Welcome New Faculty and Staff

Megel Barker joins TASIS England as Head of Middle School. Prior to moving to England and TASIS, he spent eight years in Oman at ABA Oman International School working in a range of leadership roles including Middle School Principal.

With 28 years of experience as a mathematics educator and educational leader working with both international and independent curriculum frameworks, Megel is delighted to join the TASIS community. Megel earned his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Wilkes University.

Darren Singh-MacPherson joins TASIS England as Director of Inclusion, Well-being, and Compliance. Darren's has previously worked at TASIS England as Director of Boarding and, prior to that, as Project Manager.

With over 30 years of experience within residential schools, Children's Social Care, and UK Central Government, Darren is delighted to join the TASIS community. Darren earned his degree in Applied Social Studies and his professional qualification in Social Work from Brunel University, London.

Darren is an avid painter and has exhibited widely within the UK and overseas.

Deborah Aldred joins TASIS England as Upper School Teacher of Science. Prior to moving to TASIS, she spent four years in Singapore at United World College working as an Upper School Teacher of Science, following two years in Beijing as Head of Science.

With twelve years of experience as a Science teacher working both in England and in the international sector, Deborah is delighted to join the TASIS community. She earned her BSc (Hons) Molecular Medicine and Biochemistry degree from the University of Essex and her PGCE from Goldsmiths University, followed by a Masters degree from the University of Bath.

Deborah is married with two young children and enjoys family time, cooking, gardening, and exploring new places.

Alexander Bradshaw joins TASIS England as a Middle School Teacher and House Tutor. Prior to moving to TASIS, he gained his Graduate Diploma in Education from Queensland University of Technology. Alexander taught in Australia for a year before returning to the UK and has worked within the ACS International Schools Group for the last nine years.

With over ten years’ experience as a teacher working in international schools, he is delighted to join the TASIS community. Alexander holds a BA(Hons) degree from the University of Chester in Education Studies and Psychology. Most recently, he completed his International Teacher Leadership certification at the TLI institute. Additionally, Alex is passionate about the outdoors and holds a Forest School Teacher Leadership level three qualification. 

Outside of school he enjoys reading, walking and hiking with his dog Jasper, and spending time with his family.  

Margaret Branscombe joins TASIS England as Theatre Teacher. She has taught at primary, secondary, and university levels both in the UK and in the USA. Her interest in using drama to teach across the primary curriculum led to the completion of an MA in Drama in Education. On moving to Florida, she became the drama director at a private school in Clearwater and in 2015 she earned her PhD from the University of South Florida.

Margaret's research explored the use of drama to teach science and she has since authored two books about the practice of cross-curricular teaching through drama. As a result of this interest, she has worked with particle physicists to create workshops that use drama to teach about particle collision in the Large Hadron Collider!

Outside of teaching, Margaret enjoys spending time with her family and walking in the beautiful Surrey countryside. She is delighted to be joining TASIS and is excited about being in such an international community.

Saira Louis joins the TASIS community as Lower School Teaching Assistant. She has worked in the education sector for over ten years so joins us with a wealth of invaluable experience and knowledge. Saira obtained her Bachelor of Arts at the Buckinghamshire New University and is also a qualified nursery nurse.

 Saira loves cooking, movies, music, travelling, reading, and spending time with her teens.

Susanna Potter joins TASIS England as Upper School Teacher of Science. Prior to joining TASIS, Susanna taught Science for four years at the International School of Panama, and four years at the Taipei European School in Taiwan. She spent the past year teaching in a local school here in England. 

With nine years of experience as a Science teacher in international and British schools, Susanna is excited to join the TASIS community in a professional capacity. She earned her BSc in Medical Laboratory Science from University of Gothenburg and her PGCE from the University of Sunderland. 

Susanna has three children, two that currently attend TASIS and one new TASIS graduate. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her immediate family and large extended family in Sweden, walking in nature, and travelling.

Cara Ritchie-Greenbank joins TASIS England as an Upper School English teacher. Prior to moving to TASIS, Cara spent five years at ACS Egham as Academic Dean, Extended Essay coordinator, and IB teacher in Language and Literature, Literature, and TOK.

Cara has 17 years of teaching experience, first in the Scottish public education system followed by seven years in two Dubai International Schools (in various roles such as HOD and EE coordinator). After moving back to the UK, she remained in the International School system and Cara is delighted to join the TASIS community.

Cara earned both her BA Hons in English Literature and a PGCE in secondary education from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow.

As well as her teaching experience, Cara brings with her a love of music, reading, the great outdoors (especially growing her own vegetables), and cooking.

Matthew Whitney joins TASIS England as an Art Teacher. Prior to moving to TASIS, Matt spent six years in Spain at Caxton College in València working as a secondary art teacher and personal tutor. Matt also ran a "set club" for students to produce set pieces and props for the annual school musical.

With 14 years of experience as a lecturer and teacher in further and secondary education in the UK and Spain, Matt is delighted to return to his home country and join the TASIS community. Matt earned his first-class honours degree in Design and Art Direction from Manchester Metropolitan University and his PGDE from the University of Bolton. 

Matt is a visual artist and also has experience working in the creative industries as a storyboard artist, designer, and television researcher. His interests include travel, running, and painting.

Denise Barker joins TASIS England as Upper School College Counselor. Prior to moving to TASIS, Denise spent eight years at the American-British Academy working in various roles, including Head of English, Accreditation Coordinator, and University Counselor.

With 25 years of experience in education (having worked in Jamaica, England, and Oman), Denise is delighted to join the TASIS community. Denise earned her College Counseling certificate from the University of California, San Diego and an MSc in International Education from SUNY Buffalo. She has just completed all the requirements for an MBA in Educational Leadership from the University of Cumbria.

Outside of work, she enjoys Scrabble, health and fitness pursuits, travel, and spending quality time with family.

Harvey Miller  joins TASIS England as College Counselor. Prior to moving to England and TASIS, Harvey spent three years in Armenia, working at United World College Dilijan as the school's sole University and Career Counselor.

With 15 years of experience as a college counselor and educator in local and international schools in his native Jamaica as well as in the US, China, Costa Rica, and Armenia, Harvey is delighted to join the TASIS community. He earned his BA in History from Yale University.

Heather Capuzzi Sheridan joins TASIS England as an Upper School Counselor. Prior to moving to TASIS, Heather spent seven years at the International School of Brussels working as a Middle School Counselor.

Heather has more than 25 years of experience in education, mostly as a high school counselor, She is delighted to join the TASIS community. Heather earned her Masters of Art degree in Counseling Psychology from Immaculata University and a Master's equivalency in School Counseling from West Chester University of Pennsylvania.

Heather is a mother of three daughters; two currently attend university in London and the third is joining TASIS in ninth grade. Heather is a Duke University certified health and well-being coach and a certified E-RYT500 yoga and mindfulness instructor. She is also passionate about whole foods plant-based eating and is an avid runner who cares not only about her own health and well-being but also that of her students.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Sabrina Spinola De Freitas joins TASIS England as a Performing Arts and Theatre Technician. Prior to moving into this role, she worked part-time in the Housekeeping Department from 2019 while studying. Sabrina has a Bachelor’s degree in the Arts from the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) and has also completed A levels in Spanish, English Literature, and Theatre Studies.

With a passion for theatre spanning her adolescent and adult life, and having taught a Performing Arts class for 4-6 year olds in a previous role, Sabrina is delighted to join the TASIS community in the Arts Department.

Sabrina enjoys walks, singing, and dancing and loves to get involved in sports and other active activities with friends.