Education Leadership Team

Bodo Heiliger
Head of School
BodoH@intlschool.org

• From Radolfzell, Germany; and Allendale, New Jersey
• Bachelor of Arts from Colby College
• Master of Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education
• In education since 2002; at ISP since 2016

International School of Portland is a truly unique and inspiring place of teaching and learning. It embraces the ideals I hold dear to my heart of global citizenship; the beauty and diversity of language learning; as well as the power and possibilities of the IB Primary Years Program.

Over my time in education, I have taught in nearly all elementary grade levels in various schools across the United States and in Germany. I have been fortunate to have trained as an IB PYP Workshop Leader and a Concept-Based Curriculum and Instruction Trainer, which allows me to lead workshops for ISP and schools across the world on how to teach and implement the PYP and concept-based teaching and learning.

Every day I become even more excited to be a part of this dedicated and diverse group of educators, students and parents. I love working collaboratively with the entire community and appreciate the great responsibility I have of helping support ISP’s continued growth and success.

Paula Cano
Head of Early Childhood (Preschool & Kindergarten)
PaulaC@intlschool.org

• From Colombia
• MA in Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education
• BA in Literature (Cum Laude), Universidad de los Andes, Bogota, Colombia
• Certificate in Early Childhood Education, Portland State University
• Primary Years Program, Middle Years Program, and Diploma Program Workshops, International Baccalaureate Organization

Jason Johnston
Head of Elementary (Grades 1-5)
JasonJ@intlschool.org

• From Rome, Georgia
• Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from State University of West Georgia
• Master of Education with a focus in International Leadership from Wilkes University
• In education since 1999

From the moment I began working and teaching in the classroom, I have had a passion for supporting students through the learning process and supporting teachers in providing the best education possible for young learners. My favorite place to be is in the classroom. I can’t wait to meet all of the wonderful students and see their learning in action. I am learning very quickly that the International School of Portland is a special place dedicated to its community and its students. I am happy to be a member of the ISP family.

As for me, I have experience working with children of all ages but have direct classroom experience in grades 2-5 mainly in the state of Georgia. I have worked abroad in Mexico City, Mexico where I served as a principal and dean of students for two international schools. I am also a member of the International Baccalaureate Education Network (IBEN) which has provided me experience leading workshops and site visits in the United States and abroad for the Primary Years Programme (PYP). Being a member of IBEN also supports me in keeping up to date with best practices that support an international education.

Again, I am excited to be a member of the ISP community. I look forward to working together with all members of the school community to continue the amazing work that is happening.

Dr. Erin Porter
Head of Student Support
ErinP@intlschool.org

• From Washington, DC
• Master in Elementary Education from the University of Virginia
• Master in International & Intercultural Communication, Royal Roads University
• Doctorate in Neuroeducation, University of Portland

As a lifelong learner myself, I love helping children nurture their inherent love of learning and to celebrate their strengths and successes within a learning community and beyond. International School of Portland of Portland’s student-centred mission aligns with my vision for an inclusive, process-oriented, and nurturing school environment.

Throughout my career as an educator I have been drawn to the students who struggle in some way in the classroom as I challenge myself to figure out how best I can guide and boost them as learners. Learning about the brain and how we learn neurobiologically has helped build my toolbox which I bring to ISP to support all learners. I am inspired by the school’s PYP program’s focus on inquiry as it connects to the sense of curiosity and connection I see as essential to learning.

When not at school, I am happy cooking healthy meals with my family, exploring beaches and forests with my dogs, and kayaking wherever possible.

Lauren Reggero-Toledano
Instructional Coach
LaurenR@intlschool.org

• From New York
• BS in Elementary Education and Spanish from University of Miami
• Master of Science in Spanish Language and Cultures from Universidad De Salamanca in Spain

I am a firm believer in the transformational and lasting power of immersive learning and place-based study. My career path and teaching philosophy have no doubt been shaped by my early immersive experiences: First, as a small child going to the Colonial Diner with my grandfather where he and his friends could be in community together and happily use their native Greek, and then as a teenager when I was an exchange student in Oviedo, Spain. I went on to study abroad as a college student in Granada before doing my graduate studies in Salamanca, which made all the difference. In the last two plus decades, I have also been fortunate to be able to lead high school and college students on immersive and place-based programs in Spain and Cuba. These experiences cemented my belief and understanding that not only do students acquire more language proficiency when immersed in the language and culture they are studying, but more importantly, students in these environments acquire a global mindset and a lasting appreciation of different perspectives and life experiences.

