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David O'Connell,
Principal, BA, PGCE
Grade 6 Teacher |
After graduating from the University of Liverpool, England with a Bachelors degree in Mathematics and Computer Science and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education, I began my 22 year teaching and administrative career in Lancashire, England. I am fortunate to have experienced and enjoyed a truly diverse and multi-cultural lifestyle of teaching within the International School communities of Seychelles, Malaysia, Singapore and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Most recent management appointments have included a Deputy Headship in Lancashire, England and prior to my return to the Turks and Caicos Islands; I completed a 4-year contract as Head of an International Elementary School in Singapore, a school fully committed to the latest developments of the British National Curriculum. I was appointed as Principal of The Ashcroft School in September 2005. I firmly support a holistic approach to teaching and learning; educating our children as future world citizens and promoting a school ethos fully dedicated to providing 'Excellence and Enjoyment'. |
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Drani Saunders,
Vice Principal
Grade 4 Teacher |
Drani Saunders Grade 4 teacher and Vice Principal I have been teaching for over 20 years. I was educated in Canada, receiving my Bachelor of Arts in English and History from Trent University, my Bachelor of Education in T.E.S.L. from Brock University and my Education Certification from Medaille College, Buffalo, New York. I have had the pleasure of teaching in both Canada and in the Turks and Caicos Islands in both private as well as public schools. I am qualified to teach Primary-Junior, Secondary and Adult education. I have been teaching at the Ashcroft School since January 1996. I am married with four wonderful children, Michael who is currently attending The Ashcroft School and Gabriel and Maya who have attended and are currently at the BWIC. I was appointed Vice Principal in May 2006. |
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Katie Clark,
Literacy Coordinator
Grade 2 Teacher |
BA(Hons) with QTS Primary Education and English. After graduating from Liverpool JM University I taught Year 1 in Sussex, England. After 2 years I fulfilled dreams of travelling in Africa and Asia and then taught in Australia. Since my return 4 years ago I have taught Reception, Year 1&2 at Ninfield School (back in Sussex).
During this time I have also led whole school development projects in PSHE and the Arts and played a leading role in Key Stage 1 Literacy. I am passionate about teaching and encouraging in children an enthusiasm for, and a love of, learning. I began working at The Ashcroft School in September 2007 as Grade 2 teacher and Literacy co-ordinator. I feel very privileged to work with such wonderful children and staff and in such a beautiful place.
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Andrew Byrne,
Numeracy Coordinator
Grade 5 Teacher |
I am currently in my 3rd year at The Ashcroft School as the teacher for Grade 5. I gained my teaching degree from the University of Lancaster in the UK. I spent 3 years working in many and varied schools around the North of England before jetting off to the Turks and Caicos. I live here with my Fiancé Jo and our fantastic daughter Aphrah, who also attends the school. I really enjoy working at The Ashcroft School and feel very fortunate to be able to spend my leisure time on such a beautiful island. I am a keen sportsman and enjoy most sports. I spend some of my free time coaching and playing football. I look forward to another fantastic year with the teachers, students and parents of The Ashcroft School.
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Delia N Pennicott-Taylor,
Preschool/Junior Kindergarten Teacher |
I am a Jamaican national who has been living in the Turks and Caicos Islands since 2003. I am a graduate of the Sam Sharpe Teachers ‘college in Montego Bay Jamaica there I majored in Primary Education with my secondary specialty being Advanced Biology. I am also certified by the Joint Board of Teacher Education (University of the West Indies). My experience ranges within the scope of my qualifications from early childhood education to grade six .I have eleven years teaching experience five of which I gained while being employed by the Ministry of Education, youth and culture (Jamaica) and the remainder at the Ashcroft school where I have taught in Pre School, Junior Kindergarten and Senior Kindergarten. I became a part of the Ashcroft team in September 2003. I am happy to be part of a team that firmly emphasizes the delivery of quality education. I enjoy spending quality time with my family which is comprised of my husband Michael and our lovely son Jaydon.
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Judith Modest,
Preschool Assistant |
I have been living in the Turks & Caicos Islands from June 2003.
I attended the Browns Town Community College in Jamaica from
1991- 1993 where I studied a number of subjects. I graduated in July of 1993 and received a Certificate of Distinction.I was employed at the Jamaica Bauxite Mining as a Payroll Clerk for 4 years.
In 2000, I went to theVi Tech Computer School in Ocho Rios Jamaica where I received a Certificate of Distinction in Basic Information Technology.
In June 2003, I migrated to The Turks & Caicos Islands. I commenced employment at The Ashcroft School as an Assistant Teacher in September of 2005. I enjoy working in Pre- School.
In January 2009, I was trained with the British Red Cross and was granted a Certificate in Basic First Aid/ CPR/ AED.
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Vina Sanchez,
Junior Kindergarten Teacher |
I was born and raised in Philippines. I graduated from the Tomas del Rosario College, Balanga, Philippines. In 2000, I received my Bachelors in Elementary Education with Masteral Units. I have been teaching preschool at the Bataan Infant Jesus School Balanga, Philippines for four years. Prior to that, I taught elementary school for one year (1st, 2nd and 3rd Grades) handling Reading and Language subjects. I joined the Ashcroft teaching team in
September 2006 up to present. I like working with all
the wonderful teachers in this school and seeing the children play and interact with one another. I love teaching and being a part of their growth, experience and discovery of learning. I enjoy the challenge of working with the JK children, playing with them here each day is a real joy for me. |
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Lorraine Swarbrick,
Junior Kindergarten Assistant |
I first came to Provo in January 2006 from Nottingham, England. I am the mother of 3 children and over the past 15 years, I have volunteered on a regular basis at their schools. This is my first teaching assistant position and I am looking forward to helping Miss. Vina with the J.K. children. |
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Nicola Williams,
Senior Kindergarten Teacher |
Nicola has been teaching and living in the T.C.I. for the past 12 years. She has an undergraduate honours degree in Early Childhood Education, a Bachelor of Education degree at the Primary/Junior level, additional qualifications at the high school level and a Masters degree in Education/Psychology. She has taught children of all ages and most recently worked at the T.C.I. Community College educating teachers.
