Our Team – Committed, Qualified, International

Our team is made up primarily of long-standing staff members who are fully committed to our values and dedicate themselves wholeheartedly and with great motivation to their students.

  • "As Head of School, I see education as a journey – one where students gain knowledge, but also the courage to explore, the resilience to face challenges, and the confidence to take their next steps in life. My role is to make sure they feel supported and inspired along the way."

    Celina Steiner

    Campus Manager, Head of School

  • "I feel honoured to lead a school of such talent and diversity. It is so rewarding to see so many staff develop talents and leadership skills which of course means a better level of education for our students"

    Stephanie Wimmer

    Head of School

  • "What matters to me is that young people are able to develop their strengths. As Winterthur’s first private college, the International A Levels provide the flexibility they need to do exactly that."

    Lawrence Wood

    Campus Manager, Head of School

  • Julian Ackermann

    Teacher

  • "Art, to me, means encouraging creative forms of expression, sparking curiosity, and accompanying students on their artistic journey so that they can discover their own visual language."

    Roya Ahmady

    Teacher

  • "I enjoy inspiring students to find their own voice and approach to solving creative communicative multisensory challenges of the future."

    Christine Berger

    Teacher

  • "History is a tapestry of humanity — our greatest thinkers, our most selfless acts, and our worst mistakes. I try to make my classroom a place where students engage with that story, reflect on it, and realise its relevance to their own lives."

    Peter Bjorkheim

    Teacher

  • Marian Black

    Teacher

  • James Brocklehurst

    Teacher

  • Petra Buser

    Teacher

  • "The best thing at our School is the people within the school. Warm hearted, passionate, down to earth and extremely knowledgeable. "

    Alastair Bye

    Teacher

  • "From the moment children and young people enter the school, they should feel comfortable and welcome. In my role at reception and in administration, I strive to ensure smooth organisation and, in doing so, help create a warm and supportive environment for learning."

    Claudia Camenzind

    Reception & Administration

  • "I thrive on the challenge of English because I can invite the world into my classroom, invoke history, geography, context at a sweep all while encouraging and creating opportunities to hone inference, deduction, introspection, and analysis. "

    Nayana Chakrabarti

    Careers Advisor, Head of Languages, Teacher

  • Olga Chyketa

    Teacher

  • Luke Clark

    Teacher

  • "In my role I can combine my technical skills with my passion for education. My job allows me to contribute to the school's mission by not only setting up the necessary infrastructure but also by actively helping to integrate technology into teaching and learning strategies."

    Brandon Claxton

    Digital Learning & ICT Support

  • "What I love about my profession is this unique human connection – shaped by exchange, curiosity, and shared discoveries."

    Natalia Coquerelle

    Teacher

  • Nicole Coulibaly

    Teacher

  • "For me, being a teacher is not a job, but a calling. No two days are the same, and sometimes you have to throw all your plans out the window – but in the end, you are part of each individual's journey at this school."

    Dorothee Dara

    Teacher

  • "Au-delà d'apporter des connaissances aux élèves, mon objectif est de les guider dans leurs apprentissages pour qu'ils deviennent autonomes et de les rendre acteur de leurs apprentissages."

    Arnaud Depeupière

    Teacher

  • "For me, teaching means preparing young people for life after school, providing them with enough learning opportunities to do so and encouraging them to take responsibility for their own learning."

    Andrea Feix Ruf

    Teacher

  • "I strive to create a supportive and stimulating atmosphere that encourages each student to embrace their unique abilities and perspectives. "

    Nicoleta Florescu

    Teacher

  • Leia Ford

    NEO Coordinator, Teacher

  • "I am grateful to share my passion for foreign languages and culture and thus contribute to the development of open-minded and curious young individuals. "

    Stefanie Gabriel

    Teacher

  • "Academia International School provides education in a package with warmth, friendliness and unforgettable experiences. It's important to me that our students gain life experience with us."

    Christine Halver

    Reception & Administration

  • Kara Hathaway

    Teacher

  • "I firmly believe that education is holistic, and that fostering student agency and a love of learning beyond the confines of individual subjects is important."

