About the School
A WORLD CLASS EDUCATION AND INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED QUALIFICATIONS
The British International School of Timisoara is the first school with the British International curriculum established in the western part of Romania. This is a cutting-edge project meant to introduce an innovative curriculum, vision and philosophy in the educational field at primary and secondary school levels in this part of Romania.
The British based educational system harmoniously combines a strong and balanced academic curriculum (languages, mathematics, sciences, technology, creative arts, humanities, social sciences, physical education) with extracurricular activities designed to help children develop emotionally, culturally, socially and spiritually.
All teaching is carried out through the medium of the English Language apart from Romanian that is taught as first language. The school employs teachers from the United Kingdom alongside international teachers with relevant experience in similar schools from all over the world. All the teachers recruited locally will attend an intensive and comprehensive training programme, meant to provide them with all the necessary information and tools to enable them to embrace the educational approach promoted within our vision and aims.
Students joining our school are stepping into a world of dreams and opportunities which can grow proportionally with their desire, effort, determination and ambition; they will be able to graduate with a portfolio of achievements recognized by top universities worldwide, including Romania.
British International School of Timisoara achieved the Cambridge International School status and it aims to become an International Baccalaureate World School. It is also a compliance member of the Council of British International Schools (COBIS), which is perceived as being the highest distinction for an overseas British curriculum school to achieve.
BIST is currently enrolling students with ages 4 – 16 years old (Reception – Year 11). In most year groups we have two sets per year group and we remain committed to keeping the class size low. The school will develop gradually and will eventually have two sets per year group for all classes. We estimate that we can reach full capacity (600 students) for this location by 2022.
𝗖𝗢𝗕𝗜𝗦 𝗣𝗼𝗲𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
The great Romantic nineteenth century poet, Samuel Taylor Coleridge once famously observed: ‘Prose is the art of using the right words; poetry is the art of using the right words in the right order”.
BIST senior poets used the right words in the right order and shared them with us and the COBIS family. Now we share them with you.
The theme was ‘Who am I?’
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𝗖𝗢𝗕𝗜𝗦 𝗣𝗼𝗲𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Unul din marii poeti ai secolului XIX, Samuel Taylor Coleridge afirma candva ca: “Proza este arta de a folosi cuvinte potrivite iar poezia este arta de a folosi cuvinte potrivite intr-o anumita ordine.”
Zilele trecute elevii de la British International School of Timisoara si-au afirmat creativitatea si originalitatea, prin jocuri de cuvinte, impartasindu-ne poeziile lor ce au fost inscrise la competitia “COBIS Poetry 2022 - 2023” cu tema: “Cine sunt?”
#education #bist #bistcommunity #artcompetition #cobisartcompetition #COBIS #CambridgeSchool #educational #bystudentsforstudents
𝗖𝗢𝗕𝗜𝗦 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗿𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮 - 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯
The talent and creativity of our students has been once again revealed through this year’s entries to the annual COBIS International Art Competition.
The artwork of our students has been sent to COBIS and we are looking forward to the results.
Congratulations to all students in our school who took part in the internal competition and good luck to our finalists who are now representing the school via the COBIS network.
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𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗮 𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗮 𝗖𝗢𝗕𝗜𝗦 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮- 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯
Elevii de la British International School of Timisoara își dovedesc inca o data talentul si creativitatea prin lucrările de arta înscrise la “Competitia internationala anuala, de arta COBIS 2022-2023”. Asteptam cu nerabdare rezultatele!
Felicitări tuturor elevilor participanți la preselectii si mult succes finaliștilor care vor reprezenta scoala noastra in comunitatea COBIS.
#bistcommunity #education #bist #COBIS #cobisartcompetition #artcompetition
Why British International School of Timisoara?
- Small class sizes to support personalised learning
- State of the art facilities and resources
- Modern classrooms and special designed areas for specialised subjects
- A safe, happy, caring and friendly environment
- A student centred educational system and a modern teaching approach
- British curriculum functioning under the auspices of Cambridge International Examination from the United Kingdom
- All teaching will be carried out through the medium of English language
- Romanian language will be part of the curriculum for natives and non – natives
- Highly qualified teaching staff (recruited from the UK, internationally and locally)
- International and national accreditations
- High standards of personal development care with a focus on fostering students’ self-confidence
- Highly engaging teaching and learning
- Continuous open communication with parents and an open doors policy
- Ongoing personalised academic and career paths guidance
- Rigorous academic standards
- The unique opportunity of graduating with a portfolio of achievements recognized by top universities worldwide
Head of School Message
I am excited to welcome you to the British International School of Timisoara.
I would like to start by saying that I am happy and proud to be part of the team that has developed in Timisoara, what we like to call, the Foundation on which our children can flourish, the British International School of Timisoara.
Education is the greatest gift we can give our children and is the key to their future and to their very identity. For this reason, we must ensure that what we do in our homes as parents and in our schools as educators is provide our children with the best possible environment to nurture emotional wellbeing and development at all levels.
Our commitment here at BIST is to do our best to ensure that using a British based curriculum and a truly international approach, we provide the best possible experience for our children and members of staff. The school’s welcoming, family atmosphere is grounded in respect, trust, compassion and the ideal of community service.
Education is the key to a successful, purposeful and a happy life and it is one of the main aspects that contribute to building a healthy and a strong society. Strong education can only be built on a foundation that combines fundamental values with rules and regulations that are in place to protect all members of the community and to give everyone equal opportunities for development and progress. In addition to the highest British academic standards, at BIST we want to ensure that all members of our community understand and adhere to our school ethos and values.
One of our long-term aims is to ensure that our children leave our school at graduation as knowledgeable, responsible, independent and happy young adults with a complex, positive and balanced approach towards life and equipped with a set of skills, values and abilities that will enable them to build a successful life and make a valuable contribution to the community they will be in. We also aim to develop students to be independent learners and leaders in the global community.
We want our children to leave our school well aware of their strengths and weaknesses, passions and abilities and we want our children to learn how to live purposeful and meaningful lives.
BIST has a first-rate team in place with solid, experienced and passionate educators, outstanding leadership to provide momentum and guidance, support staff who love what they do and have a real sense of belonging here at BIST.
I invite you to come and visit our school and see outstanding teaching and learning in progress and savour the unique atmosphere that we are so very proud of. I very much hope that you and your family will join us in the future.
Sincerely,
Ciprian TIPLEA
Head of School
School Board
The School Board at The British International School of Timisoara has an important role in setting the educational character and vision for the school.
The Board plans the strategic development of the school, approves the annual budget, capital and investment strategy and procedures that will ensure the best possible education for the children studying at the BIST.
Ovidiu Sandor
PHD, MSc, BSc
Chair of the School Board
Mr Ovidiu Sandor is one of the most successful entrepreneurs in Romania. He has a keen desire to bring improvements to the community through his various projects. His main area of activity is in real estate. His modern, multifunctional office centres and residential areas are well known for their innovative flair. As recognition of the quality of his projects and the positive impact in the community, Mr Sandor has won numerous awards, including the EY Entrepreneur of the Year in 2019. In addition to his work in the building industry, Mr Sandor is also involved in several civic and community projects. His Art Encounters biennial is well known in the region and has had a significant impact on the Timisoara community and surrounding areas.
As he himself would say, the implementation of top-quality international education, through the opening of the British International School of Timisoara, in the west of Romania is one of his dearest projects. Mr Sandor is the main founder of BIST and the Chair of the School Board. He is actively involved in the strategic development of the school and together with the School Board and the School Leadership Team, he is planning to build one of the best schools in the country and to create a centre of excellence in international education.
Mr Sandor can be contacted via the school office at office@britishschool-timisoara.ro
Sorin Maxim
BA, BSc
School Board Member
Mr Sorin Maxim is a prominent and a very present figure in the community in the west part of Romania. He has been involved in the BIST project since the very start. Mr Maxim offers a huge amount of experience and expertise in terms of managing and overseeing a complex project such as this. Mr Maxim has performed many different roles in the business world including acting as president, consultant, minister of state and even as a lecturer. Mr Sorin’s particular expertise is in legislation and regional development, helping to chart through the complex paperwork and protocols required for the creation of a new school.
Mr Sorin is a passionate believer in the power of education; he has seen the importance of a solid educational grounding in his European wide travels, business associations and committee work. Above all, Mr Maxim is dedicated to bringing a highly successful British style educational institution to Timisoara. He is using all his skills of diplomacy and all his knowledge of regulations and funding to ensure the smooth transition of the school into full operational mode and towards becoming the institution he visualised when he first became involved.
