Our High School Team

Jan Svihalek
jan.svihalek(zavinac)isob.cz

I was born in Brno, where I live now together with my family. Both my parents and some of my grandparents are teachers, so my professional path was quite clear. I earned my Master's at the Pedagogical Faculty of Masaryk University specialising in German and Physical Education and I have been teaching PE and German language at various schools since I was a universtity student. I have been working as Head of School at the International School of Brno since it's founding in 2008. I speak English, German, Spanish, Russian and Czech. I am also an active musician, with passion for literature and art.

Dylan Vance
dylan.vance(zavinac)isob.cz

I grew up in Thunder Bay Canada on the north shore of Lake Superior. I have a BA in Philosophy and am currently working towards a Master's in Education specialising in Administrative Leadership. I have been teaching for over ten years and am very proud to see how far ISB has come as I've been here since the beginning. Along with spending time with my family, I love cooking, photography and playing music. I can speak English, Czech and French.

Kurt Bonser
kurt.bonser(zavinac)isob.cz

Hi! I am from Livonia, Michigan, U.S.A. I have a bachelor’s degree in Zoology with a minor in Spanish from Northern Michigan University. After that I obtained a teaching certificate in Integrated Science from Madonna University and am qualified to teach all sciences at the secondary level (grade 6 to 12). I am currently working towards my masters in Education Leadership through Madonna University (online of course). I have taught internationally in China for the past 4 years, before that I had taught in American for 2 years. In my spare time I like doing anything outdoors in nature, hiking, running, biking, swimming, and camping.

Robin Smith
robin.smith(zavinac)isob.cz

I've worked for 18 years as a teacher and have a Master's Degree from Dundee University in Scotland. I also have a Cambridge Celta certificate and I'm currently studying at Buckingham University as a post-graduate distance student to improve my teaching further. On top of teaching, my responsibilities at ISB include the Community Service work of the school and raising the profile and respect of the school in the community. I love music and theatre and helping with the school productions. As well as teaching, my CV includes being the director of two businesses and working as the Czech director of VisitBritain, although I gave these up to work at ISB 2 years ago.

Rhandy Jermia
rhandy.jermia(zavinac)isob.cz

Mabuhay! I am Rhandy Jermia from the the sunny side of the Philippines - General Santos City. I am a graduate of Bachelor of Sceince in Education major in Math, as well as Master of Science in Teaching Mathematics. Additionally, I have completed 12 units leading to Doctor of Philosophy in Developmental Research and Administration. I taught in the Philippines, Thailand, China, Vietnam, Norway, Israel, Nepal, and presently in Czech. International School of Brno is my sixth IB school. When Im not teaching, I love to travel and explore places near and far. Our world fascinates me, with all its beauty and mysteries, so travelling gives me the chance to understand its wonders and secrets.

Ronald Dela Cruz
ronald.delacruz(zavinac)isob.cz

Hello, I'm Ronald dela Cruz from the Philippines. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education and recently earned my Master's degree in Science Education. With 17 years of teaching experience, the majority of which was spent at an international school in Mongolia, I have developed a deep passion for education and cultural exchange. Beyond the classroom, I find joy in exploring the world of culinary arts, where cooking serves as a creative outlet for me. My love for exploration also extends to travel and photography. Traveling allows me to immerse myself in new cultures and landscapes, while photography helps me capture the beauty of these experiences, preserving memories and stories through the lens. I'm excited to be a part of ISB!

Jerbylyn Agtutubo
jerbylyn.agtutubo(zavinac)isob.cz

Hi! I’m Ms Bing. I graduated with a degree in Secondary Education majoring in Mathematics from the Philippine Normal University and completed my Master’s degree in Educational Measurement and Evaluation from Miriam College. I am from the Philippines but have lived in several countries, teaching IB MYP/DP Mathematics to Secondary students for the last 12 years. I taught at a Cambridge IGCSE school in Indonesia, and IB Continuum schools in the Philippines, Mexico, Japan and most recently in Albania. I enjoy traveling and meeting people from different cultures, and working with students from different cultural backgrounds is something I have grown accustomed to. This is my first year at Brno and also at ISOB and I am really excited to be part of this school community.

Roxanne Uy
roxanne.uy(zavinac)isob.cz

Hi, I am Ms. Rox and I am from the Philippines. I got my master’s degree in teaching biology at De La Salle University Manila. I have a decade of teaching experience ranging from elementary pupils to senior high school students in Manila and Jakarta. I believe in the power of student-centered learning, growth mindset, and inquiry-based approach. I am also keen in promoting environmentalism and sustainability in school-wide activities. I enjoy travelling and listening to music during my free time. I look forward to my life in Brno and a new adventure in my career here in ISB!