    Sarah Heming

    Teacher

  • "What drives me is the belief that a great school doesn’t just teach—it uplifts, supports, and transforms. Every day offers the chance to inspire curiosity, challenge thinking, and guide young people toward becoming thoughtful, responsible citizens. "

    Kate Hurst

    Deputy Head of School, Teacher

  • "My learning philosophy: the teacher as an engineer—designing spaces where students learn how to learn. With responsible inquiry and collaborative exploration, learning becomes a habit that builds real-world skills."

    Perry Jackson

    Teacher

  • Gareth Jones

    Head of English across the curriculum, Teacher

  • "I particularly enjoy the versatile work, the exchange with the teachers and the contact with the students. Every day offers new exciting challenges!"

    Naomi Juchli

    SEN Coordinator

  • "I truly value our approach which allows students to progress at their own pace and in a way that is tailored to their individual needs. Through this, we help lay the foundation for their future career success by guiding them toward achieving their International A Levels."

    Romina Keller

    Head of Exams

  • "I want my students to see that Math is not just about attending classes and passing exams, but about uncovering mysteries—like working alongside Sherlock Holmes and Watson—where each equation holds a secret waiting to be revealed. "

    Iman Khan

    Teacher

  • "I enjoy that I can build relationships with our students in a small and bespoke educational environment, particularly with those students who have struggled in previous years, and to watch them thrive as we help them develop their self-esteem and metacognitive skills. "

    Michelle Kirby

    SEN Co-ordinator Teacher

  • "As a teacher, I always look for motivating students in ascertaining their inner strengths, abilities, and discovering what truly inspires them."

    Supriya Kulshreshtha

    Teacher

  • "My goal is to create an environment where all students can thrive. When students feel that their social and emotional needs are met, they can better focus on their academic tasks. With a combined school effort, our students are given the tools to meet their full potential in school and life."

    Ian Lacey

    Pastoral Care

  • "I am an educationalist committed to the idea that education is, after health, the most incredible privilege and a critical factor in developing informed, aware and actively engaged individuals. Encouraging and supporting students to maximise and fulfil their potential is a vocational gift."

    Peter Levine

    Teacher

  • "As a teacher, I believe that teaching goes beyond knowledge transfer and should always be a pleasant experience in which critical thinking is fostered. As an Exams Officer, I make sure that students have the best experience possible during the exams period. "

    Josimeire Lichtsteiner

    Head of Exams

  • "Teaching German as a foreign language is more than just grammar, sentence structure and vocabulary. Through my students, I am constantly learning new things about my native language and the culture that goes with it. And nothing is more rewarding than sharing the success of being able to communicate in a foreign language with my students."

    Gunda Lottermoser-Niedermeyer

    Teacher

  • "Physics opens a window into how the universe works, from the tiniest particles to the largest galaxies. Teaching is about more than exams, it is about awakening curiosity, encouraging bold questions, and nurturing independent, creative thinkers. "

    Raffaella Marino

    Teacher

  • "It is important to me that learning takes places in an inquisitive, creative and nurturing environment where the student can strive to achieve their full potential. "

    Rebecca Martin

    Head of Academics Teacher

  • "At Academia, I appreciate being part of a place where ideas matter, people matter, and education is lived rather than delivered."

    Michael Martinez

    Deputy Head of School - Student Experience & Development

  • "I hope to instill in my students the understanding that their worth is not defined by their performance in any one class, but that they possess intrinsic value simply by being who they are."

    Laura Mason Künzli

    Teacher

  • Bianca Müller

    Teacher

  • "I love to see students overcome difficult moments in their learning and feel pride in what they’ve accomplished. Of course I also love a great classroom discussion, where the students are engaged and excited to learn."

    Gregor Nazarian

    Teacher

  • "I enjoy the small class size and feel passionate about my subject and it gives me great satisfaction to kindle that passion in my students. "

    Ron Pataki

    Teacher

  • Lucien Patterson

    ICT Coordinator

  • "I want to create a fun learning environment for all the students where they can be curious and learn to use computers and technology creatively to design the systems that they envision."

