Faculty
and Staff
2013-2014
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Mission
Statement
Developing
innovative, compassionate and responsible citizens of the world
Innovative
being creative and open-minded in developing a passion for learning.
Compassionate
showing strength of character and a sense of kindness and caring.
Responsible
making decisions that take into account the community and environment.
Citizens of the world
international understanding by bridging cultures, having respect for and tolerance of
others.
Founders
Mr. Fred C. and Sigrid B. Ott
Founders and Directors Emeritus
Mr. and Mrs. Ott, named “Honorary Citizens” by
the Leysin Town Council in June 2007, realized
their vision of an international school to develop
“global citizen leaders” in 1960. Through the
founding of the International Ranger Camps in
1949, LAS in 1960, and the American College
in 1963, they were pioneers in the transition
of the community of Leysin into a world-class
center for international education. Fred passed
away in November 2007. Sigrid, still active in
her early nineties, enjoys retirement and a view
of the dynamic evolution of LAS, from the Chalet
Dakota on the Alpine hill below campus.
Leadership
D i r e cto r s
Chair of Board
Dr. K. Steven Ott
Administrative Director
Mrs. Doris Ott
Head of School
Dr. Marc-Frédéric Ott
Business Development & SIS
Mr. Christoph Ott
S c h o o l A dm i n i str ative T eam
Head of School
Dr. Marc-Frédéric Ott
Principal
Mr. Stephen Dexter
Director of Studies
Mr. Wes Goldsberry
Academic Affairs Assistant
Ms. Liz Fulton
Dean of Students
Mr. Paul Fomalont
Assistant Dean of Students
Mrs. Phoebe Bigelow
Director of Residential Life
Ms. Marta Krause
8th & 9th Grade Coordinator
Mrs. Andie Flett
Director of Finance
Mr. Maurice Felli
Director of Student Life & Assoc. Dir. of SIS
Ms. Mary Field Keenan
Dean of the Belle Époque
Mr. William Johnson
Director of SIS & Professional Learning
Dr. Paul Magnuson
Director of Learning Support
Mr. Zoltan Nagy
Director of Information Technology
Mr. Bill Tihen
Director of Safety and Security
Mrs. Robin Moore
S tu d e nt S u ppo rt S taff
Registrar and Admin. Offices Manager
Ms. Emma Dixon
Counselors
Ms. Stephanie Johnson
Ms. Kellie McGill
College Counselors
Mr. Winfield Lowman
Mrs. Audrey Hanowitz
Mr. Stephen Darby
School Nurses
Mrs. Thabbeth Cotton
Mr. Bryn Hagan
Mrs. Chris Magnuson
Mr. Aaron Clark
Athletic Director and Activities Coordinator
Mr. Ethan Harris
A dm i ss i o n s & D eve lo pm e nt S taff
Director of Admissions - Americas & Corporations
Mr. Paul Dyer
Director of Development
Mr. Benjamin Smith
Director of Admissions - Western Europe
Mr. Christoph Ott
Director of Admissions - Eastern Europe
Ms. Angela Kasperovich
Associate Director of Admissions - Latin America
Ms. Patricia Gomes
Associate Director of Admissions - South Asia
Ms. Viwan Opanukij
Director of Admissions - Far East
Mr. Jonathan Hilton
Admissions Associate & Alumni Relations Coordinator
Mrs. Melati Cattanach
Relationship Manager- Japan
Mr. Hiroki Nakajima
Admissions Associate
Mrs. Danka Perreault
Admissions Associate - China
Mr. Guang Cai
Human Resources Assistant
Ms. Stéphanie Dormond
Alumni Coordinator
Mr. Fred Sharp
Web & Publications Coordinator
Ms. Kimberly Treese
D e partm e nt H ead s
English
Mrs. Joan Flynn
English-as-a-Second-Language
Mr. Aaron Deupree
Modern Languages
Mrs. Sarah Goodman
Social Studies
Mrs. Patricia Ward Cooper
Science
Mr. Chris Leonhard
Mathematics
Mr. Jason Murphy
Fine Arts
Mr. Neal Hanowitz
D o r m H ead s
Eden
Savoy
Mr. Ethan Harris
Mr. Daryl Hitchcock
Belle Époque (boys)
Mr. Mike Brinkmeyer
Belle Époque (girls)
Mrs. Carolyn Swanson
Beau Site
Mrs. Suzy Meyskens
Vermont
Mrs. Andie Flett
Directors
Steven Ott, BS, MS, PhD
Stanford University
LAS Chairman of the Board
Dr. Steven Ott was Executive Director of LAS from 1982 to 2009. Previously
he had worked in the environmental services industry in the Middle East and
both taught and served as an administrator at LAS and the American College
of Switzerland. Dr. Ott spearheaded 27 years of growth and expansion at LAS.
Presently he coordinates all aspects of long-range planning and oversees all
financial matters of the School. He also welcomes parents and alumni to the
School. In his free-time, he goes sailing, travels around the world, and enjoys
reading and spending time with his grandchildren.
sott@las.ch
Responsibilities: works with the Head of Operations, Administrative Director and
Head of School in making long-range planning and investment proposals to the
Board, budgeting and financial management. While he is no longer involved in
daily operations, he serves on the Executive Committee of the School.
Doris Ott, BA, Swiss Commerical Studies Diploma
Columbia University
Administrative Director
dott@las.ch
Mrs. Doris Ott has worked in partnership with her husband Steven since they
collectively assumed leadership of the school in 1982. Her primary role, as
Administrative Director, is to support the LAS staff through all aspects of human
resources. Her attention to detail and knowledge of the Swiss governmental
systems complements her ability to package her job with a caring, patient
concern for every member of the LAS family. In addition, Mrs. Ott serves as Chair
of the LAS Foundation Board. She also welcomes parents and alumni to the
School. In her free-time, she enjoys traveling, reading and spending time with
her grandchildren.
Responsibilities: oversees all human resources and government relations work.
She works with the Chairman of the Board, Head of Operations, and Head of
School in making long-range planning and investment proposals to the Board,
budgeting and financial management.
Marc-Frédéric Ott, BA, MA, EdD
Educational Administration, Columbia University
Private School Leadership, Columbia University
Teaching Business, Economics, Accounting and Law, University of
St. Gallen
Managing Director, Head of School
Dr. Marc-Frédéric Ott grew up in Switzerland and in the Middle East. After earning
a Masters degree in Teaching Business, Economics, Accounting and Swiss Law from
the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland, he moved to the United States to work for
LAS in the U.S. Admissions Office. He then earned a Masters degree in Private School
Leadership followed by a Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Administration
at Columbia University. In 2005, he assumed the position of Director of External
Relations overseeing all admissions, marketing, alumni relations and fund-raising. In
August 2009, he became Head of School. His wife, Stephanie, is a medical doctor in
Leysin and they have one child, Anna Claire. He loves to travel, do alpine sports, read,
and spend time with family and friends.
mott@las.ch
Responsibilities: reports to the Board and represents the Board at the School. He is
responsible with the LAS Chairman of the Board, Administrative Director, and Head of
Operations for long-range planning, investment proposals to the Board, budgeting and
financial projections. He appoints the Principal, the Deans as well as all administrators
at the School.
Christoph Ott, BS, MS, PhD
University of Lausanne, Marketing
Industrial Engineering, Federal Institute of Technology Zurich
Managing Director, Head of Operations
Dr. Christoph M. Ott joined LAS in 2006 in the Business Development Department
after completing his masters thesis on expansions strategies for LAS. He has been
involved in several projects in areas as diverse as IT, the renovation of the Belle Epoque
campus and the LAS Partner Campus Project. In 2011 he earned a Doctorate from the
University of Lausanne in marketing. In August 2012, he was appointed as Managing
Director, Head of Operations. During off-hours Christoph enjoys spending time in the
outdoors with sons, Jonas and Alek, and wife, Gosia, who serves as the school¹s
Scholarship Coordinator.
Responsibilities: reports to the Board and represents the Board at the School. He is
responsible for LAS admissions and marketing. Oversee the following LAS departments:
Information Technology, Campus Store, Support Services (Transportation, Food
Services, Facility Management, and Maintenance & Construction) and Summer in
Switzerland program.
cott@las.ch
School Administrative Team
Stephen F. Dexter, Jr., BA, MEd, CAGS
McGill University, Boston College, UMass/Boston
Principal
Mr. Stephen Dexter has 14 years’ experience as an educator and administrator.
He is a graduate of McGill University (BA), Boston College (MEd), and UMass/
Boston (CAGS). Prior to his career in education, he served in Togo, West Africa for
three years (1988-91) as a Peace Corps Volunteer, where he worked with remote
villages on projects such as building desks for local schools. It is also where he met
his wife, Stephanie.
sdexter@las.ch
Stephen looks forward to his fifth year at LAS where the mission to develop
“innovative, compassionate, responsible citizens of the world” will drive his
core philosophy. His wife, Stephanie, a University of Virginia and Smith College
graduate, looks forward to supporting new faculty in the upcoming year and
working with the school counselor to support LAS students.
His 13 year old son Ian enters his second year in the Leysin schools, speaking fluent
French while daughter Zoe enjoys being six in the alps.
Responsibilities: All academic matters and all academic staff members. He
evaluates, with the support of the other Deans, all faculty members. He overseas
the hiring of faculty. He is responsible for all matters relating to academic affairs
and for proposing academic programs to the Executive Committee. He is the only
permanent member of the Executive Committee who is not a School Director. In
the absence of the Head of School, he is in charge of all school matters.
Paul Fomalont, BSc, MEd
University of Virginia
Dean of Students
pfomalont@las.ch
Mr. Paul Fomalont grew up in the small town of Green Bank, West Virginia, in the
heart of the Appalachian Mountains. His family moved to Virginia and he attended
The University of Virginia. After graduation, he returned to West Virginia and spent
the next four years working as a rock climbing guide at Seneca Rocks, while
enjoying climbing around the country. He got his first math teaching job at the Blue
Ridge School, a small private boarding school in Virginia. He then returned to the
University of Virginia after four years of teaching to get his Master’s in Education.