Mr Maxim can be contacted via the school office at office@britishschool-timisoara.ro
Animona Hutu
MSc, BSc
School Board Member
Ms Animona Hutu is a member of the School Board and has a vast experience in the business area locally and also a distinguished sporting career. The CEO of a Romanian company with tradition she has managed to successfully combine her professional career with volunteering work, being the President of the Romanian Federation of Badminton, for 7 years. During this time, she has promoted the implementation of an important project related to sports in the schools, called Shuttle Time. With the support of many teachers and school managers, Animona has managed to implement this project in over 250.
Animona has also been involved in teaching, being a collaborating tutor and teaching management courses organized by a partner company with Open University in the United Kingdom.
With a keen desire to bring her contribution to the development of the new generations, she has decided to join our project as one of the founding members of the school.
Animona strongly believes in the importance of sport, as a tool for shaping the child’s character and ambitions and as a tool for developing positive human relationships, leadership qualities and teamwork.
Ms Hutu can be contacted via the school office at office@britishschool-timisoara.ro
Mr Ciprian Tiplea (Head of School) and Ms Alina Barna (Financial Officer) are also part of the school board and in their roles are actively involved in the strategic development of the school. See their profiles under the school team link.
School Leadership Team
Ciprian ȚIPLEA
PGCE, BSc, MEd
Head of School
Ciprian joined our team at an early stage in our project and has been an integral part in preparing the opening of the school. He is originally from Timisoara, where he qualified as a teacher of Mathematics, before leaving the city in 2002. Since then, he has been working in various teaching and management roles in the international British based educational sector. He has had the opportunity to experience life in international schools in Bucharest and the independent school sector in the United Kingdom.
Ciprian has over 12 years’ experience in the leadership and management of international schools and has been the Academic Head in a prestigious international school with a British curriculum in Bucharest, for over 9 years. Over the past five years he has gained a master’s degree in Educational Management and has recently achieved the status of British Schools Overseas Inspector through Cambridge Education Inspectorate.
Contact: headofschool@britishschool-timisoara.ro
Bogdan N. LAZAR
PGCE, BA, BSc, MA, MEd
Deputy Head of School
Bogdan joined the British International School of Timisoara as the Deputy Head of School. Bogdan is a fully qualified teacher with experience working in international schools from Asia and Europe. In his previous appointment, Bogdan served as IB Coordinator and Upper School Management Team member at a premier international school in Germany.
Bogdan specialised in teaching IB, A-Level and iGCSE Economics, Business and Sociology and has been an education manager at various levels, from Head of Department to School Principal, in diverse contexts. His teaching experience also extends to undergraduate level: he was Assistant Professor at a prestigious University, teaching there, on a part-time basis, for a couple of years. Bogdan is also an IB Examiner and he very much enjoys marking exam scripts or moderating internally assessed components. His qualifications include a Bachelor’s Degree (Hons), a PGCE and a Master’s Degree; he also holds a Certificate of Qualified Teacher Status from the United Kingdom and he recently completed a course in Global Education from the United States. As a staunch believer in life-long learning, he decided to continue his education by pursuing a second Bachelor’s Degree with a Swiss University.
Bogdan confessed that riding his motorbike in the crowded streets of China or flooring his car on the unrestricted motorways in Germany is something he misses badly.
Bogdan is married and has a 12-year-old daughter in Year 8.
Claire BITHELL
PGCE, BA
Head of Primary School
Claire joined our school as a Year 1 teacher in August 2019. She has been working in education for 31 years, the majority of this time as a Primary class teacher. Claire trained and qualified in the United Kingdom and gained the Qualified Teacher Status in 1991. Her teaching career has taken Claire to different schools and scenarios, being an English Co-ordinator, Arts Co-ordinator, Key stage leader, a teacher and also a Co-ordinator of education for children with special needs. In Germany, where she spent nine years with her family, Claire worked for the Ministry of Defence in Service Children’s Schools and she trained and worked as an Early Years Ofsted Inspector – registering and inspecting childcare provision and nurseries across Germany. With quite a full career within the education sector across three European countries and nearly three decades, Claire took over as Head of Primary in August 2020.
Claire is a proud mother of 4 amazing children. Her two older children are living and studying in the UK. The eldest has successfully completed a BA (Hons) and working to fund her move to a Masters, whilst her son is studying for a degree in the Arts in Birmingham. Her youngest two girls attend BIST, both in Secondary School.
As one of the founding team of teachers at BIST, Claire believes whole heartedly that we have an amazing school with great children a strong and diverse team of teachers and a leadership team whose main focus is, has and will continue to be the education of our children.
Paul JENNINGS
PGCE, BA
Head of SMSC in Secondary School
Paul joined the British International School of Timisoara as the Head of SMSC in Secondary School.
He graduated with an Honours Degree in English Literature from Sheffield University and followed this with a Post Graduate Certificate in Education in English and Drama. Paul has extensive experience working at independent schools in the United Kingdom as housemaster, pastoral roles and management roles. He taught in Kent, Hertfordshire and at a rural boarding school in Gloucestershire and, before landing in Romania, he taught in Switzerland.
Paul believes that education is paramount in ensuring a student’s future success: integrity, consistency, respect and a sense of curiosity will be at the heart of BIST’s new generation of life-long learners.
BIST is a new venture and he believes that BIST’s first students have a fantastic opportunity to be participating in this adventure from day one. He believes that they will leave the secondary school in the years ahead not only with excellent examination results but, much more importantly, with a sense of having been on a journey of exploration and discovery.
In his personal life, Paul loves cooking, hiking, cycling, world cinema, reading and supporting Manchester United through thick and thin.
Our World Class Teachers
Primary School Teachers
Manuela CONSTANTIN
PGCE, BA, EYFS Certificate
Reception Coordinator and Teacher Reception
Manuela joined the British International School of Timisoara as a reception teacher and coordinator. Manuela graduated from university in Bucharest with a bachelor’s degree in geography and has achieved a certificate in Early Years Education (EYFS) from the University of Roehampton, in London. She has been working in the international school sector with a British based curriculum for over twenty years, as an EYFS teacher and member of the management team. Before joining us at BIST, Manuela has been working as the EYFS stage coordinator and reception class teacher in a British International School in Bucharest.
Prior to that, she was part of the management team in one of the first international nurseries with a British based curriculum in Romania.
Manuela loves travelling, reading and going to the cinema. She brings along her expertise wrapped in love and ready to nurture all of our young learners.
Andreea LAZAR
PGCE, BA, MA, TESOL
Key Stage 1 Coordinator and Primary School Teacher
Andreea has been teaching primary school students for most of her professional life and is joining our school from the International School on the Rhine, a leading international school in Germany.
Andreea is a fully qualified teacher with experience working in international and state schools from China, Germany, the United States and Romania. She received recognition from both the American and British boards of education. Andreea started her teaching career 15 years ago in the United States and has continued teaching ever since. Her experience covers the international, British and American curricula; she also received certification in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and Young Learners. She graduated from the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences from the University of Bucharest in 2005. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Psychology.
Andreea is married and has a 12-year-old daughter in Year 8.
Emma BRAY
PGCE, BA, MA
Lower Key Stage 2 Coordinator and Primary School Teacher
Emma graduated from Staffordshire University, Stoke-on-Trent, with a Forensic Psychology honours degree. She was inspired to become a teacher after initially beginning a career in the NHS, working on a forensic unit for mentally disordered offenders. She began to volunteer at a local school in her free time and then embarked on a PGCE in Primary Education. She has six years’ experience of teaching in the UK, where she taught in Key Stage One. She has a lot of experience in phonics and she part devised a new and very successful phonics scheme for the school. She has a lot of experience of working with children with special education needs, ranging from mild to severe. She has trained several student teachers, supporting and guiding them to successfully complete their final placements.
She is keen to keeping up to date with educational research and took a master’s module in Reflecting on Practice, to develop her teaching further, implementing several changes in her teaching practice. Before emigrating from the UK, she earned a TEFL qualification. She spent two years abroad now, teaching in Ferrara, Italy and Bucharest, Romania. She is now looking forward to teaching the children at BIST. On a more personal note, in her free time, she enjoys travelling and trying new things.
Emma has a real passion for hiking, particularly in the mountains. She enjoys learning languages and hopes to be able to speak Romanian fluently. She rescued a puppy this year and enjoys spending time with her and teaching her new tricks.
Charlotte BANERJEE
PGCE, BA
Upper Key Stage 2 Coordinator and Primary School Teacher
Charlotte graduated from SOAS, University of London, with a bachelor’s degree in Chinese and Linguistics, for which she studied in London and Beijing. Charlotte completed her PGCE at University of Leicester and taught in a state school there for 2 years, where she was Modern Languages Lead. She then moved to a British international school in Poland and is now looking forward to teaching children at BIST.
