Dr. Peter Bateman

Born in Australia, Dr. Peter Bateman has worked in the education sector in Africa for the past 25 years during which time he has developed a particular interest in differentiated approaches to supporting Professional Learning for international educators.

Having been an educator and administrator in International schools, Peter also has an interest in developing and facilitating online Communities of Practice that enable collaboration.

Peter holds a PhD in Education (UK), a Masters Degree in Micro Technology in Education (UK), a Bachelor of Education Degree (Australia), and a Post Graduate Diploma in Online Instruction (USA).

He was recently selected to participate in the Leadership for the 21st Century program at the Harvard Kennedy School.

Message from Executive Director

Graham Watts

Graham is an educational writer, advisor and consultant with experience of leading professional learning in over 25 countries. He has published educational books in the UK and the USA as well as publishing articles and peer reviewed papers in the UK, New Zealand and Australia.

Before joining AISA, Graham was Global Director of Education and Training for an international children’s wellbeing charity; forming strategic partnerships with major funders, research partners, government agencies and universities.

In his spare time Graham enjoys theatre, cinema, art galleries and exhibitions and enjoying all that life in London has to offer!

Chanel Worsteling

Currently based in Brisbane, Australia, Chanel has spent the best part of the previous 10 years living and working overseas including Cambodia, New Zealand and Kenya.

Thrive. In a word, this has been her passion, driving initiatives that enable communities, organisations and individuals to flourish. As such, her career has been spent in the non-profit sector working in both small and large organisations, primarily in the areas of programme management, communications and organisational leadership.

Chanel has a Masters in International & Community Development and is currently undertaking a Masters in Counselling.

When not working, Chanel loves to explore local markets, read, travel and practice yoga.

William Thuku

William is an Accountant by profession having achieved a Masters of Science in Finance from Kenyatta University and a Bachelors Degree in Business Management (Finance and Banking); attaining a First class Honours from Moi University. He also has a Certificate of Proficiency from College of Insurance and is a Certified Public Accountant, Kenya.

William has vast experience in Financial and Management accounting having worked for Multinational companies such as Aga Khan Education Services and Finlay’s horticulture for several years.

William enjoys spending time with his family and friends.

Steve Muthiitene

Born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, Steve obtained a Masters in Strategic Management from the United States International University (USIU) – Africa and a Bachelors in Commerce from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa.

Prior to joining AISA, Steve worked in the banking and finance industry and also as a research analyst with a strategy and management consulting firm.

In his spare time Steve enjoys travelling, being around children and music – creating it, listening and dancing to it.

Barnabas Suva

Barnabas was appointed the AISA Administrative Officer in 2013 after serving as a Teaching Assistant in the International School of Kenya (ISK) for five years.

Barnabas holds a Bachelor of Science in International Business Administration and Masters in Strategic management from the United States International University – Africa (USIU). He is Certified Public Accountant of Kenya and member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Kenya (ICPAK). He also has a teaching Assistant Diploma from Penn Foster University, USA.

Barnabas is passionate about international education and is thus very proud to be serving the AISA Community.

Dan Jubert

Dan Jubert is Headmaster at the American International School of Cape Town. He has served as an administrator and school counselor overseas for the past 12 years, previously in Shanghai, China and San Pedro Sula, Honduras.

Dan holds an Ed.D in International Education from the University of Minnesota, an MA in Educational Psychology from the University of Minnesota, and a BS in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, with state licenses in school counseling and school administration.

Dan values the unique combination between school counseling and school leadership viewpoints as it encourages constant reflection, mutual understanding, and a strong solution-focused approach. Dan’s doctoral dissertation examined the intercultural competence of international school administrators and he looks to build off of the rich research in this area. Dan sits on the AISA Board Governance Committee (GovCom).

Fatma Odaymat

Dr Odaymat was born in Ghana and completed her primary education in West Africa. Before joining the world of International Education, she was involved in developing and managing education and protection programmes for children of all ages in Africa and the Middle East. As a United Nations Officer and a consultant, she designed and managed programmes for Early Childhood Development, building and rehabilitating schools, working on mental health, and peer to peer youth projects, in addition to providing learning opportunities for teachers, and working with governments on the ratification of education and protection policies. Dr Odaymat brings that global experience to Al-Rayan International School where she works with 150 staff to ensure that the students enjoy the highest standards in international education, with a focus on international-mindedness and service learning. Fatma sits on the AISA Board Governance Committee (GovCom).

Dr Fatma Odaymat has a Bachelor Degree in Biology and is a Medical Doctor by training. She also holds a Masters in Public Health and a Diploma in Educational Leadership. She is currently enrolled in a Master’s Programme in International Education Policy-IEP at Harvard University- Graduate School of Education.