He then moved to New England and worked at The Putney School in Vermont for
the next six years as a math instructor, coaching soccer, and chairing the math
department as well as living in the dorm.
Paul Magnuson, BA, MA, PhD
University of Minnesota
Director of Summer Programs & Professional Learning
Dr. Paul Magnuson has a PhD in Curriculum & Instruction from the Universtiy of
Minnesota. His MA is in English as a Second Language; his BA in philosophy
and music. He has worked in the areas of foreign language/ESL instruction and
educational policy at the Minnesota Department of Education. He has also
spent 20 years working with summer camp programming, including Concordia
Language Villages of Minnesota and the Middlebury Monterey Language
Academy in Vermont.
pmagnuson@las.ch
William Johnson, BA, MEd
Stanford University, CUNY
Dean of the Belle Époque Campus
Originally from Atlanta, Mr. William Johnson pursued higher education in California
and New York. He began teaching in the NYC Public schools and most recently
worked in an international school in Rome teaching history and serving as IB
Coordinator.
Will arrived in Leysin with his wife Sara Veroni, a native of Rome, and they have
since been joined by their new daughter, Anna. At least one of them enjoys
all of the following: cooking, travel, reading, orchids, weightlifting, eBay, graffiti,
skymiles, guitar, and trying to make the fob work.
wjohnson@las.ch
Ms. Phoebe Bigelow
Commonwealth College, Houston, Texas
Assistant Dean of Students
pbigelow@las.ch
Mrs. Phoebe Bigelow was born in Indianapolis, Indiana and moved to a rural town in
Colorado where she grew up on a sod farm. After high school, she moved to Houston
Texas for her education in science and then came back home to Colorado where she
met her husband, Ira Bigelow. After several years of being at home with her three
beautiful children, she got back into the work force supervising the Saturday Morning
Instrumental Program for the Denver Public Schools and managed an office for a
technology consulting firm. She enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, crafting.
Andie Flett, BEd
Simon Fraser University, British Columbia
Grade 8/9 Coordinator and Vermont Dorm Head
aflett@las.ch
Mrs. Andie Flett began her teacher education in her favourite spot: the mountains. She
taught skiing on Whistler Mountain in beautiful British Columbia, Canada for ten years
while completing her Bachelor of Education from Simon Fraser University. She has
minors in English, Developmental Psychology, and International and Global Education.
She says “Yes, it’s true; it takes about twice as long to finish this degree if you stop
to smell the fresh mountain air.” Between university courses, she smelled a lot of that
fresh mountain air on climbing and ski trips in Canada and abroad. She began her
teaching career with an adventure working in a middle school in Oaxaca, Mexico
before “settling down” at an independent School in Squamish BC in 2005. Here, she
spent 7 years teaching grades 1-6 core subjects as well as specializing in French, violin,
and fiber arts for grades 1 through 8.
In 2009, her husband Derek and their son Leo spent the summer in Leysin working
for SIS; truthfully, they didn’t want to leave. Commitments back home prevailed as
well as their desire to have a second child. Three years later Leo is 6, Viola will be 3 in
September and they are thrilled to be fulfilling their dream of returning to work at LAS.
They bring with them a love for mountains, young people, international and regional
culture, sports (especially skiing!), chocolate, and all types of adventure.
Faculty and Administrative Personnel
Fabio Aguiar, BPE
Campinas State University, UNICAMP, Brazil
Extended Learning Support Program Coordinator
Mr. Fabio Aguiar was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil and moved in to Campinas where
he grew up and graduated in Physical Education at Campinas State University –
UNICAMP, he was coach of several FutSal (indoor soccer), Soccer and Handball
College teams in Brazil, he also worked as a PE Teacher and Leisure coordinator at
underserved communities in Sao Paulo State, Brazil. In 2006, he moved to United
Kingdom where he worked as a Teaching Assistant and 2008 he was working with
Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. Mr. Aguiar loves sports, especially soccer.
fjorgeagui@las.ch
DeLona Allers, MEPD, ESL, BA
University of Wisconsin
ESL Teacher
dallers@las.ch
Ms. DeLona Aller’s journey to become an ESL teacher started out the normal way
by traveling to a foreign country and falling in love with travel. She started traveling
in high school to Russia and later decided to pursue a degree in Russian and Soviet
Studies at the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse and eventually University of WisconsinMilwaukee. In college, she lived in Russia and Latvia for some of her most memorable
months. After graduating, she decided to pursue her teaching license in Russian and
ESL. After teaching in Shorewood and Madison, Wisconsin, she made the decision to
move to Switzerland where she is currently in her third year at LAS. In her spare time,
she taught swimming lessons to little children, water aerobics and CPR classes in the
Madison and Shorewood communities. You may find her outside walking towards
Eagle’s Nest or at the pool in Leysin.
Salvatore Andaloro
Campus Store Manager, Cell Phone Coordinator
Originally from Messina, Sicily, Mr. Salvatore Andaloro has been living in Switzerland
since 1991. Before LAS he worked at the Richemont Hospital in Leysin. He began
working at LAS in 1997 and is currently the manager of the campus store. He also
coordinates the cell phone program at the school. He lives in the village with his wife,
Claudine and children, Maëliss age 16, Amael age 11 and Eloan, age 4.
sandaloro@las.ch
Jamie Archer
Pacific University
English/History Teacher
jarcher@las.ch
Ms. Jamie Archer is thrilled to begin teaching at Leysin American School. She has an
extensive background in history, philosophy and literature studies graduating at the
top of her class with honors at OSU and in the MAT program at Pacific University.
Over the last five years she has taught over twenty different courses at three schools
in Oregon. A former long distance runner and rugby player, her hobbies also include
hiking, horseback riding, backpacking, rock climbing and mountaineering. She loves
to travel and has visited various countries in Europe and Africa, including a recent trip
to Tanzania to climb Mt Kilimanjaro and Ol Doinyo Lengai. She has also explored the
United States, from Time Square to the wild Canyonlands that inspired Edward Abbey,
even following that “road less traveled” backpacking along unmarked trails in grizzly
country Montana. She finds the words of literature and history are never static, but
leap from the page as a catalyst for inspiration and adventure.
Violeta Arsic-Stanojevic, IATA Advanced Tourism degree
Hosta Hotel and Tourism School
LAS Travel Agency Director
Originally from Serbia, Ms. Violeta Arsic attended the Leysin American School,
graduating in 1997. After graduating from HOSTA Hotel and Tourism School, Ms. Arsic
returned to the Leysin American School as Director of our school’s Travel Office. She
speaks Serbo-Croatian, Russian, French, English and some German.
travel@las.ch
Raphael da Cunha Aschenbrenner-BSc, PGCE
London South Bank University, University of Brighton.
MA in International Education (to be completed in June 2013)
at Endicott College
Teacher of Psychology IB.
raschenbrenner@las.ch
Mr. Raphael Aschenbrenner is from Brazil, where he attended psychology at the
Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), later immigrating to the UK,
undertaking psychology for the second time, specializing in Terror Management
Theory, working closely with the National Health System in anti-smoking and anti
reckless driving campaigns. Prior to teaching Raphael used to be the treasurer of the
psychology academy at the London South Bank University, fostering experimental
and non-experimental psychological research such as Neuro Linguistic Programming,
enabling him to actually walk on fire.
Maryanne Bertazzo, BA Honours, MA
Rhodes University, Ohio University
Mathematics Teacher
Maryanne Bertazzo is happily married to Danilo, and mother of Danilo jr., Francesca
and Antonella. Born in George, a small town on the southern tip of Africa, and
destined to travel, she studied at Rhodes University, South Africa earned BA and
Honours degrees, and then moved to the USA and earned a Masters at Ohio
University. She has taught in South Africa, USA and Switzerland. After first teaching
at LAS in 1986 for five years, she has now returned “home” and is looking forward
to teaching Mathematics and Yearbook.
mbertazzo@las.ch
Ira Bigelow, PhD
Metropolitan State College of Denver
University of Colorado at Boulder
Performing Arts Teacher
ibigelow@las.ch
Dr. Ira Bigelow provides music instruction for students enrolled at the Leysin
American School. He holds degrees in Music Education and Choral Conducting from
Metropolitan State College of Denver and University of Colorado at Boulder; he also
holds a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership and Innovation from University of
Colorado at Denver. For the past 27 years Dr. Bigelow has delivered instruction and
managed arts programs for numerous educational institutions including Denver Public
Schools, Wellshire Presbyterian Church in Denver, CO, Community College of Denver,
Colorado Online Learning, Denver Junior Police Choir, ArtsStreet, and University of
Colorado at Denver.
Adam Bradford, BS, MA, PGCE
University of Plymouth, Bristol University
Science Teacher
abradford@las.ch
Inspired by his first time diving in Fiji Adam went on to study Marine Biology and
Oceanography at the University of Plymouth, where he met his partner Maja Panayi.
He stayed on to complete a Masters of Research degree in Marine Biology, where he
carried out research at the Plymouth Marine Laboratories. After graduating Adam
spent time traveling and working as a dive master in Malaysia. Upon returning he
completed a PGCE in science education at Bristol University in 2010. He went on
to teach science at schools in the south west of England. He is passionate about
all sciences and enjoys teaching with an investigative approach. Adam loves any
past times that involve being in the great outdoors. In particular his interests include
climbing, hiking, cycling, skiing, cooking and travelling.