Charlotte is a dedicated teacher who is passionate about creating an inclusive learning environment which allows children to embrace different styles of learning. She enjoys being creative in her teaching to plan fun and inspiring lessons. Charlotte has experience of working with children who are new to English and who come from a variety of cultures and backgrounds.
Charlotte enjoys reading, music and spending time outdoors, especially in the mountains. She also loves to travel and to learn about the language and the culture of the places she visits.
Edward BITHELL
PGCE, BSc
Primary School Teacher
Edward has been at BIST since 2019 and works as a Key Stage 2 Teacher. He graduated with an Honours Degree in Biology and followed this with a Post Graduate Certificate in Education from Birmingham City University. Edward then spent eleven years teaching in schools both in Birmingham and in Devon, United Kingdom. During this time, he was subject leader for mathematics, science and design technology, as well as Key Stage 2 leader.
Subsequent to this, he was employed as a specialist teacher for a local authority working with children with complex needs who were unable to attend mainstream school. He then moved to teach at international schools within the British military community in Germany, where he has worked successfully for the past nine years. During this time, he has taught across the entire 5-11 age range, and has been subject leader for science and geography. He has also undertaken forest school training and has successfully implemented this at his school. Edward is passionate about using the outdoors to inspire learning with the children he works with.
Emma DAVISON
PGCE, TEFL, BA
Primary School Teacher
Emma Davison is originally from a small village in the North East of England where she attended school up until the age of 18. She then attained her BA (Hons) degree from University of Central Lancashire and then her PGCE from Liverpool University. Her 20+ year teaching career has spanned the continents of Asia and Africa where she has taught in international schools in; Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Uganda and Ethiopia. All of these schools used the EYFS curriculum and adapted it to suit their individual cultural needs. Emma has taught in Nursery, Reception and Year 1 along with having various roles such as Year Leader and Project Manager to develop an Early Years department.
Outside school Emma enjoys travelling with her husband where trips tend to focus on walking in the great outdoors and looking for wildlife in its natural habitat. Emma is very much looking forward to discovering all that Romania and its neighbouring countries have to offer.
Daniela ENE
PGCE, BA, MA
Primary School Teacher
Daniela is in her 20th year of teaching and inspiring young minds. Daniela qualified as a primary school teacher after graduating from high school and continued her education by graduating from university with a bachelor’s degrees in Law and Psychology. Following that, she gained a master’s degree in Educational Psychology and School Counselling, in Bucharest.
Daniela has over 19 years of experience in the international school’s sector, having the opportunity to work in both the international British and international American schools’ systems. Over the years, she been able to expand into a multitude of areas in addition to working in the class, such as: after school activities, student mentoring, helping with winter and summer concerts, field trips, themed weeks and assemblies. Daniela has a passion for reading and she is a big promoter of a healthy lifestyle and the growth mindset approach in education and life in general.
Anthony MOORE
PGCE, BA
Primary School Teacher
Anthony is from Luton, England. He graduated with an Honours degree in Marketing Management, working within the private sector for several years prior to completing his PGCE in Primary Education. He taught in a Values-Based Education school in Luton for five years, holding different positions of responsibility and teaching in Years 4, 5 and 6. Anthony has subsequently worked in British international schools in Prague and Bucharest. Anthony actively promotes a love of learning, seeking opportunities to make learning fun, relevant and memorable. He is passionate about developing the all-round well-being of every child, working in partnership with his teaching colleagues, parents and learners, to motivate children to be the best that they can be.
Outside of teaching, Anthony enjoys spending time with his family, helping out in the local community, and is a big sports fan. Additionally, Anthony enjoys the great outdoors and is looking forward to exploring more of the beauty that is found in the West of Romania.
Kirsty HEGYI
PGCE LLB
Primary School Teacher
Kirsty graduated from The Univeristy of Abertay Dundee with a bachelor’s degree in Law. She initially worked for the Scottish Court Service on civil law matters including family law, before a career change into teaching through a PGCE in primary education with The University of Buckingham.
Kirsty has 9 years teaching experience at British schools in Cyprus and Bahrain. During that time she has held a variety of positions including SEN teacher, classroom teacher and been part of middle leadership as Phonics Leader. Kirsty is passionate about creating a safe and child-centred learning environment, with a focus on developing the ‘whole’ child. She loves to get creative with the children and help them on their journey to be curious, life-long learners.
In her own time, Kirsty enjoys spending time with her family, taking walks with their family dog and visiting new places.
Melissa GHELMAN
PGCE, BA, BSc, MA, MEd
Primary School Teacher
Melissa was born and raised in the cosmopolitan city of Toronto, Canada. She graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a Bachelor’s of Health Science and from Moreland University with a Master’s of Education. She left home in 2013 to begin her career and has since been teaching in a wide variety of schools in South Korea, France and Egypt. Melissa decided to make the move to her father’s homeland in Romania in order to learn more about her cultural roots and to live the experiences this wonderful country has to offer.
Melissa is the proud owner of a dog who she adopted while living in South Korea. She is named Hallie after Hallasan, the volcano near where she was found and the highest peak in the country. Melissa’s hobbies include diving in the red sea, reading books, hiking in nature, and eating delicious food. She looks forward to continuing her development as a teacher, meeting and growing with her students, and discovering all there is to learn about life in Romania.
Adam HEGYI
PGCE, BSc, MA
Primary School Teacher
Adam graduated from The University of Abertay Dundee with an honours degree in Sociology. After teaching for a year in Kuwait, he completed his PCGE in primary education with The University of Buckingham followed by a Master’s in Education a few years later.
Adam has 9 years teaching experience at British schools in Kuwait, Cyprus and Bahrain. He has previous leadership experience as Head of Innovation and Technology and as Computing Subject Lead, and has a real passion for technology. Adam is a certified Apple and Google educator is a firm believer in empowering children to become confident in the skills required to navigate the ever-changing technology of modern life.
In his own time, Adam enjoys football, photography and spending time with his family.
Nicola RALPH
PGCE, BA
Primary School Teacher and Whole School Wellbeing Coordinator
After graduating from the University of St. Mark and St. John, in Plymouth, with a Primary Education BEd Hons with a specialism in art and design, Nicki has built her teaching career in the South West of England for over 8 years.She has experienced teaching in all levels of Primary school ages and over the last 4 years, has been teaching in a middle school (8-13year olds).
With a passion for the Humanities subjects (Geography, History and Religious Education), she became the Humanities Second in department for the school. Over this time, she has designed and developed a creative and inclusive curriculum for both KS2 year groups. Nicki is keen to involve the children as much as possible into their learning, so she ‘Wow days’ into the curriculum timetable.
As well as developing areas of the curriculum, Nicki has established her current school’s Outdoor Classroom/ Forest School and is an advocate for using the outdoor space for improving and enhancing learning and well-being. Through winning a national grant, she has invested time and dedication to embedding this resource into the curriculum on a daily basis.
Nicki has been involved in the school’s community by supporting a variety of sporting activities as well as performing arts. She cannot wait to get involved in BIST extra-curricluar activities and the wider school community.
Nicki has enjoyed working in the South West of England, as there is much to explore along the coastline and areas of natural beauty. She has always had a passion for travel and has been fortunate to explore the world from a young age. She cannot wait to get her walking boots on to explore the gems that Romania has to offer.
Andrew James HAINSWORTH
PGCE, BA, MA
Primary School Teacher
Andrew graduated from the University of Liverpool with a bachelor’s degree in Latin. After two years of teaching English in Egypt, he completed his PGCE at the University of Newcastle. Andrew has taught mainly in Cairo with spells in Gloucester, Porto and Hartlepool. Andrew and his wife Jane have two wonderful children. Caity recently graduated in Mathematics from the University of Edinburgh and is now working for the NHS in the blood sciences laboratories. Michael is currently studying to be a Physics teacher and he might yet end up here in Timisoara.
Andrew enjoys encouraging his students to be independent learners and he always tries to inject creativity and a love of learning into his classroom practice. Sports and Drama are both great passions and Andrew hopes to see lots of motivated students ready to try lots of new skills and activities.
Andrew has a lifelong passion for Rugby and has loved diving in the Red Sea. He is now hoping to spend a little more time walking in the beautiful Romanian countryside, improve his skiing as well as testing out his paddle boarding skills.
Primary School Specialist Teachers
Mark MANUELL
PGCE, BA
Primary School ICT and Music Teacher
Mark was born in Tanzania since his parents also taught abroad, but he was brought up in England. He obtained his BA (hons) degree at Manchester University in 1992 and then my PGCE in 1995. For the majority of his career he has taught in UK state primary schools Y1 to Y6, teaching the full British curriculum. He has taught in international schools in Italy and Bucharest.
