Teachers

OSC Teachers

We have just started putting together a section of our website which highlights our teachers since we thought you might like to know about them too - they really are the stars of the Revision Courses.

All our teachers are CURRENT IB TEACHERS selected for their experience and their skill in the classroom. We have around 200 TEACHERS who teach with us regularly and they have particular skills in helping students review and revise their subjects. Below are a few of the biographies and photos that we have put together so far. We hope it gives you an indication of what a fantastic bunch they are!

Julian Barnett

Julian Barnett has been teaching History for 22 years and specifically IB History for 8 years. He was at the International School in Jerusalem for four years and is now at Southbank International School in central London. He has also lived in Cairo, working on Pharonic archaeological digs and investigating Mamluk and Fatimid shrines. Julian is also a writer and a traveller and has published articles in a number of journals and presented programmes on BBC Radio 4. His specialist area of interest is religious sects within the Shia Islamic world and the Orthodox Christian world.

"I have found teaching at OSC a most wonderful experience. As well as meeting international students, with all the typical style, sophistication and academic rigour that this normally implies, it has also been a memorably idyllic experience to work with them within the surroundings of a city as glorious and historically vibrant as Oxford".

Jonathan Benison

After graduating from Sussex university, Jonathan spent many years in Italy, where he divided his time between various jobs and the equally serious business of raising a family. He taught for 18 years at the University of Padua and on specialist courses for translators, completed his PhD in Sociology of Literature from the University of Essex and published various articles on science fiction and postmodernism as well as editing annotated school editions of such classics as Brave New World and The Time Machine.

His IB experience dates from 1989, first as a teacher of English B and then, since 1997, as IB Diploma coordinator. Jonathan currently teaches English A1 HL and Theory of Knowledge at EAB International in Paris. He is an Assistant Examiner for English A1 and TOK and a workshop leader for Diploma coordination. He has taught a range of courses for OSC since 1996, lately focusing on English A1.

Martin Bluemel

Martin Bluemel has been teaching IB Chemistry for over 20 years, formerly at Sevenoaks School and now at Taunton School in Somerset, UK, where he is also IB Coordinator and teaches the Theory of Knowledge. He originally gained an Honours degree in Biochemistry and teaching qualification from the University of Oxford. He has been an IB examiner since 1997 and has taught on Easter and Summer courses with OSC for over 16 years. He has written the OSC Revision Guide for the Human Biochemistry option.

"Teaching with OSC is always a very rewarding experience. Each group of students is different, but they are always keen to get the most out of the course and this creates a very purposeful atmosphere. I try to give an overview of the subject and make connections that they have not been able to see before. I hope that they can return to their schools feeling more confident and determined to make the most of the remaining time before the exams. Students also appreciate the chance to meet and work with like-minded students from a range of IB schools, and they find it reassuring to discover that they are not alone in facing the challenge of the IB Diploma."

Simon Braidwood

Simon Braidwood is British but has lived abroad for much of his working life. He has taught languages for 30 years. He read Modern Languages at Oxford and, straight after taking his degree, qualified as an Instructor of EFL at International House in London. During his career in education he taught, variously, English, French and German at Wellington College, Berkshire, Aiglon College, Switzerland, and Salem International College on Lake Constance.

He is keen to publish his translations of German and French poetry. He lives in the Cevennes national park in the south of France. He has taught on an OSC summer course recently and has been a regular language specialist member of C.I.S. accreditation teams over the last 10 years.

“Intensive IB Diploma English teaching of young international students on the point of leaving school I find the most fascinating of all the teaching I have done. The atmosphere in the Oxford colleges is of course highly conducive to obtaining the best standards.”

Martina Caspari

Martina Caspari, nee Eidecker, M.A. Westfalische Wilhelms-Universitat Munster (1992), Ph.D. UCLA - University of California, Los Angeles (1996), Assistant Professor of German, Georgia State University (1996-1999), works at the Swiss International School, Fellbach and is an adjunct lecturer at the University of Applied Sciences in Esslingen. Martina teaches German A1 on OSC courses.