Rebecca Daum
rebecca.daum(zavinac)isob.cz

Hello! I am originally from the United States, where I completed my bachelor and master's degrees in Anthropology. I have spent the last several years teaching in Japan, as well as an international boarding school in the US. I have seven years of IB teaching experience, which includes subjects such as Social and Cultural Anthropology, English Language and Literature, English Language Acquisition, and Language and Culture. Other roles have included DP and Extended Essay coordinator, Residential Assistant, and homeroom teacher/advisor. I enjoy traveling, learning new things, and reading. I am excited to be teaching History and I&S here at ISB!

Erika Correa
erika.correa(zavinac)isob.cz

Hello, I am Ms.Correa. I am orginally from NYC. I have a master's in TESOL and am a licensed teacher in the US. I been living and teaching overseas for 15 years, mostly in different Asian countries. I have taught different curriculums but enjoy teaching the IB curriculum. I have beening teaching IBDP English A & B for the past four years. I enjoy traveling, reading, and learning about different cultures. I am excited to here in Brno and teaching IB MYP English.

Ondrej Kala
ondrej.kala(zavinac)isob.cz

I am from Brno and I work at ISB from September 2021. I finished my bachelor’s degree in Czech and History at Masaryk University in the summer 2013. Now I study Master’s degree in Palacky University in Olomouc. Before teaching Czech at ISB, I was employed in big worldwide corporates where I worked in several managerial and coordinating positions. I spend my free time with my family, reading and meeting friends while drinking a good coffee.

Sean Fogarty
sean.fogarty(zavinac)isob.cz

Hello! My name is Sean and I'm from Ireland! I've been teaching for the past 8 years, so it's something that I am really passionate about. I have a Bachelor's in English Literature and History, a Masters in Training and Education, and I will be studying a Masters in Literature and Language here in Brno! I have worked in a few different countries, but I'm really excited to add the Czech Republic to that list. In my spare time I like playing guitar, travelling and reading.

Sonia Bueno Garcia
sonia.garcia(zavinac)isob.cz

I am from Barcelona, Spain. I teach Spanish as a foreign language since 1998. I have taught in the UK, in Greece and, since 2014, in the Czech Republic. Although I have a BA in History of Art, I was soon attracted to teaching my mother tongue. I enjoy very much teaching students from all around the world. In my free time, among lots of things, I love hiking, travelling and swimming in the sea.

Kristi Lescinski
kristi.lescinski(zavinac)isob.cz

Hi! My name is Kristi and have been living in Brno for almost two years, but am originally from Pennsylvania, U.S. I attended the University of North Carolina where I received degrees in Political Science and History. I also minored in music (which is my true passion). I have spent the last few years working as an au pair, performing as a singer-songwriter, and teaching private singing lessons. I enjoy being active, especially hiking, bouldering, & water skiing, as well as reading, cooking, meeting new people, and finding cool places in Brno to listen to music. This will be my first year full time at ISB and I cannot wait!

Vojtech Bastyan
vojtech.bastyan(zavinac)isob.cz

Hi, my name is Vojta and I am from Kromeriz, Czech Republic. I have a master‘s degree in Education of Biology and Physical Education from Palacky University in Olomouc and doctoral degree in Kinesiology from Masaryk University in Brno. I have lived and worked in Anchorage, Alaska during my studies and worked as a ski instructor in South Lake Tahoe, California after I graduated. I have taught internationally in Tanzania for the past 3 years, before that I had organised and supervised the leisure time activities for children from kindergartens and elementary schools here in Brno. I like sports, outdoor activities and reading travel books. I can speak Czech, English, Swahili and little German.

Eva Klarova
eva.klarova(zavinac)isob.cz

Hello, my name is Eva and come from the Czech Republic. I´ve been interested in art and crafts since I was very little. I studied to become an Art and English language teacher at Masaryk University in Brno. After that I went on learning different crafts and art techniques, studied a three-year seminar for Waldorf teachers and taught at secondary grammar school in Brno and then in Waldorf school in Kurim. This is my first year in ISB and I really appreciate to have the opportunity to meet students and teachers from different cultural backgrounds in our school. I love making pottery, textile art, playing music in an amateur band and hiking.

Vojtech Calkovsky
vojtech.calkovsky(zavinac)isob.cz

Hi, I´m Vojta. I grew up, studied and worked in Brno, Czech Republic. I am currently half way through my Ph.D. studies on CEITEC researching semiconductors. I love to travel which is my every year adventure. Beside Physics I enjoy fixing cars, wiring houses, riding bike and playing quitar. It is my pleasure to be a part of ISB team.