As a life long learner, he gained a black belt in Karate, grade 8 ABRSM in piano playing and a TEFL certificate. His eldest son works in Cardiff, his daughter has moved to Canada and his youngest son is studying Pharmaceutical Science at Lincolnshire University.
Adelina Veturia LEANCA
PGCE, BA
Head of Romanian (Primary School) and Teacher of Romanian Language
In 1994 Adelina graduated from the “Carmen Sylva” Pedagogical High School in Timișoara, and in 1999, she obtained a degree in philology at the Faculty of Letters, Philosophy and History, within the Western University, Timișoara.
She has 25 years of experience in primary education, years in which she has trained and educated 6 generations of students between the ages of 6 and 11, at the Bănățean National College.
Adelina’s philosophy with the students it seek to cultivate their creativity, to discover and highlight their skills and talents, as well as to apply the education for each one, based on the development of emotional intelligence. Besides the teaching profession, Adelina is a mentor, a good counselor. On a personal level she is passionate about traveling, discovering places and people, and enjoys meeting friends.
She is looking forward to starting work at BIST where she will come with heaps of ambition, creativity, experience and optimism.
Ungra GIURONIU
PGCE, BA, MA
Teacher of Romanian Language
Cosmin CINDEA
PGCE, BA
Teacher of Physical Education
He practiced basketball during his whole childhood in his hometown, Targu Mures (Romania) where he also graduated the Sports Highschool.
At the age of 21 he moved to the UK to work and higher education. He graduated from Leeds Beckett University (2021) with a bachelor’s degree in Sports Coaching.
He moved from Leeds to Brighton and completed his PGCE Primary with PE course (2022) with the University of Sussex.
He is very passionate about education in general and how children learn. His favourite subject is PE as I strongly belief that physical exercise and sports participation is a crucial factor in modelling and creating healthy behaviours. Sport related activities (PE lessons, organised sports, etc.) generate life skills such as discipline, problem solving, communication and more others, skills that would constantly benefit our existing and future society.
During his time in the UK, he coached the Leeds Beckett University Women’s basketball team, and he oversaw the afterschool’s sport programmes within his placements. He also volunteered during his studies to help with the PE lessons in schools across Leeds and Brighton.
He is looking forward to continuing his teaching career at BIST and learn from his well experienced colleagues. He aims to contribute and have a positive impact within the BIST community.
He enjoys sports in general therefore he plays basketball whenever he has a chance and exercising in the gym. Recently, I found a pleasure for long distance runs. He managed to run this year a full marathon twice, and he’s looking forward for Timisoara Half/Full Marathon next September.
When he doesn’t do sports, he loves listening to Hip-Hop music and drinking coffee in town. Reading and quality time with friends, family and meeting new people is also a must for him.
A life goal of his is that one day he will be able to teach Sports in China, as he’s always been interested in their culture and language.
Cristina MUNTEANU
BA
Teacher of Romanian Language (Non-Native)
English for Cristina was love at first sight. Since the very first English words that she heard and thanks to her teachers, she promised herself that one day, she would be a teacher.
Teaching or tutoring English is her passion. She have always said that being a teacher involves a lot of passion, empathy and respect for the students. She has over 25 years of experience in teaching and tutoring English to primary students and to teenagers. For more than two years she have been teaching English online on an e-learning platform.
She considers being a responsible and sociable person. She is empathetic and grateful for everything she has. She enjoys traveling abroad and trying out different cuisines, reading and dancing. She loves nature and spending time with friends and family drinking a cup of coffee or tea.
Secondary School Teachers
Benjamin SHORTEN
MA (hons)
Key Stage 3 Coordinator and Teacher of Sports Science
Benjamin joined the British International School of Timisoara as a Year 5 teacher and is currently part of the IB team as well as the KS3 Coordinator. Benjamin grew up in Mallorca, Spain, where he attended Queen’s College International School. He is a native English and Spanish speaker, who spent five years teaching sports in English to Spanish children.
He studied Primary Education at the University of Dundee, in the United Kingdom and taught in Scotland after receiving his degree.
Benjamin is an enthusiastic rugby and football player, with a passion for physical education and a love of mathematics.
Edward NORMAN
PGCE, BA, MA
Key Stage 4 Coordinator and Teacher of History and Geography
Edward ‘Ted’ Norman is from Columbus, Ohio USA and have a BA in History from Xavier University. He is also a licensed Social Studies teacher there. He has been living in Izmir, Turkey for the past 10 years and have been working as the head of an International School’s Humanities department. He is trained in Cambridge IGCSE and A Levels as well as the IB. He has taught History, Geography, Economics, and Global Perspectives to Middle and High School year students. He has also been a counsellor and advisor/coach for Model United Nations and various sports teams.
He is married to a wonderful woman and have two high energy children, aged 1 and 4. In his free time, he likes skiing and playing rugby.
Jane MIHALACHE
PGCE, BA
Head of Pastoral Care and Teacher of Visual Arts
Jane joined the British International School of Timisoara as a Year 2 teacher and is currently Head of the Pastoral Care and part of the IB team and Teacher of Visual Arts. She graduated from Birmingham Polytechnic with a Bachelor of Arts honours degree in Three Dimensional Design. She then went on to complete a PGCE in art and design at the University of Central England in Birmingham. Jane has 17 years teaching experience, working in Birmingham, London and Manchester in the UK as well as abroad. Before joining BIST, Jane taught at an international British school in Bucharest where she was involved in teaching and management roles.
Over the years, Jane has had the opportunity to develop her passion for holistic education with a strong focus on pastoral care. She has worked on a number of initiatives for example, building global dimensions into the curriculum, organising and running international educational trips, student exchange programmes, community action service, citizenship days, mentoring programmes, organising Model United Nations conferences, school assemblies and shows. Outside teaching, Jane continues to pursue her Interests in holistic living. Her interest in cultural and historical travel continues to influence her own personal creative projects.
Simeon POLLARD
PGCE, BA
Student Supervisor / Cover Teacher / Data Manager
Simeon has joined BIST as a student support teacher for the Diploma IB course and as a Data Manager. Previous to this he has worked in Singapore, Malawi, France and the UK as a MYP and DP Design Teacher along with being a Pastoral Coordinator.
Simeon started teaching in 2004 in the UK after passing his P.G.C.E at St Lukes College Exeter. Previous to this Simeon worked as Mechanical Design and Fabrication Engineer in the UK, Netherlands and USA. He went to the University of the West of England where he read Mechanical Engineering and passed with a BEng Honours Degree.
He spent his formative years in the southwest of England and enjoys outdoor activities such as Surfing, Mountain
Biking and Skiing.
Diana STĂNICĂ
PGCE, BSc, MA
Head of Mathematics / ICT and Teacher of Mathematics
Diana joined the British International School of Timisoara as a mathematics and computer science teacher in the secondary school. Diana graduated with a Degree in Mathematics and Computing Science from the West University of Timisoara. After graduation she spent four years teaching mathematics in secondary schools in Romania and then decided to try the British school system.
Diana moved to England to teach mathematics to secondary school students in a multicultural school in Dagenham. For the past five years Diana has been working within the British school sector, teaching children from 11 to 16 years old. She has experience with preparing students for the IGCSE exams and has been successful in assuring very good exam results for her students.
Diana is passionate about reading, logical games and gardening.
Silviu NĂSTASE
PGCE, BSc, MA, PHD
Assistant IB Coordinator / Exam Officer and Teacher of Science
Silviu joined the British International School of Timisoara as a teacher of science with responsibilities in the areas of examination and timetabling. Before coming to our school, he worked for an international British school in Bucharest where he taught science at Key Stages 3,4 & 5 and held the positions of timetable officer and examination officer, respectively.
He has obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Chemistry at the University of Bucharest and he continued his PhD studies at the same institution. As a researcher at both University of Bucharest and Politehnica University of Bucharest, he has published numerous scientific articles in international journals, has been involved in several international projects along with receiving grants to study abroad at the Universität Karlsruhe (Germany), the University of Manchester (UK), and the University of Pavia (Italy).
Silviu loves reading and enjoys cycling and one of his major passion is photography.
Raluca BEMBE
PGCE, BA, MA, PHD
Head of Romanian (Secondary School), Assistant CAIE Exam Officer, Teacher of Romanian Language and TOK Coordinator
Raluca joined our team as a teacher of Romanian language and literature and is currently the Head of languages and part of the IB team. She graduated from the Romanian language and literature section of English language and literature, at the Western University of Timișoara and is a doctor of philology at the same university. Raluca is interested in the multicultural environment, otherwise, during her doctorate, she benefited from a scholarship at the University of Vienna and participated in various summer schools abroad with a multicultural theme.