Her first book "Trauerarbeit und Sinnsuche. Funktionen von Schreiben im Werk Irmtraud Morgners." was published in 1998 by Georg Olms Verlag in Germany. She also edited the essay collection "Positionen. Amerikanische und europaische Interpretationen zur neuesten deutschsprachigen Literatur von Frauen" which was published in January 1999 by Die Blaue Eule. She also has published a large number of articles and book reviews on German literature and the didactics of literature as well as on language pedagogy.

John Charters

John Charters began his teaching career in New Zealand many years ago. He has been teaching IB Diploma physics in Europe since 1998. After 10 years in Germany, he moved in the summer of 2008 to take up a physics teaching post at the International School of Amsterdam. In 2002 he was joint runner-up for the CERN teachers' award, recognising student involvement in a project on particle physics with his IB Diploma physics class.

John has taken pre-IB and mid-IB classes with OSC and is also a senior moderator for IB Diploma internally assessed practical work in Physics.

"I really enjoy working with such dedicated and motivated students. Regardless of their level of achievement when they arrive, they are all determined to improve. With such a positive attitude in the group it is no surprise that they generally all do."

Namrata Datta Chowdry

Namrata has taught in the Netherlands at Het Rijnlands, Lyceum, Oegstgeest, for the last 7 years. She has 15 years experience teaching IB Economics and Business and Management. She first taught with OSC in 2005, at the Cambridge Mid-IB Summer School, followed by the summer of 2006. In the summer of 2007, she taught the Pre-IB at the Oxford campus and this summer took a break because her son was born in June.

"The greatest asset of the OSC format is the camaraderie and interpersonal relationship that is built between students and teachers, within a short time-span, as a result of communal living and learning. The small class sizes accentuate this aspect and I for one greatly appreciate the student-centred teaching model rather than teacher-driven lessons."

Charles Duckworth

Charles started teaching physics in Ghana in 1976 and moved to Mill Hill School in 1989 where he taught Biology, Chemistry and Physics to O / A level. In 1985 he taught IB HL Chemistry in Cali, Colombia before moving to Bedford School where he has been teaching some biology and chemistry at all levels for the last 20 years.

Charles started marking IB Chemistry in 1991 and has been a team leader and member of the standardisation committee for about 15 years. In recent years he has been a senior examiner, member of the Grade Award Committee and Principal Examiner, and is currently the only person marking HL Chemistry papers in English, French and Spanish.

"Students from many countries attend OSC courses and their approach to the work has often been different. This can be very stimulating as the questions they ask show different insights into the subject which others can learn from and broaden their understanding."

Clive Frank

Clive is a Subject Leader for the Humanities subjects at Bonn International School in Germany. (Geography, History, Economics and Global Studies). He has a Bachelor in Education in Geography and History and a Master's Degree in Educational Management (MBA University of Leicester, England). Clive has been working with students from varying cultural backgrounds in the International type school for over twenty years. He is married with four children. His wife is German and he speaks German fluently.

Clive started teaching at OSC in 2004. For five years he has taught the Easter Revision courses in Geography, both Higher Level and Standard Level. He has also taught the mid-IB course in Geography and the Research and Study Skills Courses in the summer.

"In the two and a half days intensive review, it is possible to look at the syllabus in detail and to give valuable advice concerning examination technique. Indeed, a thorough understanding of examination technique, for example how long to spend on particular questions and how to decide which questions to answer, may result in higher grades, just as much as knowledge and understanding of the syllabus."

