At GIS The International School of Monza we have staff from over 8 countries, all dedicated to student well-being and bringing a sense of family to the GIS community.
Educational Background:
Teaching Experience:
Teaching Philosophy:
“Education is not the filling of a pail, but rather the lighting of a fire” by William Butler Yeats
I believe
true education is not about passively receiving facts, but about igniting a student’s curiosity, passion, and intrinsic motivation to learn
Personal interests:
Outside of teaching, I love going for long distance runs, reading long novels and playing in the garden with my own two children.
Educational Background:
Teaching Experience:
Teaching Philosophy:
Embracing teaching styles based on inquiry and reflecting on personalized learning to meet the needs of all students helped me to grow as a teacher and as a lifelong learner and to become more of a thinker and inquirer within the classroom.
In an international education, students’ well-being, open-mindedness, and multilingualism enable the enrichment of a safe environment, based on respect and inclusion, where students can feel valued and appreciated, stimulated and successful.
Personal interests:
Running, going to the theatre, reading in different languages – especially in Spanish and Catalan.
Educational Background:
Creative Experience:
Teaching Philosophy:
Tree: the very slow explosion of a seed._Bruno Munari
I am always ready to play with the children’s ideas.
Personal interests:
Cooking, reading and travelling.
Educational Background:
Teaching Experience:
Teaching philosophy:
I see every child as a capable and curious learner with unique interests to explore. In the PYP, I enjoy creating learning experiences that connect to the real world, helping students take ownership of their learning and grow through inquiry. I value the way collaboration and communication naturally develop in this process, and I find it deeply rewarding to share in their discoveries and conversations along the way.
Personal Interests:
Outside of school, I enjoy playing various musical instruments, hiking and studying history.
Educational Background:
Teaching Experience:
Teaching Philosophy:
“If my students buy into me, they will buy into the learning.”
I believe that building strong, authentic, and trusting relationships is the foundation of meaningful learning. When students feel connected and supported, they are more willing to be academically courageous, engage deeply, and strive for their own excellence. By reaching each student as an individual, I am able to tailor my approach to cultivate critical, creative, and dynamic thinking skills applicable across a virtually infinite range of scenarios. More than anything, I want to instill in them a love of learning and the confidence to keep growing, to remain reflective, curious, and compassionate global citizens, and to independently continue this well beyond the classroom and throughout life.
Personal interests:
Aside from roller-blading long distances, most of my favorite hobbies are water-based. I spent ten years as a whitewater rafting guide and trip leader in the USA, and now I have shifted focus to the underwater world. I am a certified professional PADI Divemaster and thoroughly enjoy scuba diving, but my absolute, all-time favorite is training, instructing, and especially competing in various disciplines of freediving (apnea).
Educational Background:
Teaching Experience:
Teaching Philosophy:
“If children feel safe, they can take risks, ask questions, make mistakes, learn to trust, share their feelings, and grow.”
I’m a firm believer that good education starts with the environment surrounding the children. It is important that they get the time needed to feel safe in it. When they have the possibilities to express themselves through various way with the support from us, it gives them the chance to find their way of learning.
Personal interests:
Outside of teaching, I have a particular interest in gardening, knitting, boardgames and reading.
Educational Background:
Working Experience:
Teaching Philosophy:
A school without fantasy is like a sky without stars_Gianni Rodari
Personal interests:
music and live concerts, nature and plants, travelling.
Educational Background:
Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, University of Sheffield, United Kingdom.
Teaching/Working Experience:
I am a Homeroom Teacher at GIS Monza, where I create meaningful learning experiences that spark curiosity and creativity. I enjoy supporting children as they grow in confidence, build friendships, and discover their unique ways of learning.
Teaching Philosophy:
“Every child carries a light; my job is to help it shine.”
Personal Interests:
I love traveling and discovering new cultures, as well as finding inspiration in everyday moments.