Throughout the course, Raluca had the opportunity to work with students of all ages: with preschoolers, teaching English at different kindergartens, she taught Romanian in secondary schools and high schools, and in the university environment, Romanian as a foreign language.
Raluca is passionate about theatre and is ready to introduce students to local cultural events.
Kristina DANCIU
PGCE, BA, MA
Teacher of English Language and TOK Coordinator
Kristina was born and raised in New York City, in the United States of America where she finished high school.
She graduated from the West University of Timisoara receiving a Bachelor’s degree in English and Serbian Language and Literature. Kristina has also obtained her Master’s degree from the West University of Timisoara in Theory and Practice of Translations (Romanian-English). In addition, she has also completed a certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) and a certificate in Teaching English to Young Learners.
Before joining BIST, Kristina has worked with children from 3-13 years old teaching English as a second language.
Kristina loves reading, spending time outdoors, art, and watching movies. She enjoys producing lessons that are thought-provoking and creative.
Sarah FLOREA
PGCE, BA, MA, BSc
Teacher of English Language
Sarah is joining the British International School from the United States where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Middle Childhood Education from Cedarville University in Ohio and a master’s degree for reading specialization from Concordia University of Chicago in Illinois. Her plethora of experiences over her 19 years of teaching thus far include serving as a reading specialist and teaching primary, secondary English, and secondary history in locations including in Chicago, Illinois; Austin, Texas; and Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Her love of learning is evident as she has continually taken graduate level classes to expand her knowledge and expertise. Likewise, her love for her students is evident in her classroom as all learners feel accepted, challenged, and encouraged through her interactive and dynamic approach to teaching.
Sarah, her husband, and their three children (ages 12, 9, and 2) love traveling, playing strategic boards games, competing in or watching football, spending time with loved ones, and participating in church events. She is delighted and dedicated to serve the BIST community, to see the growth of each of her students, and to engage in the Romanian culture!
Jane HAINSWORTH
PGCE, BSc
Teacher of Mathematics
Jane graduated from the University of Newcastle before working in Cairo as an English teacher. After completing her PGCE at Newcastle, Jane has enjoyed teaching in Dursley, Hartlepool, Porto and Cairo. Jane is passionate about Maths and she enjoys those moments when students achieve those ‘Eureka!’ moments in the classroom. Jane was Key Stage 3 Programme Leader in England for Maths and has enjoyed a similar role in Cairo. A proud mum of two adult children, Jane is helping her son Michael complete his teacher training to become a Physics teacher whilst encouraging her daughter Caity, a Maths graduate, in her new career with NHS Scotland. Jane loves the outdoors and in England walks every day. She has completed the Portugal to Spain part of the Camino de Santiago and she hopes to use her time in Timisoara to build up her experience so she can complete the 1400km stretch from France to Santiago.
If you see Jane walking with her headphones plugged in, please bear in mind she will be listening to the Archers!
Helen HADWEN
BSc Mathematics and Physics, PGCE
Teacher of Mathematics
Helen grew up in Nottingham, England, and moved to Sheffield to study at The University of Sheffield, where she took her BsC in Mathematics and Physics and her Post Graduate Certificate in Education in Secondary Mathematics. After teaching in England for 4 years, she moved on to the international circuit, where she has had extensive experience of teaching different curricula, from IGCSE, to A-Level, to IB. Her first international position was in Kuwait, and since then she has taught in countries as wide ranging as Malaysia, Jordan and Guernsey.
Helen believes that in addition to academic success, it is a school’s responsibility to support students as they become confident, socially aware, responsible global citizens by broadening their horizons, building character and empathy, and raising an awareness of the local and global issues of tomorrow. A blend of a multicultural inclusive learning environment, a diverse range of enrichment and extra-curricular activities and a comprehensive pastoral programme are intrinsic to realising successful, well-rounded individuals.
Helen loves to read, and has thousands of photos of pretty buildings taken during her travels.
William WILSON
PGCE, BSc
Teacher of English Language and Drama
Mr. Wilson has been teaching for 27 years – the first ten years of his career were spent in Texas and the remaining seventeen found him on the Isle of Wight in the UK where he taught a wide range of subjects and year groups. Most pupils would remember Mr. Wilson for his work in theatre. During his time in Texas, he twice advanced to the State level in the 5A One Act Play competition. Whilst in the UK, he helped to found the East Cowes Acting Troupe which was created to give more opportunities for high school pupils to experience drama outside the classroom. Twice he helped to take young people from this organisation to the world renown Edinburgh Fringe Festival to produce original plays. In addition, he has been active in a local theatre troupe as they perform their Christmas pantomime (he always plays the villain).
Trekking through mountains, reading voraciously, exploring history and writing are amongst his hobbies. He also enjoys playing chess although he is not very good.
Mark LIPSCOMB
PGCE, BSc
Head of Humanities and Teacher of Humanities
Originally from Michigan, Mark Lipscomb graduated from the University of Idaho as a History and English major with a minor in Latin. He taught History and Diverse Learners for the Olympia, Washington Public Schools before earning a Master of Arts in American Studies from Washington State University. After he graduated from WSU he taught History, English and American Studies at the high school level in Edmonds, Washington and Chicago, Illinois.
When a close friend ran for Attorney General back in Idaho he worked that campaign and as a community organizer for the Idaho Rural Council fighting Enron’s push for power deregulation. While he was working as an Adjunct Professor of History at Boise State University the Chicago Public Schools came calling. He returned to the city and taught History and English before starting a four-year Latin program in a southside high school. After resigning from CPS, he continued to work as a substitute teacher and finished his first novel.
A passion for roots music, backpacking, writing and travel rebar his love for teaching, and he built his career around the sage advice of an old climbing buddy: “Don’t try to teach anything you don’t want to learn.” Which more or less sums up his motivation for moving to Romania: A profound eagerness to learn from and with the students, staff and parents in the BIST community.
Nicole WARMERDAM
PGCE, BSc
Teacher of Humanities
Nicole Warmerdam is from Lismore, NSW Australia. She completed her graduate teaching diploma at Southern Cross University. Nicole began her international teaching career in Hanoi, Vietnam. She then moved to La Guajira, Colombia to teach Individuals and Societies in the MYP program for 9 years, before moving to Xi’an China.
Nicole loves taking her dogs for long walks with her husband and exploring the countryside.
Marinko PETKOVIC
PGCE, BSc, MS
Head of Science and Teacher of Science
He has Master degree in Phyiscs and Physics education. He enrolled and finished additional trainings for a license to work to severe and multiple disabiled students children. He finished PhD in methodology of Teaching sciences. He is the winner of the “Best Educator” award in Serbia for 2016. In 2017, he received recognition for the best pedagogical innovation. In 2018, he won the National Teacher Prize and was elected the official representative of Serbia at the Global Teacher Prize in Dubai. He is passionate for Science, Space, Hands-On, ICT & STEM, Medical and Biophysics, CERN, Twitter, and global collaboration. He is an Ambassador of SOS4love UN Project and CERN, National Geographic Teacher and Flipgrid Teacher. In his career he is looking for universal values for teaching and learning Science for all around the World. He is an author of the official Science – Physics textbook for disabled students. He is currently preparing International edition of the book „Education As a Tool for Better Life Skills“.
From 2009 to 2015, he represented Serbia at the Days of Biodiversity, organized by UNESCO and the company Apa Nova from Bucharest. He successfully completed the national and international program of CERN in 2015 and 2018 in Geneva. In 2021, he was appointed an associate teacher to the Space Foundation and NASA in the field of education to conduct training and promote the importance of space exploration for all. He is the ambassador of the Innovative Camp for Children and Flipgrid, as well as the holder of the Magic of Education award. Host of a numerous number of European conferences dedicated to the possibilities of education on the social network Twitter. Coordinator of many projects in Romania, Austria, Slovakia, Germany, and Serbia.
In teaching science, he innovates, applies and improves alternative methods of teaching with all students, such as: lyrics as the source, graphic organization, social stories, free Friday and music therapy. He is the author of several adapted experiments in the field of nuclear and atomic physics, as well as adapted experiments in chemistry. He teaches Physics and Chemistry in sign language in classes with hearing impaired children.
From the school year 2019/20. acts as an expert associate of the Department of Physics, University of Novi Sad. During the pandemic, COVID-19 organized online classes with customized topics via personal YouTube channels. Biography is published in the Lexicon of 1000 Creators in Pre-University Education of Serbia.