Mike Brinkmeyer, BS, MA
Georgia Southern University, Florida State University
French Teacher + BE Boys Dorm Head
mbrinkmeyer@las.ch
Mr. Mike Brinkmeyer grew up in Jacksonville, Florida and earned his BS in Education
from Georgia Southern University. He also holds an MA in French Literature from Florida
State University. Upon finishing his undergraduate degree, Mike spent a year living in
Paris and working as an English teacher in a French high school. Before coming to LAS
in 2006, he spent seven years teaching French in the Washington, DC area. In past
summers, he has directed a program for high school students in the south of France
and worked as a dorm head in the LAS Summer in Switzerland program. In addition
to teaching, Mike has a strong interest in endurance sports. He coaches the LAS swim
team and is an avid cyclist and marathon runner.He lives in Leysin with his wife Sandra
and their son Adrian.
Pablo Brislance, BA
St. Olaf College, Minnesota
English Teacher
pbrislance@las.ch
Mr. Pablo Brislance graduated from St. Olaf College, in Northfield, Minnesota, with a
BA in English in 1981. Since then he has been busy trying to find his way in the world.
He was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Thailand from 1983-85 and spent the bulk of his
time there helping to combat malaria. The next eight years were spent working in the
U.S. in the travel industry. His first teaching position was in Japan, when he worked
for the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET) in Gifu Prefecture from 1993-95.
From Japan he moved to Spain, where he taught ESL for five years in Blanes, a bustling
Mediterranean tourist town on the Costa Brava. In 2000, Mr. Brislance moved to
Leysin, Switzerland where he has been teaching ESL at LAS ever since. Mr. Brislance
loves to travel and likes to boast that he has been to more than 40 countries. He is
conversant in Spanish and speaks rusty Thai.
Sion Brocklehurst
Sheffield University
Social Studies Teacher
Mr. Sion Brocklehurst studied Archaeological Science at Sheffield University; during
this time taking part in excavations at locations ranging from the Scottish Island of
Barra through to central Spain. A particular interest in Industrial Archaeology and early
metal working, seeing him specialize in early Bronze Age metallurgy. After graduating,
Sion traveled the world, living and working in New Zealand for a year, taking the
opportunity to explore other cultures and pursue interests in climbing and skiing. Upon
his return to Britain he completed a teaching qualification at Sheffield University and
went on to teach Social Studies at schools in the north of England.
sbrocklehu@las.ch
Denise Bugnon
Telephonist-Receptionist - Leysin
Receptionist
dbugnon@las.ch
Mrs. Denise Bugnon was born in Leysin and has spent her entire life here and agrees it
truly is a “magic mountain.” It’s the home of her parents, brothers and sons and now
grand-sons. She followed an apprenticeship as telephonist-receptionist after school
and also spent time in England as an au-pair. She worked in the Manufacturing Clinic
in Leysin, the Club Vagabond for five years and later managed a hotel restaurant in
Neuchâtel. She was married to the former chef of LAS, Roger, and they have two sons.
After 18 years in the student accounting office at Glion Hotel School and HOSTA Hotel
School before it was acquired by Glion, she joined LAS in 2005, also in the accounting
office. She now works part-time in the reception.
Guang Cai, MSc
Donghua University
Admissions Associate - China
Mr. Guang Cai has been a teacher for eight years in East China University (formerly
China Textile University). He received his Master’s Degree in Engineering from the same
university. Joining LAS in 2008, Mr. Cai has been in charge of admissions in China. He
enjoys building connections between families and the School.
gcai@las.ch
Melati Cattanach, BA
Glion Institute, Hospitality Management and Tourism
Admissions Associate & Alumni Relations Coordinator
mcattanach@las.ch
mcattanach@las.ch
Mrs. Melati Cattanach grew up in 14 different countries throughout her childhood
and graduated from LAS in 2001. She has now settled down in her homeland of
Switzerland, but still enjoys traveling with her family. She joined LAS a few years back
as part of the admissions team and later joined the Alumni department. She is now
currently helping with the recruitment in the admissions and also working along side
Fred Sharp to reconnect with all alumni across the globe! She lives in a village called
Chemin-Dessus in the Valais region with her husband, Dave, her 5 year old son Liam
and 3 year old son Noah.
Patricia Ward Cooper, BA, MA
University of Tennessee, Michigan State University
Social Studies Teacher
pcooper@las.ch
Mrs. Patricia Cooper was born and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee and has lived
in Switzerland for over 25 years. She studied Cultural Studies and Linguistics at the
undergraduate level before earning a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Teaching.
She has also earned a Master’s in Military History at Norwich University. Mrs. Cooper
began teaching at L.A.S. in January 2002, and has taught a variety of courses in
both the E.S.L. and Social Studies departments. She currently teaches E.S.L. Senior
Humanities and T.o.K.. She is married and lives with her family in Les Voettes near Les
Diablerets in their over 200 year old chalet. Both Mrs. Cooper’s sons are graduates
from L.A.S.
Thabbeth S. Cotton BA, SRN, Dip Stomal.
University of South Africa, (UNISA) Pretoria. School of nursing Zimbabwe
& Cape Town.
School Nurse
Prior to LAS, Mrs. Thabbeth Cotton worked in both government and private hospitals
in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. She also worked with a humanitarian organization for the
Children in Crises. She came to Switzerland in 2008 and took up Free lance nursing
in Geneva and Lausanne. She spends time in summer working for Sethule Trust, an
organization for Orphans and marginalized children. She is married to Michael and
has two children.
tcotton@las.ch
Stephen Darby, BA, MEd
University of Missouri - Columbia
College Counselor
Mr. Stephen Darby was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. He received both his
B.A. in Psychology and M.Ed. in Counseling from the University of Missouri - Columbia.
Throughout his university studies and prior to beginning his counseling career in 2005,
he worked as a bicycle mechanic. His previous counseling work includes three years
at a public school in Missouri, and two years at an international school in South Korea.
Mr. Darby spends his free time seeking out adventures, enjoying the outdoors, riding
his bike, traveling and spending quality time with people.
sdarby@las.ch
Lucy Davis, BBS, MJ, DT
University of Queensland
Biology Teacher
Ms. Lucy Davis is from Brisbane Australia and has been teaching since 2007. Prior to
teaching, she worked in genetic research for the Botany department of the University
of Queensland, Australia. She has taught Science and Computer Studies but her
favorite subject is of course Biology. She has worked at LAS teaching Biology since
January 2012. She loves learning new things, teaching, technology, travel, scuba
diving, arts and crafts, music, cooking, writing, reading and photography. Being from
sunny Queensland, she finds alpine winters very exciting and beautiful.
ldavis@las.ch
Kelly Deklinski, BSE, MM
Indian Univerisity of PA, Florida State University
Music Teacher
kdeklinski@las.ch
Ms. Kelly Deklinski is a graduate of the Cook Honors College at Indiana University of
PA where she received a B.S. in Music Education. In 2008 she graduated from the
Florida State University where she studied music performance on full scholarship. She
has spent the last four years working as Associate Director of the widely recognized
Choctawhatchee Style Marchers, a scholastic band program comprising marching,
concert, and jazz bands, in addition to percussion studies and color guard. She
is an active guest clinician and performer and most recently served as a judge at
International Trumpet Guild (ITG) conference. In her spare time, Kelly enjoys running,
cycling, painting, reading, and cooking.
Aaron Deupree, Cambridge CELTA BS, MEd
Boston University, Endicott College
ESL Department Chair
adeupree@las.ch
Mr. Aaron Deupree grew up in Oklahoma, got his B.S. in Communication at Boston
University and completed his M.Ed from Endicott College in Massachusetts. He
undertook his teacher training in South Africa, working with refugees from the
Democratic Republic of Congo, and has also taught in a variety of contexts including
Japan and France. Before coming to LAS in 2003, he spent a year working with
an experiential service-based education program based in California, planning and
leading semester programs based on conservation and humanitarian work in Fiji, New
Zealand and Australia. Mr. Deupree enjoys the outdoors, learning languages, playing
his guitar, traveling and reading, and most of all, being a father to Isla.
Katy Deupree, BA, MA
The University of Aberdeen, The University of Leicester
ESL Teacher/Social Studies
Ms. Katy Deupree grew up in Edinburgh, Scotland and graduated from the Universities
of Aberdeen and Leicester in the United Kingdom. She has been working in the
LAS English as a Second Language department teaching Social Studies since 2004.
Before teaching at LAS, Ms. Deupree taught English as a Second Language in Japan
and France and worked as a museum educator in northern England. Ms. Deupree
greatly enjoys the outdoors, travel, and studying French and spending time with her
daughter Isla.
kdeupree@las.ch
Emma Dixon, HND, Business, Finance, Tourism
Bournemouth University
Registrar and Admin. Offices Manager
Ms. Emma Dixon grew up in England and Scotland and attended boarding school from
the age of 8. After working for Walt Disney World in Florida, and then for the Island
of Jersey Tourist Office in London, she came to Leysin in 1998 to work with a British
ski tour operator. She spent the summers living and working on various Greek Islands
but returned to Leysin in 2002 to work at LAS. She enjoys living in the mountains very
much, both in summer and winter. She is fluent in French and can “get by” in a few
other languages too.
edixon@las.ch
Erin Dobson, BA, MS
University of Connecticut, Fairfield University, MA
Science Teacher
Ms. Erin Dobson came to LAS after teaching high school science in Greenwich,
Connecticut. Ms. Dobson coached cross country, skiing and track and field while
in Connecticut. In her free time, she enjoys running, skiing, yoga and spending
time in the natural outdoors. She is passionate about teaching Science, specifically
Human Anatomy and Physiology and the link between living things and the changing
environment. Since joining LAS she has been blessed with daughters Siena and Rylie.
edobson@las.ch
Stéphanie Dormond
Commercial Apprenticeship - Leysin American School
ISO/Student & Staff Database Coordinator
sdormond@las.ch
Ms. Stéphanie Dormond discovered and started working at LAS as an “apprentice”
when she was 16 (1991). During her 3 years of apprenticeship and first year as an
“employée de commerce,” she worked for several departments such as Activities &
Travel, Accounting and Admissions. In between, she worked in hotel administration
in Les Diablerets and in a security company in Montreux. She came back to LAS in
1997 as a receptionist and moved after one year to the Quality Management System
Department, while also working as the DB Coordinator. Since 1997, she has worked
in the Travel Office, Accounting, Staff Administration, Admissions and now works with
Mrs. Ott in the Human Resources Department. She enjoys new challenges and has
had the opportunity to discover and learn much about the many aspects of the LAS
organization.
