The Woodland Star application process consists of:
Cecilia is the co-teacher for the Mugumo Village. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from Maseno University. She is currently pursuing her Post-Graduate Certificate in International Education (PGCEi) from the University of Nottingham in the UK.
Cecilia is passionate about inclusion and her positive energy, patience, and enthusiasm help her teach learners of all abilities. She loves listening to music and spending time with her family.
David is a Special Education graduate with extensive teaching experience. He has worked as classroom teacher in both Middle Years and High School, a learning support teacher and a head of department in various international schools.
David is a very passionate teacher who enjoys helping students find their potential and inspiring them to give new things a try. He enjoys working in a multicultural, inclusive environment and believes that every child has unique abilities and talents. Besides teaching, David can also perform Ed-psych assessments and can teach and interpret sign language.
In his free time, David enjoys cycling and working on the farm.
Taylor holds a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Kansas and a Bachelor’s Degree in Middle Grades and High School Mathematics and Social Studies from the University of North Carolina.
She is passionate about mathematics, girls education, Deaf empowerment, carpentry, Kenyan history, graphic design, and her dog, Muthaka.
Woodland Star was founded by Amy. She graduated with a Degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from the University of Mobile and a Masters in Gifted Education from William Carey University. She has taught in both the American system and the British system in the areas of early childhood and elementary education, visual arts, middle and high school literacy and history, gifted education, and performing arts.
Amy loves to create, travel, be with family, laugh, and experience theater and dance.
Amanda is a Canadian teacher who has lived and worked around the world. She has a BA and BEd from the University of Winnipeg and a MScED from SUNY Buffalo. Her passion lies in inspiring young minds to explore new ideas, pursue their passions, and appreciate the beauty of the world around us.
She loves learning languages and meeting people from diverse cultures and backgrounds. In her down time she loves playing in the rain, reading, crochet, and dancing. Her superpower is empathy.
Maggie is the co-teacher in Muhuti Village. She graduated from Kenyatta University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Needs Education. She is currently pursuing a Masters in Special Needs Education - Autism Spectrum Disorders, at Kenyatta University.
Maggie has worked as a learning support teacher in both middle school and high school classrooms in international schools in Kenya. She believes that each learner is an individual and should be given the opportunity to learn at their own pace.
Maggie enjoys spending time with family, traveling to new places, cooking and listening to music.
Mercy is one of our 1:1 Learning Support Teachers. She graduated from Kenyatta University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. She has a Diploma in Human Psychology from Alison, and a Certificate on Understanding Autism, ADHD and Aspergers Syndrome from University of Derby.
She has taught a competency-based curriculum and various international curriculums in schools in Kenya. Mercy is passionate about child psychology and nurturing learners in their unique abilities and interests.
She enjoys traveling, listening to music and spending time with her family.
Barron is a 1:1 Learning Support Teacher. He studied Special Needs Education Diploma Level at Kenyatta University, Nairobi. He has been a home school teacher, a teacher in an inclusive setting and also a caregiver to both typical and atypical learners.
Barron is passionate about working with students on social skills and he loves learning from others. He enjoys reading and doing research, playing football and basketball, going for nature walks, listening to music, giving a helping hand and travelling.
Woodland Star was founded by Amy. She graduated with a Degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from the University of Mobile and a Masters in Gifted Education from William Carey University. She has taught in both the American system and the British system in the areas of early childhood and elementary education, visual arts, middle and high school literacy and history, gifted education, and performing arts.
Amy loves to create, travel, be with family, laugh, and experience theater and dance.
Micki serves in Admin Support and as the Government Compliance Administrator for the school.
She has an International Montessori Diploma from MCI in London, a Bachelor’s of Education in Early Childhood Development, and is currently pursuing her Masters Degree in Education. Micki has been involved with the school in various capacities since its inception.
Kelvin is our Learning Support Coordinator and is part of the school’s leadership team. He has a Degree in Special Education and a Postgraduate Certificate in Functional Assessment and Evaluation. He is passionate about inclusion and loves working with learners with different abilities. Kelvin is almost done with his journey towards becoming an Orton Gillingham Practitioner.
Away from school, golfing, cycling, long drives through beautiful scenery and watching spectacular sunsets are his go-to activities. During cold days up here in Tigoni, he holds on to his cup of coffee dearly.