Profesional motto
For achieving best results in teaching a Science Teacher should use postulate like:
„If n solutions don’t work, consider that Science often uses n+1 as the final result of the problem!“
Annette POLLARD
PGCE, BSc (Hons)
Teacher of Science
Annette joins us at BIST as a secondary school Biology teacher. She was born and educated in the UK and lived mainly in the South West of England; graduating from the University of Exeter (BSc Hons) and Bristol University (PGCE). She taught for many years’ in the British system before widening her experience through teaching in International Schools; working in Africa and Asia. She has taught all ages from 11 – 18 and all the sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics As well as Environmental Science) Over the years she has had various additional roles including responsibility for years 12 and 13 and also for a number of years recently as department head of a very successful Science Department. She has experience with teaching GCSE/IGCSE and A’levels as well as the International Baccalaureate MYP and DP programmes and has also worked as an expert marker for a UK exam board as well as acting as a mentor for student and newly qualified teachers.
She loves to encourage students to be curious about the world and to achieve the best they can. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and exploring nature as well as swimming, skiing and surfing. She is married with a daughter.
Timothy GREENWAY
PGCE, BA
Teacher of Science
Tim obtained his B.Ed. in Physical Science from the University of Greenwich and his Masters in Education from the University of Leeds. Tim worked in the UK for 20 years as a science Teacher, Head of Science, Local Authority Science consultant and Deputy Headteacher. He spent four years as a Science and STEM education advisor for Redcar, Cleveland, and Middlesbrough Local Education Authorities before moving into international education in 2012.
He has subsequently worked in Oman, the UAE, Tanzania and Burma before moving to Romania in 2020 where he spent the last two years working in Bucharest.
John KELLY
PGCE, BSc
Teacher of Social Sciences
John is a British Business and Economics teacher.He took a full time P.G.C.E. at the University of Greenwich in London in 2001/2002 and had previously completed an Economics degree (Political Economy) at Greenwich. After the PGCE where his teaching subjects were Business and ESL he completed an MA at the University of Leicester in Law and Employment Relations. Both the PGCE and MA were really good learning experiences and helped him improve his communication skills immensely.
He has been working internationally since 2007 when he spent a year in Bucharest working for the ISB school. He has been lucky to be able to work and teach at many IB schools since then. He has found that the combination of IGCSE and IB to be very challenging and rewarding for teachers and students. He also found it really hard work, but again it has been rewarding being able to keep up with the new challenges that courses bring each year. It really can turn the school into a community learning experience that prepares students to get the most from their future opportunities and hopefully gives them a sense of humour, a sense of aspiration and interest. Before and after they finish.
Pre-teaching he had another life working in the International banking sector in London where he eventually worked on the Stock Market for many years.
He also worked in the transport industry in Marketing and Sales for TNT which has been a big help in seeing how the Business models and Economic theories work in real life.
Away from the classroom he is still fairly active sportsman and musician, so he will be looking for a music venue in Timisoara and football and tennis activity. He enjoys walking and reading a lot.
Patrick PEREZ
PGCE, BA, MA
Teacher of Computer Science
Patrick Perez is from Lawton, Oklahoma in the south western United States. He attended Cameron University and graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Computer Science with Honors. He then attended the University of Minnesota where he recieved a masters in computer science.
During his undergraduate and graduate years he volunteered with various organizations such as NASA, The Bell Museum, and Coder’s Dojo to create unique Educational Opportunities to teach students Computer Science from the primary school to secondary school age level. Patrick is interested in creating classrooms that teach students to become excited independent problem solvers and cultivate an attitude of lifetime learning.
Patrick enjoys reading, hiking, the arts, and weight training.
Arnold BALAZS
PGCE, BA, MA
Lab Techinician / Teacher of Science
Arnold is from Timisoara and he is excited to be part of the British International School of Timisoara. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Science from the University of West Timisoara, specializing in Biology and he also has a Master’s degree in Developmental Biology.
He has a true passion for working with our youngest learners. Due to the dedication, he was able to guide successfully each student in all areas of their development, both academic and social.
Away from the classroom, Arnold is fairly active as a musician, also enjoys sports and spending time outside in nature.
Alina BARNA
PGCE, BA, ACCA
Financial Officer and IB Business Management Teacher
Alina joined our team as a volunteer this during spring 2018 and worked closely with her colleagues on the implementation of this project. She has over 12 years’ experience in financial audit and consultancy, as well as financial reporting and is currently part of the IB Team as Business Management Teacher.
She has had the opportunity to experience life for a year in both Canada and Germany at the Regensburg University. Alina is also an ACCA member – Association of Chartered Certified Accountants in UK.
Luminita BERECZKI
BBA, MA
IB CAS Coordinator and IB Business Management Teacher
Luminita joined our team as Personal Assistant for the School Leadership Team. Soon after has took on the events coordinator role and is now part of the IB team as the CAS Coordinator and Business Management Teacher.
She is really fond of the British Educational System as she got to experience it since Primary School. Four years in a row, she took part in the student exchange programme organised between Vasile Alecsandri Highschool and Bishop`s Stortford College in UK.
Originally from Iasi, she moved to Timisoara eleven years ago and is now established here. She has a vast experience in sales, marketing and customer care, achieved in different lines of work: hospitality, advertising and online market research. Luminita has a Bachelor`s Degree in European Studies and International Relations and a Master`s Degree in The Management and Marketing of the Organization from Romanian -American University in Bucharest.
On a personal level, her passion is dancing and wishes to inspire as many people to practice this form of communication and self-awareness.
Elena BĂLGRĂDEAN
BA – in progress
IB Librarian
Elena joined our team as administrative support and is currently the IB Librarian. During her studies she was a member of an NGO for 5 years and 2 years in its management, being largely responsible for the administration and human resources of the organisation.
In recent years she has worked in an international company teaching English online.
Elena is a sociable person who likes to read, visit new countries and spend her free time in nature with her family or friends.
Karina GHEORGHE
PGCE, BA
Teacher of German Language
Karina graduated from the West University of Timisoara in 2008 with a specialisation in German Language and Literature as the main language and English Language and Literature, as a secondary language. In 2010 she finalised her Master’s degree – German in a European context – Interdisciplinary and multicultural studies. Starting with 2008, she was part of the team of teachers of the German Cultural Centre Timisoara, having the chance to improve and gain more experience in teaching German as a foreign language. As part of the GCC she had the opportunity to participate in internal qualifications on methodological and didactic training, as well as those organised by the Goethe-Institute Bucharest. In addition to the possibility of teaching German as a foreign language, she also worked as an examiner for the German language exams in order to obtain a certificate of linguistic competence organised by the Goethe-Institute within the German Cultural Centre Timisoara.
Starting with 2018, she parted from the German Cultural Centre and continued to teach German independently.
Anca URSOI
PGCE, BA, MA
SENCo and Student Counselor
After many years of working as an B2B Area Sales Manager, she realised that her passion is still working with people, but from a totally different perspective. She no longer aims to satisfy needs, but to discover people’s inner resources and, together with them, to find a way to maximise them, not for financial gain, but in order to create a better, happier life.
She has a bachelor’s degree in Economics and one in Special Educational Needs. She studied 2 semesters in Denmark about Inclusive and Multicultural Education and in 2021 graduated a master’s degree interdisciplinary program in Educational Counselling and Integration at West University of Timisoara.
Her professional interests include psychodrama therapy for children and professional inclusion of people with disabilities. Since 2016 she worked as a Vocational Counsellor for an NGO, where clients were adults with various types of disabilities.
In her free time she enjoys hiking in the mountains where she does a little bit of speleology too. She loves going to concerts, to theatre and the cinema.
Doina CARASAN
PGCE, BA
Teacher of French Language
Beatrice TRIPSA
PGCE, BA, MA
Teacher of German Language
Beatrice is originally from Timisoara and graduated from “Colegiul National Banatean” in 2017. She has a Bachelor’s degree in English and German Languages and Literature graduating from the Letters, History, and Theology Faculty within the “West University” of Timisoara in 2020. She also has a Master’s degree in American Studies, also within the “West University” of Timisoara that she obtained in 2022.
Beatrice did volunteering with an international youth-run, non-governmental and not-for- profit organization called AIESEC, and in the year 2019, she also went to Indonesia for 6 weeks, where she thought English to 12th-grade students. She loves to read, travel, and write poetry.
Silvana PILIPETI
BA
Teacher of Spanish Language and EAL
Silvana is a positive and determined person, with an 8-year experience in teaching English to young children. She is extremely excited to join the BIST team, seeing it as a great opportunity to evolve and continue to learn, better herself in the field of teaching and, most importantly, being there to guide and inspire pupils to become people who, one day, will also choose to define and inspire other characters and values.