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree in Educational Sciences
Teaching experience:
I began my career in education working at MUBA, the Children’s Museum of Milan. There, I developed a strong passion for early childhood education and decided to become a teacher.
I worked for two years at Eni 06 Nursery School (a school in Milan that follows the Reggio Emilia approach) and for another two years at Nido Mandorla in Monza with H-Farm. I have been part of GIS since its opening, for almost five years now.
Teaching Philosophy:
All grown-ups were once children… but only few of them remember it.”
As a teacher, my main goal is the well-being of the children. For this reason, every day I strive to treat everyone with empathy and sensitivity. I try to put myself in their shoes and aim to support them in their growth day by day, building a relationship based on trust. I truly believe in the uniqueness of each child, and for this reason I adopt personalized learning approaches for every student.
Personal Interests:
I have a passion for children’s picture books, photography, and travel.
Educational background:
Teaching experience:
Teaching Philosophy:
Nothing without joy.” — Loris Malaguzzi
I believe that learning is most meaningful when it is connected to joy, curiosity, and exploration. Education is a collaborative and creative process, where children feel free to express themselves, experiment, and learn through experience, fostering both personal growth and a sense of community.
Educational Background:
Professional Experience:
Teaching Philosophy:
I believe that children thrive when they feel loved and know that they belong. In that secure context, in collaboration with their peers and educators, they are able to explore their world and make sense of it.
Personal interests: I love travelling, CrossFit and cooking.
Educational Background:
Teaching Experience:
Teaching Philosophy:
After obtaining my degree in economics, I worked for 15 years in various senior management positions at large production companies. I moved to Italy a few years ago to support my family and am pleased to have found a role here at GIS. To me, educating children means building our future. In my work and as a mother, I consider it is important to teach children to have an open mind, acceptance, a fighting spirit and perseverance. Being international and multilingual not only opens up the world for our children, but it also makes our children open to accepting the diversity of the world and humanity. Based on these thoughts, I work and raise my own child, who is only a teenager but speaks 4 languages already. I work with your children and you with love and devotion to educate the children for the future.
Personal interests:
I love travelling and skiing.
Educational Background:
Educational Experience:
I decided to start teaching in 2019 because I really believe that every child is a precious resource for our future and a great teacher should boost every single kid’s skill!
Teaching Philosophy
I’m also very passionate and interested in multilingualism and I agree with Jim Rohn when he says “Quante lingue può imparare un bambino? Tante quante avrai il tempo di insegnargli dedicandogli del tempo”.
Educational Background:
I hold two degrees and a master’s qualification, which continually enrich my approach to education. I have a particular passion for social and emotional learning, and I am committed to designing personalised, student-centered learning plans that support each child’s unique strengths and challenges.
Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching for a total of 11 years, with eight years of experience in the United Kingdom and three years in Italy. Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working with children across a wide age range, from six months to eighteen years old, fostering a deep understanding of developmental stages and individual needs.
Teaching Philosophy:
A lifelong learner myself, My personal teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that “teaching is love in its purest form.” I aim to create a nurturing, compassionate environment where students feel valued, understood, and motivated to reach their full potential. I am excited to return to GIS for another inspiring year and to reconnect with the PY3 classroom, eager to contribute to our students’ growth and success.
Educational Background:
Working Experience:
Teaching Philosophy:
I have strong beliefs as an educator to create student centered classroom communities with authentic learning experiences to foster critical thinking and lifelong learning. I believe all students are capable and bring valuable contributions. My goal is to help cultivate a safe learning community where students are empowered to think creatively and grow holistically.
Personal interests:
I love learning, I have a curious mind and like to follow my interests. I enjoy staying active, by participating in any and all sports, hiking, biking, mountaineering, or snowboarding. Lastly I enjoy being creative, specifically with painting, pottery, or craft projects.
Educational Background:
I studied Theatre and Performance at Leeds university and graduated in 2013. Following this, I spent two years working in primary schools as a learning assistant before completing my teacher training in 2015.