Jeff is our Assistant Principal and teaches Science and Social Sciences in our Middle Grades. He holds an Educational Specialist Degree in School Leadership from Furman University, a Master of Arts in Teaching from Clemson University, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Earth & Environmental Sciences and Political Science from Furman University.
Jeff has experience teaching Science, Social Sciences, Literacy, and Math across the K-12 range, and his specialty lies with middle schoolers. He has taught in Burundi, Kenya, South Africa, and the USA. He is driven to help students find their passions and tap into their full potential.
On weekends and school holidays, Jeff enjoys photography, hiking, traveling to as many places as possible in Kenya, and sharing meals with his wife and friends.
Timo is our School Principal. He graduated from the University of Cape Town with a BSc in Environmental & Geographical Science, and completed his Post-Graduate Certificate in Education at the University of Stellenbosch. He has a MasterTrack Certificate in Instructional Design from the University of Illinois and a Certificate of School Management and Leadership from Harvard Business School & Harvard Graduate School of Education.
His interests include camping, playing sports, gardening, and upcycling junk into art. Timo loves trail-running, being on safari and doing the odd prank or two!
Beatrice is our P.E. Coordinator. She studied Physical Education and Sport at the University of Nairobi and has a certificate in engaging with gifted and talented learners and learners with dyslexia from British Council Partner Schools.
She is an enthusiastic and caring educator who believes that all children are unique and must have a stimulating educational environment where they can grow physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially.
In her free time she loves learning new things, hiking, listening to music and dancing.
Maureen is our teacher-librarian. Her love for children and reading from a very early age motivated her to train as a Teacher-Librarian, having attained a Montessori Diploma from MCI (London), a Diploma in Library and Information Science (UoN) and a Bachelor’s of Education in Early Childhood Development (Africa Nazarene University). Maureen’s passion for her career led her to work at several international schools for over a decade.
During her leisure time, Maureen enjoys traveling and sightseeing with her family, mentoring teenage girls, visiting chil dren’s homes, as well as reading, dancing, watching documentaries and gardening.
Ruth is our Performing Arts Teacher. Ruth earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Music at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda, and has a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education from the University of Nottingham. Ruth is certified as an Orff Schulwerk Music Teacher from Southern Methodist University. Music and drama have led Ruth across East Africa, having taught in Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya!
When she is not teaching, Ruth loves to explore Kenya, discover new reading material, enjoy live theater and hit the running trails.
Megan is a part-time Maths and Art teacher. Megan has a Bachelors in Education, and has always been passionate about using the outdoors to create engaging lessons and memorable learning experiences.
Megan loves it most when her students go home messy, happy and curious!
In her spare time Megan loves reading, getting lost in the Tigoni tea fields with her friends and being on holiday with her husband and four beautiful children.
Ian is a Departmental Learning Support Teacher and one of the Green Focus teachers. Ian has a wealth of teaching experience, having taught across East Africa since 2013 in the field of Special Needs. Ian has taught from Early Years through 6th grade.
Ian graduated from Maseno University with a BA in Special Needs Education. He also holds a Certificate in Early Childhood and Special Education, and is currently pursuing his Masters in Special Education at Kenyatta University (KU).
Ian is one of the Green Focus teachers. Ian loves traveling, swimming, learning new skills and listening to music.
Macrine is a Departmental Learning Support Teacher. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Kenyatta University and a Certificate in the same field. Before starting to work with special needs learners, Macrine taught from early years to Grade 4 for over a decade.
She is passionate about teaching, learning and reading with young children.
When not teaching, Macrine runs a small home library for neighborhood children. She also loves cooking for her family and taking nature walks.
Tesni is our school counselor. She has a Degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Cape Town and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Therapeutic Play skills from Play Therapy International.
She is passionate about holistically supporting children who have experienced trauma, challenging circumstances, or have special needs. She has been part of the management team at a children’s home for over a decade, where she worked therapeutically with many of the children.
She was born and raised in South Africa and has lived in Kenya since 2007 with her husband and four children. She absolutely loves trail running and is in her happy place when adventuring outdoors, whether at the beach or in the bush, or in the Tigoni teafields.
Angela (Angie) is a 1:1 learning support teacher. She is skilled in speech and language development, and social, emotional, and sensory function development. Angela specializes in articulation and literacy acquisition.