Joelle M. Durrenbach, DEUG, License, MA
Universite Marc Bloch (France), Miami University (Ohio)
French Teacher
Ms. Joelle Durrenbach was born and raised in Saverne, France, a little town oustide of
Strasbourg, located in the Alsace region. After earning her D.E.U.G. and License from
the Universite Marc Bloch in Strasbourg, she moved to Ohio and taught French at
Oberlin College, Miami University and Lake Ridge Academy. After spending 8 years in
the U.S.A., she was excited to move back to Europe and join LAS in 2007. She loves to
read, travel and cook. She also enjoys Alpine sports.
jdurrenbach@las.ch
Paul Dyer, B.A., J.D.
Bowdoin College, Northeastern University School of Law
Director of Admissions - Americas & Corporations
pdyer@las.ch
Mr. Paul Dyer is starting his thirteenth year at LAS and is based in Miami, Florida. He
is in charge of recruiting in North and South America and travels extensively in those
regions. Fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, he greatly enjoys working with students
and families to share his knowledge about the LAS experience. He also helps families
from the corporate and government sectors in situations where the employer is
paying the student’s tuition. Mr. Dyer previously worked in Leysin as Director of
Admissions and in the United States as Director of US Admissions and Director of
Latin America Admissions. His son, Andres, spent three years at LAS, graduating in
2006. His daughter, Mariela, has participated in the school’s summer program for six
years. His wife, Elizabeth, is from Ecuador. Mr. Dyer graduated from Bowdoin College
and also earned a law degree at the Northeastern University School of Law. His prior
experience includes work in the fields of law, business, educational administration
and teaching. Mr. Dyer loves to travel, play ice hockey and dance merengue. He grew
up in the Boston area of the US and is a proud fan of his championship sports teams.
Karen Ekman-Baur, BA, MA
Florida State University, Florida Atlantic University
Director of College Counseling
kekmanbaur@las.ch
Mrs. Karen Ekman-Baur is joining the LAS staff this year as Director of College
Counseling. She is from Florida, but has been living in Germany since 1976 with her
husband, Werner. Mrs. Ekman-Baur holds a Bachelor's degree in Education from Florida
State University and a Master's degree in Curriculum with a concentration in Guidance
and Counseling from Florida Atlantic University. She taught English and History at
an international school in Germany for many years before assuming responsibility for
college advising and developing the college counseling program at that school. Since
2008, Mrs. Ekman-Baur has been active as an independent counselor through her
consultancy, StudyHorizons. She is delighted to have this opportunity to work with the
students and staff of LAS and to enjoy the beautiful environment of Leysin.
Victoria Engelmann, BA
University of Central Florida
Student Life Assistant, ESL Teacher
Ms. Victoria Engelmann joined the LAS community three months prior to the close of
the 2012 school year. She is a graduate from the University of Central Florida with a BS
in English Literature. Before joining LAS, Victoria studied German in Munich, Germany.
Although somewhat new to the LAS community, Victoria has worked in the LAS
Summer program for three summers. This year Victoria will be working as the Student
Life Assistant as well as teaching ESL Guided Reading. She is an avid traveler and is
planning her next big adventure to South East Asia.
vengelmann@las.ch
Maurice Felli, Commercial Studies Diploma
Switzerland
Director of Finance
Mr. Maurice Felli, a native of Leysin, has been working for LAS since 1996. He
commutes daily back to his home in the village of Chailly near Montreux where he
lives with his partner Yvette and children Stephanie (27), Nicolas (24) and Manon
(19). Previous to his work at LAS, Mr. Felli was a commercial plumbing business
owner here in Leysin, his hometown. He currently serves as a member of the Conseil
Communal, the local town council.
mfelli@las.ch
Mary Field Keenan, BA, BEd
University of Waterloo, University of Western Ontario
Director of Student Life, Associate Director of SIS
Ms. Mary Field Keenan is in her sixth year at LAS and her 12th year in Switzerland.
She has many years of experience in the field of education. In her role as Director
of Student Life at LAS, she coordinates Assemblies, Cultural Trips, Outward Bound,
Faculty Family, Ski season, weekend trips & events and works with event planners to
organize special events such as Prom and banquets. She is a Canadian who loves
winter, skiing, the mountains, living in Switzerland and traveling in Europe - especially
when she can share these adventures with her family and friends.
mfieldkeenan@las.ch
Joan Flynn, BS, MEd
Boston College, Lesley University
English Teacher, Department Chair
Mrs. Joan Flynn, from Denver, Colorado, “opens her eyes with laughter at the dawn of
each returning day.” She has a zest for living, learning, and exploring that has taken
her throughout the US, Canada, Mexico, and Europe. Born and raised in central
Connecticut, Joan lived in several major US cities while pursuing advanced studies in
literacy, technology, and education. She loves being in Leysin and enjoys hiking, skiing,
boogie boarding, sketching, and getting lost in a good book. Ms. Flynn joined the LAS
faculty in August 2009 along with her husband, multimedia teacher Thom Padick.
jflynn@las.ch
Alexander Flynn-Padick, BA
University of Colorado-Boulder
Extended Learning Support Coordinator and Social Studies Teacher
aflynnpadi@las.ch
Mr. F-P came of age in shadows of the Rocky Mountains and the railways of Eastern
Europe and Russia. While earning his degree in International Affairs and Russian
Studies Mr. F-P was fortunate enough to make several trips to Europe where he was
able to travel solo across the Trans-Siberian railway, teach English on the shores of
Lake Baikal, live and work in an Orthodox Monastery, and find long separated family
living in a small town on the Slovak-Polish boarder. After earning his teaching license
Mr. F-P spent 3 years working in his hometown of Denver, before coming to LAS for
the 2011-2012 school year where he has taken a keen interest in the sport of curling.
Erica Fraccaro, BA
St. Thomasn University
French Teacher
Erica Fraccaro is from Moncton, New Brunswick Canada. She studied at St. Thomas
University in Fredericton, New Brunswick. In her free time she is a Hatha Yoga teacher
and enjoys hula hooping, climbing, canoeing and snowboarding.
efraccaro@las.ch
Mark Fryer, BA (Hons), PG Dip. TESOL, LTCL Dip. TESOL
University of Northumbria, Sheffield Hallam University,
Trinity College London
ESL teacher
mfryer@las.ch
Mr. Mark Fryer has been teaching English to speakers of other languages since 1997.
He has worked in the United Kingdom, Italy and has been based in Leysin since 1999.
His experience with international and multi-cultural students began while working as a
tennis coach in 1992. In addition to teaching, he has run international summer camps
and been involved with sports development and excursion management. As a father
of two young boys (William and Michael), his free time is limited. He has an interest
in sociolinguistics, history, all sports and music. Hatty Fryer-Smith, Mark’s wife, co-runs
the LAS IELTS preparation course. She is a qualified English language and literature
teacher, who spends most of her time looking after their two sons.
Liz Fulton, BEd
Griffith University, Australia
Life Skills Teacher, Academic Affairs Assistant
Ms. Liz Fulton was born and raised in Australia and obtained her Bachelor of Education
from Griffith University in Brisbane. She worked as a Health and Physical Education
and SOSE (Study of Society & Environment) teacher for six years in Australia in both
public and private schools. She moved to London in 2008 and worked at Marymount
International School for two years in the PE department. Ms Fulton started at LAS
in 2010 as the Health and PE teacher but has changed rolls this year and joined the
Academic Department.
lfulton@las.ch
Carl Gehriger, BSc, MA
McMaster University, University of Toronto
Chemistry Teacher
Mr. Carl Gehriger is a Swiss/Canadian, in his 12th year at LAS. His main interest is in
teaching astronomy. It is the fountainhead of curiosity for students and blends in
nicely with physics, chemistry, geology and evolutionary biology. He presently teaches
chemistry and physics. In his free time he loves reading popular science in various
fields. At the moment he is fascinated with the quickly developing field of evolutionary
psychology and behavioral genetics. If the Leysin sky is dark and clear then you will
find him on a balcony with friends, drinking wine, taking in the view of the Alps and
talking about the Universe.
cgehriger@las.ch
Wes Goldsberry, A.B., M.Div., ThM
Davidson College, Princeton Theological Seminary, Harvard University
Director of Studies
wgoldsberry@las.ch
Wes came to LAS from New Hampshire, where he served as The White Mountain
School's academic dean during the 2011-12 school year. He has earned master's
degrees in theology and divinity from Harvard University and Princeton Theological
Seminary, but understands his calling to be in secondary education. A graduate
of Davidson College, Wes enjoyed a brief stint in journalism before completing his
first graduate degree and moving to Delaware, where he taught philosophy and
religious studies at St. Andrew's School. A musician of multifarious interests, Wes
enjoys Renaissance polyphony, busking, and arranging rock songs for small classical
ensembles.