Barbara Albrechtova
barbara.albrechtova(zavinac)isob.cz

Adela Bonser
adela.bonser(zavinac)isob.cz

I am from Brno and I am lucky to have been working at ISB since February 2017 as a primary (currently year 2) asistant. That means I'm more than happy and ready to help with whatever ISB brings. I accept any challenge! I am finishing my master's degree in English teaching at Masaryk University this summer. Since 2011, I have worked in the USA as a camp counselor, in Ireland as an au pair and in India, Sweden, and Iceland as an English teacher/assistant. I spend most of my free time in the woods or mountains volunteering as a leader of a tourist club and summer camp for children.

Sarka Kovarikova
sarka.kovarikova(zavinac)isob.cz

I was born in Vyskov, but moved to Brno whne I was young. I did my last year of high school in the United States, where I graduated and then returned to graduate from the Czech system here in Brno. In university I spent time at the Hogeschool van Utrecht in the Netherlands, where I studied and did teacher training. I have a Master's Degree in Secondary Education from Masaryk University specialising in Special Education and English Language. I also have a bachelor's degree in Foreign Languages specialising in French. When I am not at work, I am with my family. I am a big ice-hockey fan, but I enjoy other sports: volleyball, cycling, inline skating, skiing and snowboarding.

Martina Hrda
martina.hrda(zavinac)isob.cz

I am from the South Moravia region in the Czech Republic. My whole life is related to Brno, where I achieved 3 stages of teacher education training: High school of Education, Master´s degree in Upper Secondary School Teacher training with specialization in Czech and Music, and Higher Education in doctoral degree programme in Education at Masaryk University. I have been interested in teaching Czech as a second / foreign language over 10 years. My teaching practise involves the wide range of nationalities and social environments. I worked in asylum centers, Kindergartens, High school, Music school and in many Language schools and was a member of the committee for state examinations in the Czech language. I love to teach Czech in Czech and help people to feel nice in the Czech Republic. The most important things in my life are my daughter, classical music, singing, dancing and playing the piano.

Marianna Suarez
marianna.suarez(zavinac)isob.cz

My name is Marianna Suarez, and I was born and raised in Maracaibo - Venezuela, coming from an Italian family, I´ve always carried that multicultural layer that makes ISB the perfect place to develop professionally. I hold a BA in Business Administration but luckily learning and teaching have always been a part of my life. Apart from my professional side, I enjoy discovering the world by traveling and honoring its culture by recreating their typical dishes.

Rachel Adams
rachel.adams(zavinac)isob.cz

Hello! My name is Rachel and I am from Norfolk, England. I have a BA Education degree and a Master's in Social Science Research Methods (specialising in Education). I relocated to Brno in October 2024 in persuit of an adventure, a different cultural experience, and to explore education in a different part of the world. My teaching experience consists of working as a Teaching Assistant in an English primary school for four years, and mentoring roles such as providing 1-1 support and delivering academic interventions. I have a range of hobbies and interests ranging from playing football, reading, and knitting. Besides speaking English, I can speak Dutch conversationally and I aspire to learn Czech whilst I am here. It is a pleasure to be part of the ISB team and support young people with their education.

Tereza Vrbkova
tereza.vrbkova(zavinac)isob.cz

Hi! I'm Tereza,but my students call me Miss.T. I'm a psychology teacher with a Bachelor's degree from Masaryk University, Faculty of Arts, and I am currently finalizing my Master's studies in Psychology in Vienna. I was once an ISB student myself and later returned to teach psychology at ISB for almost three years before continuing my studies abroad. I love traveling, surfing, and spending quality time with my amazing partner, friends, and my dog Ollie. I enjoy deep conversations, painting, and good music :-)

David Jirman
david.jirman(zavinac)isob.cz

Hello, I'm David and I've spent most of my life in Brno. I earned my master's degree in Computer Science from Masaryk University in Brno. My aim is to assist your digital natives in becoming responsible digital citizens with a solid foundation in ICT. In my free time, I enjoy listening to music, cooking, spending time in nature, and being in good company.

Martina Grochalova
martina.grochalova(zavinac)isob.cz

I earned a Master’s degree from the University of Pardubice, followed by a PhD in Proteomics from Masaryk University in Brno. Early in my career, I worked as a researcher at the CEITEC research center and teacher for university students. I am passionate about science and delicious food. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time in nature with children and have a love for creative activities like sewing, crocheting and gardening.