Administrative Staff

Dr. Alfonso Orsini came to The International School in July 2009 with over thirty years experience in education, including over ten years in various international posts. Most recently Dr. Orsini worked in Shanghai, China where he was the Founding Director of the Western International School of Shanghai and the Executive Director of the Zhuhai International School. Dr. Orsini’s experience also includes running schools in Abu Dhabi, Switzerland, and New Jersey, and serving on a site evaluation panel for the Aga Khan Schools in Tanzania. He has also served as Chair of the Executive Committee of the Swiss Group of International Schools.Dr. Orsini, with Professor Pearl Kane of Teachers College, Columbia University, has published a book, The Colors of Excellence: Recruiting and Retaining Teachers of Color in Independent Schools, and many articles including:

• “High Stakes Tests in China and The U.S.: A Tale of Two Empires,” Independent School Magazine, Fall 2005.
• “Big Tests, Big Sticks: High Stakes Testing in China and America.” Commentary in Education Week, 13 July, 2005.
• The Colors Of Excellence: Faculty Diversity in American Independent Schools, with Prof. Pearl Kane, Teachers College Press, Columbia University, 2003.
• “Attracting and Retaining Teachers of Color,” with Pearl Kane. Independent School Magazine, Fall 1999.
• “The Independent School Teacher: A Job Description,” National Independent School Teachers Association Newsletter, Spring, 1992.

Click here for an article about Robert.

Head of Early Childhood Program

I love working with young children. They are so eager to learn and so open to the world and to new experiences. My interactions with the kids are always the highlight of my day, whether it’s when I visit their classrooms, in the waiting rooms, or when they run into my office in the middle of a meeting to give me a hug.I originally became a teacher simply because I wanted to work with people, but after just my first year of teaching I knew this was the job for me. Now I can’t imagine being in any other field. It fills me with such joy to get to be a part of our students’ lives, watching them grow, develop and acquire life long skills, and to be a part of this school. Our mission and community are really what I love most about TIS. We all come from different places and parents choose this school for their children because they recognize the value in that diversity as well as our strong academic program.

My hope for all the students in The International School is that they continue what they start here, that they gain the skills needed to function well in society, and go out in pursuit of their dreams. I love hearing from alumni students. As they become young adults, they realize the importance of their time at The International School. They realize that they’ve walked away with so many life-long skills, not only the ability to speak two languages. It’s great to see where those skills have taken them in life.

Click here for an article about Maria.

Welcome to TIS! With previous experience as Director of Finance for a large Oregon winery and as branch manager for a Mid-Western community bank, I bring eight years of administrative and financial experience to my position as Business Manager of this school. I enjoy travel and multi-cultural activities. I am proud to be a part of this quality institution and believe that your children will benefit from the unique educational experiences that only The International School can offer.

I moved to the United States after undergraduate work, and, after several years on the east coast, I moved to Portland in 1991. Before becoming the Director of Admissions at the International School, I worked in admission offices at Lewis & Clark College and Reed College.

As a child, I followed a language immersion program exactly like the one taught at The International School. It was a program designed for English speaking students with complete immersion in a second language (French). I became bilingual in language and thought, and my French enabled me to become conversant in Spanish as an adult. It has been an absolute gift – thank you Mom & Dad!My children both graduated from TIS, and I want to give that gift to every child in Portland. I want to create great marketing to help show parents what a wonderful experience our school would be for their children.

In my job at The International School, I get to spend my days working for my biggest passions: children, open-minded people, and great marketing. What more could I ask for?

I am a global citizen, fluent in Japanese and French, who has lived in Australia, Singapore, United Kingdom, United States, Belgium, Switzerland and Japan. Prior to joining The International School, I lived for 8 years in Kobe, Japan where I served as the first Director of Development and Alumni Relations at a 90-year old international school serving students from over 40 countries.I am honored to invite everyone in our community (administration, faculty, staff, board members, volunteers, parents, former parents, alumni, friends, local businesses and the philanthropic community) to invest their time, talent and treasures in The International School. By working together, we can provide an excellent education that transforms our children into global citizens.

I am thrilled to be a part of such a dynamic group of teachers committed to creating a rich learning environment that celebrates multicultural understanding. I have 20 years experience working with children from diverse countries and socio-economic backgrounds. For 10 years I lived in Mexico City with my husband and three children. There I spent six years teaching at the primary level. We are happy to be back in the U.S. and I am especially content to go to work every day in such an international environment!

Returning from Vietnam in 1970, I attended college pursuing biochemistry. With a young family to support, I redirected my efforts and education towards becoming a Respiratory Care Practitioner, working in a variety of capacities as Department Head, Assistant Supervisor and Therapist. By 1978, I wanted a new challenge. Enjoying things mechanical as well as working with my hands, I enrolled in PCC’s HVACR program. For years I would work my regular job and in the evenings commute from Astoria to PCC 2-3 evenings a week, completing the program. Obtaining a contractor’s license, I started my own HVACR business doing commercial, residential and shipboard work.With the loss of my wife to cancer and having two children to raise, I sold my business settling in to routine employment in HVACR. During that time I began coursework in facilities and facilities management with a variety of courses in energy management, building code interpretation, electrical and plumbing code, and facilities management. I later attended OIT taking coursework in building operations which led to certification. In addition to certification through OIT, I have certifications from Ferris State University, RSES , NWG and others. I continue to pursue further education in facilities, enrolling in courses and seminars to round out and refresh my education. Education is a lifelong process.