Patricia Gomes, BA, MBA
Universidade Paulista, Fundação Getúlio Vargas (Brazil)
Associate Director of Admissions - Latin America
Based near São Paulo, Brazil, Mrs. Patricia Gomes has worked for LAS since 2006 as
an Admissions Associate. She is responsible for student recruitment in Brazil, as well
as providing support to LAS families, agencies and schools. Previously, she worked
for ten years in the customer service area focusing on quality management and call
center support. Mrs. Gomes graduated from Universidade Paulista in Campinas, Brazil
where she majored in Business Administration. She also holds an M.BA degree from
Fundação Getúlio Vargas. She enjoys seeing new places, spinning and scuba diving.
pgomes@las.ch
Luis Gomez-Calvo, Commercial Studies Diploma,
Project Management Diplomas (IFCAM & VZPM)
Vevey, Switzerland
Accountant
Mr. Luis Gomez-Calvo lives in the village with his wife Martine and their daughter. He
joined the Accounting office team in the summer of 2007. He supports operations in
accounting as well as admissions. Mr. Gomez-Calvo is passionately involved in martial
arts as well as art. He is currently creating opportunities to share his love for martial
arts with LAS students.
lgomezcalvo@las.ch
Sarah Goodman, BA, MEd
University of Delaware, Antioch New England Graduate School
French Teacher & Modern Languages Department Chair
sgoodman@las.ch
Ms. Sarah Goodman grew up in the U.S. and moved with her husband and two
children to Excenevex, France in 1992 and eighteen months later, Leysin. Prior
to LAS she worked for the Swiss Ski school and began teaching French at LAS
in 1999. In 2003 she spent two years completing a Masters in Education with a
concentration in Education By Design at Antioch while teaching at the ConVal High
School in Peterborough, New Hampshire. Sarah returned to the Modern Language
department at LAS as department head, a position she thoroughly enjoys as it gives
her the opportunity to interact closely with her colleagues in the further development
of an already excellent program. She has been a member or contributor to several
town committees including the Tennis Club, the Ice Skating Club, and the Cultural
Commission. Currently in her free time, Sarah can be found running, skiing, cooking,
and spending time with her family and friends in the local community.
Ted Groom, BA, OAS, MA (honors)
University of Richmond, Scottsdale Culinary Institute,
Northern University of Arizona
Social Studies Teacher
Mr. Ted Groom is in his 8th year here at LAS and in his 17th year of education. He
enjoys playing a variety of sports in addition to traveling and cooking. Mr. Groom grew
up in Arlington, Virginia, but currently has a home in Phoenix, Arizona. His goal is to
visit all the different countries of the world within the next 15 years.
tgroom@las.ch
Bryn Hagan, RCN
Southland Polytechnic, Invercargill (New Zealand)
Nurse
Mr. Bryn Hagan is a New Zealander who moved to Switzerland on a temporary basis,
but has settled in for the long haul. Bryn began work in Switzerland as a ski instructor,
but getting married and having a baby forced him to get a more serious job. He enjoys
living in Switzerland and enjoys the great group of people he works with every day,
both students and staff. He is registered with the N.Z. Registered Nurses Organization,
and with the UK Nursing and Midwifery Society. He is also registered with the New
Zealand Ski Instructors Alliance. Mr. Hagan recently became a father to another
beautiful, healthy baby.
bhagan@las.ch
Joel Halgrain, Programming Certification
BACG2, FR
Coordinator of Business Development
For the past 23 years, Mr. Joel Halgrain has been involved in database design for
various educational institutions. Originally from France, he studied in India for several
years before arriving in Switzerland.
jhalgrain@las.ch
Audrey Hanowitz, BS
University of Arizona
Assistant College Counselor and CAS Coordinator
Mrs. Audrey Hanowitz holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from the University
of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona. During her business career she has held a variety of
marketing and project management positions spanning the fields of communications,
insurance and investments. Most recently she has worked as a financial advisor and
registered investment advisor specializing in retirement and financial planning for
teachers and school administrators in New Hampshire and Vermont.
ahanowitz@las.ch
Neal Hanowitz, BS, MEd
Plymouth State University
Visual Arts Teacher, Department Chair
nhanowitz@las.ch
Originally from New York City, Mr. Neal Hanowitz grew up at a time when swimming
in the Harlem River was assumed to be risk free. After navigating through those waters
and what was then the largest public school system in the world, he studied at the
Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art in Philadelphia and earned a Bachelors and Masters
degree in teaching from Plymouth State University. Passionate and infinitely creative,
he has held many positions including studio assistant, theatrical set designer, farmer,
plumber, lifeguard, historic building renovator, business owner, veterinary assistant, and
department store “Santa Claus”. He has been teaching art and developing curriculum
for the past 23 years. His passion for invigorating students to explore the arts, have
been his most rewarding. Mr. Hanowitz enjoys creating and sharing his artwork, hiking,
travel, sailing, biking, and skiing with his family.
Ethan Harris, BS, MSA
Western State College of Colorado, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de
Lausanne (Switzerland)
Athletic Director, Activities Coordinator, Eden Dorm Head
A New York native, Mr. Ethan Harris grew up in Michigan and lived in Colorado before
coming to Switzerland. He competed for the WSC alpine ski team and was a former
Michigan road cycling and track MI state champion. He spent eight years in magazine
and newspaper publishing before coming to LAS in 2004. He is the school’s athletic
director, coaches the alpine ski team, and coordinates activities for after-school and
outdoor adventures. Mr. Harris speaks fluent French, enjoys cycling, rock climbing and
backcountry skiing.
eharris@las.ch
Graydon Hazenberg, BMath, MA, BEd
University of Waterloo, Harvard University, Lakehead University
Physics/Math Teacher
ghazenberg@las.ch
Mr. Graydon Hazenberg grew up in Thunder Bay, Canada. He studied applied
mathematics and physics at the University of Waterloo, and received a Master’s
degree in astronomy at Harvard. He then took his Jeopardy winnings and forsook
academia in order to explore the world for the next decade. He returned to Canada
to obtain a Bachelor of Education from Lakehead University. He taught mathematics
for three years at Yangon International School in Burma from 2006 to 2009. When
not teaching, Graydon is usually on a bicycle trip somewhere in the world. His ongoing
quest to visit every country on Earth is almost at the halfway mark. He also enjoys
music, photography, skiing, tennis, diving, chess, hiking and reading. Jonathan Hilton
Director of Admissions - Far East
Originally from England, Mr. Jonathan Hilton has been in Switzerland for nearly 20
years many of these working in education. With extensive experience in recruitment
and marketing and having travelled to most regions of the world, he has gained an
appreciation of the high reputation that Swiss education has around the world.
jhilton@las.ch
Marine Hily
University of Western Brittany, Plymouth University
French Teacher
Ms. Marine Hily to LAS in 2012. After graduating from the Université de Bretagne
Occidentale, France, she spent a year in Minnesota working as a French intern. Then
she headed to England where she completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Education
(PGCE) in Plymouth. Prior to joining LAS, Marine taught French and Spanish at Shebbear
College, Devon, UK. She has a great love for traveling. She also enjoys the outdoors,
swimming and cooking.
mhily@las.ch
Daryl Hitchcock, BA
University of Southern Maine
Savoy Dorm Head, Social Studies Teacher
Mr. Daryl Hitchock joined LAS in 2005 from his previous position as the Dean of
Residents at Fryeburg Academy. Originally a native of Washington State, Mr. Hitchcock
is currently completing graduate work at Dartmouth University. He will continue his
role as the Dorm Head.
dhitchcock@las.ch
Stephanie Johnson
University of Virginia
Health Center Director
sjohnson@las.ch
This is Ms. Stephanie Johnson’s third year at LAS. She moved here in 2009 with her
husband Stephen Dexter and children Ian and Zoe. Stephanie graduated from the
University of Virginia with a degree in anthropology. She was a Peace Corps Volunteer
in Togo, West Africa and then received her Masters in Social Work from Smith College.
Before moving to Leysin Stephanie worked for 12 years at a Community Health Center
in East Boston, Massachusetts as a counselor and Director of Mental Health Services.
She received a Certificate in Community Health Management from Suffolk University
in 2006. Stephanie loves enjoying outdoor activities in Leysin including hiking,
snowshoeing and running.
Angela Kasperovich, BA, MA
Vilnius University, Vilnius Pedagogical University
Director of Admissions - Eastern Europe
Originally from Lithuania, Ms. Angela Kasperovich grew up in a number of different
countries including Russia and Poland. Whilst at University she started working as
a freelance translator/interpreter. After graduating, alongside freelancing, Angela
started to work in education as a foreign language teacher and international project
coordinator. Her interests include classical drawing, martial arts, reading, studying
foreign languages and learning about different cultures of the world.
akasperovich@las.ch
David Kehlenbeck, BA
University of Virginia
Math Teacher
dkehlenbeck@las.ch
Mr. David Kehlenbeck grew up in a suburb of Boston, MA and graduated from the
University of Virginia in 2007 with a BA in Russian and East European Studies. After
graduation, David taught History and Math for the past five years at Oakwood Friends
School, a Quaker day and boarding school in Poughkeepsie, NY, and he has spent
recent summers back in Boston working on a Master’s degree in Mathematics for
Teaching at the Harvard Extension School. During his undergraduate years at UVa,
David traveled overseas extensively, including four international tours with his a
cappella group, and spent part of a summer studying in Moscow. He enjoys singing,
traveling, and cheering on his hometown Boston sports teams, and he is excited to
join the LAS community this fall.
David Kellett, BTEC
Sunderland University, Institute of Electrical Engineers (IEE)
Quality Coordinator
dkellet@las.ch
Mr. David Kellett comes from the North East of England. He chose a career in the
oil exploration industry providing specialist services to the major international oil
companies such as Shell, BP, Elf/Total, Agip, Aramco, ExxonMobil, PDVSA etc.  During
his career he travelled and worked extensively throughout Europe, The Middle East and
Latin America, and has a successful record of establishing several new international
operations and improving the quality and performance of established operations. At
the time of retiring he was Vice President of Western Atlas International, one of the
leading US Oil Service Companies based in Houston, Texas. Now part of the LAS
Management Group in charge of Quality Assurance, he is happy to share his business
knowledge with students wishing to participate in entrepreneurial projects at LAS.