She is Montessori certified, and has training in Pediatric Neurodevelopment, Diagnostic Techniques and treatment for children with developmental disabilities. Angela has a Certificate of Training for Special Educational Needs in speech, language and communication needs (OLI-UK.)
Angela is passionate about early intervention and all-inclusive education. Angela loves traveling and swimming.
David is the Co-teacher in the Muna Village, and is a Special Education graduate with extensive teaching experience. He has worked as classroom teacher in both Middle Years and High School, a learning support teacher and a head of department in various international schools.
David is a very passionate teacher who enjoys helping students find their potential and inspiring them to give new things a try. He enjoys working in a multicultural, inclusive environment and believes that every child has unique abilities and talents. Besides teaching, David can also perform Ed-psych assessments and can teach and interpret sign language.
In his free time, David enjoys cycling and working on the farm.
Emily is the Homeroom Teacher for the Muna Village. She teaches for the joy factor! Emily studied Middle Grades Education at the University of Georgia, and is a literacy specialist.
She loves using kinesthetic learning in her lessons, and enjoys running and biking, camping and cooking for her friends!
John is a 1:1 Learning Support teacher in the Siala village. He studied Special Needs Education from Kenyatta University, counseling psychology from Amani counseling center and training Institute, Teaching Methods and Curriculum Development from Coursera and British Council Partner Schools.
John has experience with different Curricula including International Baccalaureate and Cambridge Curriculum. He specializes in Special Needs Education and Applied Behavior Analysis.
Isaac is one of our 1:1 Learning Support Teachers. Isaac graduated from Kenyatta University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education (Special Needs Education), and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Speech Language Pathology.
Isaac has several years experience in various institutions supporting learners with varying special needs and disabilities. He is adept at motivating, instructing and supporting learners with special needs.
In his spare time, he loves new adventures, playing and watching football, playing monopoly, cards and watching movies.
Sylvia is the Co-teacher in the Siala Village. She has worked in various international schools in Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Kenya for close to a decade.
Sylvia loves the challenge of being in the classroom and the satisfaction of watching children make progress. She has a passion for Inquiry Based Learning. Sylvia instills the love for learning through encouraging learners to take risks, make mistakes, and develop a sense of determination and independence.
Other than teaching, Sylvia enjoys coaching netball. She is passionate about languages and learning about different cultures.
Taylor is the Homeroom Teacher in the Siala Village, and teaches mathematics in the middle years and art to the primary and middle years.
She holds a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Kansas and a Bachelor’s Degree in Middle Grades and High School Mathematics and Social Studies from the University of North Carolina.
She is passionate about mathematics, girls education, Deaf empowerment, carpentry, Zumba, Kenyan history, graphic design, and her dog, Muthaka.
Priyanka is the Homeroom Teacher for the Mugumo Village. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Commerce from the University of British Columbia and a Post-Graduate Degree in Education from the University of Toronto.
She is passionate about creating a nurturing and fun classroom environment for all her learners through love, community building, and individualized learning.
In her spare time, she enjoys practicing yoga, traveling, and hiking. She loves to go on adventures and explore Kenya with her husband and two dogs – Oreo and Morocco!
Beldine is the Co-teacher in the Podo Village. She has a Bachelor of Education (Arts) from the University of Nairobi, as well as a Certificate in Redefining Inclusion and social emotional learning.
She is passionate about inclusion and working with learners with different abilities. She loves using games in her lessons and helping learners develop reading skills. She is also a certified Orton Gillingham practitioner.
Beldine loves learning new things, listening to music and playing board games.
Jenny is the Homeroom Teacher for the Podo Village. She studied Anthropology at Durham University before taking her Post Graduate Degree in Primary Education at Bath Spa.
She is passionate about providing children with a positive environment in which they can find their voice and thrive.
Jenny loves drinking tea, exploring new places and dancing like no one’s watching.
Azinet is one of our 1:1 Learning Support Teachers. She studied Special Needs Education at Kenyatta University, has a Certificate in Redefining Inclusion and Supporting Children with Learning Difficulties through Coursera.
She has worked in international schools as an inclusion assistant, ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) Therapist, and a classroom teacher. She is passionate about inclusive education for all, and using technology to support learning.
She loves gardening and going for nature walks.