I moved to Portland in 2008 and was fortunate to find a place with The International School community. TIS could not be a better fit for me. I have been involved in the field of language education since 2002. I’ve taught adult ESL and Spanish to children, including at a Spanish immersion preschool in Pittsburgh where I also ran the summer camp program.I love being a part of a school that fosters language education and multicultural understanding, while also getting to work with children and people from all over the world. Giving your child the gift of a second language is invaluable. It opens so many doors. But students at TIS gain much more than a second language. They become world citizens- open-minded, knowledgeable, confident, and and bilingual. What a head start!

When a visitor came to see a Japanese prek class, she told me she thought the class was so creative. The teacher was explaining the life cycle of a pumpkin to three-year-old children and showing them a pumpkin she had made. I believe The International School blends the most positive aspects of American-style education with the target language education. In the Japanese Track, this means learning to be creative and disciplined.When I was growing up, I studied English from middle school to college. When I came to the United States to teach Japanese nine years ago, it was difficult to understand what people said- not only because of the language but also because I was not familiar with the American cultural topics they discussed. Now I see International School students who are bilingual or trilingual from an early age. I am really happy to see their confidence. To immerse students not only in language but also in cultures, makes children world citizens who are accepting and understanding of others.I am so honored to work with a wonderful faculty and staff, students and parents from all over the world. As the Marketer for the Japanese Track, I would like to invite you to see how our students learn the Japanese culture and language to become confident world citizens.

Human Resources Manager

I’m a passionate Human Resource professional with prior HR experience at Portland companies ranging from small to mid sized. While completing my degree at PSU I gained wonderful exposure to the international community doing admissions for the Master of International Management program. The opportunity at TIS is a great combination for my Human Resource expertise and excitement to learn from a global community once again!

Hilltop Building Receptionist

Hello, Nyob Zoo! I settled in Oregon upon returning from Bangkok, Thailand as an English teacher at Chitlralada Palace School. I am truly blessed to become part of TIS and provide support in all areas of work and activities.

Arthur Street Receptionist

At TIS since 2000I was raised in Southern California and relocated to the Northwest after getting married. I found Portland through my sister, and have embraced it as my home. I am single and have one grown son living here. My earlier education was directed toward Theater Arts and I hold an AA Degree from Palomar College in North San Diego County.Most of my married years were spent either raising my son, or doing hospital work. I feel destiny brought me to The International School, and I know that I have found my true family here.

EMT / Security Officer

Hello! I have lived in Portland for 27 years and love the natural beauty that Oregon has to offer. I have held several emergency services jobs throughout the years, and feel my combination of education and experience will help parents feel at ease while their children are attending TIS.

I have worked for Westcoast Wildland Strike Teams for the past 7 years as an Engine Boss/EMT, and continue to do so during the summer fire seasons. My annual schedule of working with the children during the school year, and fighting wildfires during the summer is a perfect fit for me. Before working at TIS, I was employed by Estacada Fire & Rescue as an Intern Firefighter/EMT, Portland Community College as an EMT-Basic evaluator and lab assistant, and Cooper Contracting in Bend, OR as a Wildland Fire EMT. One of my favorite hobbies is to travel to remote wilderness areas throughout Oregon, Washington, and Idaho where I have fought wildfires, and camp in the areas I got to know so well during the summer fire seasons.

Recently, my father and I have started a real estate remodeling business, Stephen Hawke Remodeling, and I am currently taking online courses towards earning my Oregon Real Estate License. I absolutely love working at The International School, and could not ask for a friendlier and more professional staff to work with.

Facilities & Maintenance Specialist

I enjoy every day here. I came here with a vast array of experience in the construction and maintenance sector- everything from carpentry and painting to plumbing and electrical work- but also with seven years experience working for a large communications company in Guatemala. At TIS I’m happy to be able to utilize all my varied skills. I get to work with my hands and to solve problems, and I also get the opportunity to interact with many different types of people.

My interactions with the kids, parents and staff are my favorite parts of the day. The TIS community is very friendly and open-minded. I also enjoy working here because my wife is a Spanish teacher at TIS and our daughter is enrolled in the Japanese Track. Working with my family close by is like a dream come true.

At TIS since 1995I have worked for The International School for many years and I love coming to work every day. When I first began here, the school was very small and different but I’ve enjoyed watching the school and students grow over the years. I feel like this is my second home. It is such a good community of people. Now, I have both a daughter and a granddaughter here at TIS. My daughter teaches in the Spanish Track and my granddaughter is learning Japanese. I love seeing her speak her new language with her teachers and friends.