Hugh Kelly, BA
University of North Carolina – Asheville
Social Studies Teacher
hkelly@las.ch
After an idyllic childhood in the great state of Missouri, Mr. Hugh Kelly did a Rotary
Club exchange program in San Cristóbal, Venezuela and then started college at Trinity
University in San Antonio, Texas. But after two years he left the ivory tower in order
to pursue a lucrative career as a whitewater raft guide and kayak instructor in North
Carolina and Chile. After finishing his studies with a degree in economics from the
University of North Carolina – Asheville, Mr. Kelly joined the faculty at Adventure Quest,
a traveling high school for kayak athletes. He has also taught at Carrabassett Valley
Academy in Maine and The Barrie School in Maryland. Although Leysin is too large a
city for his tastes, Mr. Kelly enjoys teaching at LAS because of the international mix of
people and because he loves the Alps. Mr. Kelly is joined by his wife Khia.
Alena Kovarova
University of South Bohemia, Czech Republic
Math teacher
akovarova@las.ch
Alena Kovarova finished her Masters as a teacher of Mathematics and Geography
and Bachelors of Financial mathematics in the Czech republic. She worked as a
Mathematics assistant at Townshend International school, the Czech republic, taught
Mathematics in public school, and at faculty of Economics, the University of South
Bohemia, Czech republic. She started her PhD. Studies at Charles University in Prague,
Czech republic, which she didn't finish. She worked as a teacher of Geography and
English in Tartu, Estonia.
In 2008, she lived one year in New Zealand and spend another couple of years
traveling, mostly in Europe. She is an active long distance runner, hiker and climber.
She loves books and is interested in many fields of life. She joined LAS in 2012.
Marta Krause, MA
University of Economics in Poznan,
European Academy of Photography in Warsaw
Director of Residential Life
mkrause@las.ch
Mrs. Marta Krause hails from Elblag, Poland. Her love of travel and adventure
developed early on while sailing on the Vistula Lagoon and her fascination with all
things mountain was fostered skiing and hiking the Tatra Mts. in Southern Poland.
She studied European Studies in the International Relations Dept. at the University
of Economics in Poznan. This allowed her to discover the joys of ‘Bureaucracy’ as she
worked in government positions in Poland and then later at the European Commission
in Brussels. She joined LAS three years ago and was Assistant to the Dean of BEC, then
Assistant Dean of Students before taking on the position of Director of Residential Life
in January 2012. Besides her love of cross-country and downhill skiing, hiking in the
mountains and sailing; she is also an avid photographer and beginning potter. Marta
lives with her husband Daryl Hitchcock in the Savoy Dorm.
Janna Lackova, MS
Catholic University
IT Training and Support
hmartin@las.ch
Janna comes from Slovakia and she graduated with a master’s degree from the
Catholic University and started working as a teacher of Mathematics and ESL in 2003.
She participated in a teachers exchange program and worked in the New York City
public schools as a math teacher for two years. Afterwards, she took a sabbatical year
to study French. She lived and taught mathematics and English in different middle
schools and high schools in France for 5 years.
She loves alpine skiing and ski touring, mountain biking and all sorts of outdoor
activities. She has never reached the vertical 4000 meter limit, so she hopes to do it
in Switzerland.
Winfield (Win) Lowman, BS, MAT
Brigham Young University
Director of College Counseling
After high school Win served three years in the US Army at the end of the Vietnam
War era. Afterwards he worked in secondary schools for 33 years. Win loves hiking,
sking, and swimming. He is also an avid traveler and readers. Win has three children
who all graduated from Jakarta International School in Jakarta, Indonesia. His eldest
child, Nadia, lives in India with her family. His youngest, Andrew, lives in Taiwan with
his family. His middle child, Ian, resides in the United States with his family, but his
heart is in Asia.
wlowman@las.ch
Jan Lowman, BA, MA
Brigham Young University, Middlebury College
IB Core Seminar Teacher
Jan is the Librarian and Seminar Instructor for the Belle Époque Campus. She has
previously worked at many schools including Blair Academy, The Dana Hall School,
The Ross School, Nagoya International School, Escuela Campo Alegre and Jakarta
International School. In her free time she enjoys reading, yoga, baking and singing.
Jan, and her husband, Win, have three children and seven grand children. Also, her
youngest brother Matt is currently the U.S. Ambassador to Kuwait.
jlowman@las.ch
Rebecca Leonhard, BA, MS
Penn State University, Clarion University of Pennsylvania
Savoy Campus Librarian
rleonhard@las.ch
cleonhard@las.ch
Mrs. Rebecca Leonhard grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She received her bachelor
of arts degree in English from Penn State University and her masters of science in
library science degree from Clarion University of Pennsylvania. At LAS, Rebecca is
responsible for establishing a library at the Belle Epoque Campus that supports the
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. Rebecca has more than eight
years of experience working in college and university libraries, including Penn State
University Libraries. Her work has focused on digital and emerging technologies in
academic libraries, access services, and library student workers. Prior to joining LAS,
she was the director of the Smyrna campus library of Motlow Community College and
the Access Services Supervisor at Penn State Abington College. She is married to Chris
Leonhard, and they have a daughter named Inara.
Chris Leonhard, BA, MA
Shippensburg University, Belmont University
Science Teacher & Department Chair
Mr. Chris Leonhard graduated with a BA in Psychology from Shippensburg University
before completing a counselor certification program and working as a crisis counselor
in State College, Pennsylvania. After several years as a counselor, he turned his focus
to his interest in biology while working on several grants at Penn State University,
including a NASA-funded project to combat space sickness and a Department of
Agriculture effort to eradicate the gypsy moth infestation in the Northeast United
States. His next research position was at Dartmouth College, where he worked on
animal models of dyslexia while gaining his first teaching experience. This opportunity
to teach inspired him to join the Nashville Teaching Fellows, an organization designed
to meet the educational needs of students in Nashville’s inner city schools. He received
his MA in Teaching from Belmont University in Nashville before coming to LAS this year.
He is joined by his wife, Rebecca, and their new daughter, Inara Violet.
Hannah Martin, BDES
Massey University Wellington
IT Training and Support
Mrs. Hannah Martin is a New Zealander who Graduated from University with a
Bachelor of Industrial Design. This degree has assisted her in a career in Kitchen
Design where she worked in New Zealand & London. Hannah's recent move to Leysin
has seen her career path change and move away from the field of Design and into the
IT Knowledge & support role she is in today. Hannah loves the vast sporting, cultural
& community opportunities that Leysin offers and looks forward to many happy years
ahead in Leysin.
hmartin@las.ch
Kellie McGill, BS, MEd
Iowa State University
Counselor
kmcgill@las.ch
Mrs. Kellie McGill grew up in Des Moines, Iowa. She began her career working for a
non-profit human services agency in Ames, Iowa. She provided adolescent substance
abuse treatment and prevention education as well as coordinated mentoring programs.
She earned her MEd in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies-Counselor Education
from Iowa State University. It was at Iowa State that her overseas adventures began
as she helped lead the Dean's International Leadership Seminar in Australia. After
completing her degree, Kellie moved to Bangkok, Thailand and was employed as an
elementary counselor and learning support specialist. After four years in Thailand, she
returned to the states and was high school counselor at a public school in Aurora,
Colorado. It was in Colorado that Kellie met her husband, Avery McGill.
James McKenna
Queen’s University, Belfast
Student Life Assistant
Mr James McKenna was born in Edinburgh, Scotland and grew up in Japan and
London, England. His home area is now Sidmouth, Devon located in the South
West of England, which is the most scenic part of the U.K! He graduated from
Queen’s University Belfast in 2010 with a BA in Theology. He then went to work for
an International School in England as an Activities Manager before working for the
Summer in Switzerland program here at Leysin American School. He is very sporty and
enjoys playing all sports, especially Basketball. He is also a fully qualified Ski Instructor
and can speak French and German.
jmckenna@las.ch
Ian Meyskens, BA, MA
Humboldt State University, San Francisco State University
English Teacher
imeyskens@las.ch
Mr. Ian Meyskens grew up in Northern California near San Francisco. He has a
Bachelors degree in Psychology/Linguistics/English from Humboldt State University and
a Master’s degree in English: Creative Writing from San Francisco State University. He
has a passion for world traveling and so far has tallied visits to some sixty-eight
countries. He came to LAS in 2008 after six years of teaching ESL in Western Japan. He speaks fluent Japanese and a smattering of French and Spanish. In his free time, Mr.
Meyskens enjoys reading, learning about wine, hiking, biking and telemark skiing. Mr.
and Mrs. Meyskens met in Leysin in 2002 and have been blissfully married since 2008. Suzanne Meyskens, BA
San Francisco State University
Beau Site Dorm Head
Mrs. Suzanne Meyskens grew up in the beautiful Seattle, Washington area. She
earned her BA in International Relations from San Francisco State University, and
completed her Masters in Education Administration from California State University,
Northridge in December last year. Before working in education, she worked in law for
six years as a paralegal. She met her husband Ian Meyskens working for LAS’ Summer
in Switzerland program beginning in 2002. She lived and taught in Japan for three
years before coming to LAS winter (year-round) school April of 2008. Some of her
greatest joys are family, running, the outdoors, and traveling.
smeyskens@las.ch
Jean Boyd Molly, BS, MS, Arts Certificate
Eastern Michigan University, Arizona State University,
Edinburgh College of Art
International Baccalaureate Literature
Ms. Jean Boyd Molly has been at LAS fince 2010, having previously taught in Caracas,
Jakarta and Perth, Scotland. Her interests include photography, history, Celtic music,
travel and writing. She considers Cape Breton, Nova Scotia as home but has family
throughout Canada and the states.
jboydmolly@las.ch
Robina M Moore
Director of Safety and Security
Chargé de Sécurité pour la Protection incendie AEAI , Switzerland 2008, British Safety
Council Level 2, Risk Assessment, UK 2008, Fire Marshal, UK 2008, Level 3 Certificate
in Medical and Clinical Administration, UK 2010. Having joined LAS in 2002, Mrs.