    Ishika Paul

    Teacher

  • "I feel extremely privileged to have the opportunity to support students in learning the French language and culture, but also to develop personal skills such as growth-mindset and confidence."

    Cindy Porter

    Head of Modern Foreign Languages, Teacher

  • "To me it is important that my students become critical thinkers: about themselves and the world they live in. A good education should prepare them to make their own judgements and decisions, based on reasonable thinking and proper basic knowledge. "

    Ivo Reijerts

    Teacher

  • Bryony Richards

    Teacher

  • "I admire the unique opportunities that Academia offers to each, and every student. An inclusive environment enriches everyone's experience. Our achievements speak for themselves. "

    Jane Robinson

    Academics Coordinator Teacher

  • "Chemistry is more than formulas and reactions, it is a way of understanding the world around us. I enjoy guiding students to discover these connections and to see science as both meaningful and exciting."

    Angel Rodriguez

    Teacher

  • Nicole Rösch

    Teacher

  • "In guiding my students, I invite them to embark upon their own odyssey of inquiry, where curiosity becomes the compass, passion the fuel, and growth the inevitable horizon."

    Kumar Sarvesh

    Teacher

  • Yvonne Schayna

    Teacher

  • Philippe Seiler

    Teacher

  • "I joined Academia to keep sharing my passion for the French language in an environment that values people and curiosity. For me, teaching is about connection, growth, and making learning meaningful—and fun."

    Pauline Shokurov

  • "I really enjoy helping students improve their skills, and further develop their curiosity and understanding of Math and Science. "

    Leif Sjöberg

    Teacher

  • Kolja Smailus

    Teacher

  • "Learning in a bilingual environment opens up special opportunities for personal and professional development – that's what makes this school so special to me. I appreciate the international exchange and the innovative approach that is taken here."

    Ewelina Smarz

    Teacher

  • Emilie Smolders

    Teacher

  • "Watching young people become fun, fulfilled and responsible young adults who find their place in the world makes me intensely happy.

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    Jacqueline Steytler Lamer

    Teacher

  • "As Deputy Head Academics I have enjoyed seeing the School grow over the years and hopefully helped our Science and Maths adapt positively to these changes."

    Antonia Stockwell

    Deputy Head of School, Head of Academics, Teacher

  • "I love to share my passion for Mathematics with my students, to guide and help them to discover their true potential. It is also rewarding for me to see them striving and succeeding, as well as to see them becoming a more confident, self-motivated versions of themselves."

    Noemi Török

    Teacher

  • Sylvia Trifone

    Reception and Administration

  • "Having been part of Academia from its early stages of development, I really appreciate how hard everyone works to keep improving on the learning experiences for everyone in our school community."

    Carol Tye

    Head of Science and Maths Teacher

  • "With my background in science, I am passionate about encouraging students to ask questions, experiment, and explore the world around them. I love guiding them to think independently and discover that they are capable of more than they imagined. The lightbulb moments, when understanding sparks confidence, are the highlight of my teaching. "

    Kinga Umenhoffer

    Head of Science, Teacher

  • "Although being an experienced educator, I continue to discover new territories and aspects within the educational programs and platforms. This combined with the ongoing fascination of the real world and the rather complex present time we live, is what I love to embrace and share with others."

    Lars Vingnaes

    Teacher

  • "I enjoy working in a dynamic environment which is committed to improvement at all levels for the benefit of both students and staff. I highly appreciate the atmosphere of respect, support, and kindness that is encouraged."

    Linda Walsh

    Reception & Administration, Teacher

  • "I really enjoy the international background of our students, which is also often referred to in my lessons. Every student is unique and has their own story to tell, making teaching and learning much more interactive and entertaining. "

    Priska Weber

    Teacher

  • Jonathan Wollenberger

    Teacher

  • "I have a great passion to help students understand how deeply rooted and significant Mathematics is in our rapidly evolving IT, industrial, health and socio-economic sectors. "

    Shanika Wood

    Teacher