Teaching Experience:
I have worked in many different schools across Leeds in the United Kingdom, and all of my classes have been made up of pupils from a wide range of backgrounds, ethnicities and languages. Through these experiences, I became interested in the different ways in which children learn and discovered the importance of personalising learning for each pupil.Literacy and writing are my passion in the classroom; I love to see the children’s creativity shine through. I believe every child’s talents should be celebrated and every pupil deserves to fulfil their potential. We are all different; together we can build a strong, caring community in our classroom.
Teaching Philosophy:
“One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world” – Malala Yousafzai.
Educational Background:
Teaching Experience:
Teaching Philosophy:
I believe my job is to inspire students to want to learn (or at least tolerate) my subjects. Once I get them hooked, I can act as a guide and a resource while they dig deeper into the subject.
Personal interests: Outside of the classroom, you can find me walking my dogs in the park or reading a book with a nice cup of tea.
Educational Background:
Teaching Experience:
Teaching Philosophy:
“None of us is as smart as all of us” (Ken Blanchard).
I believe that education is a collaborative process where students actively construct their understanding through interaction, dialogue and shared responsability.
In the classroom, I foster a supportive environment that encourages peer collaboration, critical thinking and mutual respect.
Personal interests: Outside of teaching, I love reading – especially novels – traveling and baking desserts.
Educational Background:
Teaching Experience:
Teaching Philosophy:
“Every voice carries a world within it”
I believe that multilingualism opens doors to understanding these worlds, while personalized learning ensures each student’s voice is truly heard. Together, they create a learning journey that fosters curiosity, confidence, and connection.
Personal interests: I’m passionate about books, languages, crochet and DIY.
Educational Background:
Teaching Experience:
Primarily based in Italy, but also having taught in Thailand and South Korea, I have a portfolio of 22 years working as a Director of Studies, Co-ordinator, Teacher Trainer and Teacher for diverse language schools including the British Council. Broad range of educative experience with all age groups and settings, which has permitted sensitivity to methodological differentiation and inclusion.
Teaching Philosophy:
“The Teacher must adopt the role of Facilitator not Content Provider” – Lev. S. Vygotsky.
Learning should be a self-driven, experiential and holistic journey, augmented through scaffolding and guidance within a framework which has clear world-wide relevance. Developmental attainment should therefore be fostered through differentiation and personalisation to ensure that each child reaches their maximum potential.
Personal Interests:
In addition to teaching, I particularly enjoy travel, creative arts and music.
Teaching Experience:
12 years as PYP teaching assistant at ISBologna and ISComo, with 4 years as IB Librarian
Teaching Philosophy:
“Of all the ways we share information and stories, it’s our voices that unite us.”
The written word and the technology that comes with it allows us to live in a truly global community, and in international schools that community comes together. I’m someone who loves learning, and to share that love across the language barrier is a pleasure and an honour.
Personal Interests
I love ancient history, the outdoors, the mountains and the lakes and try to combine all of those every weekend, I’m a music fan, a musician and sound technician, so I have something to do when the weather’s not so good.
Educational Background:
Clarinet, piano, composition, music teaching studies
Attended “Lettere Moderne”, Università degli Studi Milano
Teaching Experience:
20 years of experience teaching music in Italian, Bilingual and International schools (Early Years, Primary Years, Middle School). I’ve been a class assistant too.
Teaching music theory, clarinet, saxophone, piano, musical propaedeutics, choir, junior band in music schools.
Teaching Philosophy:
“Music is inside us”
My goal is to convey to my students the passion for music and make them understand that music is something we have inside us. Music is another language and it is universal.
Personal interests:
I like spending time with my friends, going to the cinema and reading. I collect Mickey Mouse comics.