Moore manages the Safety and Security within LAS. She is a member of the Quality
Committee and works as the Health Centre Administrator.
Simoné Moreira, BSc., PGCE
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
Director of Learning Support
smoreira@las.ch
Ms. Simoné Moreira was born in South Africa, though she grew up in Portugal. She
returned to South Africa for Tertiary Education (BSc. and PGCE). She has taught High
School Science and Geography in South Africa in a SEN (Special Education Needs)
setting. She followed by working in London (UK) where the experience in SEN was
heightened, after completing a year of Nursing in St. George’s Hospital - Port Elizabeth.
She has also been involved in Community work in the Walmer Township (soup kitchen
and basic health care provided) and as a Summer Camp Leader for the Summerstrand
Community Church, where she interacted with and guided children in physical activities
and other events. Ms. Moreira enjoys the outdoors, cooking and scuba diving and
is passionate about the Ocean, thus having done volunteer work in the Bay World
Oceanarium in Port Elizabeth. She looks forward to sharing many adventures here in
Switzerland with her three year old son Joshua.
Jason Murphy
Loughborough University
Math Teacher & Department Chair
jmurphy@las.ch
Mr. Jason Murphy graduated from Loughborough University in 2006 with a BSc
in Sports Science and Mathematics. He then moved to the Institute of Education,
University of London to obtain his teaching qualification. Before commencing his
teaching career in 2008 he traveled for 12 months to countries in Africa, Australasia
and South East Asia. He has since visited a number of countries in Europe, The Middle
East and South America. Jason’s early career was at Summer Camps in the USA and UK
and he has a passion for any sporting and outdoor activity, especially snowboarding
and mountain biking. His current ambition is to become fluent in French and Spanish
though he has a long way to go!
Hiroki Nakajima, BA, MS
Ripon College Wisconsin, Concordia University Wisconsin
Relationship Manager
hnakajima@las.ch
Mr. Hiroki Nakajima is originally from Tokyo, Japan, and an LAS alum (class of 1999).
After graduating from LAS, Hiroki moved to the United States and obtained a B.A.
and Master’s Degree. He has worked at Graduate Admissions at Concordia University
(Wis.) and Japan Study Abroad Program Advisor at University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh.
Hiroki came back to LAS in January 2011 to be a part of the admissions staff. At LAS,
he enjoys working on admissions and taking care of Japanese students as an advisor
at LAS. He is a big fan of baseball (Tokyo Yakult Swallows and Milwaukee Brewers)
and enjoys watching the Japanese national soccer team play. Hiroki likes to compare
the Japanese educational system to that of other countries. He is looking forward to
returning to LAS and interacting with the staff and students.
Zoltan Nagy, BA, AAS, MAT
György Bessenyei Teacher Training College, Southwestern Community
College, Wesern Carolina University
Director of Learning Support
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znagy@las.ch
Mr. Zoltan Nagy grew up in Budapest, Hungary and earned his BA in Teaching English
as a Foreign/Second Language from the György Bessenyei Teacher Training College in
Hungary. Upon finishing his degree, Zoltan spent the next few years with working for
different language schools in Budapest to save money for his education in the USA.
Hence his strong interest in computers, he earned an AAS in Internet Technologies from
Southwestern Community College, then an MAT in Special Education from Western
Carolina University. Before coming to LAS in 2013, Zoltan spent his professional life
with teaching Special Education, Digital Media and ESL; he also participated in SIS
2012 and SIS 2013. Zoltan loves most sports, art, photography, history and ice-cream
(not necessarily in this order). However, the one thing that he cherishes more than
anything else in the world is his family: his wife and two amazing children.
Viwan Opanukij, BA, MIB
University of British Columbia, César Ritz Colleges Switzerland
Associate Director of Admissions - South Asia
vopanukij@las.ch
A citizen of the world, Ms. Viwan Opanukij, was born in Bangkok, Thailand but grew
up in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Jordon, United States and Canada. She spent the
last years of her high school in West Vancouver and continued with her undergraduate
studies at the University of British Columbia. Upon completion of her studies she
worked at one of the only two Five Diamond AAA rated in hotels in Canada in Guest
Relations. She then decided that she would come to Switzerland to pursue a Master
degree in Hospitality Management. Fast forward five years later she is still living in
Switzerland but pursuing a career in education but on the recruitment, admissions and
marketing side of it. She looks forward to calling Leysin and LAS her home.
Kim Oppenheim, BA, MA
Western Maryland College, University of North Carolina, Middlebury
College
ESL Teacher
koppenheim@las.ch
Mrs. Kim Oppenheim grew up in Baltimore, Maryland and graduated from Western
Maryland College (now named McDaniel College) in 1982. She then received her MA
degree in Comparative Literature from University of North Carolina as well as a degree
in French from Middlebury College. She spent a year teaching English to Haitian
migrant workers as well as working as an editor at a Health-Sciences Consortium in
Chapel Hill, North Carolina. After spending 2 years in the Central African Republic as
a teacher-trainer with the Peace Corps, she returned to the US and taught English and
ESL at St. Johnsbury Academy in Vermont. She began teaching at LAS in 1990, and is
now married and has 2 beautiful daughters, Jenna and Kera.
Thomas Padick, C.P.P, BA Art Ed., MA
New England School of Photography, San Francisco State University,
University of New Mexico
Multimedia Teacher, Savoy Assistant Dorm Head
tpadick@las.ch
Mr. Thom Padick has been actively engaged in art and commercial graphics for
many years. He’s a life long learner who enjoys working with new and experienced
art students. Using a collaborative approach, Thom encourages students to push
boundaries, experiment with techniques, and have fun with the process. His passion
developed in high school and remains a guiding force in his life as he inspires others
to explore the power and magic of media. Mr. Padick’s business experiences include
photo - journalism and advertising photography with clients like the Associated Press,
Christie’s Auction House, Butterfield’s Auction House, Hewlett Packard, and Stanley
Tools. As an educator, Thom has taught at Western State College in Gunnison, CO, the
University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, and most recently, in Denver Public Schools.
Maja Panayi, BS, MS
Science Teacher
Ms. Maja Panayi is excited to be joining the team at LAS in August 2013 as a teacher
of Biology. She has a degree and masters in Marine Biology and will be coming from
teaching in a High School in Bristol, UK. Maja grew up in London but spends a lot
of time in Sweden with her family. Maja has a passion for teaching and learning
about science with a particular interest in ecosystems and conservation and has
volunteered for a variety of marine conservation projects in Greece, UK and Malaysia.
Maja enjoys exploring the great outdoors, scuba diving, jogging, hiking and is looking
forward to living amongst the Swiss Alps and improving her skiing skills!
mpanayi@las.ch
Daniel Patton, BA, MA
University of Alaska
Science Teacher
Mr. Dan Patton was born in the great state of New Hampshire in the USA, but
considers himself to be Alaskan, having lived in that even greater state since the age
of two. Dan developed a love and respect for nature and the study of science while
working many summers in remote fish and wildlife research camps in Alaska and
Chile, on commercial salmon fishing boats, and in college at the University of Alaska
(where he earned degrees in both Biology and Spanish). In 2006, after working in
various biological fields, Dan returned to college and received a Masters in Education
(also from the University of Alaska). He currently teaches science to 8th and 9th
graders and spends his free time enjoying the natural bounty of Switzerland.
dpatton@las.ch
Danka Perreault
Admissions Associate
Mrs. Danka Perreault grew up in Poland and lived in New Hampshire for many years.
She joined the LAS admissions team in May 2011. She loves to spend time with her
husband and their 2 sons Jacob and Kacper. Baking, reading, hiking and skiing ae her
favorite hobbies.
dperreault@las.ch
Stacey Pilkington, Bachelor of Commerce
Griffith University-Brisbane (Australia)
Accounting Office Associate
Mrs. Stacey Pilkington started as a graduate out of University at Deloitte Touche
Tohmatsu in Brisbane. After a couple of years in the Insolvency Department, she
headed to London where she worked as a contract accountant for both London
Electricity and for a television production company. During some travels whilst living
in London, she met her future Swiss husband to be, who soon introduced her to
Switzerland and beautiful Leysin. That was 11 years ago. They now have two sons,
Flynn and Theo.
spilkington@las.ch
Liam Printer, BA
Dublin City University, Kings College London, Univeristy of Limerick
French/Spanish Teacher
lprinter@las.ch
Liam is from Westport in Ireland and has 6 years French and Spanish teaching and
lecturing experience. After qualifying top of his degree class in 2007 with a first class
honours in International Business and Languages from Dublin City University For the
past four years he has been Head of Language Department at The Learning Curve
Institute where he designs, develops and delivers Spanish and French language
courses for teenagers and adults. Liam is also a fully certified Level 3 ISIA snowboard
instructor and has taught snowboarding in Zermatt, Whistler (Canada) and Treble
Cone (New Zealand) since 2008. In addition, in 2010 he won double gold at the Irish
National Ski & Snowboard Championships in France for freestyle snowboarding. Liam
is also an experienced basketball coach, a keen surfer and an avid guitar player. He
has a keen interest in action based research in education and his goal is to one day
complete a PhD in the education field.
