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.

Our PROFESSIONAL IBDP TEACHERS are selected both 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 25 years and specifically IB History for 10 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 21 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 17 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 35 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 recently taught on an OSC summer course and several intensive spring courses. He has been a regular language specialist member of C.I.S. accreditation teams over the last 15 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), worked at the International School of Stuttgart from 2003-2009 and the Swiss International School in Fellbach from 2009-2010. She has worked since 2005 as an adjunct lecturer at the University of Applied Sciences in Esslingen and is now enjoying raising her young son. 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 where he is head of science. 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 taught mid-IB courses with OSC at Oxford and Cambridge for a number of years now, and occasionally also takes a pre-IB course.

"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."

Roger Fletcher

Roger has 35 years IB teaching and examining experience in IB Mathematics – Studies, SL, HL and Further. He has taught at international schools worldwide, been an IBDP coordinator, examiner and is currently a moderator for internal assessment in Math HL. Roger also teaches TOK.

"OSC offers an international environment where students are highly motivated, responsive and rewarding to teach. Meeting fellow teacher from across the world makes a stimulating atmosphere for both teachers and students."

"The opportunity to enjoy intensive courses in small classes led by a range of some of the most experienced teacher and examiners in the IB world cannot be bettered."

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 thirty years. He is married with four children. His wife is German and he speaks German fluently.

Clive started teaching at OSC in 2004. Since then he has taught the Easter Revision courses in Geography, both at Higher and Standard Levels. 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

Kim has been the Head of the Physics department at Malmo Borgarskola, Sweden, for 10 years. He is an assistant examiner in physics and has 14 years of experience teaching the IB-programme at both SL and HL. Kim has a University Diploma in Education for Upper Secondary School, Mathematics and Physics, as well as a Master of Science, Physics from Lund University in Sweden. In 2010, Kim was awarded the Ingvar Lindqvist prize for teaching achievements in Physics by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

"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."

Peter Hamer-Hodges

Peter has taught all levels of IB Mathematics since 1977. His extensive experience includes 34 years of teaching at international schools worldwide, 26 years as an Assistant Examiner and Teacher Workshop Leader, 5 years as a Deputy Chief Examiner for Mathematics HL, IB consultant and site visit coordinator. Peter has also taught on all of OSC’s Vacation Courses since 2007.

"OSC has been specialising in IB revision courses for over 20 years and have put together a highly organized team that makes the job of an OSC teacher a very rewarding one. Great locations, interesting students and fellow teachers make the whole experience exciting and always interesting."

"An experienced IB teacher can use an OSC course to really get to the point with regard to examination preparation. Intensive review and exam practice will help students get better grades."

Joe Hamkari

Joe has lived in a number of different countries both as a student and as teacher, including the Middle East, the Caribbean, the Americas and Currently Central Asia as well as the UK. Over his teaching career he has taught in state and private schools both day and boarding.

Joe has taught IBDP Biology since 1998 and is currently the DP coordinator at his school as well as a Biology teacher. Joe is currently a Senior Examiner and Senior Moderator for the IA, so while he may not know the answer to all your questions he does have a good idea of who to ask. As well as teaching students he is fortunate to be able to offer workshops for other Biology teachers.

"I am married with two children and my major interest is diving and can proudly say I have dove with most of the major species of sharks."

Jacek Latkowski

Jacek Latkowski is a teacher with 24 years of experience including 16 years with the IB programme and 11 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 9 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 31 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 has worked for OSC in the summers of 2007 - 2010.

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 became 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."

Ashby Merson-Davies

Ashby has taught Biology HL and SL for 37 years at Sevenoaks School, UK, and for 17 years with OSC. He has previously been a workshop leader and is currently the author of all OSC’s IB Biology Revision Guides.

“OSC offers a different style of teaching in a different environment where students are focused on the task of consolidating their knowledge and making improvements to their grade. It is so enjoyable to see the fog lifting when students finally understand something, and also when they realise that what they thought was complex and difficult to learn was in fact simple and easy to learn!”

“OSC courses enable teachers to focus precisely on the needs of the students and on the syllabus, helping students to develop their learning and examination techniques - two things a teacher’s experience and years of hands-on teaching allow.”

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 five summers, all at Harvard/MIT. He has thoroughly enjoyed teaching the pre-IB for the last four 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.

Christian Schmelz

Christian Schmelz has been with OSC for the past six years and taught on spring and summer courses in Oxford and Boston. He is a Biology examiner and moderator for the Internal Assessment.

"Meeting and learning in virtual classrooms opens up exciting possibilities which students from around the globe can benefit from. Online courses will not only give students access to the information they need for their revision, but also provide students with opportunities for further developing the skills they need for maximizing their performance in exams."

David Smith

David has taught Physics, Chemistry and Biology for 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 over 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 since 2005.

"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."

Tanja Stege

Tanja has been teaching German B and German A1 HL and SL since 2000 and currently teaches at Hockerill Anglo-European College, UK. Tanja is a workshop leader, a Diploma Examiner for Paper 1 SL and an educational consultant.

"OSC courses have always been a highlight. The old, beautiful colleges provide a great atmosphere, in which teaching and learning becomes a unique experience. The success is further determined by the excellent organization and highly motivated students."

"Students fully enjoy the experience, perceiving it as a change to their normal learning environment. Small class sizes allow every student to be addressed and new materials allow students to visualise and understand theory differently, boosting their confidence, which in itself is of invaluable importance. A special learning opportunity."

Abdul Suliman

Abdul has worked with OSC for over 8 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 9 years. Currently teaching at United World College Adriatic in Italy, she has also 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 is very interested in intercultural communication and social issues and has experience in coordinating social service programs for students. She also translates Bulgarian literature into Italian.

"I have worked in international environments for the last 16 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!"

Julia Walch

Julia is Canadian and has been teaching IB at Munich International School for the past 7 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 3 years. In 2009, 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!"

David Wees

David Wees has been teaching the IB Mathematical Studies course for 5 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 3 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 Woodburn

Roger gained his BSc at King's College, London, and his PGCE at Oxford. He has 34 years experience of teaching biology (and other sciences) at secondary school level, with 13 years teaching IB Biology both at HL and SL plus ES&S at SL and ToK. IB workshop leader.

"I always enjoy working with IB students, they are without fail a rewarding group to teach because they bring to the class the right combination of, curiosity, independence of mind, excellent work ethic and a determination to overcome their difficulties in understanding what can be some very difficult topics. Online teaching presents rewarding opportunities for all concerned."

Roger Woodward

Roger Woodward has taught Higher and Standard Level Chemistry at Sevenoaks School, UK for 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 in London from where he was later awarded a Masters degree in Science Education.

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