The end of the school year is rapidly approaching and, as always, I would like to take this opportunity to provide you with an “update” of faculty changes for next school year. Below, you can find a brief introduction to the teachers who will join CAISL as well as a farewell to the teachers who are leaving us.
The following new staff members will join CAISL next year:
High School Social Studies Department
Joel Summerhayes joins CAISL to teach the IB Economics and IB Business and Management courses. Joel has an MBA from the University of Liverpool as well a teaching license in Business and Economics from Portsmouth University, in the UK as well as a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Business with Engineering. He has worked at schools in Kuwait, England, and Thailand in posts which included Head of IB Economics. In addition, he has also been a business training consultant, most recently in China.
High School Science Department
Maria Muñiz Valcárcel will be teaching High School Chemistry, including IB Chemistry, as well as serving as Coordinator of High School Sciences. She has her Master in Education from the University of Bath (UK) and a Master in Chemistry from Argentina as well as an Advanced Teaching Diploma for High Level Sciences from Argentina. Currently she is at an international school in the Ukraine where she is teaching IB Chemistry (HL and SL) and prior to that she was at the American International School of Buenos Aires where she also taught IB Chemistry as well as High School Chemistry and Physical Science. She is also an IB HL/SL Chemistry Principal Examiner and HL/SL Senior Moderator
Edite Briosa will be teaching High School Physics including the IB Physics program
She has a PhD in Physics as well as two Masters degrees, one in Medical Physics and one in Physics for Schools) as well as a Licenciatura in Biochemistry. She has most recently been Professor of Physics at the Instituto Superior de Saúde do Alto Ave – ISAVE. We were most fortunate to have Edite with us this spring as she became acquainted with our program and our students.
Jose Rocha will be teaching High School Biology, including IB Biology and Environmental Systems and Society. He has his Licenciatura from the University of the Algarve and is currently finishing his Master’s degree. He has 12 years of teaching experience in Biology, Environment, Sustainability, Health, and Geology.
High School English Department
Andrew Booth will be stepping into some of the High School English, including IB English, courses currently taught by Ms. Jaime Lynch (who will be assuming the role of College Counselor for the USA and UK applicants next year while continuing to teach a couple of classes). Andrew has a Bachelor’s Degree from Crown College, Powell, TN as well as a Master of Arts degree from Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA. Before coming to Portugal, Andrew taught High School English in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Secondary Arts Department
Mackenzie Boomer stepped into the Secondary Art position vacancy late in this year and will continue for the 2013-2014 year. Mackenzie will teach Grades 6 through 12 Art, including IB Art. She has her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and is licensed to teach both Primary and Secondary Art. Her most recent teaching experience before moving to Portugal was at HIGH TECH HIGH MEDIA ARTS in California.
Middle School
Jyl Nolan will be teaching 6th Grade at CAISL next year. She has her Master’s Degree from Humboldt State University in the USA as well as teaching credentials for all subjects for Elementary and Middle School from California. She is currently teaching Social Studies and Language Arts to 6th and 7th Graders in California.
Matt Nolan will also be teaching 6th Grade at CAISL next year. He has his Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of San Francisco. He is licensed for Elementary and Middle School in all subjects and has a specialization as well in Science.
Elementary School
Sarah Bento will be taking over the role of Elementary Counselor during Ms. Carla’s two-year leave of absence. Sarah has a both a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Instituto Superior de Psicologia Aplicada (ISPA) as well as Post-graduate work in the Specialization of Integrative Psychotherapy from Clínica Contemporânea and Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa (UAL). Sarah has long experience with CAISL, as a student and as a long-term substitute teacher and has been working in 2nd Grade this spring while also shadowing Ms. Carla to ensure a smooth transition.
The following faculty will be leaving CAISL:
Carla Silva Maia says, “After being at CAISL for 10 years, I’ll be moving to São Paulo, Brazil. My son, Tiago, and I will be joining my husband who was transferred there early this year. During our stay in Brazil, I will be the Lower School Counselor at Graded-The American School of São Paulo. We will miss CAISL very much and hope to return to Portugal and CAISL in the near future!
Justin Wallace is moving to Paraguay next year to teach Kindergarten at the American School of Asuncion. He would like to say a huge thank you to the CAISL community for 5 amazing years!
Kyle King and Mimi Ryan, with their daughter Paz, are moving to Bali, Indonesia, where Kyle will be teaching at the Green School. Paz will attend the school while Mimi focuses on non-profit work.
João Rangel de Lima, currently teaching High School Science at CAISL, leaves after 3 years to pursue other interests.
Doug Abshire, currently teaching High School Science at CAISL, will be joining the faculty of the American School of Madrid next year.
Tânia Mendes came to CAISL to fill a short-term vacancy in the Early Childhood Program. Her plan for next year is to become a mother for the 2nd time, with the baby expected in October.
Ricardo Oliveira was hired on short-term contracts to fill vacancies in the Early Childhood Program. He will continue to work with CAISL this summer by providing a Drama Program for Early Childhood.
Steve Maday arrived at CAISL in late September to fill a one-year emergency vacancy in High School Science and will seek new opportunities for next year.