Rosie Sanden, Accounting Diploma
University of Wellington (New Zealand)
Student Accounting Office Associate
Rosie is from Rangiora, New Zealand, she works in the Accounting Department.
rsanden@las.ch
Tony de Raat, MCP, MCP+I, MCSE, ACA, ACP, ACTC
IT Data Services Manager
Tony was born in Wellington New Zealand. He has been working in the IT Industry
since 1988. Working as an IT Consultant, based in Auckland, he has worked for some
of the biggest companies in the World. He left New Zealand in 2008 to finally use his
NLD Passport and has no plans to go back Down Under anytime soon. He has been
working for LAS since 2010
tderaat@las.ch
Carol Seymour, IATA Advanced Tourism degree
Student Accounting Office Associate
Originally from England, Mrs. Carol Seymour worked for over 15 years in International
Hotel & Tourism Schools in Switzerland, teaching various Hospitality subjects, and was
responsible for editing the Student Newsletter. She currently enjoys working as an
active member of the local “Lavender Ladies” which fundraise for Cancer Support
Groups within Switzerland.
cseymour@las.ch
Stefano Sbrighi
Aosta, Italy
Cave & Red Frog Coordinator
ssbrighi@las.ch
Mr. Stefano Sbrighi comes to LAS from the Aosta Valley region of Italy. He will
be managing The Cave and The Red Frog and with his 12 years experience in the
hospitality business he is looking forward to working with the students of LAS. Being
a music lover and an entertaining person, he can’t wait to start mixing dance tunes,
hosting pool tournaments, serving up favorite snacks and talking to students about
their experiences at LAS. Stefano not only does he speak Italian and French fluently,
but he also speaks English and Spanish. Stefano is a very experienced skier growing
up at the feet of the Matterhorn. With some experience in skateboarding he hopes
to perfect his snowboarding skills this winter. His other hobbies include rock climbing,
tennis, soccer and swimming. Stop by The Cave and The Red Frog and say “Ciao” to
him.
Fred Sharp, BA, MA
Oxford University (in Exeter College)
Alumni Reunion Coordinator and Subject Tutor
fsharp@las.ch
Mr. Fred Sharp has taught at LAS since 1986 (with a brief sabbatical working at
a music school in England). Before that he had been years in India working with
refugee students and remembers back in 1966 teaching ‘‘300 students under trees,
no buildings, no books, no pencils.’’ At LAS Mr. Sharp has taught French, English,
Mathematics, Geography, History, and Music but seems to be best known for the TOK
class which he taught in the I.B. Programme. He also has served many years as the
dorm head for the Senior Boys. Mr. Sharp, an institution in the minds of many alumni,
has always been most interested in the students through his work in the classroom
and the dorms… ‘‘they are for whom I wake up each day and go to work.’’ He retired
from teaching at the end of last year and now supports the alumni community and
offers tutoring support for current students.
Gosia Skorupka-Ott,
BA, MA - Poznan University of Economics
Executive MBA - Business School in Lausanne
Scholarship Coordinator
gskorupka@las.ch
Mrs. Gosia Skorupka-Ott has been at LAS for almost six years. She grew up in Poland
but after graduating from Poznan University of Economics she left to work and live in
the US, England and France only to finally settle down in beautiful Leysin. She worked
in Admissions Department for almost four years before getting married, having two
children, and completing an Executive MBA Program at Business School in Lausanne.
While raising the boys, this year she took up the coordination of LAS’s scholarship
program. Gosia loves hiking, rock climbing and biking and looks forward to introducing
those to her sons. She speaks Polish, English and French.
Jamie Skove, BA
William and Mary
Social Studies Teacher
Mr. Jamie Skove was born in Washington, DC and grew up between northern
Virginia, the Bavarian Alps, Berlin, and Stockholm. He graduated from Aiglon
College in Switzerland in 1976 and then attended The College of William and Mary
in Williamsburg, Virginia. After working in vineyards in Virginia and on ski slopes in
Vermont, he began teaching History at LAS in 1986. He is now married and has 2
beautiful daughters.
jskove@las.ch
Benjamin M. Smith, B.A., J.D.
University of New Hampshire, Suffolk University Law School
Director of Development
Mr. Benjamin Smith is responsible for expanding the development program at LAS
(alumni relations and fundraising) and recruitment in the Middle East. He has almost
a decades worth of experience in alumni relations, annual giving, and major gifts
fundraising. Prior to joining LAS, he worked as Associate Director of Major Gifts for his
alma mater, UNH, and Director of Annual Giving & Alumni Relations at New England
College. Ben, his wife Anastasia, and their dog Sydney enjoying taking advantage of
Leysin’s great outdoor activities. Anastasia is a Florida native and a university trained
artist.
bsmith@las.ch
Jen Squier, BA, MA, Magistere de Langue
West Virginia University, Universite de la Sorbonne (France)
French and English Teacher
A native of Denver, Colorado, Mrs. Jen Squier has taught French for fifteen years in
the USA and Switzerland. As former head of the Modern Language Department,
she was instrumental in establishing the LAS modern language immersion program.
She currently teaches English and enjoys watching her students grow in their Frenchlanguage skills while living in the very special village of Leysin that has been her home
for 12 years. Her interests include singing in the Leysin town choir, “L’Echo des Tours,”
playing piano to accompany her two musical daughters Charlotte (a violinist) and
Anna (a flutist), and exploring the Alps with her family in all seasons.
jensquier@las.ch
Dottie Steward, BA, MA, MA, MA
Florida State University-Tallahassee, School for International Training,
Michigan State University
ESL Teacher
dsteward@las.ch
After earning a BA in English, Ms. Dottie Steward went on to earn MA degrees in
Theater, Teaching ESL, and in Educational Technology. She has taught ESL and Drama
in Colombia, Turkey, New Mexico, Pakistan, and Switzerland. She enjoys outdoor
activities such as hiking, bicycling, skiing, SCUBA diving, horseback riding and mule
treks. She has spent summers hiking in the U.S.A., Kenya, Nepal, Pakistan, Italy and
Switzerland. In 2001 she organized the L.A.S. mule-racing team--probably the first
high school mule-racing team anywhere. In quieter moments she enjoys writing short
stories and putting together an ESL magazine showcasing her students’ work. She has
directed and performed in plays, and presently sings in the soprano section of “L’Echo
des Tours”, the town choir in Leysin, Switzerland.
Carolyn Swanson, BA, English & TESL Certificates
California Polytechnic State University
BEC Dorm Head, Performing Arts Teacher
Before arriving in Leysin in 2007, Ms. Carolyn Swanson taught English, Theatre and
Journalism for eight years on the sunny central coast of California. She has spent the
past 18 summers producing an outdoor Shakespeare festival working with actors from
ages 5-75. She enjoys any and every activity related to the performing arts! She also
appreciates the
diversity and international community found in our school as well as in the village of
Leysin.
cswanson@las.ch
Bill Tihen, BS, MS
University of Vermont
IT Systems Administrator
btihen@las.ch
Mr. Bill Tihen grew up and worked as an electronics engineer and programmer, building
and controlling industrial robots in Vermont. He moved to New Hampshire to teach at
a very small boarding school and teach Computer Science, Math and Physics. There
he also started working as a Network and System Administrator, since he was the guy
who knew about computers. Since then he has worked for other schools and large
universities and as both a network and system administrator. He has lived in the New
England, Germany and Switzerland. He particularly enjoys living, skiing, walking and
biking his dog in the Swiss Alps. He also enjoys meditation, reading and poetry. He
speaks English, German and Italian and is learning French.
Kimberly Treese, BA
Berry College
Web and Publications Coordinator
Kim graduated from Berry College, where she played collegiate soccer and softball ,
with a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communication. She is a international champion in
Rhetorical Criticism Speaking and hopes to pursue her Masters in Rhetoric within the
next couple of years. `In her free time she loves run, hike and play soccer.
ktreese@las.ch
Christina Zinetti
Institute of Education, University of London
Summer School Admissions Associate
Ms. Christina Zinetti has taught Psychology, Health and Social care and Child
Development for four years. Her favourite areas of psychology are social and
developmental psychology.
She enjoys playing netball and tennis and likes to watch Premier League Football,
Athletics, Snooker and Tennis. She is also currently studying Nutritional Therapy.
czinetti@las.ch
transportation
Support Staff
Jose Marques
Celso
Guiseppe Basile
Maintenance & Construction
Slavisa Arsic
Director of Maintenance & Construction
Mr. Slavisa Arsic comes from Serbia. He has been living in Switzerland since 1981
and working at LAS since 1985. He is responsible for the maintenance team, who
are making daily improvements to LAS. His wife also works for LAS, and both of his
daughters attended LAS, as well and are now working at LAS.
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Emanuel Faria
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Rogerio Pita
Fernando Saraiva
Bojan Jelisavac
Marc Currat
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José Faria
Sejid Husic
Ernesto Natario
Nenad Milojkovic
Ljublisha Savic
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Srbolijub Peric
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Damian Coquoz
Vladan Radojkovic
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Francesco Duca
Daniel Poznanski
Goran Stanojevic
Presa Tasic
Food Service
Sutha Ponnuthurai
Chef de Cuisine
Born in Sri Lanka, Mr. Sutha Ponnuthurai learned his trade of cooking as the
assistant to our previous chef, the beloved Roger Perrin. In 1989, Sutha assumed
the responsibilities of Chef de Cuisine. He is best known for the weekly Sri Lankan
curries as well as the impressive graduation banquet, held after the commencement
ceremonies, which marks the final culinary experience for each of the LAS students.
Sutha can be counted on for a smiling face and an “anything’s possible and never-aninconvenience” attitude in work and in life.
Emir Imamovic
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David Tonossi
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Dragan Stanisavijevic
Murugaiah Kandaiah
Nedzad Alic
Tony Pereira
Jeyavathani
Ponnuthurai
Alice Vaz
Balasunderam Vinasi
Kanapathipillai
Kirushanth
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Sasa
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Premakanthan Thiyagarajh
Facility Management
Joelle Guitton
Director of Facility Management
Melina Duca
Assistant of Facility Management
Goretti Alves
Joga Anantham
Vincenzo Andaloro
Marija Bakovic
Adé Ferreira
Tila Ferreira
Selma Imamovic
Biljana Madjarac
Dijana Miladinovic
Svetlana Miladinovic
Maria Monteiro
Carla Monteiro
Marta Poznanska
Sanja Radojkovic