Kim Freimann

Recently appointed as an assistant examiner in physics, Kim has also been the Head of the Physics department at Malmö Borgarskola, Sweden, since 2000. Kim has 9 years of experience teaching the IB-programme and 3 years experience teaching at our OSC Revision Courses at SL and HL. In 1997 he received a University Diploma in Education for Upper Secondary School, Mathematics and Physics from Lund University in Sweden. Before graduating with a Master of Science, Physics from Lund University in 1998.

"I really enjoy the atmosphere of intense learning at the Oxford Study Courses. Helping my students through the tough stages of the revision process, helping them to take steps towards succeeding at their exams is always a very satisfying experience."

Trevor Jennings

After obtaining a 1st in Natural sciences (Mathematics & Psychology) and a PGCE at Durham University, Trevor taught Mathematics and Statistics at Dulwich College (9 years), Bradfield College (9 years) and Bedford School (19 years). Mostly he taught A-level Mathematics and Further Mathematics plus STEP Mathematics I, II and III. En route he gained an MA(Ed) at Reading University and wrote an MPhil dissertation on mathematics at the school/university interface, also at Reading. This was followed by a PhD thesis, with the Open University, comparing various A-level syllabuses, using a selection of statistical techniques. Currently he is Chief Examiner for CIE A-level Further Mathematics and Principal Examiner for an AQA Statistics paper.

In the last three years at Bedford School he has taught IB Higher Level Mathematics, for which he has been an examiner since 1990. Some Bedford students, who attended the OSC Easter Revision Course in Oxford, brought back glowing reports of it. Encouraged by this, for the last three years he has had the pleasure of being a tutor on the course.

"This is a most delightful experience of working with students (and other tutors) from many different countries. The course brings new insights, for all concerned (both students and tutors), of how one's subject can be approached."

Julia Kostrubina

Julia is Canadian and has been teaching IB at Munich International School for the past 5 years. She is an Assistant Examiner and Internal Assessment Moderator for Math Studies and she is an IB workshop leader where she trains teachers new to the IB Programme for teaching IB Math Studies and Standard Level in the IB. Julia has taught Mathematics SL at OSC for the past 2 years. Last year, she did 5 courses in a row!

"I originally thought that getting through a 2-year-syllabus in 2.5 days is crazy. But the learning environment at OSC is so focused and the students are so motivated that this has proven to be much easier than I ever envisioned. Having a chance to work with students from so many different countries, focus on their difficulties in Mathematics – whether it's the Graphics Calculator, Vectors or just the overall revision and having them walk away not just with more knowledge but with exam strategies and more confidence is a really rewarding experience for me every time!

Jacek Latkowski

Jacek Latkowski is a teacher with 22 years of experience including 14 years with the IB programme and 9 years with OSC. He has worked in various international schools, mainly in Germany, he is currently at British School in Warsaw as the Head of Mathematics Department. He has taught IB Mathematics, Physics and TOK and has presented at various conferences on those subjects. For the past 8 years he has been an examiner for Mathematics HL. His own son has completed the IB Diploma in 2006. Jacek was born in Poland, educated in Canada and is currently living and working in Warsaw, Poland. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and Mathematics as well as Bachelor of Education and Master of Science in Solid State Physics. He also holds a Ph.D. in theoretical physics and continues to combine his school work with his scientific research.

"The intensity of the OSC courses and the opportunity of working with so many highly motivated students, is always something that I look forward to."

Chris Lawton

Chris has been teaching economics for over 30 years in the UK, Sweden, Singapore and France. After teaching A-level economics in England, he moved to Hvitfeldtska Gymnasiet in Sweden, where he was responsible for all Higher and Standard level economics as well as looking after overseas University applications. Subsequently, he worked at the United World College in Singapore and the International School of Nice. Chris worked for OSC in summer 2007 and 2008.