When I moved to Portland in 2001, my first job was here at ISP teaching 2nd Grade in the Spanish Track. Since returning to ISP as the new Instructional Coach in 2023, I have been reminded of what a uniquely diverse, vibrant, inclusive, and welcoming community this is. My early years as a Pre-K through 6th Grade teacher of Spanish allowed me to share my passion for language and cultural studies while deepening my understanding of how children learn. Those foundational teaching and learning experiences, combined with what I have learned through my last 20 years of teaching Spanish to high schoolers, have prepared me and continue to motivate me to share my dedication to the study of language learning, my experience, and my passion for coaching with ISP staff.

Outside of the school environment, I most enjoy spending time with family and friends. Visits with our family and friends in Spain and on the east coast are particularly special. When not traveling I enjoy gardening and cooking (especially Greek food).

Jacob Muune
Primary Years Programme Coordinator
JacobM@intlschool.org

• From Oregon
• BA in English Literature
• M.Ed. in Elementary Education

Steven Borcherding
Facilities Manager
SteveB@intlschool.org

• From Washington
• Studied at Olympic College in Bellingham, WA and Northwest Indian College in Bremerton, WA
• Affiliations and Certification with APPA, IFMA, MPI, BSI, BOC, and CSI
• At ISP since 2017

Beth Katona
Development Director
bkatona@intlschool.org

• Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University: Master of Nonprofit Organizations- Valedictorian
• Princeton University, Bachelor of Arts: Obtained NJ Teacher Certification
• International School of Portland Trustee and Chair of the External Affairs Committee, May 2019 to May 2022
• ISP Alumni parent

Marguerite McAleer
Head of HR
MMcaleer@intlschool.org

• From all over the world
• Bachelors of Science in Business and Hospitality Management, Florida International University
• At ISP since 2016

Katharine Applegarth
Marketing & Communications Director
Kats@intlschool.org

• From Washington, DC; San Francisco, CA; and Greenwich, CT
• Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Georgetown University
• Master’s (MBA) in Marketing and Strategy, Yale University, School of Management
• At ISP since 2014

Erin Cooley
Director of Enrollment Management
ErinC@intlschool.org

• From Massachusetts
• BA from Reed College
• MA-in-progress Portland State University, PACE program

Ryan Scheel
Extended Programs Director & Capstone Coordinator
ryans@intlschool.org

• From Los Angeles, CA
• BFA in Art, UCLA and University of Oregon
• At ISP since 2021

Robert Timmons
Director of Finance & Operations
RobT@intlschool.org

• From Columbia, Missouri
• Bachelor’s in International Studies, University of Missouri
• MBA from William Woods University
• At ISP since 2002

Brandy Ascough
Health and Safety Coordinator
BrandyA@intlschool.org

• From Los Angeles, California
• BS in Science from Portland State University
• Former Emergency Medical Technician and Emergency Room Technician
• At ISP since 2017

Jaynie Frost
Assistant to the Head of Elementary
JaynieF@intlschool.org

• From Los Angeles county, California
• BA in Psychology from University of Southern California
• At ISP since 2023

Sarah Loepp
Marketing & Admissions Coordinator
SarahL@intlschool.org

• From Oregon
• MA in Publishing from Portland State University
• At ISP since 2019

Deborah Marion
Alumni and Community Engagement Manager
DeborahM@intlschool.org

Jenna McCracken
Assistant to the Head of Early Childhood
JennaM@intlschool.org

• From Portland, OR
• Over 30 years experience working in Social Service and education
• At ISP since 2021 — connected to ISP over 25 years!

Yoko Takemoto
Advancement Assistant
YokoT@intlschool.org

• Originally from Hyogo Japan – Seattle, San Diego, Tokyo, Chicago, Los Angeles
• BA in Communication, California State University
• MA in Organizational and Intercultural Communication with concentration in Training & Development, Diversity and Inclusion Certificate, Cornell University
• Qualified Administrator of Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI)
• Certified Trainer of icEdge (Intercultural Communications Edge)

Mark Usher
Technology Coordinator
MarkU@intlschool.org

• From Omaha, Nebraska
• At ISP since 2012

Kelly Rogers
Head of Professional Learning
KellyR@intlschool.org

• From Alexandria, VA
• Bachelor of Arts from University of Virginia
• Master of Teaching from University of Virginia
• In education since 2009; at ISP since 2018

Learn more about the Deloris A. Spear Center for Excellence in Teaching here!