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Barbara Francis,
Senior Kindergarten Assistant |
As the longest serving member of the Ashcroft School team, with 20 years of commitment to our young children, I have gained experience working as Pre School and Junior Kindergarten assistant. I currently assist the Senior Kindergarten teacher, I love children and I love my job. |
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Amanda O'Connell,
Grade 1 Teacher
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As a PE and Biology graduate, I completed my studies with a P.G.C.E. qualification in Early Years Education (3-8 year olds) at Leicester University. Following my initial teaching appointment in Nottingham, England, I chose to explore a teaching career within the International School circuit. Overseas teaching appointments have taken to me to Seychelles, Malaysia and Singapore. Posts of responsibility have included Head of Early Childhood Department at The International School of the Seychelles.
I have held curriculum coordination roles across the whole school for PE, Art and Literacy. I have two daughters, Olivia in Grade 7 at The British West Indies Collegiate and Ella in Grade 5 at The Ashcroft School.
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Tracey Nesbitt,
Grade 3 Teacher
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I arrived on the island in 1996 where I taught my very first year at a locally run school. I then moved to the Ashcroft School in 1997 and have been here to date. I have taught Grades 1-5 and have presently taught Grade 3 for five years. I went to the University of Windsor, Ontario, Canada where I received a Bachelor in Sociology and a minor in Religion. I studied in Buffalo, New York, U.S. and received my Masters in Education. I have two sons named Shawn who was born June 29th, 2005 and James who was born on October 5, 2008. My husband and I built a house in Leeward and look forward to the continuing growth of the island and Ashcroft School.
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Sarah Haywood,
Science Teacher
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Sarah began her teaching career in 1990. Before coming to TCI, Sarah taught in the UK and at an international school in Africa. Sarah has taught at The Ashcroft school on and off (2 maternity leaves!) since 1997 and has performed a number of varied teaching roles including Grade 6 classroom teacher, Physical Education specialist, Science specialist, Senior Kindergarten teacher and Supply teacher. Sarah is returning from maternity leave in September 2006 to teach Science. In her spare time (what little there is now with 2 children!) Sarah is an avid golfer. |
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Josiane Rateau,
French Teacher
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I was born and educated in France. I taught conversational French in a Government catholic high school in Nigeria. The students, all girls, were between the ages of 12 and 18. While living in Toronto, Canada, I was a teacher for the Alliance Française. I also have taught adult/beginner's conversational classes and prepared teenagers for examinations run by the French Government, focusing on written French, spelling and grammar. I have been teaching French at the Ashcroft School for five years to all classes from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 7. Younger children are encouraged to learn French orally. From Grade 4, children also practice reading, spelling and grammar. |
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Julie Aubin Heller,
Music and Theatre Arts specialist
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Soprano Julie Aubin Heller, began vocal training at an early age with International soprano, Ana Riera. She continued her studies at New York University where she received her B. Mus. in Opera/Vocal Performance under the tutelage of Carolann Page. Currently residing between New York City and Providenciales, T.C.I.,
Ms. Heller is a frequent performer on the operatic stage having performed with Chelsea Opera, Regina Opera, Rockland Opera, New York Opera Productions, Opera for Humanity, and the New York Metro Vocal Arts Ensemble. Roles performed include the Countess in Le Nozze di Figaro, the First Lady in The Magic Flute, Sally in Die Fledermaus, the Sandmann/Dew Fairy in Hansel and Gretel, Annina in La Traviata, and Juliska in The Gypsy Princess. Ms. Heller is presently the Music and Theatre Arts specialist at the Ashcroft School in Turks & Caicos.
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Joanne Groves,
Special Support Unit Coordinator
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I gained my National Diploma in Nursery Nursing from Lancaster and Morecambe College, England. Following this, I became a private Nanny to four children ranging in ages from 3 months to 6 years. I have also worked in many schools in the North West of England on a supply basis supporting either whole classes or individual children with various disabilities. Since 1996, I have worked in a large Primary School in Blackpool, England. Throughout the years, my roles have included Special Support Assistant, Behaviour Support Co-ordinator, Anti-Bullying Co-ordinator, School Governor and finally Learning Support Unit Manager. I specialise in supporting children, throughout both Key Stages, with learning/behaviour difficulties. My aim is to boost pupils learning in order to gain suitable levels in their SATS tests. In my spare time I enjoy socialising and spending time with my family.
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Barbara Marshall,
Office Administrator
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I joined The Ashcroft School in January 2006 as the Office Administrator. A Turks Islander by birth, I spent most of my life in Nassau, Bahamas where I was educated and gained experience working as a Banker, Administrator and Accounts Officer. My love is for people especially children. |
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Sauveur Monestine,
Our Wonderful Caretaker
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Sauveur has been working as the caretaker for The Ashcroft School for the past 10 years. He enjoys working with people, especially children. He is married and has 3 children that are presently living in Haiti.
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