Jacqui Lewis

Jacqui Lewis has recently retired from teaching IB Mathematics at St Julian's School in Lisbon and has previously taught in UK and Australia as well as being a PGCE Tutor at Bath University. She was instrumental in introducing the Team Maths Challenge competition into the UK and remains a member of the committee running the competition and devising questions. Jacqui has also accompanied teams of British Students to Mathematical competitions across Europe and this year will be travelling again with the British entry to the International mathematical Olympiad. Jacqui has been working with OSC on the spring revision classes since 2005 in Oxford. She is an examiner for the Mathematics standard level papers.

"Teaching on the revision classes in Oxford is very rewarding. The students arrive determined to learn, and fill in any gaps in their knowledge. They are determined to improve on their predicted grade. We all work very hard together to a common end. It is exhausting and fun."

Roger Magor

Roger Magor is an experienced Chemistry teacher and school administrator from Woodcroft College in South Australia. He has been teaching IB Higher and Standard Level Chemistry for twelve years while also serving as IB Coordinator. His teaching in other Chemistry programs is also extremely extensive. In 2007 he was awarded an "Excellence in Teaching Award" by the University of Adelaide. Roger has conducted training programs for IB Chemistry teachers in New Zealand and Australia. He values the depth and rigour of the IB program which ensures high uniform standards world-wide. Roger has taught with the OSC since 2004 at the Spring Courses in Oxford and in the inaugural courses in Australia.

"Without doubt, the OSC Spring courses put the "cream on the cake" for students who are approaching the final examinations. To study so intensively with other motivated students under the guidance of skilled and encouraging teachers is an experience which clearly gives OSC participants a huge advantage in improving their IB grade. There is no way that any student would revise with so much focus on their own!"

David Martin

David currently teaches IB Mathematics and Theory of Knowledge at St Peter's College, Adelaide, South Australia. He is an assistant examiner and a teacher workshop leader for the IBO. Since 2006, he has taught OSC courses in Oxford, Cambridge, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. He is a co-author of mathematics textbooks written for IB courses. David has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and Geography from the University of Adelaide and Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees in Mathematics from the University of New South Wales.

"Having students work on one subject in such an intensive manner means that I can provide a comprehensive review of the entire course with an emphasis on those areas which students have identified as weaknesses. My aim is to achieve a balance between reinforcing basic ideas, building confidence in weaker areas and providing challenging problems in each area of the course. Looking at concepts from different perspectives can build student understanding considerably."

John McMurtry

John started teaching in 1981 after completing his Masters degree in Biology from Northern Illinois University and obtaining his teaching credentials. He began teaching the IB Diploma Biology course in 1993 and continues to teach IB Biology at Munich Int. School. He is also the IB Diploma Coordinator at MIS, giving him further insight to the whole IB program and the demands on the students. In 2009, John will become a proud father of an OSC student and an IB Diploma graduate- so he knows what you and your parents are going through! Having been an examiner of Biology paper 2 and 3 since 2002 has given John an excellent experience to help students prepare for the IB exams. Since 2004, he has been leading IB Biology workshops helping new and experienced teachers to become better prepared to help students learn biology. John began teaching Oxford Study Course Easter revision courses in 1997.

"Working with OSC students is a real pleasure! Even though I might be tired just before Spring Break, OSC Easter Revision courses give me a real spark as the students are so charged up to learn and work towards bettering their exam performances. It is a joy for a teacher to see so many students really wanting to learn. The challenge to cover the entire HL syllabus in the 17.5 hours drives me to focus on what students need the most but without losing sight of the basic foundation learning that must be present in the students minds for excellent exam results."

Margarita Mechkova

Margarita Mechkova graduated from Sofia University St.Kliment Ohridsky, Sofia, Bulgaria in 1991 with a MSc Degree in Chemistry. She also has a Chemistry Teaching Degree and English as a Second Language Teaching Degree.

Since 1992 she has been working as a High School Chemistry and Science Teacher in schools in Bulgaria, the USA and the UK. Currently Margarita is an IB and AP Chemistry Teacher at ACS Hillingdon International School, London, UK. She is also an IB Chemistry Examiner.