Tony is passionate about psychology, diversity and inclusion, fostering growth mindsets in learners and exploring music. He graduated from Kenyatta University with a Bachelor of Arts Psychology. He also has RBT training from the University of Nevada, 9 years of experience dispensing tailored ABA programs under BCBA supervision and 5 years of experience assisting with development of speech, functional communication, and language skills under Speech and Language Pathologist supervision.
He is currently pursuing a Masters in Speech and Language Pathology.
He enjoys making observations, reading fiction and non-fiction, playing board games, watching movies and shows, taking long walks, and he dabbles in creative writing.
Esther is the Co-teacher in the Nandi Flame Village. She was born and raised in Western Kenya, and graduated from Kenyatta University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education (Special Needs Education). She also has a Certificate in Kenya Sign Language from the Kenya Institute of Special Education.
Esther started off as a learning support teacher in a special school for four years before joining an international school as a teaching assistant and later becoming the lead teacher.
During her free time Esther enjoys riding her bike, trying out new recipes, listening to music and exploring new and exciting places.
Pauline (Polly) is the Homeroom Teacher for the Nandi Flame Village. She holds a Master’s Degree in Reading Education from Boston University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and Studio Art from Keene State College. Recently, Polly took a year off to travel North America and learn more about its history!
She loves to design lessons based on student interest and form collaborative classroom environments where students learn from one another.
Polly loves hiking, camping, sunrise, baking and spending time with friends!
Beryl is one of our Learning Support Teachers in the Primary Years. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Needs Education through Kenyatta University, as well as a Diploma in Early Childhood Education.
Beryl is passionate about learning new things, traveling, and camping.
Pooja is our Homeroom Teacher for the Muhuti Village. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Management, a Diploma in Psychology and a Postgraduate Degree in Education.
She started off with a career in market research, then transitioned into teaching and has never looked back! She has taught in various international schools in East Africa and lives in Lavington with her husband, baby Elayna and two dogs (Pato and Marley).
She loves traveling and the outdoors, dancing and music.
Martha joins WSS as a 1:1 Learning Support Teacher in the Primary Years. Martha has a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Needs Education from Kenyatta University, and has been working in the field of Special Needs Education since 2016.
Martha believes that proper placement, adequate support, guidance and a conducive environment according to a child’s individual needs will assist them to thrive in every sphere of life.
She loves traveling, listening to music, spending time with family and friends and participating in community service projects.
Evah is the Co-teacher in the Moringa Village. She has a Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Education from Daystar University as well as a Certificate in Teaching International Curriculum (CTIC) from Riara University.
She is passionate about her career and has been working with children since 2010.
Evah enjoys creative arts activities, learning new skills, trying out new recipes and listening to music.
Sarah is the Homeroom Teacher for our Moringa Village. She studied in Australia, receiving her Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood, and a Graduate Diploma of International and Community Development. Before settling and teaching in Kenya, she taught for several years in Australia.
Sarah enjoys spending time exploring beautiful places with her husband and two sons, and experimenting with her new hobby, ‘ecoprinting’.
Lucy Wangari is a quiet, friendly lady who was born and bred in Nairobi city. She is one of our 1:1 Learning Support Teachers.
She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Needs Education, and has vast experience working with children with varying learning needs. Lucy loves working with children!
Lucy enjoys reading, writing and sharing hearty laughs with friends and family.
Dorinah is our Euphorbia Village Homeroom Teacher and Head of Early Years. She also serves on the school’s leadership team. Her genuine love for children starts at home as a wife and a mother of 3 children. Dorinah has spent more than 20 years in the classroom, has a Degree in Education (E.C.E) and is about to complete her Masters in Early Childhood Education.
In her free time Dorinah likes spending time with her family and friends, listening to music, traveling and reading.
Anita is our Baobab Co-teacher. She has a certificate in Early Childhood Education and is currently pursuing her Diploma in the same. She has been a teacher for the past one year. Anita is passionate about helping children achieve their full potential. She enjoys learning new things.
Mercy is the Co-teacher in our Euphorbia Village. She has a Diploma in Early Childhood Education, and a Certificate in Early Years Learning, Special Needs Education and Child Psychology from Alisons. She has been an Early Years teacher for close to a decade. Mercy is currently pursuing a Diploma in Social Sciences and Counseling at IRLT Netherlands.
Mercy is passionate about nurturing young children. She enjoys spending time with family, singing and trying out new recipes.