Silvana had the opportunity to graduate secondary school in the United Kingdom, where she lived for 5 years and therefore, has experienced both the advantages and disadvantages of two different educational systems and would like to share what she has learned with others. She believes that the role of the teacher is to make teaching attractive and pleasant for the learner, to combine theory with practice, facilitate learning and find ways to stimulate the pupils’ desire to learn, be actively involved and enjoy everything they gain through the whole process. It is very important to help children find motivation and desire to explore and enhance their strengths and therefore, be able to reach their full potential.
In her free time, Silvana loves to go hiking in the mountains especially because she misses the times when she used to take part in orienteering national and international competitions, as a young child. She believes that participation is sports helps to build character, encourages emotional growth and teaches children the value of respect, dedication, teamwork and courage. She also loves spending time with her children, travelling, reading, dancing and gardening.
Alina Iozefina MANEA
PGCE, BA, MA
Teacher of French Language
Alina Iozefina Manea is joining the British International School of Timișoara as a French teacher. She graduated from the West University of Timișoara with a Bachelor’s degree in French philology and she studied for a Master’s degree in cultural policy and project management. She has worked in both state and private education teaching French and Romanian to middle and high school students but also to Romanian and foreign adults.
She believes that in life we constantly learn, both students and teachers, and in everything she does she relies on mutual respect, creative thinking, exploration and involvement.
Nicoleta RUSU
PGCE, BA
Teacher of German Language
Nicoleta is a German teacher with many years of experience, having taught various age groups, spanning from elementary school to high school, as well as having taught private courses to people of any age. In 2000 she graduated from the West University in her hometown of Timișoara and moved to Germany after a short stint of teaching German as a foreign language in Romanian schools. In Germany she taught German to immigrants looking to assimilate the German language and culture with great success.
Upon her return to Romania, Nicoleta worked for prestigious schools in Timișoara, such as the German speaking school Nikolas Lenau and “Colegiul Național Bănățean.” In 2020 she moved her activity to the private sector, offering online courses to people looking to learn German and preparing them for the TELC-Exam, which evaluates levels of proficiency in the German language and whose certificate is officially recognized throughout the German speaking countries.
Nicoleta’s strongest asset is communicating with and teaching people of various ages and backgrounds, almost always being able to find a common denominator between herself and her students.
Alisa SOHOREANU
PGCE, BA, MA
Head of Modern Foreign Languages (Secondary School) and Teacher of Spanish Language
Alisa started her teaching journey from the first year of university. She lived in Spain for a while, during which she followed a master’s degree in translation and interpretation and taught English through Spanish to primary school children. She is passionate about reading, traveling and of course Spanish and wants to instil this passion for the Spanish language and culture in her students. She enjoys teaching in a friendly, open and cheerful atmosphere.
Adriana MOCUȚA
PGCE, BA, MA
Teacher of Art
Adriana is from Deva, Romania. She graduated from the Faculty of Art and Postgraduate Studies, Graphics section in Timisoara, within the UVT. She joined the BIST team as an art teacher for years 7.8 and 9.
In the last 8 years he has taught arts as an optional subject in kindergartens, after school, state schools and private clubs for children. She worked with children between the ages of 3 and 14 years. She also held art workshops in children’s camps.
She firmly believes that any child can create when he/she feels free and confident.
Her passions are children, art and interior design.
Cosmin CIORICIU
PGCE, BA
Teacher of Physical Education
Cosmin joined the British International School of Timisoara as a teacher of physical education and sports. Graduate of the Western University of Timisoara, the specialization of physical education, the promotion of 2000, has worked in the last years in education teaching in all age categories.
After a 6-year collaboration with the Romanian Rugby Federation, as coach of the national junior teams, he will base his teaching on the values of the rugby game: respect, integrity, discipline, passion and solidarity.
Primary School Teaching Assistants
Beatrice POLLARD
Advanced Certificate – in progress
Teaching Assistant
Beatrice was born in Barnstaple, England. She has lived in and worked in Malawi and Singapore. She is currently finishing her education with Wolsey hall college.
Her passion for working with children started in High school where she volunteered to teach kids at a riding stables and help people improve their English in Malawi.
She began with private tutoring but enjoys all aspects of the primary level education. She also enjoys reading, spending time with animals and writing.
Alina MUNTEANU
BA
Teaching Assistant
Alina studied at the German high school Nikolaus Lenau in Timisoara and afterwards she pursued Sociology studies at University of West in the same city.
During her school years she used to take part in one of Timisoara’s youth theatre groups, this community having helped her to focus on equality and diversity.
She is very passionate when it comes to human connection as she worked with many types of people. She started learning to understand them very easily thanks to her being a really joyful and empathetic person.
Since childhood she used to travel especially through nature therefore she developed the passion for hiking and biking.
Mario ORBAN
BA, MA
Teaching Assistant
Mario graduated Drama and Film Studies at Anglia Ruskin in Cambridge and also has a master’s degree in Communication, culture and media obtained at Coventry University, England.
He is passioned about art, music, history, mythology, science and old cinematography.
While in university, he worked with a few independent film companies and published an E-book after graduating his master’s degree on American Politics.
Pedro CABRAL
PGCE, BA
Teaching Assistant
Pedro is originally from Spain, comes from a Spanish/Portuguese family and is very excited to be part of our school. He studied his Bachelor Degree in Spain. While studying in university he had the opportunity to spend part of his educational years in countries like Bulgaria or Lithuania and internships in England and Spain. He has been working as a kindergarten and primary school teacher in various countries where he had wonderful experiences. as a teacher in international schools, in countries like:Turkey and volunteer teacher in the middle east and also has an online teacher for students from various countries.
He respects diversity, cultures, thinks “outside the box” and is excited by the smallest things in life.
He likes to learn new things everyday and has a passion for acting, singing and dancing.
Ana MAFTEI
BA – in progress
Teaching Assistant
Ana graduated from Colegiul National Banatean Timisoara, Philology profile. She has experience in working with students from the previous schools where she worked at.
She is a certified artist and presently a student at Babes Bolyai University where she studies Special Psychopedagogy. She is a dedicated person and believes in the principle: “the best thing you can do for the children is to believe in them.”
On a personal level, she is passionate about everything related to art, cars and motorcycles and in her spare time she enjoys riding her motorcycle or making portraits.
Teona DAVID
PGCE, BA – in progress
Teaching Assistant
Teona joins our team as teaching assistant for reception. She graduated the Pedagogical High School “Carmen Sylva” from Timișoara, Philology profile and is currently in her 3rd year studying Psychology at the West University of Timișoara.
Teamwork and collaboration are her strengths and is eager to meet new people and make friends.
Oana STRÎMBEANU
PGCE, BA, MA
Teaching Assistant
Oana graduated Faculty of Psychology and Sociology, specializing in pedagogy from the West University of Timisoara, master’s degree in Integrated Education and Psycho-pedagogical Counseling.
Oana started her career in private preschool 8 years ago at an international school and has worked with children between the ages of 3 and 6.
From her experience with children she has learned that all are good, smart, but different, so that teachers should adapt to children and not vice versa.
She considers empathy, the affection and the smile of the teacher to be essential in early education and beyond.
On a personal level she likes to spend time with her family, friends, reading and travelling.
Romina GURAN
PGCE, BA
Teaching Assistant
Romina graduated from the Faculty of Applied Modern Languages in 2006. Because she likes to work with children, she also followed the second specialization as a teacher in Pre-school Education at the University of Vasile Goldis in Arad, where she graduated in 2013 from the Faculty of Sciences of Education. In the same year she signed up for the master studies at Aurel Vlaicu University in Arad, specializing in Early Education Pedagogy and Small Schooling.
From 2007 until the summer of 2019 she worked in the kindergarten Primii Pasi in Timișoara as a teacher in pre-school education. She loved working with children and felt that it was so nice to have theopportunity to assist with their development. The motto which guided her and still guides her is the following: “Teach the child the path to follow, and when he grows up, he will not deviate from it.”
In her free time she likes to read, to visit new places, to make decorations using the watermark technique and to participate in social and swimming dance courses.
Alexandra RECĂȘAN
BA, MA
Teaching Assistant
After spending over 10 years inside the Communication and Advertising industry, Alexandra decided for a career revamp, driven by her passion for education. She is joining our team as a Teaching Assistant.
Alexandra holds a Bachelor Degree in Advertising and Public Relations. Along her career experience Alexandra acquired a generous know-how on creativity and lateral thinking. She is currently attending a training on Outward Mindset in Education held by Arbinger Institute.
She is also involved in voluntary work in the education field, periodically organising workshops for children on social, emotional and moral development.
She heartily believes in the power of the positive relationship between student and teacher to inspire the love for lifelong learning.