"My memorable experiences with OCS started when I was offered to teach Mid IB Chemistry courses for OSC in Boston, USA. Since then I have always enjoyed the great company of all students and colleagues who I have met at the OSC courses. I always look forward to new great OSC experiences."

Peter Orange

Dr. Peter Orange has been teaching with OSC since 1997. He's taught in Oxford, Cambridge and Boston and loves all the venues. His speciality is English and the Arts. He supervises and tutors OSC students by helping them with their Written English, World Literature and Extended Essays.

Dr. Orange is Swiss / Canadian and taught for many years at Ecolint in Geneva, Switzerland (the birthplace and headquarters of the IB). He is an examiner, moderator, writer, lecturer, researcher, and has worked on many pilot, subject and steering committees as part of his IB experience that stretches back to 1980.

He works presently in Ottawa, Canada as a writer, researcher, teacher, administrator and each summer travels to OSC in Boston to teach highly motivated international school students and watch baseball games. Go Red Sox.

"OSC students have a gift for asking the right questions about where their learning might be. The interaction with their teachers makes the journey of learning a memorable and positive experience. When you live and work in the same 'school space', learning never stops. Teachers and students share their learning and grow exponentially because of it. Thanks OSC for creating the 'perfect storm of learning'."

George Reuter

George has worked with OSC for four summers, all at Harvard/MIT. He has thoroughly enjoyed teaching the pre-IB for the last three years, and looks forward to a brand new crop of able and willing students this July. During the school year, he works at Canandaigua Academy, a public high school in the Finger Lakes region of New York, USA. George teaches their Mathematics SL course, and is looking to implement Mathematics HL in the near future. He is married to Nicole, and has five beautiful children.

"I LOVE OSC!! The program is special in that the students get small classes under expert teaching from people who are well experienced in the IB. The students get a flavour of each section of the hexagon, and the teachers get a flavour of diverse cultures. The small class sizes allow for good discussion and prompt feedback to students. It's a win-win for everyone!"

David Ripley

After studying English at Cambridge, David taught for 23 years at St Clare's Oxford. As Head of English, he has covered all levels from university level literature courses to elementary language training. With a comprehensive knowledge of the IB programme, he has been the main workshop leader on 27 IB English B workshops, and is currently Principal Examiner for English B. Now living near Barcelona with his wife, David is developing a range of innovative language teaching materials centred on 'learning about language' (IB English B), and 'learning through language' (TELI, or the Teaching of English as the Language of Instruction). He has taught with OSC for many years.

David Smith

David has taught Physics, Chemistry and Biology for almost 20 years, with many years experience in teaching Biology for both the IB and the A-level. He started his teaching at the George Abbott School in Surrey, then spent 12 years in international schools in Zambia, where he taught the full spectrum of the three science disciplines. For 6 years he was Principal in two International Schools. David now teaches in an independent school in Cornwall. His philosophy is that the points matter in life, but the point of life is what matters most, and that's about striving for excellence in character, service and the arts and sciences.

"Before I joined the team and started offering the Easter Revision courses in Oxford, I used to think it would be impossible to cover the course in two and a half days, now I wouldn't dream of sending my final year students in to the exam without doing all of the presentations I use in Oxford!"

Gary Snapper

Gary read English at Cambridge University and has taught English in the UK for twenty years, including both A Level and the International Baccalaureate, as head of English at Impington Village College and International Sixth Form Centre, Cambridge. He has recently completed a PhD in Education, researching the teaching of English Literature in sixth forms and at universities. He also edits English Drama Media, the professional journal for English teachers in the UK, and leads workshops for teachers, trainee teachers and sixth form students. He has taught OSC English A1 Pre-IB, Mid-IB and Easter Revision courses in Oxford and Cambridge every year for five years.

