Staff

Belinda Yates -  Executive Head

I have over 30 years of teaching experience in private schools in Australia and Belgium, and in the last 12 years, I have been in leadership positions.   I have always been and continue to be involved with a variety of professional educational organisations such as the Council of English Speaking Schools in Belgium (CESSIB). I am the founder and one of the Google Education Group (GEG) leaders for Belgium. I am a proud mother of two and in my free time love walking and travelling.

Cobus Steyn - Deputy Executive Head 

I was born and raised in sunny South Africa and have lived and worked in Namibia, England, and the United Arab Emirates. History is a passion of mine, and I enjoy museums and places of interest. I try to play golf and am an avid scuba diver and keen gamer. Once, I jumped off the highest bridge bungee jump in the world –  a staggering 210meter fall! I am also an internationally qualified rugby coach, an International Award Leader, and Assessor and a Cambridge International Examinations Assessor. I am passionate about education and believe in the holistic development of students, and place great importance on learning outside of the classroom.

Analida Anguizola - Head of Primary School & EAL

Born and raised in Panama, my Spanish and Italian roots took me to Belgium in 2002.  Fascinated by Psychology, I fell in love with education whilst completing my end-of-studies internship in Educational Psychology.  Since then, I have been working and thriving at international schools complementing these two fantastic vocations.   Although I am always on the go, I love sunbathing and relaxing at the coast with a good crossword puzzle, going skiing with the family, and practising yoga when in need of creating a healthy balance in my life.

Nadim Bayeh - Head of Secondary, Chemistry Teacher

Half-Lebanese, half-Trinidadian with a Franco-American education; my background is in engineering as an architect, public speaking coach and social worker volunteer. I like to bring out the practical aspect of science in everyday life.

Beatriz Rocha - Chemistry & EAL Teacher

Born and raised in Portugal, I flew to Belgium first as a researcher and now as a teacher. Chemistry and science are part of my past, present and future and I feel very grateful to be able to share them with my students. Although I am very connected with my Portuguese roots, I cherish every opportunity to travel to another country and discover other perspectives.

Ben Thumwood - Physical Education Teacher 

I have been in Belgium for over ten years. I have a Masters in Physical Education. My main passion is playing, coaching, refereeing, and watching football.

Cathy Kerendi - Year 4 Teacher

Born and raised in London, my first career was in international banking. Then followed several years in the US before life brought me to Belgium and, more specifically, to ISF, where I am thoroughly enjoying my second career in teaching.

Beatrice Schneider -  French Language 1, History Teacher and French Coordinator

I am French from Paris and have been living in Belgium for the last 6 years. I’ve taught French, Modern Literature, Philosophy, and History for more than two decades, in Paris and abroad. Teaching is my passion, and I believe that it is a work of the heart. I enjoy classical rock, movies, travelling, philosophers, symbolist poets, Albert Camus, and impressionist painters. 

Claudia Cordeiro -  Year 5  Teacher

I am from Brazil, Rio de Janeiro. I have been living in Belgium for almost five years. Teaching is my passion. I have over nine years of experience teaching primary students in international schools. I am fluent in English and Portuguese. In my spare time, I like to travel with my husband and three children. I also like to read, sing and play the piano.

Elli Guns - Year 2 Teacher

I am a Belgian-Australian and grew up in Belgium. I studied abroad for three years in England where I was awarded my teaching degree from the University of Sussex. I love baking, travelling and spending time with my family and friends.

Edwin Thijs -  English Teacher & Global Perspectives

I was born and raised in South Africa and recently moved to Belgium with my family. I have been teaching for the past 11 years, and I don't see myself pursuing a different career anytime soon. I am a sporty person who enjoys the outdoors and living a healthy lifestyle. I think I have a great sense of humour, but my wife doesn't always agree with me. 

Fatima Saadani - Pre-School Teacher

I was born and raised in London and moved to Belgium in 2004. I  have more than 15 years of experience working in Montessori schools both in Belgium and in London.  I enjoy travelling, art, and spending time with my family and friends.  

Lynn Allavoine - Pre-school Teacher

I recently arrived in Belgium and ISF this year, excited for the new adventure. I am a French-American, born and raised in France, and educated at an international school. I moved to the United States for college and later a Master's Degree in Education. For over 20 years, I have been exploring the multiple facets of my passion, teaching young children to feel confident, competent and enjoy learning, in a variety of school settings. I am an outdoors enthusiast, and I love hiking and kayaking, spending long hours homestead gardening, but also reading a good book under a shady tree. Indoors, I like getting crafty with drawing, knitting or pottery.

Frank Christensen - Bus Driver and Maintenance 

I was born and grew up in Copenhagen. I moved to Belgium in 1993 and worked as a school bus driver and maintenance worker. I returned to Denmark for 4 years and set up my own company, and then decided to return to Belgium to continue my previous work. I have two lovely children and enjoy bowling and making sculptures. I enjoy working with iron and on roofs; the higher, the better.

Florentina Stanciu - Pre-School Assistant

I was born and raised in Bucharest. I have been living abroad for the last 7 years. I have lived in The Kingdom of Eswatini (Swaziland) and Turkey and last year I moved to Belgium with my family. I have 13 years of experience teaching pre-school children. This is my first year with ISF and I’m enjoying it. I love travelling with my husband and my two little children, I like photography and outdoor activities.

Hadeeqa Batool - Financial Assistant and School Secretary

I was born and raised in Pakistan. I moved to Belgium in 2005. After doing my Masters in Administration, I worked in a bank. It's been five years since I have been part of the ISF team. I enjoy the diversity at ISF Waterloo. I like travelling, and I really enjoy planning long road trips with my family. 