Denisa STOIAN
BA, MA
Teaching Assistant
Denisa graduated from The West University of Timisoara with a Bachelor’s degree in Romanian/English and also a Master’s degree in American Studies.
Studying and teaching English is her passion. She has over three years’ experience in teaching English to students aged between three and fifteen in prestigious public schools in Timisoara. She has also passed the English tenure exam for the Romanian educational system.
At the moment, one of her interests is in studying Piaget, Erikson and Montessori’s theories, while also trying to apply the concepts on a daily basis.
She is a mom of a two-year old daughter whom she loves to play and spend time with. She is enthusiastic about travelling, arts and crafts, reading, listening to podcasts and spending time with her family and friends.
Tamara KELEMEN
PGCE, BA, MA, TEFL
Teaching Assistant
Tamara finished her BA in Serbian language and World literature in Serbia at the University of Novi Sad. She worked for several years as a teacher in her country where she taught in primary and secondary schools and organized and executed many extracurricular activities. After being involved in different international volunteer projects she left for Portugal where she was a full-time volunteer on a European Commission project as an educator for children 3-15 years old. She moved to Belgium afterward, where she worked as a babysitter and a nanny for international families, and as she says- she loved that job! Later on, she finished her MA in Art & Culture in the Netherlands, with a specialization in Cultural Education (pedagogy and educational psychology, art). After years of working in museums, galleries, and with online photography, she decided to get back to her true passion – teaching and working with children.
Tamara thinks that children are our future and that we should give our best to make them feel safe, nourished, happy, and free in our school. Tamara does have an engaging personality and good communication skills and is flexible and willing to learn new things. Her attitude is positive and solution orientated. She is keen to provide an engaging, stimulating, and supportive learning environment. Tamara is certainly looking forward to working in our school and contributing to it with all her skills and qualifications.
Tamara really likes and appreciates spending time with her dog. She also likes to travel a lot, hike and swim, spend time with her friends and family, try different cuisines and watch movies.
Carla PREDA
PGCE, BA
Teaching Assistant
Carla Preda joined the British International School of Timisoara as Teaching Assistant for year 6.
With Bachelor`s degree both in Law and Management, Carla also has extensive experience as a public speaker and counsellor in international and national conferences on different topics: leadership and ethics, human trafficking. Carla uses every opportunity to help others and is often volunteering and working for charitable causes.
Her effervescent personality and sociable nature enables her to captivate and easily communicate with both adults and children. Her favourite motto is: Help other and expect nothing in return.
Anca ANDREI
PGCE, BA
Teaching Assistant
Anca is from Bucharest, Romania and she moved to Timisoara a few years ago.
Anca graduated from West University of Arts and Design in Timisoara. She likes to paint on clothes and make unique designs. She also likes nature and creative work.
Anca is happy to be a part of children’s education. She was working many years in retail where she learned a lot of things about many types of people. She likes the positive vibes in every difficult situation.
Alexandra VLAI
BA – in progress
Teaching Assistant
She is a very kind and loving person with good communication and leadership skills. In her spare time she enjoys coking and spending quality time with friends and family.
Her passion for teaching started in high school where she graduated the Pedagogical High School “Carmen Sylva” from Timisoara.
In the same high school she taught kids between ages of 5-10. In addition to this she also worked in a company as a team leader and had the opportunity to work with children during several workshops.
Elena TROFIN
PGCE, BA, MA
Teaching Assistant
Elena joined the British International School of Timisoara as a Teaching Assistant.
She graduated from “Vasile Lupu” Pedagogical High School and she has experience of working with primary school students. Elena graduated from the West University of Timișoara with a bachelor’s degree in Applied Modern Languages and a master’s degree in The Theory and Practice of Translation. Elena is deeply fascinated by the Japanese culture and she likes to study Japanese in her spare time.
Bianca SABAILA
BA – in progress
Teaching Assistant
Bianca Sabaila Loredana joined International British School of Timisoara as teacher assistant. She lived in the UK for almost 17 years.
She has an amazing personality, very energetic and enjoys being around children. She has a positive attitude and is always willing to help teachers and students alike.
Her background in hospitality required her to provide a high level of customer service. This high customer service background translates very well in the everyday life and duties that she has to accomplish while working in the school.
She enjoys reading, spending time hiking and has a passion for motorbikes.
Elvira GOMEZ
PGCE, BA, MA
Student Supervisor/ Cover Teacher / Teacher of Spanish
Elvira is from Majorca, Spain; however she got her bachelor’s degree in Primary Education from the University of Granada. While living there she developed her interest in art and cultural management, which is her passion. She is also very interested in politics and social issues. In order to further develop her knowledge in these two areas, she came to Romania to participate in a European Union’s volunteering program.
In her free time she loves getting to know new people and cultures, biking and, especially travelling. She is enthusiastic and fun, something she puts a lot of effort into translating into the activities she plans for the students.
Administrative non-academic staff
Lia CORLAN
BA, MA
Admission Officer
Lia joined our team as Admissions Officer. With 7 years of experience in marketing and public relations. She is mainly responsible for the admission process of students in our school.
She is a communicative person, often involved in charity and voluntary work. Originally from Timisoara, Lia holds a Bachelor Degree in Public Relations and Communications and a Master’s Degree in European Studies.
Carmen SCHULDESZ
BA, MA
Administrative Coordinator
After graduating from the Faculty of Management and Rural Tourism and the master’s degree, Carmen worked in the field of hospitality as a hotel manager at the Angellis hotel in Timisoara, then to carry out her activity in culture, occupying in recent years the position of head of the literary secretariat service, marketing and show organization in the German Theater Timisoara.
Starting with July 2022, she became part of the big British International School Timisoara family, as the administrative coordinator.
Aurica COSTINESCU
BA, MA
Communications and Events Coordinator
Aurica joined the British International School of Timisoara as Personal Assistant for the School Leadership Team and is currently the Communications and Events Coordintator. She is originally from Romania but lived in Canada for twenty years which gave her the opportunity to learn, work and enjoy life in a multicultural environment with English as the main language.
Aurica graduated from Faculty of Communication Sciences- UPT- Timisoara with Bachelor degree in Communications and Public Relations and Master degree in Communication, Public Relations and Digital Media.
She is a motivated and enthusiastic person, having extensive communication experience with the internal and external organisational publics. She is a follower of positive communication and wishes to inspire others by this.
Music is the passion which accompanies her and during different stages of her life it gave her the chance to have artistic experiences by conducting or singing in choirs.
Awni JABER
BA, MA
Administrative Secretary
Awni was born and grew up in Amman, Jordan where he studied “Industrial System Engineering” at Mutah University and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree. In 2020 he moved to Timisoara and now he is preparing his master’s thesis in Quality and Engineering Management at Polithenica University of Timisoara.
He is looking forward to focusing on the field of management, administrative and solving problems in an international organization like British International School. Awni has a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. He is also an expert in the applying the 5S method for all departments in an organization, writing 8D reports, drawing flow charts and compare the expectations with client’ satisfactions.
Family is the most important thing for Awni, and he misses them dearly. Awni is married with a Romanian woman, they love spending time in the mountains together. He also enjoys swimming and playing chess.
Daniela NICORICI
BA
Administrative Secretary
Daniela was born in Timisoara and she graduated at Banatul University of Timisoara, Public Relation-English. She has about 15 years of experience in Customer Service and Administrative/HR department. She is an organized, communicative and friendly person and she likes to pay attention to details.
She likes reading, especially personal development books and watching movies and documentaries on Discovery Channel.
Alina BALI
BA
IT System Engineer
Alina joined the BIST team in 2019 as the IT System Engineer. She graduated from the Faculty of Informatics and Computer Science and is very passionate about technology.
She enjoys spending her free time in nature with friends and family. Riding the bike or fishing are two of the activities she usually does with her son.
David STUPAR
BA – in progress
IT Support
David was born in Timisoara where he studied Mechatronics and Robotics at Polithenica Timisoara. He is very passionated about the IT industry. He likes to face and solve many IT issues and find new solutions to help his colleagues.
David joined BIST as the IT support agent in February 2022. He was excited to work in a school environment. He has been working in IT industry for more than 3 years.
David is very passionated about nature therefore he has hobbies like fishing, hunting and hiking. He enjoy spending time in the mountains. He likes to play trumpet, guitar and piano in his spare time.
Andreea HEPEȘ
School Nurse
Andreea Hepeș joined our team as School Nurse. She is originally from Timisoara, where she attended the courses of the Post-secondary Health School becoming a general medical assistant in 2002.
Over the years she has been a nurse in the family medicine and cardiology practice. Before joining the BIST team she worked for three years in a kindergarten and International Primary School in Timisoara.
She is a communicative person, cheerful, loves children and spending time with her family.