express all their opinions without fearing they might get it wrong. I hope they will realize that literature is all about discovering themselves, challenging preconceptions and, more importantly, being a kind and positive person.
Jamie Cant
Q: Where did you move here from?
A: Malaysia, via Western Australia
Q: What subject do you teach?
A: MYP and DP Theatre
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: Walking in nature, visiting places of cultural significance with family, reading widely, watching movies, and live performance.
Q: What’s something you’d like your students to know about you?
A: My wife Ivy also works at AISB, and our two boys Adam and Hugo are here too in the Elementary School. I was fortunate to teach actor Heath Ledger (‘The Joker’ in ‘The Dark Knight’ Batman movie) early in my career. A bright light that went out too soon.
Alina Kovalenko
Q: Where did you move here from?
A: I was born and raised in beautiful Ukraine. At the end of March my PSI colleagues helped me leave my country and AISB kindly hosted me in Bucharest.
Q: What subject do you teach?
A: I am an EAL teacher by profession; in PSI I worked as a SEN assistant teacher, and here I started my path as a Library assistant.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: I wish adults had more hours per day to have a proper hobby time 🙂 I listen to music all the time, so it’s more of a habit than a hobby 🙂 I’ve been to every musical festival in Ukraine, not as a visitor, but as a part of a team. I used to dance for many many years but don’t do it any more; now I often find myself snowboarding and I like sports in general. I love to spend time reading a good book – thriller or drama preferably. I used to go to the cinema every two weeks (or even every week) and really want to come back to that habit. I love creating things by hand, it doesn’t matter which material: wood, clay or a piece of cloth… I am in. I speak 3 languages fluently and 2 at an elementary level. Back at home my friends and I had a team and took part in pub quizzes; several times we won first prize. I plan to travel around Ukraine and Europe by car one day.
Q: What’s something you’d like your students to know about you?
A: I am a problem solver (sometimes “maker” as well, but not so often). I am an idea generator. I love animals, all types and breeds (I have a wonderful cat Biscuit). I prefer mountains to the sea. I am very competitive and have a high sense of justice. I am doing my best to be green. I am always ready to help!
Samantha Linehan
Q: Where did you move here from?
A: I’m originally from a small town in Wisconsin, USA, but prior to coming to Bucharest to teach I was in Hong Kong, Poland, and Bangladesh.
Q: What subject do you teach?
A: I teach grade 7 and 8 English.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: I love to read, cook, sew, go hiking, play volleyball and board games.
Q: What’s something you’d like your students to know about you?
A: If I wasn’t teaching, my dream would be to renovate old houses or work at a publishing company specializing in young adult literature.
Elaine Callahan
Q: Where did you move here from?
A: Beijing, China
Q: What subject do you teach?
A: Film Studies for Grades 9, 10, 11, & 12
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: Lately, I really enjoy making digital art creations in Procreate. I like hiking, snowboarding, travel, dining at new restaurants and going for long walks. I’m also an avid movie-goer.
Q: What’s something you’d like your students to know about you?
A: I am passionate about the subject I teach (Film), and my aim is to spark that same enthusiasm in my Film students. I strive to give my students real practical skills that they can use forever and ever and ever. I also believe that creative life is an amplified life.
Joel Krasso
Q: Where did you move here from?
A: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Q: What subject do you teach?
A: Language acquisition and academic literature. I am also a co-teacher in Grade 8 science and humanities.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: I love hiking, I am very athletic and love anything that involves sports like tennis and volleyball. Football is the love of my life and my favourite team is Arsenal. I also love learning languages, cooking and eating.
Q: What’s something you’d like your students to know about you?
A: I would like my students that know that I will always be there to propel them and ensure that they’re able to be the best they can be and I will always advocate for them.
Elizabeth Eckenrode
Q: Where did you move here from?
A: I moved to Bucharest from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. I lived there for three years before I came to AISB.
Q: What subject do you teach?
A: At AISB I teach grade 6 English/Humanities and grade 7 English. In the past, I was an EAL teacher.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: My favourite hobby is playing video games at home. I love playing a new game on my Nintendo Switch or my Playstation 5. I’m also a big fan of kickboxing and reading books.
Q: What’s something you’d like your students to know about you?
A: I think one thing I would like my students to know about me is that I always want my classroom to be a safe space for them. I want them to feel comfortable and trust that I am always here to help them with whatever they need. I’m also happy to give them a quiet space if they need to decompress somewhere too.