"OSC study courses are extremely rewarding to teach, Concentrated teaching over a few days with small groups of students provides students with the chance to get to grips with the subject in a way which is not always possible in the hurly-burly of normal school life. The conditions in which we teach mean that teachers and students quickly form a bond which makes lessons both good-natured and productive. It is always exciting to see how much progress students can make in their understanding of the subject in just two and a half days."

Abdul Suliman

Abdul has worked with OSC for over 7 years teaching IB Physics at both a higher and standard level. He also works with students on their personal statements. He works at Dartford Grammar School in Kent, and is also an IB examiner.

"I help students who are preparing for their IB examinations, which takes part in a very relaxed and friendly format where the learning and teaching achieves a great deal in a short time as well as in an atmosphere conducive to learning. Students enjoy it and I personally enjoy helping them."

Dimitrina Trendafilova-Guerchev

Dimitrina has a Ph.D degree in Chemistry from the Bulgarian Academy of Science and has been teaching IB Chemistry for the last 6 years. She taught in United World Colleges in Singapore and Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina). She is an assistant examiner and moderator for Internal Assessment in Chemistry. Dimitrina finds working with students from all over the world very stimulating. She became very interested on issues connected with intercultural communication and social issues and has coordinated social service programs in the colleges she worked. She also translates Bulgarian writers in Italian.

I have worked in international environment for the last 15 years and I find this experience very enriching. The OSC course adds something more - it is very dynamic, intense and allows for building strong bonds between teacher and students. It gives an opportunity to the students to share their own experience with others and at the same time gives a good base for comparison. After this week spent in Cambridge the students have a clear idea of what they know and where to put their effort in the future. I look forward to the next session!

John Ward

John has been teaching IB physics for over 20 year and is currently teaching at an international school in Berlin. He is an IB examiner for physics and has been teaching for the OSC over the past 3 years. He has found teaching for OSC a very rewarding experience.

"To be able to work with these young people with their positive attitude and personalities as well as positive work ethic is a pleasure. Notwithstanding this I am proud to be part of the service that OSC provides to encourage and help to develop these students to be open-minded and capable citizens of the world."

David Wees

David Wees has been teaching the IB Mathematical Studies course for 4 years. He is the co-author of Heinemann Baccalaureate: Mathematical Studies, a textbook published especially for the IB diploma course of the same name. He is an assistant IB examiner for Mathematics SL and currently working on his Masters in Educational Technology.

His teaching career started in inner city Brooklyn where he taught for 3 years. He has spent the last 2 years living in Bangkok, Thailand with his family, after 2 years in London, England. He first taught with OSC in 2006 at Oxford in the spring. His other talent is professional web development and programming.

"I always fondly remember my time at OSC as 'that time I got to teach at Oxford' which was for obvious reasons, very exciting. The students were wonderful and very motivated as well extremely appreciative of the effort I put into my teaching."

Christopher Wieland

Chris was educated in America (state of Vermont) and took his first international teaching job in the Dominican Republic. After that he moved to Switzerland where he began teaching the IB. He began teaching the IB curriculum in 1994, so he has seen the various maths syllabi grow and evolve to what they are today. He is now living in the greater London area, teaching both the MYP and the IB Diploma Programme. He has been with OSC since 2004.


"OSC is an exciting place to be. The energy level created by the students and the teachers makes an environment very conducive to learning. I enjoy seeing what other students have done with their preparation and always look for new and better ways to present the material. What makes OSC work so well is that the student has the opportunity to see the same syllabus presented with a different teaching style and a different point of view. They return to their school with a renewed sense of excitement and carry this energy through their final revision and through their very last IB examination."

Roger Woodward

Roger Woodward has taught Higher and Standard Level Chemistry at Sevenoaks School, UK for almost 20 years and with OSC since 2002. Roger graduated in Chemistry from Imperial College, London and, after a period working with Lloyds Bank plc, took a teaching diploma at Chelsea College, Centre for Science Education on London from where he was later awarded a Masters degree in Science Education.

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