Henrik Kjoller - Grounds Manager and Bus Driver

I was born and grew up outside Aarhus, Denmark. After finishing Seamen and Carpenters school, I moved to Belgium in 1991. I started working for an International school, doing maintenance, teaching woodwork classes, and bus driving for several years. I also worked at Sportkot-KULeuven for 16 years. I raised 4 children and many dogs and cats. I like to be creative, in nature, with dogs, my motorbike, travelling, cooking, and with good people. 

Jake Erkens - Mathematics, Art and Project Management Teacher

I am a German-Filipino and grew up most of my life in the Philippines. Before moving to Belgium last year, I was in Denmark, completing my studies. This is now my second year of teaching at ISF, and I am enjoying it. Some of my hobbies and interests include cooking, travelling, visiting museums and art galleries as well as spending time with friends and family. 

Juan Francisco Betancourt - School Counsellor

I am Ecuadorian, born and raised in Quito. I have lived and travelled to many countries around the world. I am a psychologist and did my postgraduate of 'International Teacher' in Belgium because I fell in love with the international educational environment as soon as I stepped into a classroom as a teacher. I've been a teacher of psychology, history and linguistics for the last 5 years. My passions are sports (mainly swimming and MMA), but I also love to read and write in my free time.

Kelly Ashbaugh - Year 3 Teacher

My teaching career began in the United States, in my home state of Arizona. After a few years of teaching there, I decided that I wanted to experience teaching in a more international and multicultural environment. Over the past fifteen years, I have taught in international schools in Lithuania, Germany, and now I am entering my 11th year at ISF Waterloo. I enjoy travelling, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

Laurence Peetermans -  French Teacher 

I am from Belgium. I studied journalism and communications at ULB, and after my studies, I was very interested in teaching French. I continued my education to teach French as a Foreign Language. I have taught for three years in international schools before joining ISF Tervuren as a French teacher.

Lakeisha Cassidy - Pre-Primary Teacher

My name is Lakeisha Cassidy and I am from Ireland. I love working in the Early Years because you can have lots of fun whilst helping your students grow in a happy and secure environment. I love lots of messy and creative activities! In my free time, I love to relax with my family, read and get crafty!

Marthinus Griesel - English Teacher

I was born and raised in South Africa. My wife is Belgian and we moved here three years ago. Having started my teaching career relatively late in my life provides me with the advantage of combining life experience with my teaching. An immense passion for the development of our young people made for the major drive in choosing a teaching career, a career that I plan to pursue for the remainder of my working life. I love the outdoors, physical activity, and find great peace and comfort in nature. 

Laurence Turcry - French Teacher

I was born and grew up in Belgium, where I started my career  as a teacher for 7 years. I pursued in European schools for over 20 years, first in Spain and then in Italy. Back home, I wanted to continue teaching in a multicultural environment. I'm curious about life. Passionate about cinema, reading, theatre, music and  arts. I love human contact and children, and I enjoy this wonderful story together.

Niki Daun -  Assistant to Executive Head, Data Protection Officer

I'm from the UK but brought up mostly in Sweden, with American international education, so I feel very much at home in the ISF community! I've been in Brussels for 23 years, freelancing, volunteering, and recently completed my Degree in psychology - while raising two kids. I enjoy cooking, long walks in the forest with my dog and going on adventures with my camper van.

Nikita Thijs - History, Travel and Tourism, Global Perspectives Teacher

In 2016 I stepped into a classroom for the very first time as a teacher. Never expected to find myself in that position, as I had never planned on being one. From that day onwards, I have never looked back. I found a passion for working with children of all ages. My favourite is interacting in a multicultural environment and teaching children about a school's syllabus and preparing them for the outside world. I recently moved to Belgium from South Africa with my husband and daughters I enjoy being active and outdoors. I love laughing and have been told occasionally that I talk too much.

Sonia Martinez Parra - Year 6 teacher

I earned my degree in Education from Complutense University in my hometown of Madrid. Since then, I've been teaching and travelling around the world for the last 20 years, including Greece, the UK, China, and Estonia. I'm always interested in learning about new cultures, and I'm fluent in English, Spanish, and Greek. Teaching internationally is a lifestyle for me, and I'm excited to be in Belgium!

Sarah Hodges - Humanities, Geography  and Project Management Teacher

I am originally from the Wirral in the UK and have been living and working in Belgium for nearly 25 years and recently received Belgian nationality. Throughout my teaching career, I have taught students from 9 to 18 years old in a variety of schools for 27 years. Prior to my teaching career, I was an Outdoor Pursuits Instructor working in Snowdonia, North Wales, and I was awarded my teaching degree from Liverpool John Moores University. My interests include sailing, cycling, walking, photography (particularly ornithology) and crafts.

Henro Steyn - Year 8B Teacher

I was born and raised in the multi-cultural South-Africa. Teaching is one of my greatest passions and mathematics happens to be one of the others. I’ve been teaching in a classroom for the past six years and one-on-one for the past 10 years. While not working I love spending time with my wife, family, or friends. I love the outdoors and all kinds of sport and on rainy days I spend my time playing video games.

Maria Gomez - Music Teacher

I was born and raised in Venezuela. I came to Belgium in 2018 to study my bachelor's and Master’s degrees in Music at the Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel. Along with my studies in Belgium, I had the opportunity to play as an academist and cello substitute with professional orchestras. I love teaching in an international and multicultural environment, for that reason I am delighted to be part of the ISF community. I enjoy travelling, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

Yves Luyens - Maths and Physics Teacher

I am Belgian and a father of four. I am fluent in English, French and Dutch, and I love teaching in an international and multicultural environment. I am delighted to be part of the ISF community. My engineering background gives me a purposeful view of maths that I love to share and teach. I also like to inspire students through another passion of mine, namely, distance running and some of its key benefits like perseverance, progression and balance.