While my approaches to education have evolved over the years, one thing remains at the core: All children are special. With this at the forefront of my mind, I will continue to guide my students in unlocking their potential, embracing their differences, and achieving the seemingly impossible. |
Born and raised in the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium, I received a Master’s degree in Industrial Sciences from Group T Engineering College Leuven in 2000, a certificate of teaching skills from CVO De Oranjerie Diest in 2006, and a postgraduate certificate in Education from the University of Nottingham in 2016.
I worked as a microchip design & applications engineer and project manager at a Belgian semiconductor company from 2000 to 2006. I moved to Cambodia that same year and worked as an English as a Foreign Language teacher from 2006 to 2014, after which I accepted a position as a Physical Science teacher at CIA FIRST. Over the years, I took on the roles of science lab coordinator and school timetabler, and helped to build high school systems and roll out the AP program. Recently, I became part of the high school leadership team as the Deputy High School Principal for Academic Administration, however, I will continue to teach AP Physics 1 to keep touch with the teaching profession. The skills and mindsets I developed as an engineer help me make decisions, solve problems, and build systems. |
It is a huge privilege and honor to have been promoted as a High School Deputy Principal (Pastoral Care) at CIA FIRST in 2020-21. My journey with the school for the last 9 years has been highly enriching as I was given the opportunity to serve and learn at different roles from a Mathematics teacher to Subject Coordinator, and recently as school wide Community Engagement Learning Coordinator. My fundamental philosophy as a passionate educator, who works hard to empower the students in becoming lifelong learners is to employ high expectations, strong relationships and personalized learning goals to get the best from every student, giving them ownership of their own, personal learning journey. I am very proud to call Cambodia my home, having lived here now for nearly 10 years. Prior to teaching, I gained my customer service experience through working in different hotels at the beginning of my career and then moved to banking, finance and call center management positions. After joining the education sector in 2010, I have been fortunate enough to be in the unique position, whereby I have taught different age groups of students ranging from Elementary to the High School including university levels (Masters & Bachelors) as a lecturer, which gives me diverse understanding of student developmental needs and pedagogical frameworks. |