Simon Gillespie

Simon Gillespie is currently the Head of School at the International School of Uganda. Simon began teaching Elementary School in Canada and then moved to Dresden International School becoming the Primary School Principal developing his understanding and support for an inquiry based integrated learning model with a diverse community of learners. Simon then moved on to International School Manila as Elementary and then Middle School Principal where he worked as a member of a team involved in creating a school wide curriculum framework aligning subject areas with trans-disciplinary skills in a conceptual based unit approach.

Simon completed his doctoral dissertation on the role of leadership in creating environments supporting inclusion of all students in International Schools and is a Design Team member of the Next Frontier Inclusion organization focusing on the development of Inclusive International Schools. Simon is a trainer with the Principal’s Training Center focusing on creating effecting schools and was the recipient of the 2014 National Distinguished Principal award representing the US State Department Office of Overseas Schools. Simon is the chairperson for the AISA Board Finance Committee (FinCom).

David Henry

David Henry is the Director of the International School of Kenya. He has over two decades of international education experience, which has come in various teaching and administrative roles including nine years as a school director. A former Peace Corps Volunteer in Burkina Faso, he has worked ten years in West Africa, half that time as Director at AIS N’Djamena (2006-7) and AIS Bamako (2007-11).

David values the role international schools play in lives of students and the authentic connections schools make with the communities they serve. He has an interest in the establishment and maintenance of adaptable systems to create and sustain a positive, stable school environment. He has advanced degrees in international development education and educational leadership and has also served as an international school business manager. David sits on the AISA Board Finance Committee.

Caroline Brokvam

Dr. Caroline Brokvam has been the Director of the American School of Antananarivo in Madagascar since 2016. She has worked internationally for nearly twenty years, beginning as an English teacher at the International School of Stavanger in Norway, and going on to hold leadership positions at International School Manila and Copenhagen International School.

Caroline enjoys being a part of diverse communities with equity and inclusion at the forefront, and believes in fostering agility, innovation and student agency.

Anna Marsden

Anna Marsden has been Director of UWC East Africa (UWCEA) in northern Tanzania since August 2017. Prior to this she was Head of School at International School Suva in the Fiji Islands and Director of Students at Waterford Kamhlaba United World College of Southern Africa in Swaziland. Whilst in Fiji, Anna served on the Board of EARCOS for several years. Before moving into school administration she was a chemistry teacher and still gets into the classroom as much as she can.

Anna believes schools need to provide a relatively safe environment where young people can test themselves and try out new ideas as they grow and try to make sense of the world around them. Anna sits on the AISA Board Membership Committee (MemCom).

Mark Hardeman

Mark Hardeman is the Director of the International School of Tanganyika. Mark has worked as a teacher and administrator in Canada, Kuwait, the UAE, and China prior to assuming his current role in Tanzania.

Much of his work in educational leadership has been concentrated on developing the capacity of faculty, administration, Boards and schools. Mark is particularly passionate about the development of high quality professional development programs and focused his doctoral research on effective PD practices in schools. Although this is his first experience in Africa, Mark is extremely excited to work with the AISA Board and other international schools in the region. Mark is the chairperson for the AISA Board Governance Committee (GovCom).

Mary Ashun

Dr Ashun is in her 5th Year of Service at Ghana International School after heading a private school in Canada. Prior to that, she was a member of Faculty at Redeemer University after teaching Primary and Secondary Science for 22 years. Since coming to G.I.S, she has led a fantastic team of educators to initiate an Action Research Program, grown that into a Practitioner-led conference, partnered with local Teacher Training Institutes for practice teaching, and have set up a Junior Teacher program targeted at local qualified teachers to re-train as ‘international’ teachers in our School. With a majority of host country teachers, the challenge of sometimes inadequate pre-service teacher training is a real one. Mary is the chairperson for the AISA Board Membership Committee (MemCom).

Mark Brookes

Mark is the Director of the American International School of Lesotho based in Maseru, Lesotho where he has been in the AISA region for 3 years. He started his international journey back in August 2001 when he left Australia to start working in Tallinn Estonia. 5 years later moving to Tashkent Uzbekistan for 6 years, followed by 2 years in HoChiMinh City Vietnam, and 2 years in Bandung Indonesia.

Mark has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Mathematics and Technology, a Graduate Diploma in Secondary Teaching, a Masters in Educational Technology and a Masters in Administration and Leadership.

He is looking forward to being a member of the AISA board. AISA will be the 3rd regional support association he has worked with. CEESA in Europe and EARCOS in Asia. He finds that the AISA region is the most active, collaborative and supportive toward making the lives of schools, educators and students in the African region more successful. Over the years, Mark has preferred to work in smaller schools of less than 600 students. This will be something he aims to pursue and support in the AISA region. Mark sits on the AISA Board Membership Committee (MemCom).