Educational Background:
Arsenal FC – Coach/Teacher 2004
Soccer Scholarship USA – won championships and super bowl ring
Bachelor – Major in Physical Education, Teaching and Coaching
Minor in General Studies 2004 – 2007
Teacher in America – 2years
Teaching Experience:
Teacher in UK – over 15 years
Qualified Teacher – working across mainstream, mostly secondary and some primary, alternative provisions, private schools, grammar, special education, sixth form, college etc
Recently teaching in a small Channel Island of Guernsey 2024-2025
Teaching Philosophy:
“Every child matters”
Teaching practice and must do’s – Flexibility, adaptability, resilience, consistency, differentiation, personalised, interactive, outdoors and indoors, stretch and challenge, make it FUN!
For students – having the opportunity to do some work experience, personal training/development, plan and share business ideas.
Interests:
Playing connect 4, travelling, reading and listening, eating, go-karting, horse riding, footballing, coaching MMA and roller skating, debating and reflecting.
Educational Background:
Clarinet, piano, composition, music teaching studies
Attended “Lettere Moderne”, Università degli Studi Milano
Teaching Experience:
20 years of experience teaching music in Italian, Bilingual and International schools (Early Years, Primary Years, Middle School). I’ve been a class assistant too.
Teaching music theory, clarinet, saxophone, piano, musical propaedeutics, choir, junior band in music schools.
Teaching Philosophy:
“Music is inside us”
My goal is to convey to my students the passion for music and make them understand that music is something we have inside us. Music is another language and it is universal.
Personal interests:
I like spending time with my friends, going to the cinema and reading. I collect Mickey Mouse comics.
Educational Background:
Degree in Educational Sciences
Teaching Experience:
I began my experience in the field of education working at MUBA, the children’s museum in Milan. There, I developed a strong passion for young children’s education and I decided to work as a school teacher.
I worked for 2 years at the Eni 06 nursery school (a Reggio Approach school in Milan), and for another 2 years at Nido Mandorla in Monza with H-farm. Since its opening almost 5 years ago, I am part of Gis.
Teaching Philosophy:
“All grown-ups were once children… but only few of them remember it.”
As a teacher, my main goal is the well-being of children. For this reason, I make an effort every day to treat everyone with empathy and sensitivity. I try to put myself in their shoes and I aim to accompany them in their growth day after day by building a relationship based on trust. I really believe in the uniqueness of each child and this is why I adopt personalized learning methods for each of them.
Personal interests: I have a passion for children’s illustrated books, photography and travel.
Educational Background:
Clarinet, piano, composition, music teaching studies
Attended “Lettere Moderne”, Università degli Studi Milano
Teaching Experience:
20 years of experience teaching music in Italian, Bilingual and International schools (Early Years, Primary Years, Middle School). I’ve been a class assistant too.
Teaching music theory, clarinet, saxophone, piano, musical propaedeutics, choir, junior band in music schools.
Teaching Philosophy:
“Music is inside us”
My goal is to convey to my students the passion for music and make them understand that music is something we have inside us. Music is another language and it is universal.
Personal interests:
I like spending time with my friends, going to the cinema and reading. I collect Mickey Mouse comics.
Educational Background:
Degree in Economics and Business Administration
Working experience:
Accounting Office UCI – revenue and income manager
Finance Department Hankook, Bausch&Lomb – monthly closing manager and SOX responsible
Teaching Philosophy:
Teamwork makes anything possible.
Personal Interests:
Sports; Motorcycling; Cooking.
Formazione:
Esperienza Professionale:
Filosofia lavorativa:
Interessi Personali:
Educational Background:
Teaching and working Experience:
Teaching Philosophy:
“Not all classrooms have four walls”
I see learning as an ongoing, dynamic process that can occur in various settings: whether through field trips, community engagement, online resources, or real-world experiences. I believe in experiential and holistic education, where the world itself serves as a classroom.
Personal interests:
Outside of teaching, I have a particular interest in historical novels, travelling and skiing.
